Best Chatbot Platforms for Small Business

Small businesses can significantly improve customer service and streamline operations with chatbot platforms. These tools handle tasks like answering FAQs, booking appointments, and processing orders - saving time and resources. Many platforms integrate with existing tools like CRMs, payment systems, and scheduling apps, making them practical for businesses of all sizes. Here's a breakdown of 18 chatbot platforms tailored for small businesses, covering features, pricing, integrations, and customization options:

• 918 Studio: No-code chatbot creation with custom solutions; pricing based on features.

• Lindy: Offers human handoff triggers and a customizable knowledge base.

• ChatGPT: Advanced AI for nuanced conversations; free and paid tiers available.

• Claude: Focuses on safety and reliability; handles large text analysis.

• Gemini: Integrated with Google Workspace for everyday tasks.

• Grok: Social media engagement and analytics.

• Chatbase: Simple chatbot creation using existing content.

• Botpress: Open-source platform for advanced customization.

• ManyChat: Social media-focused automation for Instagram and Facebook.

• Tidio: Combines live chat with chatbot features for real-time engagement.

• TypingMind: Centralized AI management with multi-model support.

• Intercom: Proactive customer engagement and smart routing.

• Birdeye: Chatbots with review management and multi-location support.

• Drift: Lead qualification and conversational marketing.

• Freshchat: Omnichannel messaging with automation.

• IBM watsonx Assistant: Scalable AI with voice and text integration.

• Cognigy: Handles complex cases with multilingual support.

• Boost.ai: Hybrid AI for regulated industries.

These platforms vary in features, pricing, and complexity, catering to businesses with different needs and goals. Below is a quick comparison to help you choose the right one.

Quick Comparison

Each platform offers unique strengths. Choose based on your business size, budget, and operational needs. Test free trials or demos to see which fits best with your goals.

Best AI Chatbot Software For Your Website (Compared)

1. 918 Studio

918 Studio helps small businesses create AI-powered chatbots without the need for technical expertise. Using no-code and low-code tools, this platform - developed by industry professionals - makes it easier for businesses to deploy chatbots that work effectively right out of the gate.

Features

918 Studio specializes in building chatbots that can be tailored to fit your brand and operational needs. Thanks to its no-code and low-code foundation, the platform offers solutions that not only scale with your business but also integrate smoothly into your existing digital tools. This ensures your chatbot feels like a natural part of your ecosystem.

The platform’s flexibility allows you to adjust the chatbot to match your specific requirements. Plus, you’ll benefit from continuous support and regular updates, keeping your chatbot aligned with your evolving business needs.

Pricing

The pricing model is designed to fit your unique needs. You only pay for the features that matter to your business, making it a smart choice for small businesses with tight budgets or specific demands.

Customization

Launching a fully customized chatbot typically takes around 45 days. 918 Studio ensures that the final product reflects your brand’s personality and supports your business processes. With ongoing support and updates, your chatbot will continue to grow alongside your business.

2. Lindy

Building on 918 Studio's no-code approach, Lindy steps up the game with smart human handoff triggers. This AI-powered chatbot platform is designed to offer flexibility and customization tailored to your business requirements.

Features

Lindy lets you fine-tune its appearance, content, and behavior, giving you control over how it interacts with your customers. One standout feature is the ability to define specific triggers for when a human agent should take over a conversation. By setting clear escalation rules, Lindy ensures that complex or sensitive issues are seamlessly handed off to a real person, delivering a smoother customer experience.

Another key feature is its customizable knowledge base. You can train Lindy with your business-specific information, product details, and FAQs. This means your chatbot stays relevant and aligned with your business operations, adapting as your processes and customer needs evolve.

3. ChatGPT

ChatGPT leverages OpenAI's advanced language model to manage detailed and nuanced conversations, going far beyond the capabilities of traditional rule-based systems.

Features

ChatGPT excels at maintaining context throughout extended conversations, making it ideal for addressing a wide range of customer needs - from answering simple FAQs to tackling more complex issues. Its ability to generate content is a game-changer for businesses, offering support for tasks like writing marketing copy, crafting product descriptions, and handling customer communications.

The GPT-4 model takes this a step further with improved reasoning, enabling longer and more coherent discussions without unnecessary repetition. ChatGPT also supports multimodal interactions, meaning it can analyze and respond to images in addition to text. This feature is especially useful for businesses that deal with visual products or need technical support involving images.

Another standout feature is ChatGPT's code interpretation capability. This allows businesses to automate tasks like data analysis or create basic workflow scripts. For small businesses, this could mean streamlining inventory management, generating sales reports, or analyzing customer data efficiently.

All these capabilities are paired with flexible pricing options designed to meet the needs of small businesses.

Pricing

ChatGPT provides a free tier that grants access to GPT-3.5, though usage is limited. This option is perfect for small businesses exploring how the platform fits into their operations. For more advanced needs, the ChatGPT Plus subscription costs $20 per month and includes GPT-4 access, faster response times, and priority service during high-traffic periods.

For businesses looking to integrate ChatGPT into their existing systems, OpenAI offers pay-per-use pricing for API access. Rates for GPT-3.5 Turbo are $0.0015 per 1,000 input tokens and $0.002 per 1,000 output tokens, while GPT-4 starts at $0.03 per 1,000 input tokens and $0.06 per 1,000 output tokens.

Integration

ChatGPT can be seamlessly integrated into your business systems through OpenAI's API. Developers can embed ChatGPT into websites, mobile apps, or customer service platforms. Popular integration options include Zapier for automating workflows, WordPress plugins for adding chat functionality to websites, and Slack bots for improving internal team communication.

For customer-focused tasks, ChatGPT works well with CRM systems via third-party connectors. This setup allows businesses to pull customer information directly from their databases, enabling personalized responses based on details like purchase history or account activity.

Customization

While ChatGPT doesn't offer extensive visual customization like some specialized chatbot platforms, it allows businesses to fine-tune responses through prompt engineering. This ensures that ChatGPT aligns with your brand's tone and messaging.

The Custom Instructions feature is another powerful tool, enabling businesses to set consistent behavior preferences. Small businesses can use this to maintain a unified brand voice, incorporate industry-specific language, or control response lengths. Additionally, you can create custom GPTs tailored to specific needs, such as handling customer support for specific product lines or managing lead qualification processes.

4. Claude

Claude is an AI assistant developed by Anthropic, designed with a focus on safety and reliability. It's particularly useful for small businesses that need dependable tools for customer interactions.

Features

Claude can handle and analyze large amounts of text in a single conversation. This makes it an excellent choice for tasks like reviewing contracts, policy documents, or extensive customer feedback - saving businesses time and effort. Beyond that, it excels at tackling multi-step problems in customer service, offering solutions to complex issues that require careful consideration.

What sets Claude apart is its commitment to safety. Thanks to its constitutional AI training, it’s programmed to decline inappropriate requests and maintain professionalism. This reduces the chances of sharing inaccurate information or engaging in problematic exchanges.

Pricing

Claude offers a tiered pricing structure.

• Free Tier: Ideal for businesses that want to test the platform or handle moderate interaction volumes.

• Premium Plan: Designed for those who need higher usage limits and additional features.

• API Option: Available on a pay-per-use basis, it allows for integration into custom workflows.

Integration

Anthropic's API makes it easy to integrate Claude into various business workflows. Whether it’s embedding its capabilities into websites, mobile apps, or customer service platforms, the API supports real-time interactions and large-scale text processing. For businesses without technical teams, Claude is also accessible as a standalone tool through its web interface, simplifying its adoption.

Customization

Claude offers customization options through system prompts, allowing businesses to fine-tune its role, tone, and guidelines. This ensures its responses align with a company’s brand and operational needs. It also keeps track of context during longer conversations, helping deliver consistent and relevant support across different scenarios.

5. Gemini

Gemini is Google's AI assistant seamlessly integrated into Google Workspace, designed to help small businesses handle everyday tasks across Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet, Chat, and Videos.

Features

Gemini simplifies routine tasks, boosting productivity across Google's familiar suite of tools. It helps with drafting emails, creating documents, and managing spreadsheets efficiently. These capabilities are built directly into Google Workspace, offering businesses an intuitive way to save time and effort.

Pricing

Premium AI features - including access to Gemini and enhanced functionalities within Google Workspace - are included in Google Workspace plans. For businesses already using Google's suite, this provides a convenient and cost-efficient option. Additionally, the Gemini API includes a free tier for testing (with limited rate usage) and a paid tier offering higher rate limits and extra features based on token consumption.

Integration

Gemini integrates directly with Google Workspace and connects to over 1,000 business applications through platforms like Albato. This includes tools like Google My Business, Calendar, Slack, and Salesforce. With these integrations, businesses can automate tasks such as generating messages, embedding content, and handling inquiries, all supported by real-time or scheduled synchronizations.

Customization

The Gemini API empowers developers to create custom applications and integrations using models like Gemini 2.5 Pro and Gemini 2.5 Flash, each tailored for specific needs. This flexibility allows businesses to adapt Gemini's capabilities to their unique operational goals. With robust integration and customization options, Gemini becomes a powerful asset for small businesses deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem.

6. Grok

Grok specializes in real-time customer engagement and social media analytics, designed specifically for small businesses. By tapping into trending topics, it helps businesses stay on top of conversations and respond quickly to relevant discussions.

Features

Grok provides instant insights into trending topics and brand mentions, making it easier to create timely content and engage with audiences. It’s also equipped to track industry trends, giving businesses a competitive edge in social media interactions. These advanced analytics are part of its premium offering, which reflects the value it provides.

Pricing

Grok operates on a premium subscription model through its host platform. For detailed pricing information, check the official pricing page.

Integration

Built directly into the Grok platform, this tool ensures a smooth workflow for social media management. Users can easily access features like messaging and analytics without switching between tools, keeping everything in one place.

Customization

While Grok offers basic customization options, such as the ability to provide industry-specific context for interactions, it doesn’t allow for extensive tailoring of responses or workflows. Still, its insights are tailored enough to support effective social media engagement.

Grok empowers businesses to navigate social media with real-time, actionable insights.

7. Chatbase

Chatbase is a tool designed to help small businesses create custom chatbots without any need for coding. It uses your existing content - like documents, website pages, or FAQs - to build a chatbot tailored to your business.

Features

With Chatbase, businesses can upload documents, URLs, or Q&A pairs to train their chatbot, ensuring it provides accurate and relevant answers. The Pro plan includes 15 AI actions per agent, which can handle tasks like scheduling meetings through Calendly or sending notifications via Slack.

The platform also offers basic tone customization, letting businesses tweak how their chatbot interacts with customers. Users can configure settings such as custom instructions, retraining schedules, and how the bot processes input. These tools make it easier to align the chatbot's behavior with specific business needs.

Pricing

Chatbase uses a subscription model with optional add-ons to enhance functionality. For example, businesses can add custom domains for $59/month or remove Chatbase branding for $39/month, helping maintain a polished, professional look.

Integration

Chatbase supports deployment across various communication channels, including website embeds, Slack, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. It also integrates with other business tools through its API and Zapier connections, making it easy to link with CRMs or ticketing systems. This flexibility allows businesses to engage with customers on their preferred platforms.

Customization

While Chatbase offers some customization options, they are relatively simple compared to more advanced platforms. Businesses can adjust the chatbot's tone and configure basic AI actions, but there are limitations. Features like detailed response behavior, fallback logic, or answer prioritization are not included. Additionally, retraining the chatbot must be done manually, as it doesn't automatically update or sync with new content.

Chatbase is best suited for small businesses that need a straightforward chatbot solution without the need for highly complex customization. It’s an easy-to-use platform for those looking to enhance customer interactions without diving into advanced technical setups.

8. Botpress

Botpress stands out as an open-source conversational AI platform designed to help small businesses create advanced, customizable chatbots. Whether you prefer a cloud-hosted setup or a self-hosted option, Botpress offers the flexibility to manage your chatbot infrastructure in a way that suits your business needs.

Features

At the heart of Botpress is its user-friendly visual flow builder, allowing businesses to design complex conversation paths without writing a single line of code. The platform’s natural language understanding (NLU) capabilities ensure accurate interpretation of user intent, while multi-language support, built-in analytics, and conversation logs provide valuable insights into customer interactions. Additionally, the human handoff feature enables seamless transitions to live agents when the chatbot encounters issues it cannot resolve.

Pricing

Botpress uses a freemium pricing model that caters to small businesses. The free tier often meets the needs of many users, but for those requiring additional capacity or advanced features, paid plans and enterprise-level options are available.

Integration

Botpress connects effortlessly with popular messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Telegram. It also supports webhook integrations and offers a REST API, making it easy to link with various business systems. Beyond that, it integrates with workflow automation tools and databases, simplifying operations and opening the door to extensive customization.

Customization

One of Botpress's strongest points is its flexibility in customization. Using its visual designer, businesses can create branching dialogues with conditional logic and set up custom actions, such as triggering CRM updates or sending email notifications. For those with technical expertise, Botpress supports custom code injection and full UI customization, ensuring the chatbot aligns perfectly with a business's branding. The open-source version gives businesses full control over deployment, data storage, and security, making it a great option for those who prioritize control and scalability.

Botpress is an excellent choice for small businesses looking to grow their chatbot capabilities or implement more complex conversation flows over time.

9. ManyChat

ManyChat focuses on Instagram and Facebook Messenger marketing automation, helping businesses connect with their audience through interactive and engaging chat experiences. It’s designed to nurture leads, provide support, and boost sales using popular messaging platforms.

Features

ManyChat offers tools that simplify social messaging. The visual flow builder is a standout feature, making it easy to design interactive chat sequences like quizzes, polls, and product catalogs. Businesses can also use broadcast messaging and automated sequences to onboard customers, guide them through sales funnels, and maintain ongoing engagement.

For situations requiring a human touch, the platform includes live chat takeover so agents can step in as needed. With tag-based audience segmentation, businesses can tailor conversations based on user behavior. Additionally, the platform’s e-commerce integrations allow customers to browse products, make purchases, and track orders - all within the messenger app.

Pricing

ManyChat has a freemium plan that supports up to 1,000 contacts, making it accessible for smaller businesses. Paid plans start at $15 per month and scale based on your subscriber count. The Pro plan unlocks advanced features like unlimited custom fields, phone and email support, and the option to remove ManyChat branding.

Integration

ManyChat integrates with popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Shopify, and WooCommerce. It also supports Zapier, enabling connections with a wide range of tools.

For e-commerce, ManyChat offers features like automated order updates and abandoned cart recovery sequences. Through Zapier, you can connect ManyChat to CRMs, payment processors, analytics tools, and more, creating a seamless workflow for your business.

Customization

ManyChat provides robust customization options to reflect your brand’s identity. You can adjust templates to match your colors, fonts, and tone. With conditional logic, businesses can create dynamic conversation flows that adapt to user responses.

The platform also supports custom fields and attributes for detailed user profiling, as well as interactive elements like buttons, quick replies, and carousel cards. For more advanced needs, ManyChat allows custom webhook integrations, enabling businesses to connect proprietary systems or trigger specific actions during chats.

Other advanced tools include growth features like auto-replies on social media comments, click-to-Messenger ads, and customer chat widgets for websites. These tools help businesses capture leads across multiple platforms, building a well-rounded messaging strategy.

10. Tidio

Tidio combines live chat with chatbot features, offering both automated and human support options. It emphasizes real-time customer engagement through website chat widgets and automated messaging, making it easy for businesses to connect with their visitors.

Features

Tidio's live chat widget enables businesses to interact with website visitors instantly, while its chatbot builder handles routine questions automatically. With a visual bot editor, users can design conversation flows without needing coding skills. These bots can help with tasks like qualifying leads, answering FAQs, and collecting contact information before routing conversations to a live agent.

The platform also includes visitor tracking, giving insights into who’s browsing your site, what pages they’re viewing, and their location. This data helps agents provide tailored support. Additionally, proactive messaging allows businesses to send targeted messages based on visitor actions, such as spending a long time on a page or abandoning a shopping cart.

For teams, Tidio offers tools like agent assignment rules and internal notes, ensuring smooth collaboration. Its mobile apps for iOS and Android let you stay connected and respond to customers even when you’re on the go.

Pricing

Tidio’s free plan is great for small businesses, supporting 100 conversations per month and chatbot functionality for up to 3 operators.

Paid plans start at $29 per month for the Starter plan, which includes 2,000 conversations per month and features like visitor info and chat ratings. The Growth plan, priced at $59 per month, offers unlimited conversations, advanced targeting, and email integration. For larger-scale operations, the Tidio+ plan begins at $394 per month, providing access to advanced analytics and custom integrations.

Integration

Tidio seamlessly connects with popular platforms like Shopify, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce. It also integrates with Mailchimp and GetResponse for email marketing.

Through Zapier, Tidio can link with over 1,000 third-party apps, enabling tasks like automatically adding leads to your CRM, sending chat transcripts to help desk software, or triggering follow-up emails based on chat interactions.

For e-commerce businesses, Tidio offers specialized features, such as displaying product recommendations during chats and tracking order statuses directly within the chat widget.

Customization

Tidio provides extensive options to tailor its appearance and functionality. You can adjust the chat widget design to match your brand colors, upload custom agent avatars, and choose the widget’s position on your site.

The chatbot builder supports conditional logic flows, allowing bots to adapt based on user responses. You can also set up custom triggers to display different messages for returning visitors versus first-time users.

For advanced needs, Tidio offers custom CSS to modify the widget’s appearance and API access for developers to build deeper integrations. It also supports multilingual chat with automatic language detection, making it ideal for businesses with a global audience.

11. TypingMind

TypingMind provides a straightforward way for small businesses to tap into the power of conversational AI without needing advanced technical skills. It simplifies the process of managing multiple AI models through a single, easy-to-use dashboard.

Here’s what TypingMind brings to the table:

• Multi-model support: Switch between various AI engines to choose the best one for each task or scenario.

• Organized conversation management: Keep track of ongoing conversations, ensuring context is maintained and teams stay on the same page.

• Custom prompt library: Create and use standardized prompts to ensure consistent messaging across all customer interactions.

• Usage tracking: Monitor how AI tools are being used, track performance, and keep an eye on costs.

• Quick search: Easily locate past conversations or key details with a fast and efficient search feature.

With these features, TypingMind empowers small businesses to manage their AI-driven customer interactions more effectively. It’s a handy tool for staying organized, maintaining consistency, and optimizing customer engagement efforts.

12. Intercom

Intercom combines live chat, chatbots, and support tools to help businesses streamline customer interactions while keeping them personal. It's a great fit for small businesses looking to automate routine tasks without losing that human touch.

One standout feature is proactive customer engagement. For instance, if someone lingers on your pricing page for over 30 seconds, Intercom can automatically send a helpful message, offering assistance or pointing them to useful resources.

Let’s dive into Intercom’s features, pricing, integrations, and customization options.

Features

Intercom offers tools designed to save time and improve customer experiences:

• Resolution Bot: This tool handles routine questions instantly using your knowledge base. Whether it's about shipping, returns, or account details, the bot frees your team to tackle more complex issues.

• Custom Actions: Automate workflows like scheduling appointments, processing refunds, or updating customer data directly within your systems.

• Smart Routing: Ensures inquiries reach the right team member based on factors like the type of question, customer tier, or past interactions. This reduces unnecessary transfers and speeds up resolutions.

• Unified Inbox: All customer conversations - via email, chat, or social media - are centralized in one place. Your team gets full context, including past interactions, customer details, and product info, making it easier to provide seamless support.

Pricing

Intercom uses a seat-based pricing model. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Essential Plan: Starts at $39/month, offering basic chat and automation features.

• Advanced Plan: Priced at $99/month, it includes the Resolution Bot, custom actions, and advanced reporting tools that many small businesses find useful.

In addition to the base plan, there’s a charge for active users - customers who interact with your business each month. The first 1,000 active users are included, while additional users cost $0.99 each on the Essential plan and $1.25 each on the Advanced plan.

Integration

Intercom works seamlessly with popular tools to enhance your workflow:

• E-commerce integrations: Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Stripe let you access order details, process returns, and provide real-time shipping updates.

• CRM integrations: Sync customer data with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive. For example, when a lead converts via chat, their details flow directly into your sales pipeline, complete with conversation history.

• Zapier compatibility: Connect to over 5,000 additional apps and services, allowing you to build custom workflows tailored to your business needs.

Customization

Intercom lets you tailor its features to fit your brand and audience:

• Messenger Customization: Match the chat widget to your brand’s colors, fonts, and tone. You can also design unique conversation flows for different pages, ensuring visitors get relevant information based on their actions or location.

• Custom Bot Builder: This visual tool requires no coding. Create conversation trees with conditional logic, collect customer details through forms, and route chats based on specific criteria.

• Targeted Messaging: Control when and how the chat widget appears. For example, show a discount offer to first-time visitors or provide account management options to returning users, creating a personalized experience for everyone.

Intercom’s blend of automation, integrations, and customization makes it a practical choice for small businesses looking to enhance customer interactions without adding complexity.

13. Birdeye

Birdeye goes beyond basic chat solutions by combining customer engagement tools with features for managing reputation and feedback. It's designed as an all-in-one platform to simplify operations for small businesses, offering chat functionality alongside tools for reviews and communication.

Features

Birdeye’s chatbot is designed to streamline customer interactions and automate routine tasks:

• AI-Powered Chat: Automatically responds to common questions about business hours, services, and appointments.

• Lead Capture: Engages visitors with conversational forms to gather contact details and understand their needs.

• Appointment Scheduling: Allows customers to book appointments directly through the chat interface. It integrates with calendars to sync schedules and send confirmations.

• Review Management Integration: Encourages happy customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google and Facebook, helping businesses maintain a steady stream of feedback.

• Multi-Location Support: For businesses with multiple locations, the system can direct chats based on geography or specific services.

Pricing

Birdeye offers tiered pricing plans that scale with your business needs, covering both chatbot features and broader customer experience management tools.

Integration

Birdeye connects seamlessly with a variety of business tools to simplify operations:

• CRM Systems: Works with platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot to ensure smooth data flow for customer interactions and leads.

• Scheduling Tools: Supports real-time appointment booking through the chat interface.

• Google My Business: Syncs with your profile to manage customer interactions across Google services.

• Social Media Platforms: Integrates with Facebook Messenger and Instagram to centralize customer communications.

Customization

Birdeye provides multiple options to tailor the chat experience to suit your brand and business needs:

• Branded Chat Widget: Adjust colors, fonts, and messages to match your website’s design and branding.

• Conversation Flows: Create chat sequences for various scenarios, such as welcoming new customers, handling support requests, or directing inquiries to the right department.

• Business Hours Settings: Configure the chatbot to adapt its behavior based on your operating hours, ensuring appropriate responses during off-hours.

• Location-Specific Messaging: For businesses with multiple locations, customize responses and routing based on the visitor’s location or the services they’re looking for.

14. Drift

Drift stands out as a chatbot solution with a clear mission: turning website visitors into qualified leads. It’s more than just a chatbot; Drift markets itself as a conversational marketing platform that focuses on boosting sales and streamlining lead qualification. By engaging visitors through targeted interactions, Drift aims to speed up the sales process while ensuring potential leads are nurtured effectively. Let’s break down what makes Drift a strong contender for small businesses.

Features

Drift is packed with tools designed to enhance visitor engagement and improve lead management, including:

• Conversational Lead Qualification: Uses targeted questions to understand visitor needs and qualify leads effectively.

• Meeting Scheduling: Allows visitors to schedule meetings directly within the chat interface, cutting down on back-and-forth communications.

• Account-Based Marketing: Sends personalized messages to visitors from key target accounts, ensuring tailored interactions.

• Email Capture & Follow-up: Collects email addresses and automates follow-up communication to keep the conversation going.

• Live Chat Handoff: Seamlessly transitions complex inquiries from the chatbot to human agents for a more personalized touch.

Pricing

Drift operates on a tiered subscription model. For specific pricing details, businesses need to contact Drift directly. This approach ensures flexibility for companies with varying needs and budgets.

Integration

Drift integrates smoothly with a wide range of business tools. It connects with popular CRM systems, marketing automation platforms, calendar apps, and analytics tools, creating a streamlined workflow for managing leads and tracking performance.

Customization

Drift provides plenty of room for businesses to make the platform their own. You can customize conversation flows, configure lead routing, and adapt the chat experience to align with your sales process and brand identity. This flexibility ensures that high-value leads are prioritized and handled promptly.

15. Freshchat

Freshchat, developed by Freshworks, is a customer messaging platform designed to combine automated responses with human support. It’s tailored for small businesses looking to scale their customer service while maintaining seamless communication across multiple channels. What sets Freshchat apart is its focus on omnichannel messaging, making it easier to manage interactions from various platforms in one place.

Features

Freshchat simplifies how businesses handle customer interactions and internal workflows with these tools:

• Smart Automations: Automatically handles inquiries, routes messages, and triggers actions based on user behavior.

• Omnichannel Messaging: Brings together conversations from web, mobile, social media, and messaging apps into one central dashboard.

• Proactive Campaigns: Sends targeted messages to users based on their browsing activity.

• Team Collaboration: Enables agents to work together using internal notes, task assignments, and real-time updates.

• Rich Media Support: Handles images, videos, documents, and interactive content effortlessly.

• Customer Context: Provides detailed visitor information, including browsing history and past interactions, for more personalized support.

Pricing

Freshchat operates on a subscription model, charging per agent each month. The Growth plan starts at $15 per agent (billed annually), while the Pro plan is priced at $39 per agent. For businesses needing more advanced features, the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing.

Integration

Freshchat seamlessly connects with the broader Freshworks suite, including Freshdesk, Freshsales, and Freshmarketer. It also supports third-party tools like Shopify, Slack, and Google Analytics. For businesses with unique needs, Freshchat offers REST APIs and webhooks for custom integrations.

Customization

You can fully personalize the chat widget to match your brand identity. Adjust colors, logos, and messaging styles to align with your branding. A visual builder allows you to craft custom conversation flows, set up keyword-triggered automated responses, and fine-tune routing rules. Additionally, custom fields make it possible to tailor interactions based on specific visitor data.

16. IBM watsonx Assistant

IBM watsonx Assistant is a powerful AI-driven chatbot platform designed to provide small businesses with enterprise-level capabilities while keeping things straightforward. Built on IBM's extensive experience in AI research, this platform is all about automating customer interactions efficiently and scaling to meet growing business demands.

Here’s a closer look at what makes IBM watsonx Assistant stand out in terms of scalability and advanced AI capabilities.

Features

IBM watsonx Assistant simplifies customer support tasks with a range of impressive features:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): Accurately understands customer intent, even when questions are phrased differently or contain errors.

• Multi-turn Conversations: Keeps track of ongoing discussions, enabling seamless problem-solving without restarting conversations.

• Smart Routing: Automatically directs inquiries to the right department or escalates them to human agents when necessary.

• Analytics Dashboard: Offers insights into conversation trends, common issues, and overall performance metrics.

• Voice Integration: Supports both text-based and voice interactions, making it more accessible for diverse customer needs.

The platform’s AI continuously learns from previous interactions, refining its responses over time without requiring manual updates.

Pricing

IBM watsonx Assistant uses a pay-per-use model based on monthly active users (MAUs). Here’s how the pricing breaks down:

• The Lite plan is free for up to 1,000 MAUs per month, making it a low-risk option for small businesses trying out the platform.

• The Plus plan starts at $140 per month for up to 1,000 MAUs, with an additional cost of $14 per 100 extra MAUs.

• For businesses needing advanced features like voice integration and premium support, the Enterprise plan offers custom pricing tailored to specific requirements.

Integration

IBM watsonx Assistant connects effortlessly with widely-used business tools, enhancing workflows and customer interactions. It integrates with platforms like Salesforce, Zendesk, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.

For voice support, it works with telephony systems, while web chat widgets allow easy deployment on websites. Additionally, webhooks and REST APIs enable businesses to link the assistant to custom applications, databases, and third-party services.

Customization

Customization is a major strength of IBM watsonx Assistant. Its visual dialog builder allows businesses to design detailed conversation flows without the need for coding. Key customization options include:

• Creating custom entities tailored to specific industries.

• Setting up conditional responses based on user data.

• Configuring escalation rules for smooth handoffs to human agents.

You can also align the chatbot’s interface with your brand by customizing colors, fonts, and messaging tone. For advanced users, IBM Cloud Functions enable the creation of custom actions and integration of proprietary business logic into conversations.

For businesses with strict compliance needs, IBM watsonx Assistant offers data residency options and robust security controls, meeting enterprise standards while remaining accessible to smaller organizations.

17. Cognigy

Cognigy.AI is a conversational AI platform designed to handle large interaction volumes and complex use cases, making it a great fit for businesses on the rise. It's particularly useful for small businesses experiencing rapid growth, as it can easily scale to meet increasing customer service demands.

Features

Cognigy goes far beyond the basics of chatbot functionality. Its natural language understanding supports multiple languages, making it ideal for companies with diverse customer bases. With its low-code/no-code interface, even teams without deep technical expertise can create detailed conversation flows.

Some standout features include voice and text integration, which ensures a consistent experience across phone, web chat, and messaging platforms. The platform also provides AI-powered analytics to uncover trends and optimize customer interactions. Plus, its context management ensures conversations stay coherent, even across multiple touchpoints or lengthy interactions.

Pricing

Cognigy offers a flexible pricing structure that adjusts based on your usage and feature needs. Whether you're running a small operation or managing high-volume interactions, there’s a tier to fit your business. For detailed pricing, you’ll need to reach out to Cognigy directly to discuss your specific requirements.

Integration

Cognigy boasts extensive integration options, thanks to its REST APIs and pre-built connectors. It works seamlessly with popular tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, and ServiceNow. For communication, it integrates with platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Slack.

It also supports telephony integrations for voice interactions and can be embedded into websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms. If your business uses custom systems, Cognigy's webhook support allows for real-time data exchange and workflow automation.

Customization

Cognigy provides a range of customization options to align with your business needs. Its visual flow builder lets you design complex conversation paths with conditional logic and dynamic responses. You can also customize the user interface to reflect your brand and set up role-based access controls for effective team management.

For advanced needs, Cognigy supports custom NLU models that can be trained on industry-specific terms and personalized conversation flows based on customer data. Features like A/B testing help optimize conversations, while custom reporting dashboards allow you to track the metrics that matter most.

With its integrations, flexibility, and ability to scale, Cognigy is a reliable choice for businesses preparing for significant growth in customer interactions.

18. Boost.ai

Boost.ai is a conversational AI platform designed for enterprise use, offering a versatile solution that’s especially suitable for small businesses operating in regulated industries.

Features

Boost.ai uses a hybrid AI approach, combining traditional natural language understanding (NLU) with advanced large language models. This combination allows for highly personalized and context-aware interactions. Its comprehensive toolkit lets businesses build, analyze, and refine conversational solutions for both chat and voice channels. Additionally, the platform integrates AI automation with human agents, ensuring smooth transitions through contact center connections.

Integration

Boost.ai works effortlessly with CRMs, ticketing systems, knowledge bases, and databases using its flexible API connector. This makes it possible to create custom integrations with any system that supports APIs. It can be embedded into websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms, while also supporting security protocols for user authentication. A great example of its capability is Telenor, which implemented Boost.ai with over 20 integrations and achieved a return on investment in under a year.

Customization

Boost.ai provides extensive customization options that go beyond simple personalization. Businesses can fine-tune the platform to combine traditional NLU with modern AI, enabling teams to create and manage conversational experiences without needing specialized developers. The flexible API connector further allows businesses to align integrations with their specific processes. These customization capabilities make Boost.ai a strong choice for small businesses looking for scalable and advanced chatbot solutions.

Platform Comparison

Selecting the best chatbot platform for your small business means weighing your specific needs, technical expertise, and future growth plans. Some platforms focus on offering advanced customization and integration for larger enterprises, while others are designed for quick setup and ease of use, catering to teams with limited technical resources.

One major consideration is integration capability. For example, 918 Studio uses a no-code approach to deliver custom chatbot solutions that seamlessly connect with automation workflows and data dashboards. This eliminates technical hurdles for small businesses, making it easier to integrate chatbots into existing operations. Beyond integration, factors like pricing and customization options also play a significant role in the decision-making process.

Pricing models differ across providers, with some offering subscription-based plans and others providing custom quotes. It’s important to choose a platform that fits your current budget while leaving room for future growth.

Customization and scalability are other critical aspects to evaluate. Some platforms provide open-source frameworks for highly tailored solutions, while others are part of larger customer experience suites, offering built-in chat functionalities.

Finally, consider performance and reliability. As your business grows, your chatbot should deliver consistent performance and uptime. Look for a balance between robust support options and straightforward deployment.

This table provides a snapshot to help you align your choice with both your immediate needs and long-term business objectives.

Conclusion

When choosing a chatbot, focus on what aligns best with your business requirements. The market offers a range of options, from straightforward plug-and-play tools to advanced AI-driven systems designed to manage more complex customer interactions.

Cost is another critical consideration. Free plans and custom pricing can vary widely in value. While a low-cost option might seem appealing, it may lack the scalability or integrations your business demands as it grows.

Your technical expertise also plays a role. If your team has the skills, open-source frameworks allow for deep customization. On the other hand, no-code platforms like 918 Studio provide a faster, more accessible setup for those without technical expertise. Whichever you choose, ensure the chatbot integrates seamlessly with your existing business systems.

Scalability is key. A solution that handles a small volume of interactions today might not keep up as your customer base expands. Look for a platform designed to grow with your business.

Identify the most common customer inquiries and support requests to determine the essential features your chatbot needs. Use free trials or demos to test how well a solution fits into your workflow and meets your customers' expectations before signing any long-term contracts.

Refer to the platform comparison above to evaluate how different solutions measure up against these factors. Align these insights with your business goals to make an informed decision.

FAQs

What’s the best way for small businesses to choose a chatbot platform that fits their needs and budget?

When choosing a chatbot platform, small businesses should pay close attention to pricing, features, and ease of use. Most platforms offer entry-level plans starting at around $15–$20 per month, with higher costs for advanced features like automation and system integrations. It's important to assess whether the platform can grow with your business and work seamlessly with tools you already rely on, such as CRM or e-commerce systems.

Trying out free trials or basic plans is a smart way to test the waters without making a financial commitment. Prioritize platforms that are user-friendly, require little technical know-how, and offer reliable customer support to make setup and usage hassle-free. By matching the platform’s functionality to your business needs, you can boost customer interactions and simplify your daily operations.

What are the main advantages of connecting a chatbot platform with tools like CRMs or payment systems?

Integrating a chatbot platform with tools like CRMs or payment systems brings a range of practical benefits. For starters, it can handle repetitive tasks - like responding to frequently asked questions or processing payments - automatically. This not only saves valuable time but also helps cut down on operational expenses.

Another key advantage is how it enables effortless data sharing between systems. This means businesses can deliver more tailored customer experiences, which often leads to higher satisfaction levels. On top of that, integrating these tools provides real-time insights into customer preferences and behaviors, giving companies the information they need to make smarter decisions.

In short, this kind of integration boosts efficiency, simplifies workflows, and creates a more seamless experience for both customers and employees.

How does 918 Studio make it easy for small businesses to create and deploy chatbots without technical skills?

918 Studio simplifies chatbot creation for small businesses with its no-code and low-code tools. These user-friendly platforms feature drag-and-drop interfaces and ready-to-use templates, making it easy to dive in without any programming skills.

You can tailor your chatbot to fit specific needs, design conversation flows, and connect it seamlessly with your current systems. This hassle-free setup eliminates technical hurdles, enabling small businesses to roll out chatbots that enhance customer interactions and handle repetitive tasks - no advanced tech knowledge needed.

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