Chatbots are slowly becoming the norm in business as they help enterprises answer repetitive questions, generate leads, improve the user experience, increase sales, and deliver excellent customer support.
As per the Business Insider report, more than 80% of enterprises will deploy chatbots by 2025. That's exciting, but choosing the best chatbot software is always critical in such a crowded market. Some people think you should choose based on customer testimonials; others say you should choose based on the best features.
In this blog, we list the best chatbot software based on various factors, but first, let's understand what chatbots are, the different types of chatbots, and their benefits.
What is chatbot software?
According to the Oxford Dictionary, “chatbot is a computer program that can hold a conversation with a person, usually over the Internet.”Chatbots can be programmed to perform most crucial tasks for a business without supervision. Besides being great navigation assistants, chatbots are diverse and automated, capable of performing various business tasks.
What are the benefits of chatbot software?
The best Chatbot can help businesses in many ways. According to the Drift survey, 32% of people use chatbots to answer common questions. So it depends entirely on how you want to use them in your business. Here are some of the common benefits of chatbots.
- Generating leads
- Providing 24/7 customer support
- Easy onboarding of employees and customers' journey
- Booking a meeting
- Automating routine business processes
- Generating more sales
- Work automation
What are the types of chatbot software?
Chatbots can be categorized based on the level of complexity and the quality of user experience. Our list of best chatbot software covers them all.
Button-based chatbots
These chatbots only reply to a set of predefined questions. Then, the user must select a response from a set of reactions that continues a similar conversation.
Keyword-based chatbots
Keyword-based (NLP) chatbots learn from the words and characters a user enters in the chat and run them through their database to find the most relevant answer. These chatbots are popular with companies using Facebook Messenger as their preferred Chatbot.
AI-driven, conversational chatbots
These chatbots are the most advanced and informative conversational bots. Since AI runs them, they integrate it with Machine Learning to understand meaningful information from previous conversations and provide even better responses every time a user interacts.
What are the best chatbot software options?
Chatbots are potent and versatile. However, choosing the right chatbot depends on the company's needs. Therefore, we have curated a list of the best Chatbots for small companies and big enterprises.
1. Qualified
Qualified is a pipeline generation platform that helps enterprises generate leads, increase sales, and improve customer experiences using a next-generation chatbot and signals. It is mainly for Salesforce customers, where you can connect your website and Salesforce data to identify account-level prospect data and fulfill real-time sales requests.
Qualified is the #1 AppExchange listing and is ranked #1 across more than 20 categories (including best trending chatbot, satisfaction, etc.) on G2. Qualified helps leading B2B companies, such as Adobe, LaunchDarkly, SurveyMonkey, ThoughtSpot, and VMware, boost their revenue by leveraging their website to identify their most valuable customers, discover buyer signals, and instantly begin sales conversations
Features
- Pipeline Cloud: The Pipeline Cloud is engineered to help teams generate more pipeline by personalizing and optimizing outbound, inbound, and account-based marketing.
- Qualified conversion: Quickly start conversations with VIPs via live chat, voice calls, video, and chatbots.
- Outbound: You can create custom campaigns that align with your sales and marketing goals and find the perfect salesperson for each of your buyers.
- Complete 360-degree view: It provides a complete view of your website visitors, from social media to email to web analytics. Plus, you’ll have one central place for all your contacts, data enrichment, and outbound content.
- Chatbot: Engage visitors and book meetings 24/7 with chatbots that take the pain out of talking.
Pros
- It works better when integrated with Salesforce
- Provide real-time insights of visitors so you can reach out to them without waiting.
- Uncover signals of buying intent, shape sales and marketing campaigns, and instantly start sales conversations
- It is the only tool that covers all marketing needs, including inbound, outbound, and ABM.
Cons
- The tool is not free to use; this means that companies will need to budget for this tool in order to take advantage of its features.
- The features may not be suitable for all businesses
- Requires data analysis: In order for Qualified to be effective, someone within the company needs to be able to interpret and act on the data that is generated by the service. This requires both time and expertise that some companies may not have internally available
- High Cost: The software is not cheap and can end up being a large expense for a company, especially if they are not using it to its full potential
- Requires Integration: In order for Qualified to work properly, it needs to be integrated with other systems (CRM, Marketing Automation, etc.)
Pricing
Its basic growth plan starts at $ 3,000 per month and includes up to 15 seats. You need to pay extra if the number of seats exceeds 15. Then there is a premier plan that starts at $ 6,000 per month. They also offer a customized plan for enterprises.
2. Mobile Monkey
MobileMonkey is a chatbot builder that helps marketers build high-converting chatbots for Facebook Messenger. Its integration capability allows your bot to connect with your broader marketing stack, ad campaigns, and drip marketing. Companies, advertisers, and SMBs may use conversational forms, lead magnets, and marketing automation tools to boost their customer base and convert website visitors into leads.
Features
- The bots work in web chat, Messenger, and even via SMS.
- It offers integrations with third-party software such as CRM, email marketing, sales, and more.
Pros
- It is available for mobile apps, Messenger, and web
- It is really good for Facebook marketing.
- It is available through all channels, including web chat, SMS, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Email
- Excellent support
- A user-friendly interface that makes it easy to build out sales campaigns.
- Robust analytics that help you track the success of your sales efforts and optimize your campaigns.
Cons
- The tool does not support automated sales tasks or a sales pipeline
- Limited to Facebook Messenger only
- Reports are extremely minimal and lack integration
Pricing
Pricing starts at $14.25/month, billed annually, for an unlimited number of leads. It also offers a free version with limited features.
3. Tidio
Tidio provides a holistic, proactive chat solution for your website that uses chatbots and live chat software. With Tidio, it is easy to communicate with your visitors in real-time, capture leads, and create tailored offers for your customers-to-be.
Tidio makes our list of best chatbot software because it integrates with some of the most popular eCommerce platforms, including BigCommerce, Magento, and Shopify, and can connect to third-party apps via Zapier. Tidio makes interaction with website visitors easy and enjoyable.
Features
- Huge free chatbot templates library
- Allows translations in multiple languages
- Advanced NLP technology
Pros
- Excellent reporting and customization features
- Easy to customize for branding purposes
- The free version itself provides good value and experience
Cons
- Unable to view messages from more than one website in one window
- When a user leaves your page and an operator responds, the user will not be notified.
- Integrations are all manual, which means. You must reopen all conversations, open the user profile, click Preferences, and send the log to the integration.
Pricing
Tidio has several plans depending on the tools you want to buy and your business type. Apart from some free features, the prices range from $10 to $18 per month.
4. TARS
Want your landing pages to be more exciting and dynamic? Are you bored with traditional landing pages? If yes, then TARS is the solution for you. TARS is an ideal option if you wish to replace your landing pages with a conventional, convincing chatbot.
With a conversational bot, generating leads is easier than ever. This Chatbot is even optimized to adjust according to the template/theme of your website. Not only that, but it can also be integrated with Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and Google Ads, ultimately helping you increase your ROI.
Features
- 500+ amazing templates
- Conventional landing page replacement
- It could be integrated with tracking tools
- Easily customizable
Pros
- You can build and launch your first Chatbot on your website in only 2 hours from signup.
- The support and development team are responsive and helpful.
- New features are constantly being released
Cons
- There are not many options for customizing the aesthetics to match branding.
- The Bot Canvas tends not to work optimally while building complex chatbots
- Basic development skills are required to integrate other API into the Chatbot
- At times, bots will take a while to load, especially when they're embedded on different landing pages
Pricing
TARS has several plans, costs $83.25/month, and is billed annually. While there's no free plan, there is a 14-day trial a customer can take.
5. Ada
Ada is another AI-powered chatbot that provides tailored responses based on customer input, responses, and recommendations, making it one of the best chatbot platforms available. This Chatbot is simple, gives straightforward responses, and can escalate the conversation to a live agent.
Ada could also be integrated with your team calendar to schedule appointments and bookings. In addition, the customer feedback forms allow it to learn from its previous conversations and responses to provide better answers next time.
Features
- You can have separate chatbots for different departments
- Responses can be customized to make them sound natural
- Supports up to 100 languages
Pricing
You need to book a demo to determine how much Ada will cost you.
6. Chatbot
Powered by AI, Chatbot is one of the most powerful solutions on our list. Providing some of the most advanced features without any need for manual coding makes this Chatbot the best AI chatbot on our list.
One of the main reasons this Chatbot is preferable and suitable for businesses of all sizes is that it provides access to additional tools that assist with your marketing campaigns, sales, and lead generation, as well as personalized support for your customers. With exceptional, responsive default templates and the ability to integrate with all major platforms, Chatbot understands competitors.
Features
- It can be integrated with LiveChat, Facebook Messenger, Slack, WordPress, Zapier, and more.
- Abundant eCommerce tools
- Templates for all kinds of landing pages
Pros
- No code is required to get started
- Drag-and-drop feature to build your custom bot
- Extensive pre-built templates
Cons
- Topics in the learning academy can be more thorough
Pricing
Starts at $50 per month with a free plan, making it a free chatbot platform.
7. Drift
Drift lets you combine your live chats with an automated bot, similar to most chatbots on our list of best chatbots for small businesses and big enterprises.
Drift can start conversations with customers who have engaged with the products but haven't made a purchase yet. As a result, it influences your website's conversion rate and helps you drive more sales. It even allows third-party app integrations and can integrate with CRM and MAS systems.
Features
- Helps boost conversions and sales
- Has the ability to escalate conversations to live agents
- Perfect for small/large businesses
Pros
- Provides seamless automated communication
- Access to a detailed history of all conversations, which makes it easy to refer to
- Drift attaches to your calendars, which provides instant meetings for prospects.
Cons
- Suitable for sales and marketing but not that good for support
Pricing
Drift costs $400/month and is billed annually. However, a free plan is also available, making it a good option for those looking for a free chatbot platform.
8. ManyChat
Another chatbot to find its place among the best chatbot tools is ManyChat. It is a Facebook Messenger chatbot builder, making it one of the best chatbots to buy. It also gives businesses a wider reach and more powerful retargeting options on Facebook. Since Facebook Messenger is a popular messenger, it is wise to retarget and connect with people on Facebook.
This Chatbot also comes with an easy drag-and-drop interface that makes it super convenient to set up as a chatbot messenger for your Facebook business page. It will help you automatically welcome new users, guide them about products, schedule messages with them, and give a personalized experience, among other things.
Features
- Easy DIY Drag-and-drop bot builder
- Automate workflows as needed
- Categorize and tag subscribers
Pros
- Intuitive UI and easy-to-understand features
- You can tag and identify the users
- Allows you to create different funnels based on individual needs
- You can trigger other messages to different audiences
Cons
- In some instances, the funnel won't trigger
- It can get challenging to extract the data that was saved
- The paid plan is not affordable for all business sizes
Pricing
It offers a free plan and a paid plan for $10 per month.
9. Chatfuel
Chatfuel is your alternative to a chatbot when you don't have coding skills to set one up yourself. It can easily be integrated with Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram.
With the freedom to customize your chatbots, Chatfuel is the best chatbot software solution for your business. Small and large businesses resort to it for its ability to assist with sales, lead generation, and answering some of the most frequently asked questions your customers raise about your business.
With some of the most interactive and responsive templates, it also allows you to alter all kinds of responses you want your Chatbot to provide to your customers. Being a keyword-based chatbot, it simplifies your business's purchasing activities. If you want a chatbot that meets and automates all your customer support needs, Chatfuel is your go-to solution.
Features
- Ideal for generating leads and promoting sales
- Automated replies to all the keywords you feed it
- It can be integrated with all the major platforms
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- Gives a good return on cost
- Integrations are possible through API
- Easy to create conversion funnels
Cons
- Works only on Facebook Messenger
- Takes time to set up
Pricing
Chatfuel starts at $15/month with unlimited users. There's also a free plan available for up to 50 users.
10. FlowXo
FlowXo is one of the best solutions for you if your business owns multiple websites, each of which needs a robust, automated chatbot. This Chatbot can run across multiple platforms simultaneously and is compatible with services such as Facebook Messenger, Slack, and Google Drive.
FlowXo takes care of many aspects of your business, such as capturing leads, getting customers to subscribe to feeds, and even sending notifications from your end. If you aim to build and retain an audience, FlowXo is the ideal option for your business.
Features
- FlowXo can send attachments to your customers as per the need
- It can be customized to trigger particular responses on specific keywords
- Helps your marketing campaigns and audience retention
Pros
- Easily customizable according to your brand and business needs
- Use AI to have a personalized conversation
- Rapidly bringing new features
- Seamless integration
Cons
- Can have better segmentation features
Pricing
The standard plan costs about $19/month. However, there's also a free plan with limited features.
11. LivePerson
LivePerson made it to our collection of the best chatbot software, one of the most powerful, enterprise-level, AI-powered chatbot solutions that runs on the most potent messaging channels. These channels include SMS, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger.
This Chatbot connects a potential buyer with a live agent. It can automatically schedule appointments and other meetings and provide a customer with order status, account balance, and bill-related details. This Chatbot is an all-in-one solution for an enterprise-level website and can engage customers in meaningful conversations.
Features
- Real-time intent analysis
- Can identify potential buyers
- It can be integrated with many sites
Pros
- Helps track conversions
- Works excellently with Facebook Messenger
- Partners with IBM Watson
Cons
- Has half of the support team in Israel, which might give customers delayed responses
- That support team is in Israel. Late responses
- Can improve in the area of displaying current page views
Pricing
You have to request a quote to find the prices.
12. Botsify
If you plan to create bots for your site or Facebook Messenger, Botsify makes it to our best chatbot software list. The data is collected in easily customizable forms. In addition, there are a variety of templates that could be used for multiple industries and niches.
It can even escalate conversations to a live agent if or when needed. Typically, a sales chatbot can answer your website's sales-related queries and navigate potential buyers to the right product.
Features
- It can be translated into multiple languages.
- Could escalate conversations to live agents if needed
- Has the ability to be embedded on your website
Pros
- Botsify works not only with Facebook Messenger but also on Slack, Amazon Alexa, Shopify, and WordPress sites.
- Has ready-made templates as per industries like health & beauty, food & restaurant, travel, transportation, education, and finance
Cons
- Outdated technology
- Not updated knowledge base, the most recent article was published on 2017
Pricing
You have to request a quote to find the prices.
13. FreshChat
If your business has a presence on all major platforms, including websites and mobile apps, FreshChat could be a permanent solution for you. With its ability to organize all your chatbots' conversations across all platforms in a single dashboard, FreshChat helps you manage them from one page. It allows you to communicate with every customer without the hassle of checking every single platform.
With great eCommerce solutions and hundreds of templates suitable for all kinds of niches, FreshChat is the right solution for all industries. Like most of the chatbots on our list, FreshChat will communicate with a user until it can. And if it doesn't have the appropriate answer, it can escalate the conversation to a live agent who can continue it from that point onwards.
FreshChat is also powered by Machine Learning, making its answers personalized and precise, so it's an all-in-one customer assistance solution for your business.
Features
- Powered by ML, provides personalized answers
- Available for iOS and Android
- Engages with customers more frequently
Pros
- Plug-and-play ease of installation, fantastic configuration
- Superb customer support
- Works great across devices
Cons
- Starts to slow down when customer data increases
- The paid version can be expensive for some
Pricing
Starts at $13/month. However, there's a free plan available as well.
14. Zendesk Support Bot
Like FreshChat, Zendesk is an omnichannel chatbot that lets you manage everything from a single dashboard. That's not bad. That's because it can also handle all kinds of support tickets and engage in live conversations with your customers.
Zendesk Chat is popular for engaging customers based on their activities on your website. This Chatbot lets you test specific messages to see how your customers interact with them. But of course, the ones that drive the most engagement are the ones you could set as default responses to your customers' queries.
Zendesk could also be integrated with all major platforms and social media channels that your business frequently uses. While this Chatbot is an excellent tool for automating responses, it also provides you with dozens of eCommerce tools that assist you with all your online activities.
Pros
- Has a great knowledge base of software
- Good ticketing feature
- Suitable for managing issues and allocating problems across a diversified team
Cons
- It can be easier to use
- Some can experience it
Features
- Sends out responses that encourage more responses
- It could be integrated with all major platforms
- Provides a variety of tools for small/large businesses
Pricing
Starts at $14/month per agent when billed annually. However, you can also try the free plan available.
15. Pandorabots
Pandorabots is a chatbot packed with exclusive features suitable for all business types. It is one of the best AI chatbots available for your business. The best part about Pandorabots is that you can run your code in the background, making it highly customizable and curated according to the needs of your business. Pandorabots could also be integrated with all major platforms your company has built a presence upon. It includes websites, social media platforms, and even apps for your business. Even though this Chatbot is not precisely beginner-friendly, it could still be used for large businesses with serious customer experience enhancement needs.
Features
- Highly customizable
- Powered by AI
- Can learn and adapt to customer requests
Pros
- Comes with built-in dialogues, so you don't need to manually design the Chatbot for everything.
- Works seamlessly on all platforms like WhatsApp, Slack, Facebook Messenger, Twilio, LINE, Viber, WeChat, and others
Cons
- Requires high-level expertise to integrate it from scratch
- Its AI technology is not very efficient
Pricing
Starts at $19/month, with a free plan for primary users.
16. JivoChat
JivoChat is a customer communication platform that combines live chat, chatbots, and AI-powered agents to help businesses engage with website visitors and provide faster customer support. Its AI agents can handle common customer questions, qualify leads, and automate conversations, while the platform allows businesses to manage customer interactions across different communication channels from one place.
JivoChat is suitable for businesses looking to improve customer service while reducing the workload of their support teams.
Features
- AI-powered agents
- Live chat and chatbot functionality
- Omnichannel customer communication
- Lead qualification and conversation automation
- Integration with WhatsApp and other communication channels
Pros
- Combines live chat, chatbots, and AI agents in one platform
- Helps automate customer support and qualify leads
- Allows businesses to communicate with customers across multiple channels
Cons
- Some advanced features require paid plans
- May take some time to configure all available integrations
Pricing
JivoChat offers a free plan with basic features, while paid plans are available for businesses that need additional automation, AI, and customer communication capabilities.
Conclusion
Chatbot statistics show that 67% of users use chatbots for regular purchase-related activities. This makes chatbots one of the best solutions for a business to automate their business-related activities and drive more conversions and sales. We hope you found our list of the best chatbot software helpful and can quickly identify which Chatbot is perfect for your business.
