12 Best WhatsApp Chatbot Tools to Streamline Interactions [Tried & Tested]

Consider a scenario where a B2C e-commerce business is struggling with managing customer queries at scale and providing real-time updates to its customers about their shipments. 

This increased workload to respond to incoming inquiries on time can make your customer-facing team lose focus on critical tasks, leading to reduced efficiency and missing sales targets. 

What is the solution? 

Chatbots! With AI-powered bots, you can automate common customer inquiries without needing any human intervention. And one of the best channels to incorporate a chatbot on is WhatsApp. WhatsApp chatbots allow you to automatically send relevant messages based on customers’ actions within the WhatsApp chat thread. 

However, if you want to set up WhatsApp chatbots, you need proper tools that come with the necessary capabilities to let you design custom bots to resolve frequent issues and free up valuable time for your support reps.

For this reason, in this article, I have curated a list of the best WhatsApp chatbot tools to help you get started. On top of that, I will go over other aspects so you can make informed decisions about which software to go with. Let’s dive into it!

What are WhatsApp chatbot tools?

As the name suggests, WhatsApp chatbot tools are specialized platforms that are designed to let you build AI-driven bots that can replace your support teams to handle common queries like how to use a product, where they can find your help articles, or do you have any tutorial videos.

WhatsApp chatbots work with WhatsApp Business API to send pre-approved messages to your customers depending on the information they want to get. These bots are running 24/7 and are waiting for customers to initiate a conversation. Once they do, it can provide a list of choices they can pick from and keep the interaction going.

A WhatsApp chatbot can handle a wide range of situations. Some of them include:

• Automated replies: Chatbots can deliver prompt replies to everyday questions around the clock to significantly lower waiting times and improve customer experience. 
• AI-powered engines: You can train your chatbots with natural language processing to respond to customers similar to how a human would. 
• Connect it with additional solutions: You can effortlessly integrate chatbots with external applications to create a WhatsApp CRM to monitor product shipments and transactions.
• Support in multiple languages: If you are an international business, you can leverage the multilingual functionalities of WhatsApp chatbots to deliver support in their native language.
• Monitoring & optimization: The messages sent by the chatbot and every interaction are tracked by your WhatsApp chatbot tool, allowing you to keep an eye on all the conversations for further improving the bot’s efficiency. 

Elements to consider when selecting a WhatsApp chatbot tool for your brand

The market is flooded with WhatsApp automation tools, including the ones that support chatbot capabilities. With these many options present, choosing the right solution for your WhatsApp messaging can get overwhelming. 

Below are some of the aspects you must think about when figuring out which WhatsApp chatbot tool can best suit your business:

Identify your business requirements

First things first, you have to identify what you want to achieve with the WhatsApp chatbots. Whether you need them for customer support or for streamlining your sales processes. Once you have this figured out, you can start looking for relevant chatbot tools that better fit your needs. 

Usability matters

You don’t want a solution that is difficult to use or has a steep learning curve. So, ensure your WhatsApp chatbot tool offers a clean UI and straightforward navigation to let you start making the most of it from day one. 

Additionally, setting up WhatsApp chatbots can be somewhat technical if you don’t have experience with workflow automation. For this reason, the tool has to have drag-and-drop capabilities to make the process super easy, even for first-time marketers.

Check out the integration support

A chatbot can’t work on its own. You have to link to external tools to ensure information is flowing seamlessly. In order to make that happen, your chatbot platform should support native integration with third-party applications. For example, the chatbot builder has to connect with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, marketing tools, and CRM solutions.

Top WhatsApp chatbot tools to design customer bots

As I said before, there are countless WhatsApp chatbot tools out there. But going through them one at a time can result in a lot of wasted time and effort. That being said, here are some of the best WhatsApp chatbot tools along with their features to help you find a perfect fit for your WhatsApp marketing strategy.

Zixflow

Zixflow is a Meta-partnered WhatsApp API provider that packs robust automation capabilities to get you started with automating your WhatsApp interactions. With its straightforward design and simplified UI, you don’t need to worry about navigational troubles or a steep learning curve. 

With Zixflow, you can craft a WhatsApp chatbot with ease using a drag-and-drop editor. The builder is designed in such a way that new users can instantly get used to it without requiring any technical assistance. 

On top of that, the platform contains tutorials and video support at every stage of the process, enabling you to get started quickly. 

Furthermore, if you are still facing trouble setting up your WhatsApp chatbot, you can click on the “I need help with setup” button to immediately reach out to our support team within the platform itself. Also, here is a video tutorial, giving you an idea of how to use Zixflow’s Flows builder to design a chatbot for WhatsApp:

Plus, to make the WhatsApp chatbot accessible to small businesses or startups, Zixflow provides 1000 free credits for the workflow, making it a cost-effective solution for growing businesses. 

Gupshup

Gupshup is a powerful platform that is designed to help you build intelligent WhatsApp chatbots with ease. It is packed with features and connects directly with the WhatsApp Business API, making it a great choice for you if you are looking to scale your communication and engagement efforts.

One of the standout things about Gupshup is how easily it integrates with third-party tools you might already be using, like CRMs or payment gateways. It also allows you to automate tasks and send messages that include promotional offers, payment links, or even invoices. The platform supports ready-to-use message templates that help you reach customers faster and more effectively.

Botpress

Botpress stands out for its AI-powered engine, built on top of OpenAI’s latest language models. It is especially handy for you if you want to deploy multilingual chatbots on WhatsApp. The system supports over 100 languages automatically, which is a huge plus for you if you have a global presence.

The system caters to both beginners and developers. For instance, if you know how to code, you can leverage its customizability to design a personalized chatbot. But even if you don’t, Botpress comes with a feature known as Botpress Studio that gives you a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor to build your bots with ease. 

Besides easy WhatsApp integration, Botpress connects well with your internal databases and can even trigger actions like scheduling meetings. 

Yellow.ai

Yellow.ai is an enterprise-grade WhatsApp chatbot solution that makes full use of WhatsApp Business Platform’s features to boost customer interactions. It lets you build a chatbot that goes beyond just answering queries. It can start chats with customers to promote products and even close sales.

The platform is especially good at proactive messaging, which means it doesn’t wait for customers to reach out first. This aspect of it makes it great for driving revenue through timely offers and recommendations. It also supports payments and can help streamline customer support workflows.

Interakt

Interakt is an all-in-one WhatsApp Business Service Provider like Zixflow, built for you to improve customer engagement without getting too technical. It offers a no-code chatbot builder that is easy to use and quick to set up, making it ideal for teams without developers.

With Interakt, you can automate replies using custom chatbots and manage conversations from a single unified inbox, which helps teams work together smoothly. The platform also integrates well with your existing tools, so onboarding is relatively hassle-free.

Respond.io

Respond.io is a smart, AI-powered WhatsApp messaging platform that helps you connect with your target audience across multiple channels, with WhatsApp being one of its strongest. Whether it is for sending promotional messages or upselling/ cross-selling opportunities, its WhatsApp chatbot makes it easy to reach and engage users at the right time.

One of the platform’s biggest strengths is how it pulls all your messaging apps into one location, so managing conversations becomes less of a hassle. You can also set up automated replies tailored to your business needs, helping you save time and stay responsive. The user interface is pretty intuitive too, letting your team track and manage interactions without getting lost in technical stuff.

Landbot

Landbot is a visual chatbot builder that lets you create interactive chat experiences for WhatsApp without writing any code. The solution enables you to retain customers and generate leads on WhatsApp through smooth, chat-based journeys.

The builder uses a drag-and-drop interface, so you can craft conversations using images, buttons, and other media-rich elements. There is also a WhatsApp opt-in widget that helps grow your WhatsApp contact list with proper user consent. If you want to handle a lot of queries, the shared team inbox makes things easier by routing chats to the right person at the right time.

AiSensy

AiSensy is a renowned WhatsApp marketing tool that allows you to grow your business through automation. Its easy-to-use chatbot builder lets you design conversation flows using a simple, no-code setup, so even non-tech users can get started without stress.

One thing AiSensy does really well is merging chatbot features with WhatsApp’s built-in tools. You can integrate your product catalogs and accept payments straight from the WhatsApp app, allowing users to browse and even make payments without leaving the chat. It also helps you re-engage customers by targeting specific groups and sending them follow-up messages, increasing your chances of conversion.

Chatbase

Chatbase takes a different route compared to most tools on this list. It focuses purely on letting you train a chatbot using your personalized datasets, whether that’s PDFs, website links, or other documents. If you want a bot that knows your business inside out, then Chatbase is the tool for you.

Getting started with Chatbase is quick. You just provide your content, and within minutes, your chatbot is ready to answer questions about it. It is particularly useful for small businesses or solopreneurs who want something fast, accurate, and easy to manage.

On top of that, you can connect Chatbase to external platforms using AI Actions, so your bot can do more than just reply. It can also perform activities like checking order status or updating records.

Wati

Wati is a well-known player in the world of WhatsApp marketing. It is a platform that allows you to use WhatsApp as your main channel for talking to customers and promoting your products. It is especially helpful for teams because it includes a shared WhatsApp inbox, so your internal departments can jump in and manage conversations together.

Although Wati is a great option for setting up a WhatsApp chatbot, if you depend heavily on a support ticketing system to track and resolve customer issues, Wati might not be the best fit. As I said, it is great at automating and managing conversations, but it doesn’t offer a built-in ticketing feature. So, if support ticketing is a big part of your workflow, you might need to pair Wati with another tool or look for a Wati alternative if you are already using it.

Manychat

Manychat is one of the easiest platforms out there for building WhatsApp chatbots similar to Zixflow. You don’t need to know anything about coding to get started. Its flow builder is super intuitive, and the interface is designed so anyone can jump in and build something useful in no time.

No matter if your goal is to streamline customer support or run WhatsApp marketing campaigns, Manychat has tools to help. You can send out WhatsApp broadcasts, create follow-up flows, and even test what works best using A/B testing. 

Moreover, if the chatbot can’t handle a question, it will effectively hand the conversation off to a support agent, which keeps the support experience seamless. For users who want a little more power, the platform includes AI features like an AI assistant for flow building and AI-powered intents to understand customer questions better.

Tidio

Lastly, we have Tidio, a simple, user-friendly platform that lets you optimize your customer service experience via the dynamic automation capabilities of WhatsApp, plus some other channels. By utilizing its drag-and-drop editor, you can launch your chatbot with next to no technical skills.

In addition to that, Tidio makes things even easier by offering ready-to-use chatbot templates, which help you get your WhatsApp chatbots running quickly. You can also customize the chatbots with tailored tags or fields based on your business needs.

Automate interactions around the clock with WhatsApp chatbot tools

Choosing the right WhatsApp chatbot tool can make or break your WhatsApp interactions. Whether you want to streamline your customer support processes or use WhatsApp as a lead generation tool, chatbots can greatly help you enhance the overall customer experience. 

The WhatsApp chatbot tools mentioned in this list enable you to set up custom bots for each individual scenario. For example, you can build bots for optimizing the WhatsApp sales funnel or onboarding new customers, these bots can do it all. 

That being said, it all comes down to the tools you choose. So, leverage the free trial period or free plan to get to know the platform and see whether it is the right choice for you. 

For instance, Zixflow comes with a 7-day free trial to let you experience the platform in its full potential. Plus, we offer 1,000 free credits for the automation flow, so it doesn’t hurt your budget just to try out the chatbot. 

Sign up for a 7-day free trial or contact us to help you get started right now!

Frequently asked questions about WhatsApp chatbot tools

Do I have to use a WhatsApp chatbot tool?

WhatsApp chatbots can seriously level up your customer engagement. They help you reply immediately, even when your team’s offline. That means faster service, better customer satisfaction, and more time saved for your support team.

On top of that, once you connect your WhatsApp Business API, these tools can automate common conversations and keep things running smoothly without constant manual input.

How do I pick the right WhatsApp chatbot for my business?

Start by looking at how easy it is to use. A good chatbot platform should have a simple interface, ideally a drag-and-drop builder, so you don’t get stuck in complicated setup steps.

Also, make sure the platform supports WhatsApp Business API, can grow with your business, and plays well with your other existing systems. The easier it is to connect everything, the better your customer journey will be.

Can I build a WhatsApp chatbot without needing any technical expertise?

Yes, absolutely. A lot of tools in this list let you build a chatbot with zero coding required. Zixflow, for example, has a visual flow editor where you can just drag and drop different elements to build out your bot’s conversation flow. It is simplified enough so anyone can jump in and build something useful right away.

What kind of tasks can a WhatsApp chatbot handle?

WhatsApp chatbots can do a lot more than just reply to questions. They can help schedule appointments, share product catalogs, send payment links, collect feedback, broadcast promotions, and even qualify leads. Furthermore, tools like Zixflow let you transfer chats to human agents when needed, keeping customer interactions seamless.

Do I need a WhatsApp Business API to use a chatbot?

Yes, in most cases, if you want to run an advanced chatbot that can handle a large volume of contacts and includes sending messages, follow-ups, or integrating with other tools, you will need access to the WhatsApp Business API. Zixflow helps you set it up natively without needing any external assistance.