Chatwoot vs Respond.io
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Chatwoot | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $199/mo |
| Best For | Technical teams wanting open-source flexibility | Medium to large enterprises needing advanced automation and AI-powered customer engagement across multiple channels |
| Standout Feature | Open-source with self-hosting option | Sophisticated AI agents that can handle complex customer conversations and automatically qualify leads through intelligent workflows |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | 4.8/5 |
Chatwoot and Respond.io represent two different philosophies in customer messaging. Chatwoot offers an open-source foundation with affordable per-agent pricing starting at $20/month, while Respond.io positions itself as a premium WhatsApp Business API platform with plans ranging from $79-$299/month.
With Chatwoot earning a 4.4/5 G2 rating and Respond.io achieving 4.8/5, both platforms have proven track records, but serve distinctly different market segments.
Feature Comparison
Chatwoot excels in customization and self-hosting options, making it ideal for teams with technical resources. Its open-source nature allows unlimited modifications and integrations.
Respond.io specializes in WhatsApp Business API integration with advanced automation workflows, broadcast campaigns, and commerce features that Chatwoot lacks natively.
For basic omnichannel support, both platforms handle email, live chat, and social media. However, Respond.io's strength lies in messaging apps, while Chatwoot offers broader customization possibilities.
Pricing Comparison
Chatwoot's $20/agent/month pricing becomes highly cost-effective for larger teams, especially with custom enterprise plans available. The open-source version is completely free for self-hosting.
Respond.io's $79-$299/month pricing includes advanced WhatsApp features and automation that would require additional tools with Chatwoot. However, costs can escalate quickly with team growth.
For a 10-agent team, Chatwoot costs $200/month while Respond.io starts at $79/month but may require higher tiers for full functionality.
Chatwoot
Pros
- ✓ Open-source option available
- ✓ Good channel coverage
- ✓ Active development community
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing model
- ✗ Self-hosting requires technical expertise
- ✗ Limited advanced features in lower tiers
Respond.io
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive omnichannel support with deep integrations
- ✓ Advanced AI capabilities for automated customer interactions
- ✓ Powerful workflow automation with visual builder
Cons
- ✗ Complex setup and learning curve for advanced features
- ✗ Higher cost structure with per-agent pricing model
- ✗ WhatsApp API charges add significant ongoing costs
Verdict
Choose Chatwoot if you want open-source flexibility, affordable scaling, and don't mind a steeper learning curve. Choose Respond.io if WhatsApp Business API is critical and you need enterprise-grade automation out of the box.
Choose Chatwoot if: You have technical resources, want cost-effective scaling, or need extensive customization capabilities.
Choose Respond.io if: WhatsApp Business API is essential, you prefer managed solutions, or need advanced messaging automation.
Alternative: Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate for teams seeking a middle ground between affordability and advanced features without per-agent costs.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Chatwoot comparisons and all Respond.io comparisons.