Chatwoot vs Whelp
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Chatwoot | Whelp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $79/seat/mo |
| Best For | Technical teams wanting open-source flexibility | SMEs and businesses needing comprehensive omnichannel support with AI automation |
| Standout Feature | Open-source with self-hosting option | AI-powered chatbot that can automate up to 60% of customer inquiries with advanced sentiment analysis |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4 | N/A |
Chatwoot offers open-source customer support with self-hosting options, while Whelp provides a fully managed omnichannel platform. Both solutions target businesses seeking comprehensive customer communication tools but differ significantly in deployment and customization approaches.
Chatwoot appeals to teams wanting control over their infrastructure and customization capabilities, whereas Whelp focuses on providing a complete managed service with advanced automation out of the box.
Feature Comparison
Chatwoot provides live chat, email, WhatsApp, SMS, and social media integration with the flexibility of open-source customization. It offers basic automation, team collaboration, and the ability to modify source code for specific needs.
Whelp delivers live chat, WhatsApp Business API, voice support, and social media management through a managed platform. Its strength lies in sophisticated automation, chatbots, smart routing, and comprehensive analytics without requiring technical maintenance.
Chatwoot excels for teams with technical resources wanting customization control, while Whelp serves businesses preferring turnkey solutions with advanced features and managed infrastructure.
Pricing Comparison
Chatwoot offers a free self-hosted option with paid cloud plans starting at $20/agent/month. Self-hosting requires technical expertise but provides cost control for larger teams.
Whelp uses managed pricing starting around $39/month for small teams, with costs scaling based on features and usage rather than strict per-agent models.
Factor in technical resources needed for Chatwoot self-hosting versus Whelp's managed service convenience when calculating total cost of ownership.
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
Whelp
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive omnichannel support across major platforms
- ✓ Strong AI automation capabilities with up to 60% inquiry automation
- ✓ Free plan available for small teams
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing can become expensive for larger teams
- ✗ Limited G2 reviews and ratings for social proof
- ✗ Additional fees for some integrations like WhatsApp on lower tiers
Verdict
Choose Chatwoot if you need open-source flexibility, self-hosting control, or extensive customization capabilities. Choose Whelp if you prefer a fully managed solution with advanced automation and don't want infrastructure management overhead.
Choose Chatwoot if: You have technical resources for self-hosting, need extensive customization, or want to avoid vendor lock-in with open-source flexibility.
Choose Whelp if: You prefer managed services, need advanced automation without technical overhead, or want comprehensive omnichannel support with minimal setup.
For teams wanting managed simplicity without complexity, Converge at $49/month flat rate offers essential customer support features with transparent pricing and no infrastructure management requirements.
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