Respond.io vs Sendbird
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Respond.io | Sendbird |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $199/mo | From $399/mo |
| Best For | Medium to large enterprises needing advanced automation and AI-powered customer engagement across multiple channels | Developers building custom in-app messaging experiences |
| Standout Feature | Sophisticated AI agents that can handle complex customer conversations and automatically qualify leads through intelligent workflows | Comprehensive SDK with voice, video, and messaging |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.3 |
Respond.io and Sendbird represent two distinct approaches to customer communication. Respond.io positions itself as a comprehensive customer conversation management platform, while Sendbird focuses on providing chat APIs and SDKs for developers to build custom messaging experiences.
The fundamental difference lies in their target audiences: Respond.io serves businesses seeking an all-in-one solution, while Sendbird caters to developers building custom chat applications.
Feature Comparison
Respond.io excels in omnichannel messaging with native integrations for WhatsApp Business, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and email. Its workflow automation and AI-powered routing help teams manage conversations efficiently across channels.
Sendbird shines in its developer-first approach, offering robust APIs, SDKs for multiple platforms, and extensive customization capabilities. It provides real-time messaging, voice/video calling, and moderation tools for building scalable chat experiences.
The key differentiator is implementation complexity: Respond.io offers plug-and-play functionality, while Sendbird requires development resources but provides unlimited customization.
Pricing Comparison
Respond.io uses a per-contact pricing model starting around $79/month, with costs scaling based on active contacts and features. Enterprise plans include advanced automation and analytics.
Sendbird operates on a usage-based model with monthly active users (MAU) pricing, starting from free tiers for small applications and scaling to enterprise levels. Additional charges apply for premium features like moderation and analytics.
Total cost of ownership differs significantly: Respond.io includes implementation and support, while Sendbird requires development time and ongoing maintenance.
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
Sendbird
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive SDK suite
- ✓ Excellent developer documentation
- ✓ Scalable infrastructure
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for small businesses
- ✗ Complex pricing structure
- ✗ Limited social media integrations
Verdict
Choose Respond.io if you need a complete customer service platform with built-in automation, multi-channel support, and ready-to-use features. Choose Sendbird if you're building custom applications and need flexible chat APIs with extensive customization options.
Choose Respond.io if: You need immediate deployment, comprehensive customer service features, and prefer managed solutions over custom development.
Choose Sendbird if: You're building custom applications, have development resources, and need highly customizable messaging infrastructure.
For teams seeking a middle ground with powerful features at a predictable cost, consider Converge at $49/month flat rate, offering essential customer communication tools without the complexity of custom development or high per-contact fees.
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