Respond.io vs Whelp
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Respond.io | Whelp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $199/mo | From $79/seat/mo |
| Best For | Medium to large enterprises needing advanced automation and AI-powered customer engagement across multiple channels | SMEs and businesses needing comprehensive omnichannel support with AI automation |
| Standout Feature | Sophisticated AI agents that can handle complex customer conversations and automatically qualify leads through intelligent workflows | AI-powered chatbot that can automate up to 60% of customer inquiries with advanced sentiment analysis |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.8/5 | N/A |
Respond.io and Whelp target different segments of the customer communication market. Respond.io boasts an impressive G2 rating of 4.8/5 and focuses on conversational marketing and sales automation, while Whelp offers a freemium model starting at $0 with custom pricing for advanced features.
The comparison highlights the difference between Respond.io's premium conversational AI approach and Whelp's accessible, scalable customer support platform.
Feature Comparison
Respond.io excels in conversational marketing with advanced chatbot builders, WhatsApp Business API integration, and sophisticated automation workflows. Its strength lies in converting conversations into sales through AI-powered routing and lead qualification.
Whelp focuses on traditional customer support with omnichannel capabilities, ticket management, and team collaboration features. It offers a more straightforward approach to customer service without the complexity of conversational marketing tools.
While Respond.io provides cutting-edge conversational AI and marketing automation, Whelp delivers solid customer support functionality with flexible pricing that can accommodate various business sizes.
Pricing Comparison
Respond.io uses premium pricing from $79-$299 monthly, reflecting its advanced conversational AI capabilities and enterprise-grade features. The higher cost comes with sophisticated automation and integration capabilities.
Whelp offers a unique freemium model starting at $0, allowing businesses to test the platform before committing to custom pricing for advanced features. This approach makes it accessible for startups and small businesses.
The pricing models serve different markets: Respond.io targets businesses ready to invest in conversational marketing, while Whelp accommodates budget-conscious teams that want to start free and scale gradually.
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
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 Respond.io if you need advanced conversational marketing, AI-powered automation, and can justify the premium pricing. Choose Whelp if you want to start free and scale gradually with custom pricing based on your needs.
Choose Respond.io if: You need advanced conversational marketing, AI automation, and have budget for premium features that drive sales conversions.
Choose Whelp if: You want to start with free customer support tools and scale with custom pricing as your needs grow.
Alternative: Converge at $49/month flat rate offers a middle ground with essential customer support features, avoiding both Respond.io's premium pricing and the uncertainty of Whelp's custom pricing model.
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