The Manychat Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Manychat in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Manychat
The Insider’s Guide
Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger DM automation for creators and shops
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among SMS and chat marketing tools, read from Manychat’s own pages.
Made by Manychat, Inc. · checked Oct 18, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Manychat’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Manychat’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 18, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 9 of the 14 other SMS and chat marketing tools we grade
Manychat automates direct messages on Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, TikTok and Telegram. It replies to comments, story mentions and DMs with prebuilt flows, collects emails and phone numbers in the chat, and sends links, discount codes and offers, with a live chat inbox for the team. Paid plans include Essential and Pro, billed monthly or yearly.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Manychat, taken from its own pages and our grades.
It covers Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram, with a shared inbox and phone apps.
- 1
Best for auto-replies to Instagram comments and DMs
Manychat is built around one very popular trick: someone comments a keyword on your post and gets a link, a code or a freebie in their DMs.
- 2
Paid plans start at $14.08 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $169 per year as an App Store purchase ($17 billed monthly).
- 3
There is a free plan
You can start free with a social handle or email; the free plan's limits are on Manychat's pricing page, which could not be read.
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
Web, iOS and Android.
- 5
Comment and story auto-replies
Prebuilt automations that answer post comments, Reels replies, story mentions and DMs, so engagement turns into a conversation.
- 6
One inbox for social DMs
Messages from Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram in one live chat, where replies can be assigned to teammates.
- 7
Lead capture in chat
Flows that ask for emails, phone numbers or other details inside the conversation and store them on the contact.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 9 of 14
That is against the other SMS and chat marketing tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Manychat you would be making the WhatsApp Business API, which Meta opens only through approved partners. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Manychat at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $169 per year as an App Store purchase ($17 billed monthly)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- Web, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Manychat, Inc.
- Category
- SMS & Chat Marketing
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.3 on the App Store, 2,142 ratings
The report card
Best for auto-replies to Instagram comments and DMs
Manychat is built around one very popular trick: someone comments a keyword on your post and gets a link, a code or a freebie in their DMs. It covers Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram, with a shared inbox and phone apps. Essential is $169 a year in the US App Store, but its contact limits aren't shown there, so check what your list size really costs.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | Essential is $169 a year as a US App Store purchase ($17 billed monthly), which sits in the cheaper quarter of this category. The catch: the App Store doesn't say how many contacts that covers, so we can't confirm it stretches to 1,000 customers, and Meta's WhatsApp charges come on top. |
| Free plan and trial | C | There's a free plan you can start with just a social handle or an email. But its contact and feature limits sit on a pricing page that turned automated readers away, so we can't say how far it gets you, and we won't credit it for more than that. |
| Features | C | Comment and story auto-replies, keyword triggers that drop links and codes into DMs, lead capture in the chat and one inbox for Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. But the listing shows no broadcasts and no integrations, so it's the DM slice of this job. |
| Ease of use | C | 4.3 from 2,142 App Store ratings, which is fine but not great. The prebuilt automations help, though you still have to hook each one up to the right post, story or keyword. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, iPhone and Android, so you can answer DMs from your phone with push alerts. No desktop app, which an A needs, and the listing names no integrations at all. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Manychat is for
- Great if you post on Instagram and want a link sent to everyone who comments a keyword
- Handy when DMs from Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp need answering from one inbox
- Good for creators collecting emails and phone numbers from their followers
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you want to know what 1,000 contacts will cost before signing up, as the limits weren't readable on Manychat's pages
- Not for you if your customers expect plain texts, as SMS isn't one of its channels
- Tight if WhatsApp is your main channel, as Meta's per-message charges come on top of the plan
Good to know
Good for
- Creators who send links or freebies when followers comment a keyword
- Small shops answering Instagram and WhatsApp DMs from one inbox
- Marketers collecting emails and phone numbers from social traffic
Worth knowing
- Manychat's web pricing page and help center turned away automated readers, so plan limits and web prices could not be checked; App Store prices may differ.
- WhatsApp messages carry Meta's per-message charges on top of the plan; Manychat's own figures could not be read.
- The App Store listing names only Essential and Pro as purchases; contact allowances and any larger plans are not shown there.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$14.08
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Manychat has a free plan. Paid plans start at $169 per year as an App Store purchase ($17 billed monthly).
There's a free plan you can start with just a social handle or an email.
Free
$0
Start free with a social handle or email. Its contact and feature limits could not be read on Manychat's own pages.
Essential
$169
per year as an App Store purchase ($17 billed monthly)
Price as listed for the in-app purchase in the US App Store. Contact limits are not shown there.
Pro
$349
per year as an App Store purchase ($39 billed monthly)
Price as listed for the in-app purchase in the US App Store. Contact limits are not shown there.
The free plan
You can start free with a social handle or email; the free plan's limits are on Manychat's pricing page, which could not be read.
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 18, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Yearly plans cost less than 12 monthly payments
In the US App Store, Essential is $169 a year against $17 a month and Pro $349 a year against $39 a month.
Stated on apps.apple.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: Web, iOS and Android
Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger DM automation for creators and shops. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: marketing automation, live chat, whatsApp messaging, chatbots.
But the listing shows no broadcasts and no integrations, so it's the DM slice of this job.
- Comment and story auto-replies
- Prebuilt automations that answer post comments, Reels replies, story mentions and DMs, so engagement turns into a conversation.
- One inbox for social DMs
- Messages from Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram in one live chat, where replies can be assigned to teammates.
- Lead capture in chat
- Flows that ask for emails, phone numbers or other details inside the conversation and store them on the contact.
- Links, codes and offers
- Automations that drop affiliate links, discount codes and freebies into a DM when someone comments or replies.
- Mobile apps with tracking
- iOS and Android apps for replying on the go, with push notifications, message templates and click, open and conversion stats.
Where it runs
- Web
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
Manychat is made by Manychat, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
9/14
Other SMS and chat marketing tools it is graded above
Manychat's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 9 of the 14 other SMS and chat marketing tools we grade, and level with 3.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 10 of 14) and worst on ease of use (C, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $14.08 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $26.59 for the category: 1 of the 13 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.3 out of 4. 1 tool scores higher and costs less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 15 SMS and chat marketing tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Manychat’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 10 of 14
- CFree plan and trialAbove 1 of 14
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 14
- CEase of useAbove 0 of 14
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 1 of 14
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 14 SMS and chat marketing tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Manychat is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Manychat you would be making the WhatsApp Business API, which Meta opens only through approved partners. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $169 a year.
What you could not
- The WhatsApp Business API, which Meta opens only through approved partners.
- Email sent in volume that still reaches the inbox.
- A chatbot builder hooked into the messaging apps.
- A chat box on your site that reaches you the moment a customer types.
- A real app for iOS and Android. Something home-made would be a web page.
What this rests on. Manychat’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Chatfuel, Landbot, Wati, respond.io and SleekFlow
The 5 tools Manychat is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Chatfuel
Free trial · from $18/mo
AI chatbots for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook with a usage wallet.
- Manychat has a free plan. Chatfuel does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Manychat lists iOS and Android apps.
- Chatfuel also covers AI support agent.
- 2.0GPA
Landbot
Free plan · from $36/mo
No-code chatbot and AI agent builder for websites and WhatsApp.
- Only Manychat lists iOS and Android apps.
- Manychat also covers marketing automation.
- Landbot also covers no-code and AI support agent.
- 2.4GPA
Wati
Free trial · from $59/mo
WhatsApp Business API inbox with broadcasts, chatbots and ad flows.
- Manychat has a free plan. Wati does not, though it has a free trial.
- Manychat also covers live chat.
- Wati also covers shared inbox.
- 2.6GPA
respond.io
Free trial · from $79/mo
Team inbox for WhatsApp, social chats, email and calls with AI agents.
- Manychat has a free plan. respond.io does not, though it has a free trial.
- Manychat also covers marketing automation, whatsApp messaging and chatbots.
- respond.io also covers shared inbox, workflow automation and AI support agent.
- 2.2GPA
SleekFlow
Free trial · from $49/mo
Shared inbox and AI agents for WhatsApp, social chats, SMS and email.
- Manychat has a free plan. SleekFlow does not, though it has a free trial.
- Manychat also covers live chat and chatbots.
- SleekFlow also covers shared inbox and AI support agent.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Manychat free?
Manychat has a free plan. You can start free with a social handle or email; the free plan's limits are on Manychat's pricing page, which could not be read.
How much does Manychat cost?
Manychat lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Manychat work on?
Manychat is available on Web, iOS and Android.
Does Manychat offer any discounts?
Manychat publicly lists the following: Yearly plans cost less than 12 monthly payments.
How is Manychat rated?
Manychat's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.3 out of 5 from 2,142 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 18, 2026.
Does Manychat have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 18, 2026. Manychat is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Does Manychat have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 18, 2026. Manychat is listed for Web, iOS and Android.
Is Manychat open source?
Manychat is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 18, 2026.
Who makes Manychat?
Manychat is made by Manychat, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Manychat?
The closest alternatives to Manychat in our directory are Chatfuel, Landbot, Wati, respond.io and SleekFlow.
How does Manychat compare with other SMS and chat marketing tools?
Manychat's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 9 of the 14 other SMS and chat marketing tools we grade, and level with 3.
Is Manychat good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Manychat B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $14.08 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $26.59 for the category: 1 of the 13 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Manychat?
To replace Manychat you would be making the WhatsApp Business API, which Meta opens only through approved partners.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Manychat’s own pages on Oct 18, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 18, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Manychat's App Store and Google Play listings on 18 October 2026, since its own site turned automated readers away, and its App Store rating. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Manychat, Inc. Prices change, so check manychat.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
2,281
Tools graded, in 73 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
2,281
tools graded
73
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Manychat, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/manychat
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Manychat: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 18, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/manychat
Know someone choosing between SMS and chat marketing tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/manychat/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded SMS and chat marketing tools after Manychat, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- SMS & Chat Marketing Insider's GuideEvery one of the 15 SMS and chat marketing tools we grade, compared
- Chatfuel Insider's GuideAI chatbots for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook with a usage wallet2.6 GPA
- Interakt Insider's GuideWhatsApp and Instagram marketing, inbox and chatbots for Indian brands2.6 GPA
- AiSensy Insider's GuideWhatsApp API for broadcasts, retargeting and click-to-WhatsApp ads2.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Manychat’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Manychat is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Manychat, Inc. Prices and plans change: check manychat.com before you buy.