What does an AI receptionist for WhatsApp and Instagram cost?
Tools that answer customer messages are priced in very different ways, which makes them hard to compare. Some charge by the number of contacts, some by conversations, some by team seats and some by connected account. Here is how each model works, with starting prices checked on each company's own site on 4 November 2026.
The four ways these tools charge
- Per contact: the price rises as more people message you. Good for small lists, expensive as you grow.
- Per conversation: you pay for each chat the AI handles, often on top of a base plan.
- Per seat: you pay for each team member who uses the inbox.
- Per connected account: you pay for each WhatsApp number or Instagram profile, however many people message it.
Starting prices, checked 4 November 2026
| Tool | How it charges | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| ManyChat | Active contacts and users | Free for 25 contacts, then $14 a month billed annually |
| respond.io | Active contacts and users | $79 a month billed annually |
| WATI | Plan and users, plus Meta message fees | $59 a month billed annually |
| Tidio | Conversations, with AI conversations on top | Free for 50 conversations, then $24.17 a month |
| Spaces | Connected accounts | Plans from $19 a month |
Prices change, so check each company's site before you decide. Our comparison pages link to the sources.
Costs that are easy to miss
- WhatsApp message fees: tools on the WhatsApp Business Platform pass Meta's per-message fees on to you, on top of the plan.
- AI credits: some tools sell AI replies separately, by the conversation or in credit packs.
- Extra team members and extra numbers.
- Your AI model: if you bring your own agent, such as Claude or ChatGPT, its subscription is separate.
How to choose
Work out how many people message you a month, how many numbers and profiles you use, and how many staff need the inbox. If you have many customers but few accounts, per-account pricing is usually the cheapest. If you have a small list and want a free start, a per-contact tool may suit you. Our comparison pages say plainly when another tool is the better choice.
Pricing
FAQ
Is there a cheaper option than hiring someone to answer messages?
For routine questions, bookings and order updates, an AI agent costs a small fraction of a person's time. Most businesses keep a person for complaints, refunds and anything sensitive.
Does Spaces charge per message or per contact?
No. Spaces is priced per connected account, with no per-contact or per-seat fees.
Do I pay WhatsApp message fees with Spaces?
No. Spaces connects your own number by QR code, so there are no Meta message fees. Read our article on WhatsApp's rules before you connect.