Top 10 alternatives to ManyChat as a messaging software solution for small business owners

In this article we discuss the top 10 alternatives to ManyChat as a messaging software solution. We explain what a messaging software solution is, why it matters to you as a small business owner and what alternatives to ManyChat there are.

Messaging software solutions explained

First, let’s start with what a messaging software solution is. Tools like ManyChat are called a messaging software solution because it helps you manage customer interactions in an efficient manner. Basically, it’s an inbox where customer inquiries are managed. Often such an inbox allows to connect with multiple channels like live chat on a website, email and social messaging channels like Instagram DM, WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger.

Easy automation with a chatbot can be applied to save time and increase customer satisfaction rates.

Why messaging software solutions matter to you and your business

Providers like ManyChat are important to your business because they help you with providing great customer service. With a messaging software solution, you can provide customer service in an easy, quick and time efficient manner.

By having different messaging channels in one place, you can build and create true omnichannel experiences for your customers. Basically, it doesn’t matter whether a customer reaches out to your brand via live chat or sends you a Facebook message. They all end up in one and the same inbox.

Messaging software solution like ManyChat time savers as well. With chatbots and Conversational AI, they help you to automate your first line of support. Easy questions like “Where is my package?” or “Are you open on Sunday?” can be automated. More complicated questions that a chatbot can’t understand are seamlessly handed over to a real human being.

Messaging software solution offer integrations with other solutions as well. Integrations with solutions like Shopify or WooCommerce for eCommerce or Salesforce or HubSpot for CRM help you as a small business owner to save time. Such an integration allows a messaging software solution like ManyChat to pull information like an order status or push information about a conversation with a customer.

A messaging software solution like ManyChat often builds up customer profiles as well. These customer profiles help you as a small business owner to better understand your customers and to manage your customer relationships. Valuable data that helps you make customers more profitable for your small business.

The more advanced messaging software solutions can also be used to reach out to customers pro-actively. For example, when somebody on your website is having issues at the sign-up page, a pop-up proactively appears to offer support. This type of pro-activeness helps increase conversation rates.

Messaging software solutions ranked and compared

Let’s move into the comparison. We compare and rank different messaging software solution providers like Intercom, LivePerson, Kustomer, Manychat, Gorgias, Tidio, Olark, Trengo, Drift, Messagebird and Table Duck.

We compare and rank messaging software solution providers based on features, price, whether the offer a free plan or not and market segment.  Let’s list them.

ManyChat

ManyChat is a Facebook Messenger chatbot that automates getting and keeping customers happy.

• Features: Chatbot, social messaging
• Price: Starting from $ 15 per month
• Free plan available: Yes
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

LivePerson

LivePerson offers a complete solution to create, manage & optimize Conversational AI. Message with consumers on the most popular digital channels

• Features: Conversation Builder, Intent Manager, Analytics
• Price: Unknown
• Free plan available: Unknown
• Market segment: Enterprise businesses

Olark

One app to manage all your customer service channels: live chat, email, social media,

• Features: Live chat, chatbots, shared inbox
• Price: Starting from $ 29 per month
• Free plan available: No
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

Drift

Brings your go-to-market teams together to deliver personalized customer experiences in real time.

• Features: Live chat, chatbots, Conversational Marketing
• Price: Unknown
• Free plan available: Unknown
• Market segment: Mid-sized to enterprise businesses

Kustomer

Kustomer is an omnichannel CX platform with everything you need to engage seamlessly with customers in a single timeline

• Features: Customer service, self-service, CRM
• Price: Unknown
• Free plan available: Unknown
• Market segment: Mid-sized to enterprise businesses

Gorgias

The all-in-one helpdesk + live chat, designed for ecommerce stores

• Features: Shared inbox, self-service
• Price: Starting from $ 60 per month
• Free plan available: no
• Market segment: Mid-sized businesses

Tidio

Tidio combines live chat and chatbot tools to help you provide superb customer service and generate more sales.

• Features: Live chat, chatbots, shared inbox
• Price: Starting from $ 39 per month
• Free plan available: Yes
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

Trengo

Collaborate with your team. Automate conversations. Create amazing customer experiences.

• Features: Team collaboration, live chat, shared inbox
• Price: Starting from $ 15 per month
• Free plan available: No
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

Intercom

Intercom is complete customer communications platform with bots, apps, product tours, email, messages, and a help center.

• Features: Live chat, chatbots, shared inbox, product tours
• Price: Unknown
• Free plan available: Unknown
• Market segment: Mid-sized to enterprise businesses

Messagebird

A communications platform, where talking with a business is as easy and natural as talking to a human being.

• Features: Live chat, shared inbox, flow builder
• Price: Starting from $ 45 per month
• Free plan available: Yes
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

Table Duck

Table Duck is an omnichannel communication platform to manage and automate all your customer conversations in one place.

• Features: Live chat, shared inbox, chatbots
• Price: Starting from $ 19 per month
• Free plan available: Yes
• Market segment: Small to mid-sized businesses

To conclude it all..

Choosing the right messaging software solution really depends on the needs of your business. Some tools like ManyChat focus mid-sized companies and larger enterprises, whereas Table Duck services especially small business owners.