1. Home 
  2. > Blogs 
  3. > Practical Guide

6 Best WhatsApp CRMs in 2025: Compare Pros, Cons & Prices

Ryan Tan

·

9 min read
6 Best WhatsApp CRMs in 2025: Compare Pros, Cons & Prices

TL;DR - Best WhatsApp CRM

If you’re deciding which WhatsApp CRM to use, our list of tools covers everything from small-team starters to enterprise-ready solutions. Here’s how they stack up:

  • Respond.io – Top choice with multi-channel inbox, WhatsApp API access, advanced automation and strong analytics

  • Zoko – Quick to set up, ideal for small teams

  • Freshchat – Best for businesses already in the Freshworks ecosystem

  • WATI – Affordable option for small to mid-sized teams

  • Trengo – Multi-channel inbox with CRM integrations, better for support teams

  • Interakt – Budget-friendly for WhatsApp-first markets with basic CRM tools

WhatsApp may be where your customers are but are your WhatsApp CRM tools keeping up? Most businesses use WhatsApp to talk to customers, but for many, it’s a mess. Conversations get lost in personal inboxes, follow-ups slip through the cracks and there’s no way to see the big picture.

A WhatsApp CRM fixes that. It gives you one place to track chats, manage customers and keep your team on the same page. Whether you’re selling, supporting or marketing, the right WhatsApp CRM will help you turn messages into revenue.

Below, we’ll look at what makes a good WhatsApp CRM, how to choose one, popular use cases and which solutions are worth your time in 2025.

Why Does Your Business Need a WhatsApp CRM?

Customers are already on WhatsApp. It’s where they book haircuts, confirm deliveries, ask about products and share pictures of what they want. The problem? Most businesses still treat it like a personal chat app, with customer messages scattered across multiple phones and no easy way to track what’s been said.

Image depicting the reasons why you need a best WhatsApp CRM

That’s fine if you have five customers a week. It’s chaos if you have five hundred.

A good WhatsApp CRM brings order to the chaos by:

  • Keeping conversation history and context visible— so anyone on your team can jump into a customer conversation without asking “What’s going on here?”

  • Giving you control— by auto-assigning customers and setting up processes so nothing slips through the cracks

  • Tracking conversations— through showing you which conversations are leading to sales, and which ones are going nowhere

  • Centralizing customer history— so every message, call or file is stored in one centralized inbox, no matter who handled it or when

  • Making follow-ups consistent— with reminders and automation that ensure customers never feel ignored or forgotten

In other words, without a WhatsApp CRM tool, you’re relying on memory and goodwill.

How Do I Pick the Right WhatsApp CRM?

Choosing a WhatsApp CRM is less about ticking boxes on a feature list and more about finding the one that actually fits the way your team works. Pick the wrong tool and you’ll end up paying for features no one uses or wrestling with a system that slows you down.

Image depicting what a good WhatsApp CRM needs to have: a shared inbox, automation, analytics, compliance and scalability

So before you start trialing every solution you’ve heard of, ask yourself these key questions:

Do you need shared access?

If customers message you at all hours, someone needs to pick up the conversation without asking, “Who’s handling this one?” Shared access means every agent sees the same inbox, the same history and can jump in when needed.

Do you just want a clean inbox or a whole lot more?

A neat shared inbox is nice. But if you also want to automatically assign customers, send reminders or reply outside office hours, you’ll need automation that actually works.

Does it support AI Agents?

A modern WhatsApp CRM should do more than store chats or offer basic automation. With AI Agents, you can qualify leads, update customer details and even close conversations automatically — freeing your team to focus on high-value interactions.

How much does reporting matter to you?

If you care about campaign performance, agent response times or customer trends, make sure reporting isn’t buried under three menus or locked behind a premium tier.

Does it keep you in WhatsApp’s good books?

Breaking WhatsApp’s rules isn’t just a slap on the wrist. It can get your business number banned! Pick a CRM that enforces the 24-hour messaging window, manages template approvals and makes opt-in tracking effortless.

Will it scale with your business?

What works for ten customers a day might collapse under a hundred. Make sure your CRM can handle more customers, more channels and more team members without forcing a full migration later.

Turn conversations into customers with respond.io's official WhatsApp API ✨

Manage WhatsApp calls and chats in one place!

What Are Popular WhatsApp CRM Use Cases?

A WhatsApp CRM gives every team a single place to manage customer conversations from first contact to follow-up. No matter who’s replying, the history, context and next steps are always clear.

Image showing best WhatsApp CRM Use Cases: sales, support, marketing and operations.

Here’s how different teams put it to work:

  • Sales teams— Turn new chats into paying customers with AI Agents that qualify leads, capture customer detailsand update lifecycle stages automatically. The entire conversation history stays in one place for smooth handoffs when a human rep is needed.

  • Support agents— Use AI Agents to answer FAQs, resolve routine queries, and close conversations with summaries — while seamlessly escalating complex issues to the right teammate when human judgment is required.

  • Marketing teams— Run Click-to-WhatsApp ads and drop customers directly into segmented campaigns, sending personalized offers and tracking what actually drives conversions.

  • Operations teams— Send appointment reminders, document requests or delivery updates over WhatsApp while keeping every interaction logged for easy reference.

What Are the Best WhatsApp CRM Tools in 2025?

There’s no shortage of WhatsApp CRM tools that promise to make WhatsApp work better for your business, but they don’t all deliver in the same way. Some are built for small teams that just need a shared inbox, others for large operations running multi-channel campaigns with automation and analytics.

To help you decide which best fits your needs, here’s a side-by-side look at some of the most popular WhatsApp CRM tools in 2025:

WhatsApp CRM Tool

Best For

Omnichannel Capabilities

Mid-tier Pricing

Respond.io

Omnichannel messaging with advanced AI, automation and analytics

✅ TikTok, WhatsApp, Whatsapp API Cals, Messenger, Instagram, LINE, WeChat, VoIP, Viber, emails and more

$159/month (Growth)

Zoko

Simple setup for small teams

✅ WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger

$64.99/month (Plus)

Freshchat

Teams using the Freshworks suite

✅ via Freshworks Suite

$23/agent/month (Growth)

Wati

Smaller to mid-sized teams


WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook only

$79/month (Pro)

Trengo

Teams an omnichannel inbox with collaboration tools

✅ WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, SMS, email

$579/month (Boost)

Interakt

Budget-friendly WhatsApp-first businesses

✅ WhatsApp, Instagram

$49/month (Starter)

1. Respond.io

Best for: Businesses that want all their omnichannel messaging, not just WhatsApp, in one place, with advanced AI capabilities, extensive automation and reporting baked in.

Respond.io is designed for teams that rely heavily on messaging. It unites WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram and more in one inbox. On top of that, it adds CRM tools, AI Agents, broadcasts, voice calling and analytics. You can connect directly to the WhatsApp API without an external BSP, and even make WhatsApp voice calls from the platform.

Pros

  • Extensive omnichannel inbox

  • Direct WhatsApp API access as an official BSP

  • WhatsApp voice calling is included

  • Autonomous AI Agents to manage routine conversations end-to-end and escalate to humans when needed

  • Strong analytics and reporting

  • Extremely reliable with 99.999% uptime

  • Native CRM integration with HubSpot, Salesforce and more

  • Excellent customer reviews on sites like G2

Cons

  • Some features may be more than small WhatsApp-only teams need

  • Requires some setup time for advanced workflows

Pricing

The mid-tier plan, known as the Growth plan, is priced at $159. It allows for up to 10 users and includes access to all messaging channels, advanced automation workflows, reporting and analytics and more.

2. Zoko

Best for: Small teams that primarily need WhatsApp, with light use of Instagram and Facebook Messenger.

Zoko is a WhatsApp-first platform for Shopify-oriented businesses. It supports WhatsApp, with add-ons for Instagram and Facebook Messenger, plus basic automation, tagging and assignment. It’s quick to set up and easy to learn. Analytics exist (e.g., agent reports), but the scope is narrower than full omnichannel suites.

Pros

  • Focused heavily on WhatsApp

  • Easy to use and set up

  • Budget-friendly

  • Includes basic automation and tagging

Cons

  • Channels limited to WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger (no email/SMS/Telegram)

  • Limited automation and reporting

  • Not built for larger teams or advanced needs

Pricing

The plus plan is $64.99/month and includes WhatsApp messaging, automation rules and basic team assignment tools.

3. Freshchat

Best for: Teams already using the Freshworks suite.

Freshchat brings WhatsApp messaging into the Freshworks suite, combining it with CRM, chat and ticketing. It works well for teams already who want everything tied into one platform without switching tools, but WhatsApp remains more of an add-on than a core feature. Setup is smooth if you’re already using Freshworks, and the interface is friendly overall.

Pros

  • Combines CRM, chat and ticketing

  • Fits neatly with other Freshworks tools

  • Reasonable automation features like auto-assignment and basic workflows

  • User-friendly interface for mixed-role teams

Cons

  • WhatsApp functions within a broader suite (not a WhatsApp-specialist tool)

  • Less depth for messaging-specific workflows

  • Requires the Freshworks ecosystem to experience full value

Pricing

$23 per agent per month (Growth plan), with WhatsApp integration included.

4. Wati

Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that want official WhatsApp API access with straightforward campaigns, chatbots and team inbox.

Wati offers WhatsApp and Instagram messaging through a clean, easy-to-use interface. Built on Twilio’s API, it supports tags, broadcast templates and simple automation. It’s a good choice for teams that need a straightforward WhatsApp CRM without heavy setup, but it lacks advanced analytics and deeper automation capabilities for scaling operations.

Pros

  • Official WhatsApp API setup with help for verification

  • Simple to use for team inbox, broadcasts and templates

  • Supports WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook

  • Basic chatbots and workflow automation included

Cons

  • Limited analytics and reporting

  • Overly basic CRM functionality with minimal customization and tracking options

  • Add-on and per-message costs can add up at scale

  • Not designed for complex workflows or large teams

Pricing

Wati’s Pro plan costs $79/month for 5 users with access to WhatsApp and Instagram messaging, templates and basic automation.

5. Trengo

Best for: Teams looking for omnichannel support with strong collaboration tools

Trengo offers a shared inbox for WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, email and more, with basic automation and integrations for CRMs like HubSpot. It’s especially useful for teams handling large message volumes, but automation depth is limited compared to alternatives like respond.io.

Pros

  • Solid multi-channel inbox

  • Integrates with CRMs like HubSpot

  • Simple automation

  • Clean, straightforward interface

  • Pricing can be relatively expensive for what you get

Cons

  • Automation is limited compared to top platforms

  • Reporting depth is limited

  • The price may be high for smaller teams

  • Critical features like WhatsApp broadcasts are add-ons

Pricing

Trengo’s Boost plan starts at $579/month, offering 20 user seats and 18,000 conversations per year.

6. Interakt

Best for: Budget-conscious teams in WhatsApp-first markets that want campaigns, a simple CRM and a shared inbox.

Interakt focuses on WhatsApp and Instagram messaging, offering ready-to-use templates, broadcasts and basic automation. It’s popular in WhatsApp-first regions due to its competitive pricing, but it’s not intended for complex workflows or advanced reporting.

Pros

  • Relatively low cost compared to pricer alternatives like Trengo

  • Ready-to-use templates and broadcasts

  • Shared inbox for WhatsApp, with auto replies and basic FAQs

  • Easy onboarding and simple setup

  • Unlimited free conversations

Cons

  • Onboarding is entirely self-serve

  • Limited reporting relative to higher-end tools

  • Chatbot builder is basic in terms of the features offered

  • Only 5 agents supported, and $10/agent to include more

Pricing

The Starter plan is $49/month. Includes broadcasts and template-based messaging.

What Is the Best WhatsApp CRM for Businesses?

Most WhatsApp CRMs make you choose between strong messaging tools and proper CRM functions.

Respond.io bridges that gap. It provides your team with a single platform where conversations across channels, customer data, and automation all work together. That means less switching between tools, fewer missed opportunities and more time spent talking to the people who matter:

  • A shared inbox that keeps all conversations in one place.

  • True omnichannel messaging that brings WhatsApp, TikTok, Messenger, Telegram, email and more into one platform.

  • A Lifecycle view that tracks customers through every stage from first message to first sale.

  • Autonomous AI Agents that qualify leads, update customer details, close conversations with summaries, and escalate to humans when needed.

  • Advanced automation with an easy-to-use, no-code builder that goes far beyond basic workflows.

  • Detailed reporting and analytics that break down response times, customer interactions, team performance and more.

  • Voice calls with context, letting you handle WhatsApp and VoIP calls with ease.

Turn conversations into customers with respond.io's official WhatsApp API ✨

Manage WhatsApp calls and chats in one place!

Frequently Asked Questions about WhatsApp CRM

Can I use WhatsApp for CRM without any software?

You can if you only have a handful of customers, but it gets messy fast. Messages end up scattered across team members’ phones, and there is no central record of conversations. Without software, you miss out on features like automation, reporting and shared inboxes that make scaling possible.

What’s the best CRM with WhatsApp integration?

It depends on your priorities. If you need WhatsApp alongside other channels, AI, automation and analytics, respond.io is one of the strongest options. It connects directly to the WhatsApp API and lets you manage all customer messaging, campaigns and reporting in one platform.

Respond.io is widely considered a top choice for WhatsApp CRM thanks to its omnichannel inbox, autonomous AI Agents, advanced automation, deep analytics and direct WhatsApp API connection without additional BSP fees.

Is respond.io a CRM or just a messaging platform?

Respond.io is both. It gives you a complete CRM layer to store and manage customer data while also acting as a messaging hub for WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram and other channels. You can assign chats, track deal stages and run campaigns without switching tools.

How do I sync WhatsApp conversations with my CRM?

Most WhatsApp CRMs offer direct integrations with popular CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce. This allows you to sync messages, contact information and conversation history automatically. If there is no native integration, you can usually connect via automation tools or APIs.

Can I assign chats to specific agents?

Yes. With respond.io and similar platforms, you can assign chats manually or create rules to route customers to the right person or department automatically. This ensures faster responses and a more personal experience. With respond.io, you can even assign chats to specific AI Agents, for example, an AI sales agent or an AI support agent. Human agents can also take over an AI conversation at any time.

Are WhatsApp CRMs compliant with Meta’s rules?

Reputable WhatsApp CRMs use the official WhatsApp Business API, which means they follow Meta’s guidelines for data handling, consent and messaging limits. Using unofficial tools can put your number at risk of being banned.

Can I use automation with WhatsApp CRMs?

Yes. You can set up automated replies for common questions, send reminders for appointments or payments, route chats to the right agents and even trigger CRM updates based on keywords or actions. Automation saves time and reduces missed opportunities.

Do I need the WhatsApp API to use a CRM?

Not always. Some CRMs connect to the regular WhatsApp Business App, but the API is required if you want multiple users, automation, bulk messaging and other advanced features. The API is also more secure and reliable for growing teams.

What is the best WhatsApp CRM?

Respond.io is widely considered a top choice for WhatsApp CRM thanks to its omnichannel inbox, advanced automation, deep analytics and direct WhatsApp API connection minus additional BSP fees. It also holds an impressive G2 rating of 4.8 from real users.

What is a WhatsApp CRM?

A WhatsApp CRM is software that connects WhatsApp to your customer relationship management system. It stores messages, contact details and interaction history in one place so you can track conversations, follow up consistently and see how each chat fits into the bigger customer journey.

Further Reading

If you found our article helpful, you might enjoy the following reads:

  

Share this article
Telegram
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
Ryan Tan
Ryan Tan
Ryan Tan, a London School of Economics (LSE) law graduate, is a Senior Communications Strategist at respond.io. With his B2B tech marketing and Big 4 experience, he strives to create content that both educates and entertains tech-savvy audiences. Ryan specializes in demystifying business messaging, providing readers with practical insights that pave the way to robust growth.
3x Your Business Results with Respond.io 🚀