Top 7 Conversational AI Platforms of 2025 and How to Choose One

TL;DR - Best Conversational AI Platforms in 2025

These are the best conversational AI platforms in 2025. Make sure to choose one that has full agentic capabilities and can independently manage conversations, integrates with your CRM, performs on multiple channels and allows for specific agent roles.

Respond.io: All-around agentic and multichannel automation for the full customer lifecycle across roles.
Gupshup & Ada: For enterprise/custom builds with robust APIs and virtual agents for complex workflows.
Wati & Gallabox: For WhatsApp-first SMBs focused on simple AI flows for support and quick setup.
ManyChat: For creators and small businesses with a social media focus who need AI to handle simple conversations.
Trengo: For support-focused businesses who need multichannel AI for customer inquiries.

Conversational AI has shifted from simple keyword bots to agentic systems that understand intent, execute tasks and hand off conversations seamlessly. This is a game changer for businesses managing customers primarily over messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, TikTok and more. The best conversational AI platforms for instant messaging don’t just reply; they automate processes like updating your CRM, booking appointments and routing to correct human agent.

An ideal platform serves as an assistant throughout the customer lifecycle, from taking in lead details to closing simple sales to sending follow-ups and promotions to keep customers coming back.

In this article, we’ll discuss what you need look for, then dive into the details of some of the best conversational AI platforms of 2025 so you can make the right decision for your business.

First, let’s look at what businesses need to consider when selecting a conversational AI platform.

What to look for in a conversational AI platform

Here are the must-haves in a conversational AI platform when you’re primarily doing business over instant messaging channels.

1. Agentic depth beyond chat

“Conversational AI” is a buzzword, and many platforms boast of AI capabilities when in reality they only offer simple chatbots. Make sure the platform has true agentic capabilities like completing actions across multiple steps, learning from company knowledge and escalating to humans.

2. Ability to independently close and manage conversations

Choose a platform that can handle the entire conversation when possible, update the status for reference, or escalate to a human if needed. For example, respond.io’s AI agent can wrap up a chat with a clear summary, pick a closing reason, and trigger the next step—like a follow-up task, survey, tag, or workflow. That means cleaner inboxes, accurate reports, and clear context.

Image showing what you need in a conversational AI platform: Agentic actions, independently manage conversation, CRM integration, multichannel, agent roles

3. Integrates with CRM and helps track the customer journey

Save time and manual effort with an AI platform that integrates with your CRM and helps track the customer lifecycle. Look for a platform that auto-updates contact fields, tags, and lifecycle stages, then fires the right workflows. Your data stays fresh and your pipeline moves without manual effort.

4. Performs on all your channels

Meet customers where they are—WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, web chat, email, voice and more. Use one agent for all channels in a single inbox. Look for a platform with AI agents that can handle voice calls and recordings in addition to chat.

5. An agent for any role

Many conversational AI platforms are built for a specific task, for example, either customer support or sales. Choose a platform where you can build multiple AI agents to take on any role, whether it’s managing initial inquiries, closing deals or offering support after a purchase.

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The 7 best conversational AI platforms in 2025

Below is a quick overview of the seven best conversational AI platforms in 2025. These tools vary in pricing, ease of use, supported channels and AI capabilities. After that, we’ll get into the pros, cons and pricing of each platform. For pricing, we’re showing the cost for the mid-range plan unless otherwise noted.

Platform	Best For	Multichannel	AI Capabilities
Respond.io	Mid to large B2C businesses with high message volume who require process automation and multiple AI agent roles	✅	Create agents with unique roles; Agent learns from knowledge base; handles conversations and processes; routes to human agents as needed
Gupshup	Developers & enterprises needing APIs and custom AI agents at scale	✅	Custom-built AI agents that can handle conversations and tasks
Gallabox	WhatsApp-first SMBs wanting basic AI chatbot flows	❌	Basic AI chatbot available on the highest tier plan
Wati	WhatsApp/Instagram-centric support teams needing fast setup	⚠️ WhatsApp & Instagram	Simple AI support agent that learns from your knowledge base
Ada	WhatsApp-centric enterprises requiring an AI platform for data management and customer communication	⚠️ WhatsApp, Viber & SMS	Strong virtual agent for enterprise-level conversations
ManyChat	Creators & small teams focused on social messaging automation	✅	Template-driven chat flows; basic AI add-ons; campaign-oriented.
Trengo	Businesses needing an omnichannel AI support platform	✅	Omnichannel inbox and multi-step AI automation

1. Respond.io — AI Agents that power your entire customer lifecycle

Best for: Mid to large-sized B2C businesses needing advanced AI automation and multichannel support

Respond.io goes beyond basic chatbots, unifying WhatsApp and popular channels (Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, email, voice/VoIP and more) into a single inbox. Create AI agents for specific roles like receptionist, sales or support. It also automates the work around conversations, assigning, updating contact fields and lifecycles, and even closing chats with summaries and a suitable closing note.

Pros

Use templates for AI agent roles including receptionist, sales and support or create your own roles
AI agent learns from your website and knowledge base
AI Agent capabilities include voice, automatic follow-ups when customer is unresponsive, conversation summaries with closing notes, and human handoff or human takeover
Multichannel inbox (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, voice email, custom channels and more)
CRM-friendly: native HubSpot and Salesforce integrations plus Zapier/Make
Excellent customer support to assist with onboarding; rated 4.8 stars on G2

Cons

Rich feature set means a steep learning curve for new users

Pricing

Respond.io’s mid-tier Growth plan starts at $159 and allows 10 users. It includes unlimited automation, unlimited use of AI Agent, advanced reporting and online onboarding support via chat or call.

2. Gupshup — Enterprise-scale AI agents

Best for: Developers and enterprises with custom needs

Gupshup offers robust APIs and an enterprise conversational AI platform for building agents at scale on WhatsApp. It’s ideal for teams with technical skills that want full control and custom agent design.

Pros

Powerful APIs
Autonomous AI agents that can handle processes and payments
Good fit for custom, large-scale deployments

Cons

Not beginner-friendly; usually requires technical resources
Pricing and packaging can be complex (usage-based, varies by channel and country)
No native shared inbox/reporting; you’ll assemble parts
Support can be slow

Pricing

Custom quotes only.

3. Gallabox — No-code WhatsApp AI for SMB commerce

Best for: WhatsApp-first SMBs that require basic AI replies

Gallabox focuses on WhatsApp automation with broadcasts, drip campaigns and an AI chatbot builder, plus add-ons like native payments and a shared inbox. However, while this conversation management platform is often considered a budget option, the only package that includes AI is more costly than most competitors’ offerings.

Pros

Simple AI chatbot to answer inquiries
Easy WhatsApp broadcasts, templates and flows; drip campaigns and catalogs
Integrations with HubSpot, Zoho, Shopify and more

Cons

WhatsApp-only
Not a full AI conversational platform; AI can only chat rather than manage processes
Limited analytics for complex funnels
Heavier reliance on manual setup/maintenance of flows
Add-ons/payment features may add cost & complexity

Pricing

$377/month for the Pro plan, the only plan that includes AI features.

4. Wati — WhatsApp-First AI support agent

Best for: WhatsApp-focused SMBs wanting fast deployment (with Instagram DM as a bonus)

Wati provides a visual flow builder, team inbox and marketing features for WhatsApp (and Instagram DM). It also offers an AI Support Agent that can answer from your knowledge base.

Pros

Visual chatbot builder, broadcasts and Shopify/WooCommerce integrations
AI Support Agent with knowledge-base answers

Cons

Primarily WhatsApp/Instagram; not a full multichannel hub
AI agent only has one objective, answering support inquiries
Pricing and add-ons can be complex
Poor customer support

Pricing

The price for Wati’s mid-tier plan is $79 for five users, making it one of the cheaper options for businesses on a tight budget, but beware of messaging markups and additional fees.

5. Ada — Enterprise virtual agent for support

Best for: Enterprises needing a powerful AI front door to handle FAQs and support inquiries

Pros

Strong virtual agent for support
Automates processes and payments
Robust security/compliance posture for large organizations

Cons

Only supports WhatsApp, Viber and SMS
Heavier implementation effort; typically needs solution engineering
Pricing skews enterprise; can be costly for mid-market
Limited built-in shared inbox/agent management

Pricing

Enterprise pricing (custom quotes).

6. ManyChat — Creator-Friendly Automation with New AI Add-Ons

Best for: Social media marketers and creators who need AI automation for basic conversations

ManyChat lets you automate conversations on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS and email. It’s budget-friendly, template-driven and great for campaigns, DMs and quick AI automations.

Pros

Multichannel (TikTok, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, email) with a visual AI agent chatflow builder
Large template library; easy entry for non-technical users
Works well with click-to-chat ads, QR codes and growth tools

Cons

AI and automation geared to simple journeys
Analytics/reporting are more campaign-focused than lifecycle-driven
Add-ons and usage growth can increase total cost
Limited customer support

Pricing

$15/month for three users and 500 stored contacts. Automation features are limited on lower-tier plans. Additional costs apply for higher usage and premium features.

7. Trengo — Omnichannel inbox with AI Journeys

Best for: Support teams that want an AI-powered inbox across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, email, live chat, SMS and more

Trengo centralizes customer conversations from multiple channels in one inbox. Its AI HelpMate can draft/send replies, and AI Journeys automate conversations and workflows across steps and channels. Higher-tier plans add third-party API actions for deeper integrations.

Pros

Omnichannel inbox including email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, live chat and SMS
AI HelpMate for reply assistance; AI Journeys for multi-step automation
Reporting (including AI reporting) focused on support metrics

Cons

Agentic depth centers on support automation; complex, cross-system actions often rely on API actions or integrations
Conversation-based and AI-surcharge pricing add up as you scale
Advanced API actions/permissions require higher plans
Poor customer support

Pricing

Mid-tier plan starts at $579/month for 20 users and 1500 conversations. Additional conversations are charged at $18/100 conversations plus a $0.29/conversation surcharge for AI.

Which is the best conversational AI platform for your business needs?

Support-focused businesses may choose Wati or Trengo. Developers and enterprises that need customization for specific needs often choose Gupshup or Ada, while smaller businesses with a heavy social media focus consider Manychat.

However, if you want the most versatile, future-proof option with strong multichannel coverage and full agentic AI for chat and voice to automate the entire customer journey, choose respond.io. It enables you to create fully customized AI agents for any stage of the customer journey, route conversations to a human agent when needed and and update contact fields and lifecycle stages so your team always has full context. It’s built to scale from first contact to conversion to retention.

Choose respond.io, the conversational AI platform that grows your business

We recommend respond.io as the best all-around conversational AI platform for growing businesses. If you need to chat with customers on multiple channels and manage customer journeys with advanced AI automation, try respond.io for free or contact us for a consultation.

Turn customer conversations into business growth with respond.io. ✨

Manage calls, chats and emails in one place!

Book a Demo Sign Up Free

Frequently asked questions about conversational AI platforms

What is a conversational AI platform?

A conversational AI platform enables businesses to chat with customers automatically. It learns from business knowledge, understands what customers say, replies or runs simple workflows and connects to tools like CRMs or payment systems.

Will AI replace my human agents?

No. Good setups let AI handle repetitive questions and simple tasks, then route the conversation to a human for complex cases — with a summary so humans don’t start from scratch.

How does a conversational AI platform work with a CRM?

The best platforms integrate with your CRM so they can pull customer details and update fields/tags/stages automatically during chats.

Can the AI close a conversation on its own?

On some platforms, yes. For example, respond.io’s AI can summarize, pick a closing reason and trigger next steps. There are some cases where businesses want AI to handle the entire conversation, for example, confirming an appointment. The AI agent would simply notify the human agents that the appointment has been booked.

Can AI Agents understand and respond to audio messages?

Yes. respond.io’s AI Agents can now process voice notes and audio recordings sent by customers across supported messaging channels. The platform automatically transcribes audio into text and integrates it directly into the AI Agent’s conversation context. This means the AI can understand the intent, nuance, and details of spoken messages and respond naturally, maintaining a seamless conversational flow, whether the customer prefers typing or speaking.

This feature is especially valuable for voice-first users, common in regions like the US, LATAM and Southeast Asia, where people frequently communicate via voice notes.

What prevents AI Agents from making mistakes or hallucinating?

While not every AI platform prevents these risks, respond.io’s AI Agents are built for safety, reliability, and real-world use from the start. With guardrails embedded at the core, you can scale confidently knowing they stay on course.

Integrated protections:
Accuracy checks and clear policies reduce mistakes and curb hallucinations.
Smart escalation:
When the AI hits a limit, it hands off to the right human with full conversation history.
Flexible controls:
Define business-specific rules to shape how the AI behaves.
Production-ready out of the box:
Safeguards ship enabled, so you can launch without hesitation.

How can AI Agent chats feel less robotic and more human?

AI Agents on respond.io hold natural, human-like conversations by understanding intent, context and tone, not just following scripts. They chat fluidly across WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, TikTok and more, drawing context from conversation history and responding according to your rules or criteria.

To make them sound even more human: