What’s Chatfuel and How Does It Work? [Tutorial]

Whether you want a superb chatbot for Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, is Chatfuel too good to be true?
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Thinking of an enterprise-level plan to build a chatbot at just $300? Chatfuel’s the company that can provide that for clients, especially for startup companies in real estate, healthcare, retail, or other industries. Whether you want a superb chatbot for Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, is Chatfuel too good to be true?

At Voiceflow, we can show you the ins and outs of Chatfuel and can show you what to expect when getting yourself a Chatfuel plan. Read onwards to get a better understanding of what Chatfuel has on offer.

What is Chatfuel?

Chatfuel Logo

Chatfuel is a no-code software that allows users to build bots without programming skills. Chatfuel offers plans as high as $300 for enterprises, which seem like a steal compared to the likes of Rasa. Chatfuel works on a cloud server where you can create a chatbot right on your web browser, opposed to using IDEs or code editors and tweaking files from under the hood.

Chatfuel Features

Chatfuel comes with many appealing features for developing chatbots, so users are certain to have an easy time with training and deployment. Here are the key features to expect when using Chatfuel:

  • AI-Powered Chatbot: Chatfuel uses machine learning algorithms and natural language processing (NLP) to get AI agents to understand and reply to user inquiries in an effective manner.
  • User-friendly Interface: Chatfuel offers a simple and intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows users to build a chatbot without any coding prerequisites.
  • Pre-built Templates: Chatfuel is compatible with many different pre-built templates for various industries and use-cases, making it a breeze for newcomers to begin their chatbot development.
  • Integration with APIs: Chatfuel allows users to integrate their chatbots with various third-party apps including Google Sheets, Shopify, and ChatGPT.
  • Customizable Design: Chatfuel also allows users to customize the design of their chatbots to be in sync with their company’s brand and visual identity.
  • Analytics and Insights: Chatfuel provides insight and analytics into a user’s chatbot performance, allowing users to track engagement, retention, and other core metrics.

Chatfuel Pricing

Chatfuel is considered an entry-level, economical chatbot builder with plans that range from $19.99 to $300 per month. Additional features are also promoted and available upon consulting with the Chatfuel sales team. Such features include priority support and custom branding.

There are two versions of Chatfuel’s Business plan: One for Facebook Messenger (Instagram included) and one for WhatsApp. The Enterprise plan is the only one that apparently offers support for both messaging platforms, but one could argue why not just save money by purchasing both Business plans separately?

Here’s a rundown of Chatfuel and its pricing tiers:

 

Facebook Business Plan

WhatsApp Business Plan

Enterprise Plan

Monthly Price

$19.99

$49.49

$300

Conversations Per Month

1000

1000

Unlimited

Extra Conversation Cost

$0.02

$0.03

N/A

If you wish to use integrations such as Shopify, Hubspot, or another API or CRM, you should expect to pay $100 for each additional tool you want to include with Chatfuel.

As for a free trial, Chatfuel provides a free 7-day trial upon signing up, allowing users to explore all of Chatfuel’s features with a limited supply of conversations.

Chatfuel vs ManyChat

ManyChat is another affordable chatbot builder that business owners can consider if they want an AI chatbot on a budget. Here’s how both products stack up against one another:

 

ChatFuel

ManyChat

Pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong NLP capabilities
  • Emphasizes core chatbot functionalities
  • User-friendly interface
  • Compatible with SMS platforms and email
  • Includes a free tier

Cons

  • Available only on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger
  • Not much complexity for chatbot building
  • Doesn’t have a permanently free plan
  • Might be more overwhelming to beginners
  • Costs increase with more contacts
  • No multilingual support

 

Chatfuel Alternatives

There are several alternatives to Chatfuel that offer similar features and capabilities. Here are some of the most popular ones:

  • Tars - A highly-rated chatbot builder featuring hundreds of templates across 8 different verticals, such as legal and real estate.
  • Flow XO - A scalable chatbot builder that only charges $25 for 25,000 additional conversations.
  • Voiceflow - A versatile chatbot builder that allows you to create a tailored chatbot or voice assistant in just 10 easy minutes.

The No.1 Way to Build an AI Agent

While Chatfuel is enticing, everything it offers is also available in Voiceflow and is implemented better. For one, Voiceflow allows you to install your chatbot for multiple messenger platforms rather than just one at a time.

Secondly, Voiceflow’s chatbot editor makes it easy to choose from pre-written dialog and generative ChatGPT interactions. Or if you want a head start, you can also pick from many templates depending on your business.

Finally, Voiceflow allows multiple users to collaborate with you at the same time, so you can build and finish your chatbot at an accelerated pace.

Voiceflow starts at $50 per month or $480 per year. Start now with a risk-free 2-week trial and explore everything the platform has to offer before wasting a penny!

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