Search “WhatsApp automation tool” and you’ll find 50 options, all calling themselves #1, all with a free trial, and all looking the same after the third demo call.
So here’s a straight comparison of the tools Indian businesses actually use. What each is good at, roughly what it costs, and when you might not need any of them.
First, one thing that confuses everyone: with any API-based tool, you pay two bills. One goes to the tool, as a monthly plan. The other goes to Meta, per message. In India, Meta’s base rates are about ₹0.86 per marketing message and ₹0.115 per utility or authentication message, plus GST. The tool doesn’t remove these costs. Our guide on how to automate WhatsApp messages explains the rates in detail.
What is WhatsApp automation?
WhatsApp automation means messages go out or get answered without someone typing them: an instant reply to a new enquiry, an order or appointment confirmation, a reminder the day before, or a chatbot that answers common questions and hands over to a person. Free automation lives inside the WhatsApp Business app. Anything beyond that runs on Meta’s WhatsApp Business API, through one of the tools below or a custom build.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Starting price (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business app | Free | Solo owners and small shops |
| Interakt | ~$12/month (billed in INR) | Small businesses and Shopify stores |
| AiSensy | ~$14/month (billed in INR) | Broadcasts and simple campaigns on a budget |
| Gallabox | ~$40/month | Teams needing chatbot flows and a shared inbox |
| WATI | $49+/month | Bigger teams with heavier chatbot needs |
| Custom bot (Cloud API + n8n or code) | One-time build + hosting | Complex flows and connections to your own systems |
Prices change often and depend on plan and billing cycle. Check each tool’s website before deciding.
Feature comparison
| Business app | Interakt | AiSensy | Gallabox | WATI | Custom bot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use | Yes | Trial | Trial | Trial | Trial | No (one-time build) |
| Shared team inbox | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | If built |
| Chatbot flow builder | No | Basic | Basic | Yes | Yes | Any logic |
| Broadcast campaigns | Lists only | Yes | Yes (core strength) | Yes | Yes | If built |
| Shopify order messages | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | If built |
| Live data from your own software | No | Limited | Limited | Via integrations | Via integrations | Yes |
| Monthly tool fee | None | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | None (hosting only) |
“Basic” and “Limited” are our read from setting these up for clients. Plans change, so confirm the exact feature on the plan you’re buying.
1. WhatsApp Business app (free)
Before paying for anything, check whether this is enough. You get greeting messages, away messages, quick replies, labels and a catalogue.
Choose it if: you get under 30–40 chats a day and you’re the one replying. Skip it if: more than one or two people need to reply, or you want a real chatbot.
2. Interakt
Interakt is popular with Indian small businesses and ecommerce stores. It’s known for easy Shopify integration, a shared team inbox, and automated order notifications, which makes it a common pick for stores we set up through Shopify website development.
Choose it if: you run an online store or want an affordable starting point. Watch out for: advanced chatbot logic can feel limited as you grow.
3. AiSensy
AiSensy is widely used for broadcasts and marketing campaigns, with a simple interface and budget-friendly plans.
Choose it if: your main need is sending offers and updates to an opted-in customer list. Watch out for: heavy broadcasting without opt-ins will hurt your number’s quality, whatever tool you use.
4. Gallabox
Gallabox sits in the middle, with a good chatbot builder, a team inbox and CRM-style features.
Choose it if: you have a sales or support team handling WhatsApp leads.
5. WATI
WATI is one of the better-known names, with a strong chatbot builder, team inbox and integrations. It’s also on the pricier side.
Choose it if: you have a team, high chat volume and the budget.
Is there a free WhatsApp automation tool?
Yes, with limits. The WhatsApp Business app is free and covers greeting messages, away messages, quick replies and labels. API tools offer free trials rather than free plans, and Meta still charges per conversation once you’re on the API. If you need automation beyond the app for free, the only route is building your own on Meta’s Cloud API with an open-source tool like n8n, which costs your time and hosting instead of a subscription.
Other tools worth a look
A few more names come up when Indian businesses compare options. DoubleTick focuses on sales teams working leads on WhatsApp. Zoko is built around Shopify and D2C brands. Twilio is a developer platform rather than a ready-made tool, useful if you have a tech team. We haven’t compared their pricing here; check their current plans directly.
When a custom WhatsApp bot makes more sense
Ready-made tools are great until your business doesn’t fit their boxes. A custom WhatsApp chatbot, built on Meta’s Cloud API and connected through n8n or code, makes sense when:
- Your bot needs to check live data, like appointment slots, stock or booking status
- You want WhatsApp connected to your own software or CRM, like a travel CRM or real estate CRM
- You’re paying per-seat fees for a growing team
- Your conversation flow has many conditions (“if new patient, ask this; if returning, ask that”)
The trade-off: more upfront cost, and you need someone to maintain it. You get exactly the flow you want, with no monthly tool fees on top of Meta’s charges. Curious how the connections work? See 10 n8n automation workflows.
How to pick the right tool
Ask yourself four questions:
- How many chats a day? Under 40 → free app. Over that → API.
- How many people reply? More than two → you need a team inbox.
- Mostly broadcasting, or mostly conversations? Broadcast → AiSensy or Interakt. Conversations → Gallabox, WATI or custom.
- Does it need to talk to your other software? If yes → check the integrations, or go custom.
Frequently asked questions
Which WhatsApp tool is cheapest in India?
The WhatsApp Business app is free. Among API tools, Interakt and AiSensy have some of the lowest starting plans. Meta’s per-message charges still apply.
What is the best WhatsApp automation tool?
There isn’t one best tool for everyone. For a small online store, Interakt is usually the easiest start. For broadcasts on a budget, AiSensy. For a sales or support team with chatbot flows, Gallabox or WATI. If the bot must check your own data, like slots, stock or bookings, a custom bot fits better than any of them.
What is a good WATI alternative in India?
Teams leaving WATI usually move to Gallabox for similar chatbot features at a lower starting price, or to Interakt or AiSensy if they mainly need broadcasts and a shared inbox. If per-seat fees are the reason, a custom bot on the Cloud API removes the monthly tool fee.
Can I switch tools later?
Yes. Your WhatsApp API number can usually be moved to a different provider, though setting up flows again takes some work.
Do these tools include Meta’s message charges?
Usually not. Meta’s charges are billed separately or passed through by the provider.
Not sure which setup fits your business? Tell us how your customers talk to you on WhatsApp today. We’ll suggest the cheapest setup that works, even if that’s just the free app.