Wati vs Respond.io: Which WhatsApp Platform is Right for Your Business?
In-depth comparison of two leading WhatsApp Business API platforms. Pricing, features, pros & cons to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
Quick Verdict
Wati
Billed annually • Growth plan
Easy-to-use WhatsApp Business API platform designed specifically for SMBs. Strong automation features with minimal learning curve.
Respond.io
Billed annually • Growth plan (recommended)
Advanced AI-powered conversation platform for B2C businesses. Powerful sales features with enterprise-grade reliability (99.999% uptime).
Our Recommendation
Choose Wati if you're a small to mid-sized business looking for user-friendly WhatsApp automation without complexity. Great for teams that value simplicity over advanced features.
Choose Respond.io if you're a B2C business prioritizing sales conversion, need advanced AI agents, or require enterprise-level features like multiple workspaces and SSO. Worth the higher price for sales-driven teams.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Annual) | $59/month (Growth) | $79/month (Starter) |
| Best Plan for Most | Pro - $119/month | Growth - $159/month |
| G2 Rating | 4.75/5 (418 reviews) | 4.8/5 (392 reviews) |
| Ease of Use (G2) | ✓ 9.1/10 | Not rated |
| Users Included | 5 on all plans | 5-10 (plan dependent) |
| WhatsApp Business API | ✓ Official API | ✓ Official API |
| AI Chatbot/Agent | ✓ Visual drag-and-drop | ✓ Advanced AI Agents |
| Broadcast Messaging | ✓ Unlimited lists | ✓ Growth plan+ |
| Team Inbox | ✓ Unified inbox | ✓ Multi-channel |
| CRM Integration | ✓ 100+ integrations | ✓ CRM sync |
| Workflow Automation | ✓ Visual builder | ✓ Advanced (Growth+) |
| Multi-Channel Support | ✓ IG, FB, SMS, Web | ✓ WhatsApp, Messenger, Email, Calls |
| Uptime Guarantee | 99.9% | 99.999% |
| Free Trial | Available (verify details) | ✓ 7 days (Growth plan) |
| Target Customer | SMBs, E-commerce | B2C, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Notable Customers | 14,000+ businesses | 10,000+ (Toyota, McDonald's) |
📊 Data verified from official sources as of November 29, 2025. Pricing from Wati.io and Respond.io. Ratings from G2.com.
Pricing Breakdown
Wati Pricing
Growth
$69/mo monthly • Save ~15% annually
- 5 users included
- Basic chatbot builder
- Broadcast messaging
- Team inbox
- Email support
Pro
$149/mo monthly • Save ~20% annually
- 5 users included
- Advanced AI chatbot
- 100+ integrations
- Advanced analytics
- Priority support
Business
$349/mo monthly • Save ~20% annually
- 5 users included
- All features
- Unlimited contacts
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
Additional Wati Costs
- Extra users: ₹1,299/month (~$15-16/month) per additional agent beyond 5 included
- Shopify integration: $4.99/month
- WhatsApp messaging fees: Charged by Meta (varies by message type: marketing, utility, authentication)
- Annual discount: Up to 25% off
📊 Wati pricing verified from official pricing page and cross-referenced with Capterra on November 29, 2025. Annual plans offer better value.
Respond.io Pricing
Starter
$948/year • 20% savings annually
- 5 users included
- 1,000 MACs (contacts)
- Team inbox
- Mobile app
- AI Assist
- Basic reports
Growth
$1,908/year • 20% savings annually
- 10 users included
- 1,000 MACs (contacts)
- Broadcasts & Workflows
- AI Agents
- Advanced reports
- Zapier, Make, API
Advanced
$3,348/year • 20% savings annually
- 10 users included
- 1,000 MACs (contacts)
- Multiple workspaces
- Webhooks & HTTP
- SSO
- Custom channels
Additional Respond.io Costs
- Monthly Active Contacts (MACs) overage: $12 per 100 MACs on Growth, $15 per 100 MACs on Advanced
- Additional users: $12/month (Starter), $20/month (Growth), $24/month (Advanced) per user
- WhatsApp fees: NOT included - charged separately by Meta based on message volume and type
- Free trial: 7 days with Growth plan features (5 users, 1,000 MACs, excludes broadcasts)
📊 Respond.io pricing verified from official pricing page on November 29, 2025. All plans offer 20% discount with annual billing.
Pricing Comparison: Which is More Affordable?
For basic features: Wati wins with $59/month entry price vs Respond.io's $79/month.
For full feature set: Wati Pro ($119/mo) offers good value for SMBs. Respond.io Growth ($159/mo) is pricier but includes more users (10 vs 5) and advanced AI features.
User scaling cost: Wati charges ~$15/month per extra user. Respond.io charges $20-24/month per user but includes more users upfront (10 on Growth/Advanced vs Wati's 5 on all plans).
Hidden costs: Both charge WhatsApp messaging fees separately (Meta's pricing). Wati has Shopify integration fee ($4.99/mo). Respond.io has MAC overage fees that can add up with large contact lists.
💡 Pricing Winner
Wati is more affordable for solo users or very small teams (1-5 people) at $59-119/month.
Respond.io offers better value for teams of 6-10 users since users are included, whereas Wati charges extra per user.
Feature Comparison
Core Features
| Feature | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business API | ✓ Official API access | ✓ Official API access |
| Multi-channel inbox | ✓ WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, SMS, Web | ✓ WhatsApp, Messenger, Email, Calls |
| Team collaboration | ✓ Unified team inbox | ✓ Advanced routing & assignment |
| Broadcast messaging | ✓ Unlimited lists (all plans) | ✓ Growth plan and above |
| Contact management | ✓ Unlimited contacts (Business plan) | ✓ 1,000 MACs included, pay for overage |
| Mobile app | ✓ iOS & Android | ✓ iOS & Android |
Automation & AI
| Feature | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Chatbot builder | ✓ Visual drag-and-drop, no-code Pro plan: Advanced AI with NLP |
✓ AI Agents (Growth plan+) More powerful, AI-driven |
| Workflow automation | ✓ Visual workflow builder | ✓ Advanced workflows (Growth+) HTTP requests on Advanced |
| AI capabilities | ✓ AI-powered chatbot, NLP G2 rating: 9.6/10 |
✓ Advanced AI Agents Lead qualification, multilingual |
| Auto-responders | ✓ Automated replies | ✓ AI Assist + Auto-replies |
| Lead qualification | ✓ Sales pipeline tools | ✓ AI-driven qualification Core strength |
Integrations
| Integration Type | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Total integrations | 100+ third-party integrations | 12+ major platforms shown |
| CRM | ✓ Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho | ✓ CRM sync (specific CRMs not detailed) |
| E-commerce | ✓ Shopify ($4.99/mo), WooCommerce | Not explicitly mentioned |
| Automation platforms | ✓ Zapier | ✓ Zapier, Make (Growth+) |
| Developer API | Available | ✓ Available (Growth+) |
| Webhooks | Available | ✓ Incoming & Outgoing (Advanced) |
Analytics & Reporting
| Feature | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Basic reports | ✓ Team performance, campaign metrics | ✓ All plans |
| Advanced analytics | ✓ Pro plan and above | ✓ Growth plan and above |
| Custom reports | Not mentioned | ✓ Available |
| CSAT/NPS surveys | Not explicitly mentioned | ✓ Built-in survey tools |
| ROI tracking | Campaign analytics available | ✓ Dedicated ROI tracking "Top-rated for ROI" on G2 |
Enterprise Features
| Feature | Wati | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple workspaces | ✗ Not available | ✓ Advanced plan |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✗ Not mentioned | ✓ Advanced plan |
| Custom channels | ✗ Not available | ✓ Advanced plan |
| Uptime guarantee | 99.9% | 99.999% |
| Compliance | ✓ GDPR, CCPA, AICPA | Standard compliance (not detailed) |
Feature Comparison Winner
Wati strengths: More explicit integration list (100+), easier chatbot builder (9.1/10 ease rating), multi-channel support includes SMS and web chat.
Respond.io strengths: More advanced AI Agents, enterprise features (SSO, multiple workspaces), superior uptime (99.999%), stronger ROI tracking, better for sales-focused workflows.
Verdict: Respond.io has more advanced features for enterprises and sales teams. Wati offers simpler, more accessible features for SMBs.
Wati: In-Depth Review
What is Wati?
Wati (operated by Clare.ai Limited) is an end-to-end WhatsApp Business API solution specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Serving over 14,000 businesses across 78+ countries, Wati focuses on making WhatsApp marketing and customer communication accessible without requiring technical expertise.
Key Strengths
- Outstanding ease of use: G2 users rate it 9.1/10 for ease of use, making it one of the most user-friendly WhatsApp platforms.
- Visual drag-and-drop builder: Create chatbots and workflows without coding. Perfect for non-technical marketing teams.
- Affordable entry point: Starting at $59/month (annual billing), significantly lower than many competitors.
- Comprehensive integrations: 100+ third-party integrations explicitly mentioned, including all major CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho) and e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce).
- Strong WhatsApp messaging score: G2 users rate WhatsApp messaging capabilities 9.6/10.
- Reliable support: Quality of support rated 8.7/10 on G2, with many reviews mentioning fast, responsive customer support.
- Multi-channel support: Beyond WhatsApp, supports Instagram, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and website chat.
Limitations
- Limited user scaling: Only 5 users included on all plans; additional users cost ₹1,299/month (~$15-16) each, which adds up for growing teams.
- Pricing concerns: Reviews frequently mention pricing as "high for smaller businesses" and cite "hidden charges."
- No enterprise features: Lacks SSO, multiple workspaces, and advanced enterprise capabilities.
- Lower uptime guarantee: 99.9% uptime is good but not industry-leading (Respond.io offers 99.999%).
- Less advanced AI: While the AI chatbot is solid, it's not as sophisticated as Respond.io's AI Agents for sales qualification.
Real User Feedback
From G2 reviews (4.75/5, 418 reviews):
"WATI streamlines WhatsApp communication with automation, team collaboration, and an intuitive interface."
"Fast and responsive customer support, often resolving issues quickly. Support team is knowledgeable, helpful, and proactive."
✓ Pros
- Extremely easy to use (9.1/10)
- Affordable for SMBs ($59-119/mo)
- Fast, responsive support (8.7/10)
- 100+ integrations
- Visual no-code builder
- Multi-channel support
- Strong automation features
✗ Cons
- Only 5 users included on all plans
- Expensive user add-ons (~$15 each)
- Pricing considered high by some SMBs
- Hidden charges reported
- No enterprise features (SSO, workspaces)
- Support can be hard to reach (conflicting reviews)
Respond.io: In-Depth Review
What is Respond.io?
Respond.io is an AI-powered customer conversation management platform designed for B2C businesses. Trusted by over 10,000 brands including major enterprises like Toyota, McDonald's, British Airways, and Radisson, Respond.io focuses on sales conversion and lead qualification through their proprietary "Conversation-Led Growth™" framework.
Key Strengths
- Industry-leading uptime: 99.999% uptime guarantee is exceptional and critical for mission-critical sales operations.
- Advanced AI Agents: More sophisticated than basic chatbots. AI Agents can qualify leads, handle complex conversations, and support multiple languages.
- Enterprise-grade features: Multiple workspaces, SSO, custom channels, and webhooks make it suitable for large organizations.
- Sales-focused: Built specifically for lead conversion and customer retention. Rated as "top for ROI" on G2.
- Proven at scale: Used by major global brands that require reliability and advanced features.
- More users included: 10 users on Growth/Advanced plans vs Wati's 5.
- 7-day free trial: Generous trial period with full Growth plan features.
- Advanced workflows: HTTP requests and webhooks on Advanced plan enable complex integrations.
Limitations
- Higher price point: $159/month minimum for full features (Growth plan) vs Wati's $59/month entry.
- MAC overage fees: Additional cost of $12-15 per 100 contacts beyond 1,000 included can add up with large databases.
- Less explicit integration list: Doesn't clearly state total integration count like Wati's "100+" claim.
- Potentially complex: Advanced features may have steeper learning curve than Wati's simpler interface (no ease-of-use rating available on G2).
- Starter plan limitations: $79/month Starter plan lacks broadcasts and workflows, pushing most users to $159 Growth plan.
Real User Feedback
From G2 reviews (4.8/5, 392 reviews):
"Top-rated on G2 for highest ROI" — Official website claim based on G2 data
✓ Pros
- Exceptional uptime (99.999%)
- Advanced AI Agents for sales
- Enterprise features (SSO, workspaces)
- Strong ROI focus
- 10 users included on Growth/Advanced
- Trusted by major brands
- 7-day free trial (full features)
✗ Cons
- More expensive ($159/mo for full value)
- MAC overage fees can add up
- Integration list less detailed
- Starter plan lacks key features
- May be overkill for simple support use cases
Who Should Choose Which Platform?
✓ Choose Wati if you:
- Business size: 10-500 employees (SMB focused)
- Budget: $50-300/month realistic range
- Priority: Ease of use over advanced features
- Team: Non-technical marketing or support team (5 or fewer users)
- Use case: Customer support automation + marketing campaigns
- Industry: E-commerce, E-learning, Local services, Healthcare
- Need: Multi-channel support (Instagram, Facebook, SMS, Web)
- Value: Quick setup and minimal learning curve
✓ Choose Respond.io if you:
- Business size: 50-1,000+ employees (Mid-market to Enterprise)
- Budget: $150-500/month for value
- Priority: Sales conversion, lead qualification, ROI
- Team: Sales team with 6-10+ users and CRM experience
- Use case: B2C sales pipeline, lead nurturing, customer retention
- Industry: Retail, Automotive, Healthcare, Travel, Professional services
- Need: Enterprise features (multiple workspaces, SSO, 99.999% uptime)
- Value: Advanced AI Agents and proven ROI
Specific Scenario Recommendations
Scenario 1: E-commerce Startup (10 employees, $5M revenue)
Recommendation: Wati Pro ($119/month)
Why: You need Shopify integration (Wati offers this for $4.99/mo), easy-to-use automation for abandoned cart recovery, and customer support. Team of 5 users fits perfectly in included limit. Budget-conscious and don't need advanced sales features.
Scenario 2: Automotive Dealership Chain (200 employees, $50M revenue)
Recommendation: Respond.io Advanced ($279/month)
Why: Need multiple workspaces for different locations, SSO for security, 99.999% uptime for sales operations. Lead qualification via AI Agents is critical for high-value sales. Budget allows for premium solution with proven ROI at enterprise scale.
Scenario 3: Healthcare Clinic (5 staff, appointment booking focus)
Recommendation: Wati Growth ($59/month)
Why: Small team (5 users fits included limit), need simple appointment reminders and patient communication. Don't need complex sales features. Budget-friendly and easy for non-technical medical staff to use.
Scenario 4: B2C SaaS Company (100 employees, scaling sales team)
Recommendation: Respond.io Growth ($159/month)
Why: Growing sales team benefits from 10 included users. AI-driven lead qualification critical for high-volume lead flow. CRM integration and advanced workflows support complex sales process. Worth the premium for ROI on sales conversions.
Final Verdict
The Bottom Line
Both platforms are excellent — the right choice depends entirely on your business size, budget, and whether you prioritize ease of use (Wati) or advanced sales features (Respond.io).
Choose Wati if you're a small to mid-sized business (10-500 employees) that values simplicity and affordability. Wati's outstanding ease of use (9.1/10), visual no-code builder, and $59/month starting price make it perfect for teams that want WhatsApp automation without complexity. The 100+ integrations and multi-channel support (Instagram, Facebook, SMS) provide comprehensive coverage for SMB needs.
Choose Respond.io if you're a mid-market to enterprise B2C business (50-1,000+ employees) focused on sales conversion and lead qualification. The advanced AI Agents, 99.999% uptime, enterprise features (multiple workspaces, SSO), and proven ROI justify the higher $159/month price point. Trusted by major brands like Toyota and McDonald's for mission-critical sales operations.
Key Decision Factors
| Factor | Choose Wati | Choose Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $50-300/month | $150-500/month |
| Team Size | 1-5 users | 6-10+ users |
| Technical Skill | Non-technical team | Technical or sales-savvy team |
| Primary Use Case | Customer support + Marketing | Sales conversion + Lead qualification |
| Business Type | SMB, E-commerce | B2C Enterprise, Retail, Automotive |
| Priority | Ease of use | Advanced features + ROI |
Can't Decide? Consider This
If budget isn't the limiting factor: Try Respond.io's 7-day free trial first to test the advanced AI Agents. If it feels too complex or overkill for your needs, then go with Wati's simpler approach.
If you're a growing SMB: Start with Wati to keep costs low. As you scale beyond 5 users and need more advanced features, you can migrate to Respond.io.
If you're enterprise or sales-focused from day one: Respond.io is the clear choice. The ROI from better lead conversion will offset the higher cost.
Alternatives to Consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is cheaper: Wati or Respond.io?
Wati is cheaper for small teams (1-5 users) starting at $59/month vs Respond.io's $79/month. However, Respond.io includes more users (10 on Growth/Advanced plans vs Wati's 5 on all plans), making it more cost-effective for teams of 6-10 users when you factor in Wati's $15/month per-user add-on fees.
Which platform is easier to use?
Wati is significantly easier to use with a G2 rating of 9.1/10 for ease of use. It features a visual drag-and-drop builder designed for non-technical users. Respond.io doesn't have a published ease-of-use rating but is more feature-rich and likely has a steeper learning curve for advanced features.
Do both platforms charge WhatsApp messaging fees?
Yes, both platforms state that WhatsApp messaging fees are NOT included in their subscription prices. Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) charges per-message fees based on message type (marketing, utility, authentication) and recipient country. As of July 2025, Meta switched to a message-based pricing model. Both platforms pass these costs directly to customers.
Which has better AI capabilities?
Respond.io has more advanced AI capabilities with its "AI Agents" designed specifically for sales qualification and lead conversion. Wati offers solid AI-powered chatbots with natural language processing (rated 9.6/10 for WhatsApp messaging on G2), but they're more focused on customer support and simpler automation rather than complex sales workflows.
Can I integrate either platform with my CRM?
Yes, both platforms offer CRM integration. Wati explicitly lists Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho among its 100+ integrations. Respond.io offers CRM synchronization but doesn't detail specific CRM platforms as clearly in their documentation. Both platforms also support Zapier and Make for custom integrations.
Which platform is better for e-commerce?
Wati is better for e-commerce due to its explicit Shopify integration ($4.99/month add-on) and WooCommerce support. It's also more affordable for small to mid-sized e-commerce businesses. However, if you're a large-scale e-commerce brand focused on sales conversion and have the budget, Respond.io's AI-driven lead qualification could provide better ROI.
Do both platforms offer free trials?
Respond.io clearly offers a 7-day free trial with full Growth plan features (5 users, 1,000 contacts, excludes broadcasts). Wati's website mentions a trial but doesn't specify duration or requirements in the sources reviewed. Contact Wati directly to confirm their current trial offer.
Which platform has better uptime?
Respond.io has significantly better uptime with a 99.999% guarantee (approximately 5 minutes downtime per year) compared to Wati's 99.9% guarantee (approximately 8.7 hours downtime per year). For mission-critical sales operations, Respond.io's uptime is a major advantage.
Can I use multiple WhatsApp numbers on either platform?
Respond.io supports multiple workspaces on the Advanced plan ($279/month), which would allow multiple WhatsApp numbers. Wati doesn't explicitly mention multiple workspace support in the available documentation. Contact vendors directly if you need multi-number/multi-workspace capabilities.
Which platform is better for customer support vs sales?
For customer support: Wati — easier to use, more affordable, strong team collaboration features, and high satisfaction ratings for support use cases. For sales: Respond.io — AI-driven lead qualification, proven ROI for sales conversion, and advanced workflow automation specifically designed for sales teams.
Sources & Verification
All data verified as of November 29, 2025
This comparison was researched using official sources and third-party review platforms:
Wati Sources:
- Wati Official Pricing Page — Pricing tiers verified
- Wati Official Website — Features and company information
- Wati G2 Reviews — 4.75/5 rating, 418 reviews
- Wati Capterra Reviews — Additional user feedback
- Third-party Wati Pricing Analysis
Respond.io Sources:
- Respond.io Official Pricing Page — Pricing tiers verified
- Respond.io Official Website — Features and company information
- Respond.io G2 Reviews — 4.8/5 rating, 392 reviews
- WhatsApp Pricing Calculator — Additional pricing context
Methodology: All pricing, features, and ratings verified from multiple independent sources. User reviews analyzed from G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Company claims cross-referenced with third-party documentation where possible.
Corrections or updates? Contact us if you notice any outdated information. We update our comparisons quarterly and immediately upon notification of significant changes.