Top 10 Gupshup Alternatives and Competitors in 2025

Gupshup is a conversational messaging platform that enables businesses to build chatbots and manage customer interactions across channels like WhatsApp​. It’s one of the world’s leading WhatsApp Business API providers, trusted by over 45,000 brands for marketing and customer engagement​. Despite Gupshup’s prominent position, many users in 2025 are exploring alternatives. Why? Some find Gupshup’s interface complex or limiting for multi-agent support​, others seek more features (like advanced chatbot builders or multi-channel support), and many are looking for cost-effective business messaging tools with better pricing transparency.

Fortunately, the conversational messaging landscape has exploded with options. Whether you’re a developer needing flexible APIs, a marketer wanting an easy WhatsApp Campaign tool, or an e-commerce brand seeking an AI-powered chatbot platform, there’s a Gupshup competitor tailored to your needs. This article will dive into the top 10 Gupshup alternatives in 2025 – with Sendwo leading the pack as the best overall choice – and compare their features, pricing, pros & cons, and ideal use cases.

Comparison Table: Best Gupshup Alternatives (2025)

To kick off, here’s a quick comparison of the top 10 alternatives to Gupshup, highlighting key factors at a glance:

Table Key: “Markup Fee” indicates if the provider charges any additional fee on top of WhatsApp’s conversation costs. “Multi-Channel” notes whether other messaging channels (SMS, Facebook, etc.) are supported besides WhatsApp. “AI/Automation” highlights if built-in chatbot or automation features are available.

Next, let’s examine each of these Gupshup competitors in detail.

1. Sendwo – #1 Gupshup Alternative for Cost & Support

Sendwo is our top pick among Gupshup alternatives, particularly for businesses seeking a WhatsApp API provider that’s affordable and user-friendly. Sendwo offers a robust WhatsApp Business solution without the high costs or complexities that some other platforms impose.

Features

• Free Forever Plan: Sendwo stands out by providing a free-forever plan (no credit card required) with support for one WhatsApp Business account​. This lets small businesses start engaging customers on WhatsApp at no cost, something Gupshup doesn’t offer out-of-the-box.
• No WhatsApp Markup Fees: Unlike many providers, Sendwo does not add any markup on WhatsApp’s conversation charges​. You pay only the official WhatsApp fees, saving ~30% compared to providers that sneak in per-message fees.
• AI-Powered Chatbots & Automation: Sendwo includes an AI chatbot builder and automation flows. You can design conversational flows for FAQs, lead generation, or support, and even leverage GPT-powered replies for smarter interactions. This means advanced chatbot capabilities are available out-of-the-box, without needing separate AI tools.
• Multichannel & Integrations: While Sendwo is WhatsApp-focused, it does provide a web chat widget and integration options (e.g. Shopify, WooCommerce, Zapier)​. This helps businesses unify customer chats from WhatsApp and their website in one inbox.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Sendwo is renowned for its responsive support team. Users get round-the-clock help via chat, email, or phone. This high-touch support accelerates onboarding and troubleshooting, crucial for businesses relying on real-time messaging.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Generous free plan and affordable paid plans (starts at $29/month for 3 users)​. No hidden fees or WhatsApp markup, which dramatically lowers messaging costs.
• User-Friendly: Intuitive interface and quick setup. Non-technical users can easily broadcast messages, manage contacts, and build chatbots via drag-and-drop.
• Rich Feature Set: Offers advanced features like click-to-WhatsApp ad integration, automated flows, ecommerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce), and AI bots even on lower tiers. You get enterprise-grade capabilities without enterprise pricing.
• Excellent Support: 24/7 live support and even bot development assistance if needed​ – a big plus for teams that might need guidance using WhatsApp API effectively.

Cons:

• WhatsApp-Centric: Sendwo is primarily focused on WhatsApp. It’s great at what it does, but it’s not a full multi-channel inbox yet (aside from the web chat widget). If you need extensive channels like SMS or email in the same tool, you might need an additional platform.
• Relatively New: As a newer entrant, it may not have the same long track record as older providers. However, it’s rapidly evolving and adding features. Enterprises might do extra due diligence (though many have adopted it successfully).

Pricing

Sendwo’s pricing is straightforward and transparent. The Free Forever plan allows 1 WhatsApp Business account, 1 user, and up to 100 contacts/month to get you started​. Paid plans include:

• Starter – $29/month: Supports 2 WhatsApp numbers and 3 users, with up to 20,000 contacts and 100k messages per month. This is ideal for growing small businesses.
• Pro – $59/month: Supports 5 users and higher limits (5 WhatsApp accounts, 100k+ contacts) – good for larger teams or agencies.
• Enterprise – Custom: For organizations needing more volume or custom solutions, Sendwo offers enterprise packages upon request.

Importantly, no additional per-message fees apply on any plan – you only pay WhatsApp’s own conversation fees as you go. This makes Sendwo extremely budget-friendly, especially for high-volume messaging where other platforms’ markups would really add up.

Best For

Sendwo is best for startups, small-to-mid businesses, and even enterprises that want a full-featured WhatsApp Business solution at low cost. It’s perfect if you:

• Have a limited budget but need a reliable WhatsApp API platform.
• Want to avoid coding – Sendwo’s no-code chatbot builder and GUI make it easy for marketers or support teams.
• Need e-commerce integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce) to send order updates, cart reminders, etc., via WhatsApp.
• Require strong support and guidance. Teams new to WhatsApp API will appreciate Sendwo’s hand-holding to get campaigns running.
• Are tired of paying extra fees on other platforms – Sendwo will cut your WhatsApp messaging bills significantly with its no-markup policy.

In short, Sendwo delivers tremendous value and support, making it an attractive Gupshup alternative for 2025 and beyond.

2. WATI – WhatsApp Team Inbox for Support

WATI (WhatsApp Team Inbox) is a popular Gupshup alternative known for its easy-to-use team inbox built specifically for WhatsApp. If your business customer communications revolve around WhatsApp, WATI provides a ready-made solution for multi-agent support and basic automation.

Features

• Shared Team Inbox: WATI’s core feature is a collaborative inbox for WhatsApp. Multiple agents can log in and respond to customers through a single WhatsApp Business number, with features like internal notes and assignment. This is great for customer support teams handling high volumes of WhatsApp chats.
• Quick Setup & Simplicity: WATI offers one of the quickest onboarding processes. You can get your WhatsApp API account approved and start messaging via WATI’s interface without extensive training​. The UI is designed for non-tech users, minimizing learning curve.
• Basic Chatbot & Automation: WATI includes a rule-based chatbot builder for FAQs and auto-replies. You can set up simple flows or quick replies (e.g., greeting messages, away messages). However, advanced workflows require extra tools – notably, WATI’s own flow builder is an add-on that costs extra​. So out-of-the-box automation is somewhat limited.
• Broadcast & Notifications: You can send broadcast messages (WhatsApp newsletter blasts) to customer lists and automated notifications like order updates through WATI​. It covers the essentials for WhatsApp marketing and alerts.
• CRM Integrations: WATI supports integration with CRM systems to sync contacts and chats. This helps in maintaining customer context. For instance, you can connect Shopify or HubSpot to personalize messages.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• WhatsApp Specialized: WATI is built purely around WhatsApp, so all features are tailored for that channel (UI, templates, etc.). This focus means it’s very polished for WhatsApp support use-cases.
• User-Friendly Interface: Non-technical teams praise WATI’s clean interface and short learning curve​. Agents can be up to speed quickly, unlike some complex platforms.
• Multi-Agent Support: The ability for up to 5 agents (or more on higher plans) to handle chats simultaneously is a big win for support teams. Conversations can be assigned, tagged, and resolved collaboratively.
• Stable and Managed API: WATI handles all the backend WhatsApp API integration and hosting for you. You don’t need to worry about servers or Meta approvals – they manage that, which is convenient if you lack technical resources.

Cons:

• WhatsApp-Only: WATI does not support other messaging channels. If you later want to add Facebook Messenger, Telegram, etc., you’d need a separate solution. It’s a single-channel platform by design.
• No Free Plan: WATI is paid-only – there’s no free tier and even the trial is limited (14 days). This means a higher barrier to entry for very small businesses or those wanting to try before buying​.
• Costs Can Add Up: The pricing is tiered per user, and it’s not the cheapest (starts around ₹1,999/month, ~$25, for 5 agents)​. For larger teams or additional features (like the advanced flow builder), costs increase further. If you exceed user counts or need more automation, you might end up on a pricier plan.
• Limited Automation: Out-of-the-box chatbot capabilities are fairly basic. WATI can handle simple question-answer bots, but anything more complex may require purchasing their add-on or integrating an external bot platform. There’s no native AI-driven bot included.

Pricing

WATI’s pricing in 2025 is structured in tiered subscriptions (denominated in local currency for some regions). Key points:

• Growth Plan: ~₹1,999/month (approximately $25) for up to 5 users. This includes the team inbox and basic features.
• Pro Plan: ₹4,499/month ($55) for 5 users, with additional features like multiple WhatsApp numbers or advanced integrations.
• Business Plan: ₹13,499/month ($165) for 5 users, geared toward larger companies (more bots, analytics, etc.).

Each additional agent beyond the included 5 typically incurs an extra fee. There is no free plan or permanent free tier, and trial accounts are time-limited. Also note: WATI, like others, passes through WhatsApp’s conversation charges (and may include a small markup on those)​, so you will pay per message session as per Meta’s rates.

In summary, WATI’s cost is moderate for a dedicated WhatsApp tool – acceptable for SMBs, but not the cheapest alternative, especially as your team or message volume grows​.

Best For

WATI is best for small and mid-sized businesses that operate heavily on WhatsApp and need a straightforward support tool. You’ll benefit most if you:

• Run customer support on WhatsApp: If WhatsApp is your main support channel (e.g. for D2C e-commerce or local services), WATI provides structure and efficiency for your team to manage inquiries.
• Have a support team (up to ~5-10 agents) that needs collaboration: WATI shines in multi-agent scenarios where multiple people need to handle one WhatsApp line.
• Don’t require multi-channel right now: Businesses focusing only on WhatsApp (at least in the near term) will find WATI sufficient.
• Value ease of use over deep customization: If you prefer an off-the-shelf solution that works with minimal setup, WATI delivers. There’s no coding, and the features cover typical needs without requiring you to configure too much.
• Are okay with a paid solution for WhatsApp: Companies willing to invest a bit for a polished WhatsApp experience (and who can justify the monthly cost with the volume of conversations or sales generated) will find WATI worth the expense.

On the other hand, if you need more channels or have a tiny budget (or want advanced chatbot logic included), you might lean toward other options like Sendwo or DelightChat. But for a focused, reputable WhatsApp team inbox, WATI remains a top alternative to Gupshup.

3. Twilio – Developer-Friendly Messaging API

Twilio is a heavyweight in the cloud communications space and a strong Gupshup competitor for those who need ultimate flexibility. Twilio isn’t a plug-and-play chatbot platform; it’s an API-first communication platform where you can build custom messaging solutions spanning SMS, WhatsApp, voice, and more​. For developers or larger businesses with technical teams, Twilio offers unparalleled power.

Features

• Omnichannel Communications APIs: Twilio provides APIs for a wide range of channels – WhatsApp, SMS, MMS, voice calls, email, Facebook Messenger, etc.​ This means you can integrate Twilio into your applications to send notifications, run two-factor authentication, or chat with users on virtually any channel from one service.
• Highly Customizable: With Twilio, you’re essentially getting a toolkit to build your own messaging platform​. You have control to design custom workflows, integrate with your database or CRM, and create bespoke chatbot logic. For example, you can program automated appointment reminders or trigger marketing messages based on specific user actions​.
• Scalability: Twilio is known to handle enormous volumes of messages reliably​. It’s the backbone for messaging in many large apps and services worldwide. If you need to send millions of messages or support a global user base, Twilio’s infrastructure can scale to that demand.
• Developer Tools & Ecosystem: Twilio offers extensive documentation, SDKs in multiple languages, and even higher-level products like Twilio Studio (a flow builder) and Twilio Flex (a contact center platform) for those who want some level of pre-built functionality. Developers appreciate the well-documented APIs and the ability to prototype quickly with tools like the Twilio Console and test credentials.
• Multi-Channel Integration: For WhatsApp specifically, Twilio provides the WhatsApp Business API integration. You still need to create or approve a WhatsApp Business account, but Twilio simplifies sending WhatsApp messages via its API. If you also want fallback to SMS or parallel messaging on other channels, Twilio can unify that logic – something few others offer so seamlessly.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Maximum Flexibility: You can integrate Twilio with almost anything and tailor it exactly to your needs​. If out-of-the-box platforms don’t offer a feature, you can build it yourself on Twilio. This is ideal for unique use cases or complex multi-channel strategies that one-size platforms can’t handle.
• Global Reach & Reliability: Twilio has local phone numbers and connections in 180+ countries. It’s battle-tested, so deliverability and uptime are top-notch. Global businesses trust Twilio for mission-critical messaging (OTP codes, alerts, etc.).
• Rich Feature Ecosystem: Beyond basic messaging, Twilio offers add-ons like sentiment analysis, message translation, and integrations (e.g., <span title="For example, Twilio can integrate with CRM systems or customer databases via its APIs">CRM connectors</span>). If you need voice calls, video (Twilio Video), or email (SendGrid, owned by Twilio), those are available too under one umbrella.
• No Fixed Subscription Fee: Twilio’s pay-as-you-go pricing means you don’t pay if you’re not sending messages​. This can be cost-effective for low volumes or sporadic usage, since there’s no monthly license cost just to have the service. It also easily scales with usage.

Cons:

• Requires Coding & Technical Know-how: Twilio is not a turnkey solution for a non-technical user. Implementing Twilio’s WhatsApp API (or any API) requires writing code or using their Studio flows, which still assumes some technical skill​. Small businesses without developers may struggle with Twilio’s complexity.
• Higher Cost at Scale: While pay-go is great at small scale, heavy usage can become expensive. Twilio charges per WhatsApp message (a small fee on top of WhatsApp’s fee)​. For example, at very high volumes, companies have found Twilio “too pricey for large volumes of messages”​. There are often cheaper providers for bulk messaging if you don’t need all of Twilio’s features.
• No Native UI for Agents: Twilio is API-first, which means it doesn’t come with a built-in agent dashboard or CRM out-of-the-box. You’d have to build a custom interface or integrate Twilio with a third-party inbox if you want human agents to respond to WhatsApp messages. (Twilio Flex is a separate product that provides an interface but at a high cost for contact-center scenarios.)
• Support and Hand-holding: Twilio’s support is robust, but largely developer-oriented. You might not get the personalized guidance a smaller SaaS would provide. Businesses that want more “white glove” onboarding might find Twilio’s scale a bit impersonal. In short, you’re expected to know what you’re doing or be willing to figure it out via docs and community forums.

Pricing

Twilio uses a pay-as-you-go model for WhatsApp and other channels. Key points on pricing:

• No Monthly Fee for WhatsApp API: You don’t pay to have the WhatsApp integration itself; instead you pay per conversation/message. Twilio charges a small fee per WhatsApp message sent in addition to the underlying WhatsApp conversation cost​. For instance, if WhatsApp (Meta) charges $0.005 per template message to a certain country, Twilio might charge an additional $0.005 on top​. This markup is relatively low but does exist.
• Volume Impact: For occasional messages or low volume, Twilio might end up cheaper than a fixed subscription elsewhere. But if you’re sending thousands of messages daily, those per-message fees can add up to more than what a flat-rate platform might charge. Always run the math for your expected volume – Twilio can be cost-efficient up to a point, after which other alternatives (like Sendwo with no markup, or 360dialog with flat fees) could save money​.
• Other Channels Pricing: If you use SMS, you pay per SMS (varies by destination). Email via SendGrid might be per block of emails. Voice calls are per minute. The good thing is you can dip into these channels as needed without separate contracts – just be mindful each has its own cost structure.
• Free Trial: Twilio offers a limited free trial – you get some starting credits (around $15) to test the APIs, and you can even send WhatsApp test messages to sandbox numbers without paying, during development​. This is great for trying out Twilio’s capabilities before committing any budget.

In summary, Twilio’s costs scale with usage. There’s no upfront fee, but messaging isn’t free – you pay per use. For a developer building a prototype or an app that sends low-volume notifications, Twilio can be very cost-effective. For a call center blasting WhatsApp promos, you’d want to watch the spending or consider a plan with volume discounts.

Best For

Twilio is best for companies with tech resources or unique requirements. Scenarios where Twilio shines as a Gupshup alternative include:

• Developers & Custom App Builders: If you’re a developer or have an engineering team wanting to embed WhatsApp or SMS into your app/workflow, Twilio is ideal. For example, adding WhatsApp order alerts in your custom app or building a multi-channel chatbot from scratch.
• Multi-Channel Customer Engagement: Enterprises that need a unified API for SMS, WhatsApp, voice, etc. will benefit. Twilio can power a holistic communication strategy (say, send an SMS if WhatsApp fails, or follow up an email with a WhatsApp message).
• Large Scale or Global Reach Needs: If you operate globally and need reliable delivery, Twilio’s infrastructure is proven. Also, if you plan to handle millions of messages or rapid scaling, Twilio can handle the load (with appropriate cost considerations).
• Cases Where Off-the-Shelf Tools Fall Short: Perhaps you need a very specific integration – e.g., triggering WhatsApp from an IoT device alert, or customizing chat logic in a way no SaaS allows. Twilio is a “blank canvas” for such innovative use-cases.
• Enterprises with Security/Compliance Requirements: Twilio is a mature platform with compliance certifications and the ability to deploy in VPC or secure environments if needed. If Gupshup’s cloud or others don’t meet your IT policies, Twilio might (or at least you can control more of the setup).

However, non-technical users or small businesses that just want to “plug in and send WhatsApp broadcasts” will likely find Twilio overwhelming. Those users are better served by simpler tools like Sendwo, Interakt, or WATI, which provide a ready UI and features without coding. Twilio is like the powerful engine under the hood – extremely capable, but you need to be able to drive it.

4. MessageBird – Omnichannel Messaging with a Unified Platform

MessageBird is another major player often mentioned alongside Twilio and Gupshup. Hailing from the Netherlands, MessageBird offers a robust omnichannel communications platform that not only covers APIs for SMS, voice, and WhatsApp, but also provides tools like a unified inbox and built-in CRM features​.

It’s a great Gupshup alternative for businesses that want multi-channel capabilities with some out-of-the-box solutions layered on top.

Features

• Omnichannel Hub: MessageBird’s platform is designed to manage customer conversations across channels in one place. Through their Inbox product, you can handle WhatsApp, SMS, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, email, and more from a single dashboard. This is ideal for support teams who don’t want separate systems for each channel.
• Flow Builder: For automation, MessageBird provides a visual Flow Builder that lets you create message workflows without coding. For example, you can build a flow that sends an automatic WhatsApp reply, then a follow-up SMS if there’s no response. This covers a similar need as Gupshup’s workflow builder but in a more user-friendly manner.
• Built-in CRM & Contacts: Unlike pure APIs, MessageBird includes a basic CRM system. It keeps a database of your contacts, conversation history, and attributes​. This is useful for personalized messaging – e.g., using stored user preferences in an automated campaign.
• WhatsApp Official Partner: MessageBird is an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP). They help with the WhatsApp onboarding process, display templates in their dashboard, and handle the compliance bits, so you can focus on messaging. Their interface allows one-click sending of WhatsApp templates, media messages, etc.
• Integrations: They offer integrations with popular platforms (Shopify, Zendesk, Slack, etc.) to connect your communications. For instance, you can have WhatsApp messages create tickets in Zendesk, or receive an alert in Slack when a VIP customer messages your WhatsApp line.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Multi-Channel Excellence: If you need to juggle many channels, MessageBird shines. It provides a centralized inbox for all channels, which Gupshup (being more WhatsApp-centric) doesn’t natively do. This is great for a consistent customer experience.
• Enterprise-Ready Features: The inclusion of a CRM, rich messaging capabilities (interactive buttons, attachments), and team collaboration tools means MessageBird can replace several point solutions at once. You get a more complete customer communication platform.
• Strong API + UI Combination: You have the flexibility of APIs (like Twilio) but also the convenience of ready-made dashboards and automation flows (like more user-friendly SaaS tools). This hybrid approach suits teams that have mixed needs – some developer projects and some non-tech user operations.
• Global Infrastructure: Like other CPaaS providers, MessageBird has a global network. It’s reliable for international messaging and offers features like local phone numbers, number lookup services, etc. This ensures high deliverability whether you’re sending WhatsApp in Asia or SMS in Europe.

Cons:

• Complex for New Users: While MessageBird offers no-code tools, the platform can still feel complex due to its breadth​. There are many options and settings, which might be overwhelming for a small business owner just wanting to send a quick campaign. The learning curve for the API is noted as steep for developers too​.
• Pricing and Fees: MessageBird’s pricing is competitive for enterprise features, but it may be prohibitive for very small businesses​. They have a base WhatsApp plan (Essentials ~$50/month) and then charge per message. Additionally, some users note that there’s no free trial specific to WhatsApp – you get a €10 credit for any MessageBird service, which might not be enough to fully evaluate their WhatsApp API​. The lack of a generous trial means a higher cost to test.
• Less Flexibility than Pure APIs: While you can code with MessageBird, some very specific customizations might be harder compared to Twilio. For example, their APIs are powerful but if you run into a limitation, you’re stuck with it (whereas with Twilio you might build a workaround since it’s more low-level). In other words, certain advanced customizations may feel restrictive​ – though this mostly affects edge cases.
• Support: MessageBird offers support, but some users have mentioned response times could improve. Also, because it’s a large platform, smaller customers might not get as much attention unless on higher plans.

Pricing

MessageBird’s pricing for WhatsApp typically involves a monthly platform fee plus conversation/message costs:

• Plans: As of 2025, MessageBird had an Essentials plan around $50/month for WhatsApp API access (billed annually)​. Higher plans (Pro, Enterprise) come with more features or volume discounts, but also higher monthly fees.
• Conversations Fees: In addition to the plan, you pay WhatsApp conversation fees (which depend on user-initiated vs business-initiated and region) plus a small MessageBird markup (~$0.005 per conversation)​. This markup is similar to Twilio’s and is how MessageBird makes usage-based revenue.
• No Free WA Tier: There isn’t a free-forever tier for WhatsApp. If you want to explore the WhatsApp channel with MessageBird, you’ll need at least the base plan. They do allow testing other API channels with a small free credit, but that’s limited​.
• Volume Discounts: For large enterprise deals, MessageBird can offer custom pricing. If you’re sending high volume, it’s worth negotiating. They also bundle channels – e.g., you might get a better rate if you use their SMS and WhatsApp together under a contract.
• Omnichannel Suite: If you use their Inbox and omnichannel features, note that some may incur extra costs (for example, using SMS in the inbox will incur SMS fees, etc.). But the platform fee covers using the software interface itself across channels.

In essence, MessageBird is positioned a bit upmarket: the pricing is justifiable for businesses that actively use multiple channels and need those advanced features, but it’s likely overkill in cost for a tiny business that only needs WhatsApp messaging.

Best For

MessageBird is best for mid-sized to large businesses or tech-savvy startups that want a unified communications platform. You might choose MessageBird over Gupshup if:

• You need Omnichannel Support: For companies that handle support on WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, web chat, etc., and want one tool for all, MessageBird is ideal. A retail brand, for example, can manage customer queries from multiple social messengers in one inbox.
• You want some built-in agent tooling plus APIs: If you have a support team that will use a dashboard, and a dev team that will use the API for other features, MessageBird caters to both. Gupshup’s interface is not multi-agent friendly​, whereas MessageBird’s Inbox is designed for teams.
• Global or Multi-country presence: Enterprises operating in various countries (with different messaging preferences) can consolidate on MessageBird. It handles WhatsApp in one region and, say, WeChat or Line in another – all centrally.
• Use Case: Customer Engagement & Marketing: With MessageBird, you can do things like trigger a WhatsApp message when a customer abandons cart (via integration with Shopify), then if they don’t respond, send an SMS – all automated. If those kind of multi-step campaigns are your need, MessageBird provides the tools to execute them without building from scratch.
• Medium to High Budget: Let’s be frank – if you’re on a shoestring budget, MessageBird might not be your first choice due to the monthly fees. But if you have budget allocated for customer communication software, the ROI from consolidating channels and improving response times can be worth it.

In summary, MessageBird competes with Gupshup by offering a more comprehensive platform. It’s like getting a contact center plus messaging APIs in one. Companies ready to leverage that will find it a powerful alternative, while others might opt for leaner solutions.

5. Vonage (Nexmo) – Enterprise CPaaS with Multi-Channel Reach

Vonage (formerly known as Nexmo for its API platform) is another strong alternative to Gupshup, especially for enterprises and developers. It provides a suite of Communication APIs for messaging, voice, and video, similar to Twilio, with reliable global infrastructure. Vonage has also invested in conversational commerce and AI (through acquisitions), making it a well-rounded business messaging tool.

Features

• Messages API (WhatsApp, SMS, MMS, etc.): Vonage’s Messages API allows you to integrate WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, SMS, and more via a unified API​. This means with one integration, you can send and receive messages on multiple channels, switching routes as needed. For example, send a WhatsApp message, and if not delivered, fall back to SMS automatically.
• Voice and Video Integration: Beyond messaging, Vonage offers Voice API and Video API (through Vonage Video, formerly OpenTok). If your use case extends to phone calls or live video (say, for customer support or consultations), Vonage can handle that under the same platform.
• Conversation API & AI Studio: Vonage has a Conversation API that helps manage multi-channel conversations and context. Additionally, they introduced an AI Studio (a no-code bot builder) that lets you design chatbots and IVR flows with some AI capabilities for voice and messaging. This is a newer feature targeting the chatbot space that Gupshup also plays in.
• Security & Compliance: Vonage emphasizes enterprise-grade security and compliance (ISO 27001, GDPR compliance, etc.). This is important for businesses in regulated industries (finance, healthcare) that need their messaging solution to meet strict standards.
• Conversational Commerce (Jumper): Vonage acquired Jumper.ai, a conversational commerce platform. As a result, Vonage now enables businesses to do things like run sales and shopping experiences through WhatsApp and other chat apps​. For example, you can showcase a product catalog and accept orders/payments within WhatsApp – a feature that Gupshup’s Conversation Cloud also aims to provide.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Multi-Channel & Omnichannel: Vonage supports a wide array of channels (WhatsApp, SMS, MMS, RCS, Messenger, Viber, LINE, etc.), making it ideal if you want to expand beyond WhatsApp easily​. You won’t need separate providers for each channel.
• Reliable API Platform: Similar to Twilio, Vonage’s APIs are known for reliability and scalability. They have direct carrier connections and data centers globally. For mission-critical messaging (OTP codes, banking alerts), Vonage is a trusted name.
• Value-Added Tools: The addition of AI Studio and Jumper conversational commerce means Vonage isn’t just a low-level API; they are providing higher-level solutions too. You can build chatbots or shopping flows with minimal coding, leveraging Vonage’s infrastructure. This brings them closer to Gupshup’s domain of chatbots and interactive messaging.
• Enterprise Support: Vonage, being an established telecom/CPaaS company, offers strong enterprise support and account management for larger clients. They can do custom agreements, on-premise deployments (in some cases), and have experience handling large enterprise needs (like regulatory compliance, custom integrations).

Cons:

• Not the Cheapest Option: Vonage’s pricing, particularly for smaller usage, might be on the higher side. They typically charge a per-message fee (much like Twilio) and possibly a small monthly fee for WhatsApp. For small businesses, the costs can be less straightforward or more expensive than using a focused WhatsApp platform or a WhatsApp BSP with no markup.
• Requires Technical Effort: Vonage is still very much a developer platform when it comes to implementation. While they have added no-code tools, getting the most out of Vonage may require a developer’s involvement to integrate APIs or set up the flows properly. Non-technical users would likely need a separate frontend or service (Vonage does not have its own multi-agent inbox by default, aside from the Jumper.ai interface for commerce).
• Limited Free Options: Vonage doesn’t really have a free tier for its API services (beyond maybe a limited trial credit). So, similar to Twilio/MessageBird, you need to pay as you start using it – no forever free plan to play around with. This can deter very small teams.
• Overkill for WhatsApp-Only Needs: If WhatsApp is all you care about and you need a simple way to send broadcasts or respond to customers, Vonage might be more complex (and costly) than necessary. Its strength is in breadth and integration, which you might not fully utilize if you only stick to one channel.

Pricing

Vonage’s pricing for WhatsApp and messaging is usage-based:

• WhatsApp Conversation Fees: Vonage charges the standard WhatsApp conversation rates (as set by Meta per country/category) plus a platform fee per conversation. For example, Vonage’s documentation noted ~€0.0415 per business-initiated conversation in Europe, plus a tiny per-message fee in some cases​. The exact figures vary, but expect a small fraction-of-a-cent fee per message on top of WhatsApp costs​.
• Monthly Fees: Vonage might require a monthly commitment for WhatsApp API access (some BSPs do). It could be around $0.99/month for the WhatsApp number (just as a hosting fee) as one snippet suggests​, but this is relatively negligible.
• Pay-as-You-Go: For SMS and other channels, Vonage is pay-go as well. SMS has per-message fees depending on country (e.g., $0.0065 per SMS to US, etc.). They usually don’t bundle a bunch of messages in a plan; it’s purely usage.
• Tiered Discounts: Large volumes can get cheaper rates. If you engage sales, Vonage can set you up with a pricing tier that lowers costs per message at scale.
• No Markup Option: One differentiator – some sources indicate Vonage’s model changed to conversation-based without extra per-message fee for WhatsApp (just the conversation charge). But newer info shows they introduced a default $0.0058 per outbound message for some customers as well​. Clarifying: you might pay, for instance, $0.007 per message plus the WhatsApp fee. It’s worth checking the latest pricing on their site because it has evolved with WhatsApp’s pricing updates.

Overall, expect Vonage to be in a similar price bracket as Twilio and MessageBird. It’s optimized for quality and features, not for being the lowest cost. If budget is your main concern, Vonage may not be the first pick, but if you value its capabilities, the cost can be justified.

Best For

Vonage is best for enterprises, developers, or businesses aiming for a broad communication strategy. You’d consider Vonage as a Gupshup alternative if you:

• Plan to use multiple communication channels: e.g., a fintech company that sends WhatsApp alerts, SMS OTPs, and has a voice hotline – Vonage can do all under one roof.
• Need an enterprise-grade solution: Large organizations with strict requirements (security, SLAs, data privacy) will appreciate Vonage’s pedigree and support. It’s the kind of platform you can present to an enterprise IT department with confidence.
• Are building conversational commerce flows: If you want to enable customers to browse products and make purchases via chat (on WhatsApp or Instagram), Vonage (with Jumper) is a strong contender. It helps create a seamless shopping chat experience, which can directly drive revenue.
• Have developer resources but want future flexibility: Perhaps you start with WhatsApp now, but foresee integrating more channels later. Choosing Vonage means you won’t have to migrate if you add new channels. It’s a long-term platform choice.
• Value reliability highly: For use cases like critical notifications or two-factor auth, you might not want a newer or smaller provider. Vonage’s network quality is a plus here (as would be Twilio’s or Infobip’s).

In contrast, if you’re a small business just using WhatsApp for basic marketing or support, Vonage could be overkill – a simpler WhatsApp-focused provider or an SMB-friendly tool might serve you better and cheaper. But for those needing a comprehensive CPaaS (Communications Platform as a Service) with WhatsApp as one component, Vonage is an excellent Gupshup alternative.

6. Infobip – Scalable Messaging for Global Enterprises

Infobip is a global communications platform (based out of Europe) that often flies a bit under the radar in discussions but is a giant in messaging. It’s an official WhatsApp API provider and offers an all-in-one omnichannel customer engagement platform. If Gupshup is strong in emerging markets, Infobip is strong in enterprise and telecom circles. It’s a top alternative for organizations needing massive scalability and a rich feature set beyond just WhatsApp.

Features

• Omnichannel Messaging: Infobip supports WhatsApp, SMS, Email, RCS, Messenger, Telegram, Viber, LINE, push notifications, and even in-app chat – virtually every digital channel. Their platform “Moments” allows creating campaigns across these channels. This is ideal for a multi-channel marketing strategy.
• Conversations & Contact Center: Infobip offers a product called Conversations, which is a digital contact center solution. It provides a unified agent inbox for all channels (similar in concept to MessageBird’s inbox or Freshchat), plus routing, queues, and all the features a support center needs. Essentially, Infobip can serve as your customer support software that handles WhatsApp and others.
• Chatbot Building (Answers): Infobip’s Answers is a chatbot builder that lets you create automated flows on channels like WhatsApp without coding. It supports keyword-based and AI-powered interactions, handing off to agents in Conversations when needed. This directly competes with Gupshup’s chatbot capabilities, giving an option for advanced self-service bots.
• Identity and Security: Infobip also provides authentication services (like SMS 2FA, phone number verification, etc.). So, if you need not only messaging but also things like one-time passcodes, Infobip covers that. This is an edge over Gupshup if you want both customer communication and security messages in one place.
• Global Reach and Localization: With offices and infrastructure worldwide, Infobip has direct connections to carriers and local messaging services. It can handle localized sender IDs (for SMS) and offers high throughput. Companies like Uber and Barclays have used Infobip for its scalability and reliability in sending high volumes​.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Comprehensive Platform: Infobip is like a one-stop shop for customer communications – from marketing blasts to customer support to security alerts. The depth of their platform means you can consolidate a lot of communication needs with them.
• Scalability: Infobip is known to handle very high volumes (think millions of messages daily) without breaking a sweat​. It’s built for scale, suitable for telecom-grade throughput. If you’re a rapidly growing enterprise, Infobip can grow with you.
• Enterprise Features: You get features like advanced campaign automation, segmentation, scheduling (via Moments), detailed analytics, and even A/B testing for messages. These marketing automation features can outperform what Gupshup’s basic campaign tools offer. Infobip also excels in security (ISO certifications) which large enterprises often require.
• Global Support and Presence: Infobip provides localized support in many regions and has dedicated account managers for larger clients. If your operations are global, you might get better on-the-ground support from them. They also handle local compliance (like WhatsApp template registration quirks in different countries) smoothly.

Cons:

• Complexity and Learning Curve: Because Infobip’s platform is so expansive, it can be overwhelming for new users. There are multiple modules (Moments, Conversations, Answers, etc.), each with a lot of options. Small businesses might find it too complex compared to a simple tool focused on one or two channels.
• Not SMB-Focused in Pricing: Infobip historically works on a more enterprise sales model. While they have self-serve options now, they might not advertise clear pricing on the website for all features. Often it’s a “contact us for pricing” situation, which implies custom or higher pricing. Smaller users might not get the best rates or could find minimum monthly commitments that are high.
• Minimal Free Tier: Infobip isn’t known for free plans. They might offer free trials or demos, but generally you start paying once you start sending messages. The costs are usage-based, but if you want access to premium features like Conversations (contact center) or Answers (chatbot), those might come in higher-tier packages.
• UI Not Very Beginner-Friendly: Some users have noted that Infobip’s web interface, while powerful, isn’t the slickest or simplest. It’s designed with enterprises in mind, so it assumes a certain level of tech savvy. Setting up a WhatsApp chatbot, for example, might involve more steps than on a streamlined SMB tool.

Pricing

Infobip’s pricing is not publicly detailed in full (as of 2025) because it often depends on use-case and region. However, some general aspects:

• Usage-Based Messaging Fees: Like others, Infobip charges per WhatsApp conversation (or message) based on Meta’s pricing plus possibly a slight markup. For SMS, they charge per SMS with rates per country. Typically, Infobip is ready to match or offer competitive rates for large volume clients – they might beat Twilio’s pricing in some cases for SMS or WhatsApp to win big deals.
• Monthly/Platform Fees: To use certain products (Conversations, Answers), Infobip might require a platform fee or a license. For example, using the contact center might be priced per seat or per agent logged in, similar to how Freshchat or Zendesk charges. They might bundle some messaging volume with it or charge separately.
• Minimums: Enterprise contracts sometimes have minimum monthly spends or commitments. If you go through sales, you might encounter that. However, Infobip has been opening up to small businesses more recently, so you may also simply pay-as-you-go via their portal without large minimums – this can vary.
• Comparison: In general, Infobip is ideal when you have moderate to high volumes. For low volumes, you may not see cost advantages. For high volumes, they can tailor pricing that might be more cost-effective than piecing together multiple smaller services (e.g., one provider for SMS, one for WhatsApp, etc.).

Best For

Infobip is best for medium to large enterprises, tech-savvy businesses, and any organization aiming to unify all communications. You’d go with Infobip if:

• You need a full-stack communication platform: From marketing campaigns to support chats to chatbots, Infobip can do it all. A bank or airline, for instance, could use Infobip to send promotional WhatsApp messages, transactional SMS, and have a chatbot + live agent for customer service – all integrated.
• High volume messaging is your reality: If you send millions of messages or reach tens of millions of customers, Infobip’s infrastructure and cost model is built for that scale. They’re used to dealing with telecom-scale traffic.
• Global enterprise with diverse needs: Companies operating in many countries with various messaging apps (WhatsApp in some, RCS or SMS in others, Telegram in some markets) will benefit from Infobip’s extensive channel support. It keeps things simpler having one provider.
• Require advanced features: If you find Gupshup’s tooling limited (maybe you want better segmentation, or multi-step journeys across channels), Infobip likely has those capabilities via Moments. Similarly, if you need a robust contact center solution around WhatsApp, Infobip’s Conversations might be more fully featured than Gupshup’s basic dashboard.
• Dedicated support and account management: Enterprises that expect a higher level of service (like 24/7 dedicated support lines, solution architects, etc.) will find Infobip more accommodating than smaller vendors.

On the flip side, if you’re a small business or startup just dipping your toes into WhatsApp marketing, Infobip might be too hefty. The onboarding and scale might be unnecessary for you, and a simpler, cheaper Gupshup alternative like AiSensy or WATI could suffice. But for large-scale conversational messaging platforms, Infobip is a top-tier competitor in 2025.

7. Interakt – WhatsApp CRM & Marketing Platform for SMBs

Interakt is a WhatsApp Business API platform backed by Jio Haptik, geared towards small and medium businesses (SMBs), especially in the e-commerce and D2C space​. It positions itself as a complete WhatsApp CRM and sales automation tool, making it a direct alternative to Gupshup for businesses that want to do marketing, support, and commerce on WhatsApp without coding.

Features

• All-in-One WhatsApp Dashboard: Interakt provides an all-in-one web dashboard where you can manage customer conversations, send marketing campaigns, and track sales – all via WhatsApp. The interface is built for business users to easily broadcast messages, reply to chats, and monitor interactions.
• E-commerce Integrations: A highlight of Interakt is its integration with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce​. This allows you to sync your store catalog and automate messages like order confirmations, shipping updates, and abandoned cart reminders via WhatsApp. Essentially, Interakt can serve as your WhatsApp-based extension of your online store.
• AI-Powered AnswerBot: Leveraging Haptik’s AI background, Interakt includes an AI AnswerBot that can handle frequently asked questions automatically​. It’s like a FAQ chatbot that can field common queries (order status, refund policy, etc.) and free up your team’s time. This is a step above Gupshup’s basic bot capabilities for SMBs.
• Multi-agent Support & CRM: Interakt supports multiple agents and provides a mini-CRM – you can see customer profiles, tag chats, and assign conversations. All WhatsApp conversations are centrally logged, so your sales or support team can collaborate. It’s designed so that even as you automate, a human can jump in seamlessly when needed.
• Campaigns and Template Management: You can create WhatsApp broadcast campaigns within Interakt easily, using approved templates. It also has a template manager to submit and organize your message templates. Scheduling campaigns or segmenting customers (e.g., send a promo to those who bought product X) is built-in, making it a marketer-friendly tool.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• E-commerce Friendly: If you run an online store, Interakt is tailor-made for you. The direct Shopify/WooCommerce integration is a huge plus – you can automate all those retail messages (order placed, delivered, cart reminders) with little effort. This drives engagement and sales via WhatsApp, which is powerful for D2C brands.
• No-Code Automation: You get chatbot functionality without coding. The AnswerBot can deflect common queries, and setting up broadcast flows or quick-reply bots is mostly configuration, not programming. This lowers the barrier for small businesses to use WhatsApp intelligently.
• Affordable for Feature Set: Interakt’s pricing is fairly affordable given the features (around ₹799 per month on annual plan, roughly $10)​. For that price, you get CRM + automation + messaging. It offers a lot of bang for the buck, often cheaper than piecing together a separate chatbot + CRM + BSP.
• Backed by Haptik/Reliance: Being backed by a major player (Jio Haptik, which is part of Reliance Industries) gives Interakt credibility. They are an official Meta Business Partner​, and you can expect continuous development. It’s not a fly-by-night startup; it has robust support behind it.

Cons:

• WhatsApp (and IG) Only: Interakt focuses on WhatsApp and recently added Instagram messaging. Beyond that, it doesn’t handle other channels like SMS or Telegram. If you require email or other channels integrated, you’d need additional tools.
• Annual Commitment for Best Price: The attractive ₹799/month pricing requires annual payment upfront​. There’s no forever-free tier (only a 14-day trial), and monthly billing is higher. So you have to commit to get the best value, which might be a hurdle for some very small businesses trying to minimize expenses.
• Limited Scalability: While great for SMBs, larger enterprises or very high-volume use might find Interakt’s features limiting. For example, its segmentation might not be as advanced as Infobip’s, and the analytics are likely simpler. It’s aimed at SMB needs; pushing its limits might require upgrading to more enterprise tools later.
• No Multi-Channel Inbox: If you also get queries on email or other platforms, Interakt won’t unify those. It lacks a multi-channel agent console (aside from WhatsApp/IG). Businesses with multi-channel support teams might prefer a tool like Freshchat or MessageBird for a single inbox.

Pricing

Interakt’s pricing (India-focused but available globally) works on a subscription model with annual discounts:

• Starter Plan: ~₹9,588 per year (which comes to ₹799/month)​. This entry plan includes essential features for one WhatsApp number, and possibly limits on broadcast counts or bot usage. It’s very competitive at roughly $10/month (paid annually).
• Growth Plan: Higher tier around ₹30,000 per year (~₹2,499/month) for more features, higher message volume, or multiple WhatsApp accounts. This might include things like more AnswerBot queries or advanced analytics.
• No Per-Message Markup: Interakt does not add its own markup to WhatsApp conversation charges; however, WhatsApp’s conversation fees still apply (as with all BSPs). So you’ll pay Meta’s fees for each conversation session with a user. Interakt’s value is that you’re mainly paying a flat software fee to use their platform and not extra per message on top of WhatsApp.
• Free Trial: 14-day free trial is offered. But after that, to continue, you must choose a paid plan – there isn’t a free tier beyond the trial​.

For a small business, ₹799/month (~$10) is quite accessible, considering Gupshup itself might charge similar or more just for API access without the nice UI/CRM that Interakt provides.

Best For

Interakt is best for small and medium businesses, especially e-commerce and D2C brands, that want to leverage WhatsApp for sales and support. You should consider Interakt if:

• You run an online store: The features for cart recovery, order alerts, and product catalog on WhatsApp are ideal for improving your conversion rates and customer retention.
• You want a mini-CRM in WhatsApp: If managing customer data and chat history is important, Interakt gives you that CRM layer so you can see context for each WhatsApp conversation (useful for sales follow-ups, etc.).
• You are not a developer: Interakt is built for business owners and marketers. You don’t need to write code or have technical expertise to use its full range of features. It’s mostly plug-and-play once your WhatsApp API is approved.
• Cost-sensitive, but need functionality: Interakt covers a lot (broadcasts, bots, support inbox) for a relatively low flat fee. If you were to assemble these capabilities via Gupshup + a separate CRM + a chatbot tool, you might spend more or have more hassle. Interakt is cost-effective consolidation.
• Based in emerging markets: Companies in India (where WhatsApp is huge) and similar markets will find Interakt aligns well with their needs (and pricing in local currency is a plus). Of course, it works globally in English as well.

In summary, Interakt is like an SMB-friendly version of a WhatsApp customer engagement platform. It brings enterprise-like WhatsApp capabilities down to a small business level. As a Gupshup alternative, it offers a more intuitive interface and additional sales-driven features, whereas Gupshup might require custom development to achieve the same. If WhatsApp is central to your growth strategy as an SMB, Interakt is definitely worth a look.

8. DelightChat – Omnichannel Customer Support for E-commerce

DelightChat is a customer support and marketing platform built initially around WhatsApp and Shopify integration. It has since evolved to support multiple channels, positioning itself as an omnichannel inbox for small businesses, particularly those in e-commerce. As a Gupshup alternative, DelightChat offers a more holistic view of customer conversations (not just WhatsApp) with an easy UI and some marketing automation features.

Features

• Unified Inbox (WhatsApp, Email, Social): DelightChat provides a shared inbox that brings together WhatsApp messages, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, email inquiries, and even live chat from your website​. Your team can see all customer communications in one place, avoiding the siloed approach of handling each channel separately.
• E-commerce Automation: The platform was built with Shopify store owners in mind. It offers one-click WhatsApp template sending for common e-com scenarios, and built-in flows like abandoned cart reminders, order confirmations, delivery updates, and COD (Cash on Delivery) verification via WhatsApp​. These ready-made automation save time for businesses to implement high-value use cases without coding.
• Team Collaboration: DelightChat’s interface allows team members to collaborate on conversations, leave internal notes, and avoid collision (so two agents don’t reply to the same customer unknowingly)​. This is important for providing organized support – something Gupshup’s basic tool lacks, but Freshchat or Interakt provide in their own ways.
• Basic Chatbot & Quick Replies: While not an AI powerhouse, DelightChat does support rule-based chatbots for simple FAQ automation​. You can set it to automatically answer common questions or send instant greetings. It’s more of a autoresponder; complex decision-making might require an external bot integration. Still, combined with quick reply templates, it covers common needs.
• Integrations and Extensions: Currently, DelightChat directly integrates deeply with Shopify (and soon WooCommerce)​. This means agents can see order details right inside a conversation and even refund or update orders from the chat interface if needed. It’s very commerce-centric. They likely plan or have integrations for other helpdesk or CRM tools as well.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• True Omnichannel Focus: Unlike Gupshup, which is WhatsApp-first, DelightChat truly unifies multiple customer touchpoints. If a customer emails then later WhatsApps, your team sees one thread (if you unify identity). This improves customer experience and support efficiency because you have context from all channels.
• E-commerce Superpowers: For D2C or Shopify brands, DelightChat is extremely handy. It basically acts as a CRM+support tool that understands e-commerce needs. The automated WhatsApp flows for carts and orders can boost sales on autopilot, and saving COD confirmations can reduce failed deliveries – tangible ROI for merchants.
• Easy to Use: The interface is modern and designed with non-tech users in mind. Many small business owners have praised it for being clean and user-friendly​. Minimal training is needed for your team, which is great for fast-growing startups onboarding new support staff.
• Free Tier Available: DelightChat offers a free plan for very small teams (1 WhatsApp + 1 other channel, limited agents)​. This is great for trying it out or for a small business that’s just starting and has low volume. It’s something Gupshup doesn’t provide and many competitors don’t either. It lowers the barrier to entry.
• Rich Collaboration Features: Things like internal notes, collision detection, tagging conversations, assigning to certain team members, etc., are all built-in. This brings structure to your support process, which is often lacking if you just use WhatsApp via a BSP without a specialized tool.

Cons:

• Shopify-Centric (for now): DelightChat’s deep integration is primarily with Shopify. If you’re not using Shopify or WooCommerce, you might not get as much value from some features​. For example, a custom-built website might not connect to provide order info in the chat. They may expand integrations, but currently it’s tailored mostly to common e-com platforms.
• Pricing for Growing Teams: The paid plans (Startup $49/mo, Growth $99/mo, etc.) are in USD​. While reasonable for established businesses, they can become expensive for very small businesses in emerging markets or those just starting out, especially as you need more agents or features​. In comparison, local-focused solutions like Interakt (₹799/mo) or AiSensy (₹999/mo) might seem cheaper at equivalent scale (though they lack channels).
• Limited Advanced Features: The chatbot function is basic (no advanced AI). It also lacks some marketing features like audience segmentation beyond simple filters, or built-in click-to-WhatsApp ad integration (you’d do that via Facebook directly). It covers essentials but isn’t as programmable or AI-driven as some others – by design, as it’s focused on simplicity.
• No Mobile App: As of latest info, DelightChat primarily has a web app (and maybe desktop). There wasn’t a mention of a mobile agent app​. That means your support agents need a computer to use it; you can’t just reply on the go via a phone app (aside from using WhatsApp app itself, which defeats the tracking/unified purpose). This could be a drawback for on-the-move teams.

Pricing

DelightChat’s pricing is tiered by capability and team size, offered in USD (targeting global SMBs):

• Free Plan: $0 forever for up to 100 conversations/month (for instance) with 1 WhatsApp + 1 other channel, and maybe 1-2 agents​. Good for testing or very low volume businesses.
• Startup Plan: $49/month​ – includes a few agents (maybe 3-5), WhatsApp and a couple of other channels, and basic automation.
• Scale Plan: $99/month – more agents (say 5-10), all channels, priority support.
• Growth Plan: $299/month – for larger teams (unlimited agents) and advanced needs like a dedicated account manager, etc.​.

These prices are on the higher side compared to some single-channel solutions, but you’re paying for multi-channel convenience. Also, DelightChat typically doesn’t charge a per-message markup for WhatsApp; you just pay WhatsApp fees directly (through their BSP partner, which might be 360dialog or another with no markup)​. So the subscription covers the software, and usage costs are separate but at cost.

For a small business handling a few hundred inquiries a month and wanting omnichannel, the $49 plan might suffice. If you have a bigger support operation, $99 or $299 is still cheaper than some established helpdesks like Zendesk (and those might charge extra for WhatsApp integration).

Best For

DelightChat is best for small to mid-sized e-commerce brands and customer-centric startups that want to streamline support and engagement across multiple channels. You’d pick DelightChat over Gupshup if:

• You communicate on multiple platforms: If your customers reach out via WhatsApp, Instagram, and email, for example, DelightChat will save you the headache of juggling apps. Gupshup alone can’t do that, so you’d otherwise have needed multiple systems.
• Customer support is a priority: Companies that pride themselves on responsive, personalized customer support will benefit from the unified view and team features. It helps you answer faster and avoid dropping conversations.
• You want to automate common e-com messages easily: Without coding, you can turn on abandoned cart recovery on WhatsApp and potentially reclaim lost sales. For a small shop, that’s a quick win with minimal setup.
• Your team is small and non-technical: If you don’t have a dedicated IT team, you can still set up and use DelightChat effectively. It’s plug-and-play for the most part.
• You’re willing to invest in customer experience: The ROI comes in improved customer satisfaction and possibly more sales (due to better engagement). If you see the value in that, the pricing is justified. It’s targeting those who are beyond the scrappy phase and are now focusing on scaling service quality.

In conclusion, DelightChat provides a user-friendly, multi-channel alternative to Gupshup. While Gupshup might offer raw WhatsApp API access and basic tools, DelightChat layers a whole support system on top of WhatsApp (and other channels). For businesses where WhatsApp is just one piece of the support puzzle, DelightChat is a compelling choice in 2025.

9. Freshchat (Freshdesk Messaging) – Live Chat and Messaging with WhatsApp Integration

Freshchat (part of the Freshworks suite, and also referred to as Freshdesk Messaging) is a modern customer messaging software from Freshworks. It enables live chat on web/mobile, in-app messaging, and integrates social channels including WhatsApp.

If you’re considering Gupshup for its chatbot or messaging capabilities but also need a robust live chat and support system, Freshchat offers a more feature-rich, multi-channel customer support platform.

Features

• Live Chat for Web and Mobile: At its core, Freshchat provides live chat widgets for websites and in-app chat for mobile apps. This allows real-time customer engagement on your site, which Gupshup doesn’t natively do. You can converse with site visitors, capture leads, or provide support instantly.
• WhatsApp and Social Integration: Freshchat natively integrates WhatsApp Business API, Facebook Messenger, Apple Business Chat, LINE, Telegram and more into its inbox​. Agents can respond to WhatsApp messages from the same interface they handle chat and email, turning Freshchat into a unified communications hub.
• AI and Bots (Freddy): Freshworks has an AI engine nicknamed Freddy AI. Freshchat leverages Freddy for features like Intent Detection, Automated Answers, and chatbot flows. Essentially, you can create FAQ bots that deflect common questions on chat or WhatsApp, and even AI-powered suggestions to agents for replies. This gives you some NLP capabilities to rival Gupshup’s chatbot (and likely more advanced, given Freshworks’ focus on AI).
• Rich Context and CRM Integration: Freshchat is part of a larger CRM/helpdesk ecosystem. It can integrate with FreshCRM or others to show customer data alongside chats. You get features like user profiles with their past interactions, behavior (pages visited), and any open tickets. This context helps agents personalize support.
• Team Management and Productivity: Features like IntelliAssign (automatic conversation routing), canned responses, private notes, and analytics are built-in​. Freshchat is designed to handle support at scale, with queues and agent performance tracking. It’s truly a support team tool, not just an API or simple dashboard.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Full Customer Engagement Suite: Freshchat goes beyond messaging – it’s essentially a support platform. If you implement it, you cover live chat on your site, messaging apps like WhatsApp, and even can convert chats to support tickets. It’s a more comprehensive solution for customer engagement than Gupshup alone.
• Easy to Start, Free Tier: Freshchat offers a free forever plan for up to 10 agents, which is generous. This makes it easy for small teams to start using it without cost. As needs grow, you can upgrade gradually. Gupshup doesn’t offer such an interface or free plan, so this is a big plus for Freshchat.
• Affordable and Scalable: Paid plans start relatively low (Freshchat’s paid plans start around $15-19/agent/month for basic and go up to $69-95/agent for enterprise with all features). This is competitive for the software you get. And because it’s per agent, if you have a small team, you’re not overpaying.
• Powerful Automation: With Freddy AI, Freshchat can automate a lot of customer interactions, saving support time. For example, it can auto-resolve simple queries, or gather info from customers before an agent takes over. This AI capability is likely more advanced than what Gupshup’s platform offers out-of-box.
• Multi-Channel by Design: Freshchat was built to handle multiple channels, unlike some competitors which bolt them on. Therefore, the experience for agents switching between WhatsApp, live chat, and email is seamless. It’s all in one thread if it’s the same customer (if configured), which is ideal for support consistency.

Cons:

• Primarily Support-Oriented: Freshchat is great for support, but not specifically designed as a marketing campaign tool. For instance, sending bulk promotional WhatsApp messages is not its main use case (Freshchat can send outbound messages, but it’s not a “campaign blaster” like some WhatsApp marketing tools). If your main need is marketing broadcasts, you might need an add-on or look at other tools in conjunction.
• WhatsApp Integration Cost: Freshchat’s WhatsApp integration requires a WhatsApp Business API provider (Freshworks partners with BSPs like Twilio or Infobip). There might be an add-on cost or setup process for WhatsApp. Also, WhatsApp conversation fees still apply. On higher plans, WhatsApp integration is included but you may need to be on a certain tier to access it. So, check that you’re okay with those potential extra steps/costs.
• Complexity for Small Use Cases: If you only want a simple WhatsApp bot or basic messaging, Freshchat might feel like using a battleship to cross a pond. It has so many features that it could be overkill. The admin setup, while user-friendly, has lots of options which might overwhelm someone who just needs a basic Q&A bot on WhatsApp.
• Agent-based Pricing: For very small teams or solo entrepreneurs, agent-based pricing (after the free tier) might seem expensive if you’re the only one handling messages. In such cases, flat-rate tools or pay-as-you-go might be cheaper. Also, if you have a large support team, per-agent pricing can add up, although Freshchat’s rates are in line with other helpdesks.

Pricing

Freshchat (Freshdesk Messaging) typically offers:

• Free Plan: $0 for up to 100 agents (according to SMBGuide)​ or specifically up to 10 agents in some materials. It includes basic chat and limited bot capabilities.
• Growth (Basic) Plan: Around $15-$19/agent/month (billed annually). Includes more channels (like WhatsApp integration possibly), some bots, and more automation.
• Pro Plan: ~$39/agent/month. Adds advanced automation, more bot sessions, integrations, etc.
• Enterprise Plan: ~$69 or $95/agent/month for top-tier with Freddy AI, advanced routing, and highest support SLA​.

Note: These are ballpark and based on 2025 data​. Freshworks often adjusts packaging. But importantly, the free tier and free trial are there to get you started risk-free​.

WhatsApp usage is charged separately (the conversation fees). Freshchat itself doesn’t mark those up in most cases; you would connect a WhatsApp API account from a provider (which might have its own cost). Sometimes Freshchat offers an integrated WhatsApp service for an extra fee or included in higher plans.

Best For

Freshchat is best for organizations that want a unified solution for customer support across multiple channels, including WhatsApp, with strong collaboration and automation features. You’d choose Freshchat if:

• Customer Support is a core focus: If you have or are building a support team and want to equip them with a top-notch tool that handles live chat, messengers, and AI help, Freshchat is ideal. It’s often compared with tools like Intercom or Zendesk but with a unique offering of strong WhatsApp integration.
• You already use Freshworks products: If you use Freshdesk (ticketing) or Freshsales (CRM), Freshchat integrates naturally. It can become part of a seamless customer service ecosystem.
• You need both real-time chat and asynchronous messaging: Freshchat handles both use cases well – live web chat for immediate needs and WhatsApp for asynchronous chats where customers might respond hours later. Agents manage both from one queue.
• Your team values ease-of-use and modern UI: Freshchat is generally praised for being intuitive and “fresh” looking. Training new agents on it is quick, which is good for high-turnover support teams or scaling teams.
• You want some AI but also a human touch: Freshchat strikes a balance where bots can do level-1 support and then hand off to humans. This hybrid approach might suit many businesses that aren’t ready for 100% chatbot but want to increase efficiency.

As a Gupshup alternative, Freshchat doesn’t replace Gupshup’s pure API capabilities (it’s not an API platform for developers), but it replaces the need to use Gupshup’s interface for anything. Instead of building a support UI around Gupshup’s API, you can just use Freshchat’s polished solution. It essentially abstracts away the BSP (which could even be Gupshup under the hood, technically) and gives you a far better interface and toolset.

In summary, Freshchat is a strong contender if your WhatsApp usage is part of a broader support strategy. It offers a professional yet user-friendly, “human + bot” experience that can greatly enhance how you engage with customers across channels.

10. Yellow.ai – AI-Powered Conversational Platform for Enterprises

Yellow.ai is a leading conversational AI platform that enables enterprises to build and manage AI chatbots and voice bots across channels, including WhatsApp. It’s not a simple WhatsApp tool; rather, it’s an advanced platform focusing on generative AI and automation. As a Gupshup alternative, Yellow.ai is what you’d consider if you want to go big on AI-driven conversations and need a sophisticated solution beyond basic messaging.

Features

• Generative AI Chatbots: Yellow.ai leverages large language models (LLMs) and its own NLP engine to create chatbots that can converse naturally. These bots can handle customer queries, provide personalized responses, and even execute transactions. The platform continuously learns from 16B+ conversations to improve AI responses​.
• Multi-Channel and Multi-Lingual: With Yellow.ai, you can deploy bots on WhatsApp, website chat, mobile apps, Facebook, Telegram, voice assistants, and more. It supports 100+ languages out of the box​, crucial for enterprises with global presence. Gupshup also supports multiple languages, but Yellow.ai emphasizes this, given its enterprise clientele.
• Human-Agent Handoff: It provides an agent console as well (Yellow.ai Conversational Service Cloud), so when the AI chatbot can’t handle something, it seamlessly hands off to a human agent with full context. This ensures a blend of automation and human support, which many enterprises prefer for complex scenarios.
• Integrations and Workflows: Yellow.ai integrates with major CRM and ERP systems (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, etc.)​. It can pull data from these systems to give contextual answers (like order status from SAP, or ticket status from ServiceNow), and also write back data from conversations. Plus, you can design complex workflows, like a bot that guides a user to book a ride, then sends a confirmation via WhatsApp, etc.
• Analytics and Insights: The platform offers deep analytics on customer interactions, chatbot performance, sentiment analysis, and more​. Enterprises can get insights to continuously improve their conversational experiences – for example, identifying where bots fail and need training, or what customers are asking most.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Advanced AI Capabilities: Yellow.ai is on the cutting edge of conversational AI. If you want an intelligent chatbot that feels human-like, capable of understanding context and handling variations in user input, Yellow.ai is top-tier. They specifically market their generative AI prowess for memorable conversations​.
• Enterprise-Grade Solution: Everything about Yellow.ai is built for scale – high concurrency, security, compliance, and robust management features. It’s used by big brands (Sony, Domino’s, Hyundai, etc.) across 85+ countries​. This track record is reassuring for large orgs.
• Extensive Use-Case Coverage: Because it supports both chat and voice bots, Yellow.ai can cover use cases like voice IVR automation, HR employee helpdesk, customer support, marketing FAQs, and even WhatsApp commerce. It’s versatile. Gupshup also has broad use cases, but Yellow.ai’s specialized tools (like their HR automation, customer support modules) are very refined for those tasks​.
• Continuous Learning: The platform can continuously train on new data, and supports multi-LLM architecture (could use OpenAI, etc., under the hood). This means your bots can get smarter over time. They also boast powerful sentiment analysis to gauge customer mood and adjust responses accordingly.
• Strong Support & Services: Yellow.ai often provides solutioning support, helping enterprises design and implement their conversational strategies. If you have the budget, you’re not just buying a tool, you’re getting consulting expertise to ensure success.

Cons:

• Enterprise Pricing (High Cost): Yellow.ai is not cheap. It typically operates on a custom pricing model for enterprises, or on usage-based plans that can run into thousands of dollars monthly, depending on user interactions. There is a freemium for limited use (e.g., free tier with 2 channels and 5k conversations), but to fully leverage it, expect significant investment. This puts it out of reach for many small businesses.
• Complex Setup: Implementing Yellow.ai requires understanding of AI training, conversation design, and possibly technical integration. Enterprises usually allocate a team or hire Yellow.ai’s services to do this. It’s not a plug-and-play “switch it on” solution like some simpler WhatsApp tools. The learning curve is steep for those new to AI bots.
• Overkill for Simple Needs: If your primary need is just sending notifications or handling a few FAQs on WhatsApp, Yellow.ai is overkill. It’s like bringing a tank to a snowball fight. The platform shines in complex scenarios; simpler use-cases would find it too heavy and could stick to Gupshup or others.
• Lacks Transparent Pricing Info: As noted in some reviews, Yellow.ai’s pricing isn’t very transparent. You often need to engage with sales to get a quote. This can be a barrier for evaluation or if you’re comparing options. People also mention the UI has many features which can be confusing initially, though it’s powerful.

Pricing

Yellow.ai typically offers two types of plans as gleaned from sources​:

• Freemium/Community Plan: Free with limited usage – e.g., 2 channels and 5,000 bot conversations per month​. This is likely to attract developers or small pilots. It might not include advanced features or certain integrations.
• Enterprise (Growth) Plan: Usage-based pricing – possibly charged by number of conversations, or MAUs (monthly active users), or a platform fee plus overages. They likely customize this for each client. One source indicated it’s usage-based and requires contacting them.

For context, similar AI platforms (like Kore.ai, Amelia, etc.) often charge in the range of $1000s per month for enterprise deployments. Yellow.ai’s deals with large customers could be tens of thousands per year or more, depending on scale (especially if voice is included, which can incur telephony costs).

If budget is a concern, Yellow.ai might not be suitable. However, if an enterprise is evaluating it, they’re likely comparing to building in-house AI or other enterprise AI platforms, where Yellow’s cost is competitive.

Best For

Yellow.ai is best for large enterprises or high-growth companies that are looking to implement sophisticated AI-driven customer experience or process automation. Scenarios where Yellow.ai is the top choice:

• Customer Service Automation at Scale: A telecom company receiving millions of support queries can deploy Yellow.ai bots on WhatsApp, IVR, and web to automate a huge chunk of those (like handling balance inquiries, technical troubleshooting) with seamless handoff to human agents for complex issues.
• HR and Internal Helpdesk: Enterprises have used Yellow.ai for internal purposes – e.g., an HR bot that answers employee FAQs, helps with leave applications, etc.​. This increases productivity and is something Gupshup isn’t typically used for.
• Conversational Commerce: Companies wanting to create shopping assistants on WhatsApp or Instagram – bots that can show products, answer questions, and guide to purchase. With integration to inventory and payment systems, Yellow.ai can provide an AI-shopper experience.
• Global Multi-Language Support: If you operate in many regions and need bots that speak many languages, Yellow.ai is well-suited. For example, a global brand can maintain one bot brain that converses in Spanish, Arabic, English, etc., depending on user, with local nuances learned over time.
• Tech-savvy Teams with AI Goals: If your organization has a digital transformation goal of using AI more deeply, and you have a team or partner to implement it, Yellow.ai is a strategic choice. It’s for when you’ve outgrown basic Q&A bots and want to truly leverage AI.

In contrast, if you’re a small business or just want to send out notifications or have a simple FAQ bot, Yellow.ai is probably not the right fit. The other tools on this list (Sendwo, WATI, etc.) would serve those needs more directly and cost-effectively.

In conclusion, Yellow.ai is like the Ferrari of conversational platforms – powerful, fast, and feature-rich, aimed at those who need that power. It will help enterprises create engaging, automated conversations at a level beyond what Gupshup’s standard tools provide. But with that comes a higher cost and complexity. It’s a top competitor in the realm of AI chatbots and therefore a notable alternative if Gupshup’s feature set isn’t meeting an enterprise’s ambition for AI-driven interactions​.

Conclusion – Choosing the Right Gupshup Alternative

As we’ve seen, Gupshup alternatives in 2025 range from lean, cost-effective tools for small businesses to powerhouse AI platforms for global enterprises. The “best” alternative ultimately depends on your specific needs:

• If you value affordability and ease of use, a platform like Sendwo stands out with its free plan, no WhatsApp markup, and rich features geared toward SMBs.
• If you’re focused solely on WhatsApp support, WATI or Interakt offer convenient team inboxes and CRM capabilities with minimal fuss.
• For those needing a broader communication reach (multiple channels or developer flexibility), Twilio, MessageBird, Vonage, or Infobip might be ideal, giving you global APIs and robust infrastructure.
• If you want an all-in-one support solution with WhatsApp included, Freshchat or DelightChat can elevate your customer service across channels.
• And if you’re aiming for the cutting edge of AI and automation, Yellow.ai provides an enterprise-grade conversational AI platform to revolutionize how you engage customers.

In making your decision, consider factors like budget, technical resources, channels required, and the scale of automation you desire. It’s often helpful to start with a trial or free tier (many of these tools offer one) to gauge the interface and capabilities.

One thing is clear: users no longer have to stick with Gupshup if it’s not a perfect fit. The ecosystem of conversational messaging platforms and WhatsApp API providers has matured, and competition is driving better pricing, more innovation, and improved support. This is great news for businesses looking to harness WhatsApp and other messaging apps to connect with customers.

Call-to-Action: If you’re eager to enhance your WhatsApp communication without breaking the bank or dealing with unnecessary complexity, we highly recommend giving Sendwo a try. With its free plan and feature-rich platform, Sendwo offers a risk-free way to experience a top Gupshup alternative first-hand. Sign up today and see how it can streamline your messaging, boost engagement, and save you costs – all while delivering exceptional conversational experiences to your audience.

FAQs

By exploring the options and understanding these common questions, you’ll be better equipped to choose the ideal conversational messaging platform for your business. Remember that the landscape is always evolving – new features, pricing changes, and even new players continue to emerge. But the core principle remains: focus on the platform that aligns best with your communication strategy and growth goals. With the right tool in hand, you can build richer customer relationships and drive success through every chat and text. Good luck, and happy messaging!