ManyChat alternatives for online stores (2026)
ManyChat is great for Instagram comment-to-DM funnels, but it doesn't take orders from your catalog or connect natively to Shopify. If you run an online store, Nodi (from AED 59 a month) sells from your catalog in English or Arabic and takes the order in the chat; Zipchat suits Shopify stores; Chatfuel adds AI sales chat; InstantDM and Inrō are the cheapest for Instagram-only automation.
By Abdur Rouf Jibon, CEO & Founder, Nodi AI. Prices and features checked on on each vendor's own website.
ManyChat alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Entry paid price | Takes orders in chat | Shopify | Arabic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ManyChat | $17 / month ($14 annual) | Buy Button (Stripe, PayPal) | Not native | Pro and up | No UI found |
| Nodi | AED 59 / month | Yes, from your catalog | Connect existing store | Yes | AI replies, Arabic stores |
| Chatfuel | US$18 / month (yearly) | Selling in chat (Stripe) | Not mentioned | Yes | Not found |
| Zipchat | $64 / month (annual) | Add to cart in chat | Yes | Yes | Not named |
| Inrō | €12.99 / month | Checkout links | Not mentioned | No (Instagram) | Not found |
| InstantDM | $9.99 / month (yearly) | Not described | Not mentioned | No (Instagram) | Not found |
ManyChat's site blocked automated checks, so its figures are from ManyChat's own help-centre pages as indexed on 4 November 2026; check manychat.com/pricing before you buy. Meta's WhatsApp fees are extra with every tool.
The alternatives, one by one
ManyChat first, for reference. We make Nodi, so it's marked as ours.
1. ManyChat
Best for: Creators and brands automating Instagram and Messenger replies, comment-to-DM funnels and broadcasts.
- Price
- Free (25 active contacts); Essential $17 a month ($14 billed annually, 250 contacts); Pro $39 ($29, 2,500 contacts); Business $99 ($69, 7,500 contacts). Per ManyChat's help centre for accounts created from 2 March 2026. (their pricing page)
- Free trial
- Free plan
Strengths
- Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, Telegram, SMS and email
- Strong comment-to-DM and growth tools
- AI built into Pro on the new plans
- Meta's WhatsApp fees passed on at cost
Worth knowing
- WhatsApp needs Pro or higher
- Payments via a Buy Button (Stripe or PayPal); no native Shopify integration found
- No Arabic interface found; users report right-to-left text issues
2. Nodi(our product)
Best for: Online stores that want the AI to sell from their catalog and take the order, with stock, store and POS in one system.
- Price
- AED 59 / 179 / 389 a month (Retail / Growth / Scale). WhatsApp messages at Meta's rates.
- Free trial
- 30 days of the full Scale plan for AED 3
Strengths
- AI answers from your catalog in English or Arabic on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook
- Takes the order in the chat and sends a Stripe payment link
- Comment replies, COD confirmation and fake-order checks (Growth and up)
- One stock count with an online store and POS
Worth knowing
- Fewer growth-hacking flows (giveaways, quizzes) than ManyChat
- No TikTok or Telegram broadcast funnels
3. Zipchat
Best for: Shopify stores that want an AI sales agent on the website, WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger.
- Price
- Starter $64 a month billed annually ($80 monthly), Pro $240, Scale $480, Scale Plus $960. (their pricing page)
- Free trial
- See their pricing page
Strengths
- Shopify on every plan
- Add to cart without leaving the chat
Worth knowing
- Higher entry price
- Arabic not named on its pages
4. Chatfuel
Best for: Sellers who want AI sales chat across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
- Price
- Business S US$18 a month billed yearly (includes US$20 of AI credits), up to Business XXL. (their pricing page)
- Free trial
- See their pricing page
Strengths
- Selling inside the chat with Stripe
- AI credits included
Worth knowing
- Shopify not mentioned on its pricing page
5. Inrō
Best for: Instagram-only creators and brands.
- Price
- Free €0; Pro €12.99 a month (metered); managed service from €299 a month. (their pricing page)
- Free trial
- Free plan
Strengths
- Sends checkout links in DMs
- Low-cost Instagram automation
Worth knowing
- Instagram only
- Shopify not mentioned
6. InstantDM
Best for: The cheapest Instagram comment-to-DM automation.
- Price
- Free (500 DM automations a month); paid from $9.99 a month billed yearly. (their pricing page)
- Free trial
- Free plan
Strengths
- Very low price
- Simple comment-to-DM setup
Worth knowing
- No checkout or payments in the chat described
When ManyChat, or another tool, is the better choice
- Stay with ManyChat for Instagram growth funnels, giveaways and comment-to-DM campaigns, or if you also want TikTok, Telegram and SMS.
- Choose Zipchat if your store is on Shopify and you want an AI that adds products to the cart.
- Choose InstantDM or Inrō if you only need cheap Instagram automation.
- Choose Nodi if you sell in the UAE and want the AI to take the order, confirm cash on delivery and keep stock in sync, in English or Arabic.
How we compared them
We looked at what an online store needs from DM automation: answering from the product catalog, taking the order and payment in the chat, a store connection, WhatsApp as well as Instagram, and Arabic. Prices are quoted as each vendor's pages showed them on 4 November 2026.
Related: WATI alternatives, Instagram DM automation for shops and DM to order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ManyChat alternative for an online store?
One that sells from your catalog and takes the order, not only replies. For UAE stores that's Nodi (from AED 59 a month, English and Arabic); for Shopify stores elsewhere, Zipchat.
Does ManyChat work with WhatsApp?
Yes, on the Pro plan and above, with Meta's message fees paid from a prepaid wallet at cost.
Does ManyChat support Arabic?
We didn't find an Arabic interface, and users report right-to-left text problems. Nodi replies in Arabic and builds Arabic right-to-left stores.
Is there a free ManyChat alternative?
InstantDM and Inrō have free plans for Instagram automation. Nodi's 30-day trial of the full Scale plan costs AED 3.
Sources
- ManyChat Pro plan (help centre), checked 4 November 2026
- ManyChat WhatsApp, checked 4 November 2026
- ManyChat Buy Button (help centre), checked 4 November 2026
- ManyChat community: Shopify integration, checked 4 November 2026
- ManyChat community: right-to-left request, checked 4 November 2026
- Chatfuel pricing, checked 4 November 2026
- Zipchat pricing, checked 4 November 2026
- Inrō pricing, checked 4 November 2026
- InstantDM pricing, checked 4 November 2026
Nodi makes one of the products on this page. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the other companies named; their names and trademarks belong to them. Prices and features change: always check the vendor's own website before you buy, and tell us at [email protected] if anything here is out of date.
Turn DMs into orders, not just replies.
30 days of the full Scale plan for AED 3.