A Freshdesk alternative built around WhatsApp conversations
In Freshdesk, a WhatsApp message arrives as a ticket in a helpdesk designed around email. Tobachat treats WhatsApp as a conversation: one shared inbox, with your automations and campaigns right next to it.
Where each one fits
Freshdesk is the better pick when
- Support runs mainly over email, from a ticket queue.
- You want AI agents working across email and chat.
- You'd like to choose between data centers in the US, EEA, UAE, India, or Australia.
Tobachat is the better pick when
- WhatsApp is your main channel, not an extra next to email.
- Your team would rather reply in a chat thread than close tickets.
- You want Meta's message fees without anything added on top.
- One price per month suits you better than a price per agent.
Freshdesk and Tobachat, side by side
| Compared | Freshdesk | Tobachat |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Ticket-based customer service, with email at the center | Customer contact on WhatsApp |
| Price | From $19 per agent a month, billed yearly (Growth) | €29, €99 or €199 a month, with unlimited users |
| AI agent | First 500 sessions included, then $49 per 100 | Included in every plan, no fee per answer |
| WhatsApp message fees | Meta's fees plus a 20% markup from Freshworks | Meta's fees, paid to Meta, with no markup |
| A new WhatsApp message | Creates a ticket | Appears in a shared chat inbox |
| Data location | Your choice of US, EEA, UAE, India, or Australia at sign-up | In the EU |
| Try it free | 14 days | Free plan, no credit card |
Checked on 29 September 2026 against Freshdesk's own website, as shown to a visitor in the Netherlands. Prices exclude VAT and may have changed since.
Moving from Freshdesk
Email can stay in Freshdesk. Only the WhatsApp channel moves.
Disconnect WhatsApp
Remove the WhatsApp channel in Freshdesk so the number is free to connect again.
Connect it to Tobachat
Start free and link the number through Meta's own sign-up window.
Set up replies and flows
Import your contacts from a CSV file, build your flows, and submit your templates to Meta.
Common questions
Other alternatives to Freshdesk
Trengo
Email, live chat, social and voice in one inbox, from €349 a month, plus a fee per AI conversation.
Twilio
WhatsApp as an API to build into your own software, at $0.005 a message plus Meta's fee.
Zendesk
A full helpdesk with tickets, email and phone, from €55 per agent a month billed yearly.
ManyChat
Automation for Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and Messenger, priced by active contacts.
Wati
Also WhatsApp first, on a subscription in US dollars with message fees and add-ons billed separately.
Front
A shared inbox built around email, where WhatsApp is a paid add-on from $65 per seat a month.
Bird
MessageBird is now Bird: APIs for email, SMS, WhatsApp and voice, billed per message.
Chatwoot
An open-source help desk you host yourself or run in their cloud, from $19 per agent a month.
360dialog
Access to the WhatsApp Business API with no screen of its own, from €49 per number a month.
SleekFlow
WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger and email in one inbox, from $49 a month billed yearly. AI agents from Pro.
Superchat
WhatsApp, Instagram, email and more in one inbox, from €89 a month on a 12-month term. AI agent from Professional.
Chatarmin
WhatsApp marketing and AI customer service for webshops. Prices on request, Meta fees at cost.
Interakt
WhatsApp and Instagram, $55 or $69 a month plus taxes, with AI agents as a $74.99 add-on.
AiSensy
WhatsApp campaigns and chatbots from $45 a month with 5 agents, chatbots and AI as paid add-ons.
Saysimple
WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, webchat and email, from €119 a month billed yearly on a 12-month contract.
CommuniQate
WhatsApp only, Start €39, Growth €99 and Accelerator €249 a month, priced by users and active contacts.
Birdeye
Reviews, listings and an inbox for multi-location businesses, priced on request.
Podium
Texting, phones, payments and reviews for local businesses in the US, Canada and Australia, on a 12-month term.
Answer WhatsApp like a chat, not a ticket
Start free, no credit card. Meta's fees stay exactly what Meta charges.
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