A MessageBird alternative for teams that live in WhatsApp
MessageBird is now Bird, a set of APIs for email, SMS, WhatsApp and voice, billed per message. If what you need is a team answering customers on WhatsApp, Tobachat is built for exactly that, on a monthly plan.
Where each one fits
Bird is the better pick when
- Your developers build messaging into your own software through an API, SDK or CLI.
- You want email, SMS, WhatsApp and voice from a single vendor.
- You'd rather pay per message and use their free inbox on top.
Tobachat is the better pick when
- You want one monthly plan, with Meta billing your messages directly and no markup.
- An AI agent should answer your customers, on every plan.
- You want to get started without a developer.
- You'd like to try it free first, with no credit card.
Bird and Tobachat, side by side
| Compared | Bird | Tobachat |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | APIs, SDKs, a CLI and an MCP server for email, SMS, WhatsApp, voice and more | A web app with an inbox, contacts, campaigns, automations and an AI agent |
| Shared inbox | Free software. You pay for each channel's messages | Included on every plan |
| WhatsApp pricing | A $0.005 processing fee per message on top of Meta's fee (Netherlands rate) | €29, €99 or €199 a month. Meta bills messages directly, with no markup |
| Getting started | An API key, or their dashboard and inbox | Connect your number through Meta's own sign-up window |
Checked on 25 October 2026 against Bird's own website, as shown to a visitor in the Netherlands. Prices exclude VAT and may have changed since.
Moving from Bird
Your number and your contacts come along. Templates need to be submitted again.
Release the number
Disconnect your WhatsApp number at Bird so Meta can link it to a new account.
Start free
Create an account and connect the number through Meta's own sign-up window.
Bring the rest
Import your contacts from a CSV file, set up your automations and submit your templates to Meta.
Common questions
Other alternatives to Bird
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.
Freshdesk
An email-first helpdesk where each WhatsApp message becomes a ticket, from $19 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.
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.
Try it free on your own number
No credit card, no developer. Connect your number and answer your first customer.
Prefer a hand getting started? We'll get you started