Comparisons
A respond.io alternative for WhatsApp
respond.io is an omnichannel inbox for teams that handle many channels, with AI Agents from its Growth tier and Meta's WhatsApp fees billed separately. Ariko is narrower: an AI bot that answers customers on WhatsApp and your website from your business's own information, books into Google Calendar inside the chat, and includes Meta's message charges.
Updated: · The facts about respond.io were checked on its official pages on 27 October 2026 (sources at the end).
respond.io in brief
respond.io is a conversation-management platform headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It brings WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, Viber, LINE, WeChat, a website chat widget, email and calls into one inbox, with workflows and AI. Prices are in USD: Starter is $79 a month billed yearly, and AI Agents start on its Growth tier at $159 a month billed yearly, with extra AI credits at $15 per 1,000.
For WhatsApp in particular: WhatsApp is on every respond.io plan, and respond.io says WhatsApp fees are not included in any subscription — Meta charges them based on your usage, and you top up WhatsApp credit on the platform.
Where Ariko differs
| What we compare | respond.io | Ariko |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An omnichannel inbox with workflows and AI Agents | An AI bot that answers your customers from your business's information |
| How you build it | Workflows, plus AI Agents from the Growth tier | You fill in the business's information and rules; there is no flow to build and maintain |
| Booking | Cal.com, Calendly and Google Calendar integrations that send booking links (Growth and up) | Built in: checks Google Calendar, books, cancels and reschedules in the chat |
| Channels | WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, Viber, LINE, WeChat, website chat, email, calls | WhatsApp and a chat on the business's website, from the same information |
| Meta's WhatsApp charges | Not included; charged by Meta on usage | Included in the subscription |
| Pricing | respond.io in USD; Starter from $79 a month billed yearly | Free $0 test chat (No WhatsApp connection); WhatsApp from the Start plan, $99 a month (charged in shekels: ₪299 a month) |
Why businesses choose Ariko
- Answers from your business, not from a script. Write once what the business does — hours, services, prices, policies — and Ariko answers from it, including questions nobody built a path for.
- In your customer's language. An account opened in English replies in English, and Ariko can be set to answer each customer in the language they wrote in — or only in languages you allow.
- Booking inside the conversation. Checks Google Calendar for free times, books, cancels and reschedules.
- WhatsApp and website, from the same information. Ariko also answers in a chat on the business's website.
- Your team stays in control. A shared inbox: see every conversation and step in by hand at any moment.
- Meta's message charges included. No separate WhatsApp bill to top up: the charges Meta makes per message are part of the subscription.
A question nobody planned for
An illustration: a made-up dental practice, not a real customer. Nobody built a path for this question — Ariko answers from what the practice wrote, and offers to pass what isn't there to the team.
Frequently asked questions
Is respond.io's WhatsApp messaging included in its plans?
No. respond.io says WhatsApp fees are not included in any respond.io subscription; Meta charges them based on your usage. With Ariko, Meta's message charges are included.
Does respond.io book appointments?
respond.io's Cal.com, Calendly and Google Calendar integrations, from the Growth tier, show meeting data and send booking links. Ariko books, cancels and reschedules in Google Calendar inside the conversation itself.
Do I need to build workflows with Ariko?
No. You write the business's information and rules once — hours, services, prices, policies — and Ariko answers from them, including questions nobody planned a path for.
Can Ariko answer in my customers' language?
Yes. An account opened in English replies in English, and you can set it to answer each customer in the language they wrote in — or only in languages you allow.
How much does Ariko cost?
You build and test at $0 — No WhatsApp connection on the free plan. WhatsApp starts with the Start plan, $99 a month (charged in shekels: ₪299 a month) with 1,000 messages, and Meta's message charges are included. Full pricing.
Does Ariko fit a business with a team?
Yes. The whole team works from one inbox and can step in at any moment. The Max plan, $399 a month (charged in shekels: ₪1,199 a month), includes up to 15 users and 5 WhatsApp numbers, all in the same inbox.
Sources (checked 27 October 2026)
- respond.io — Pricing (plans, AI Agents from Growth, AI credits, WhatsApp fees not included, calendar integrations)
- respond.io — About (headquarters)
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