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Free WhatsApp bot: what is actually free in 2026

What is truly free is the WhatsApp Business app's automatic messages: a greeting message, an away message and quick replies — fixed text that doesn't answer the question. ManyChat and Ariko both have free plans, but in both, connecting WhatsApp is paid only. And an unofficial "free" bot can cost you the number itself: WhatsApp bans accounts that use them.

Updated: · The facts about WhatsApp, Meta and ManyChat are taken from their own pages and were checked on 18 October 2026. Sources at the end.

What is free, and how far

What What is free Where it stops
WhatsApp Business automatic messagesGreeting message, away message, up to 50 quick repliesFixed text: doesn't read the question or book. Sent only while the phone has internet
ManyChat's free planUp to 25 active contacts a month, up to 4 active automations, two channelsAccording to ManyChat, WhatsApp is available only on Pro accounts, at an additional charge on top of the plan
Ariko's free planYou build the bot at $0 and talk to it in the test chat, up to 200 messages a monthNo WhatsApp connection. WhatsApp starts with Solo, $99 a month before VAT
Meta, on the official platform1,000 service messages a month per business numberOnly the messages. The software that reads and replies is on you or a provider
Meta Business AgentMeta's own agent inside WhatsApp BusinessAccording to WhatsApp, currently available only to select businesses in limited countries, and not in every language

1. The automatic messages — free, and not a bot

On the WhatsApp Business app's Tools tab you turn on a greeting message for new customers and an away message for the hours you choose. For a business with a few enquiries a day that is enough: the customer knows the message arrived and when you'll reply. What it doesn't give is an answer — "any slots tomorrow?" gets the same text as a question about price. Step-by-step setup.

2. Bot tools' free plans — up to the connection

Almost every bot tool lets you start without paying, and that is useful: you can see whether the bot answers well before you pay. But read exactly what is included. ManyChat's free plan is capped at 25 active contacts a month, and according to ManyChat itself WhatsApp isn't on it — only on Pro accounts, which start at $29 a month billed annually, with an extra charge for messages.

Ariko works on the same principle, and says so up front: on the Free plan, $0, you build the bot from the business's information and test it in a test chat — No WhatsApp connection. For it to answer customers on WhatsApp you need a paid plan.

3. An unofficial "free" bot — what it really costs

Searching for a free WhatsApp bot also turns up tools that connect to your regular WhatsApp account and send messages from it, and modified versions of the app. According to WhatsApp's Help Center:

  • It breaks the Terms of Service. Using unofficial apps, or linking your account to them, violates them.
  • The number can be banned. The account may be temporarily or permanently banned, or restricted.
  • Automated messages are a reason for a ban. WhatsApp says not to bulk message, auto-message or auto-dial, and that it detects and bans accounts that send unwanted automated messages.
  • Privacy is at risk. Unofficial apps might carry malware, and there's no guarantee messages and files stay private.

For a business, the number is the asset: every customer and all the history are on it. "Free" that risks it isn't free.

4. The developers' "free": the Cloud API

Whoever builds on Meta's official platform gets 1,000 service messages a month per business number with no charge from Meta, which sounds like a free bot. But that is only the price of the messages: the server, the logic that replies, the inbox and the maintenance you build and pay for yourself. The five ways to build a bot · Every cost.

Build and test free with Ariko — and what is paid

  1. Free Sign up — email or a Google account, no credit card.
  2. Free Five short questions — what the business offers, the goal of each conversation, what the bot must never do, the tone, and three questions customers ask every day.
  3. Free Test chat — ask the bot what a customer would ask, and adjust until the answers are right.
  4. Paid Connect WhatsApp — Solo, $99 a month before VAT: 1,000 messages, up to 2 users and one number. No setup fee, and Meta's message charges are included.
Build and test — free Pricing

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free WhatsApp bot?

WhatsApp Business's automatic messages are free, but they are fixed text. A bot that answers the question itself and connects to WhatsApp the official way — with ManyChat and with us, connecting WhatsApp is on a paid plan. You can build and test free before you decide.

How do I create a WhatsApp bot without paying?

With Ariko you sign up, answer five short questions and talk to the bot in the test chat — all at $0, No WhatsApp connection. Once the bot answers properly, you connect the number on a paid plan.

Does ManyChat's free plan work with WhatsApp?

According to ManyChat, no: "Manychat for WhatsApp is only available for Pro accounts", and WhatsApp is an additional charge on top of Pro. Their free plan is capped at 25 active contacts a month.

What is the risk of a free unofficial WhatsApp bot?

According to WhatsApp, unofficial apps violate its Terms of Service, and the account may be suspended or permanently banned. Sending unwanted automated messages is a reason for a ban too. And every customer of the business is on that number.

Does Meta charge for a bot's messages?

On the official platform, Meta doesn't charge for the first 1,000 service messages a month per number, and charges for messages beyond them. With Ariko, Meta's charges are included in the subscription. Israel's rates.

What does Ariko's Free plan include?

Building the bot from the business's information, its rules and tone, and up to 200 messages a month in the test chat. It doesn't include a WhatsApp connection — that starts with the Solo plan.

Sources (checked 18 October 2026)

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