Prices, plans, and features checked on each tool’s official website on October 15, 2026. G2 and Capterra ratings checked on the same date.

TL;DR SendPulse is the best Instagram chatbot service for most businesses in 2026. It is a Meta Business Partner, has a free plan with 3 bots and 500 subscribers, and its Pro plan starts at $9.60 a month, with a CRM, payments in chat and an AI assistant. ManyChat suits creators who want comment-to-DM growth. Chatfuel suits sellers who want an AI sales agent, and respond.io suits support teams that need a shared omnichannel inbox. Customers.ai only makes sense if you still run its legacy InstaChamp bot.

Instagram now has 3 billion monthly active users, a figure Meta announced in September 2025. For many brands and creators, that audience shows up in the DMs: people comment “link” on a Reel, reply to a Story or ask about a price at 11 p.m.

Answering by hand doesn’t scale, and Meta’s rules don’t help. You can reply freely for only 24 hours, and you can send only one private reply per comment. An Instagram chatbot built on the official Instagram Messaging API handles those replies on its own. It sends the lead magnet, collects the email and passes hot leads to a human.

This guide compares five Instagram chatbot services on official API access, triggers, AI, selling tools and pricing.

Chapters

How we evaluated the Instagram chatbot platforms

We judged each tool on the same criteria:

• Official status: Meta Business Partner, official Instagram Messaging API.
• Instagram triggers: comment-to-DM, keywords, Story mentions and replies.
• AI: AI agents or an AI assistant that answer in DMs.
• Selling tools: CRM, payments and lead capture.
• Pricing: free plan, entry price and what makes the bill grow.
• Reviews: G2 and Capterra ratings.

Instagram chatbot platforms comparison 2026

Prices and data were checked on each tool’s official website on October 7, 2026. Prices change, so check the official pricing page before you buy.

5 best Instagram chatbot services

1. SendPulse: Instagram chatbot with built-in CRM and AI assistant

SendPulse is a Meta Business Partner with over 100,000 active Instagram bots. Its Instagram chatbot builder also covers WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok and Viber.

Best for: growing businesses that want Instagram DMs, CRM and payments together.

Instagram triggers

• Comment auto-replies: DM and public reply to post and Reel comments.
• Story triggers: starts flows from Story mentions and reactions.
• Follow check: confirms a follow before sending the lead magnet.

Conversation building and AI

• Flow builder: no-code, with templates, on every plan.
• AI assistant: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or DeepSeek, answering in context.
• Live chat: an agent pauses the bot and takes over.

Selling and CRM

• Built-in CRM: creates and updates deals from inside the chat.
• Payments in chat: product cards with payment buttons, on the Pro plan.
• Broadcasts: to segments active in the last 24 hours.

Team and integrations

• Chat assignment: automatic routing, access levels, internal notes.
• Integrations: Google Sheets, webhooks, API and an MCP server.
• Mobile app: answer Instagram DMs from iOS or Android.

Pricing – Free plan: 3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month. – Free trial: not needed; the free plan never expires. – Pro: $12 a month, or $9.60 billed yearly, for 500 subscribers; unlimited bots and messages. – AI: 200 free requests, then provider token rates. – See official pricing

Pros – Generous free plan that never expires. – CRM, payments and six messaging channels in one account. – You choose the AI model.
Cons – The free plan caps you at 500 subscribers. – Token-based AI costs are harder to predict. – Payments and teamwork tools require Pro.

What users say: “Its user friendly and it makes the daily operations for the business so much pleasant,” wrote Carla W., a travel business owner, in an April 2026 review on Capterra. She wanted a warning before hitting the 500-subscriber limit.

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 on G2 (721 reviews) and 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra (773 reviews).

What I like about this platform: someone comments “guide” on a Reel, the bot checks the follow, DMs the PDF and asks for an email. The lead lands in the CRM, and a product card closes the sale in the chat.

2. ManyChat: comment-to-DM growth for creators

ManyChat was founded in 2015 and says it serves more than 1.5 million creators and businesses. It is a Meta Business Partner, and many creators know it as the default Instagram automation tool.

Best for: creators and influencers who grow lists through comment-to-DM campaigns.

Instagram triggers

• Comment-to-DM: replies to keyword comments on posts and Reels.
• New follower DMs: greets new followers automatically.
• Story mentions: starts flows when someone tags you in a Story.

Conversation building and AI

• Visual flow builder: keyword triggers, sequences and templates.
• Manychat AI: helps build flows and replies, from the Pro plan up.
• Live chat inbox: inbox seats on every plan.

Selling and CRM

• Lead capture: collects emails and phone numbers in DMs.
• Booking and giveaways: ready-made flows for appointments and contests.
• Click-to-Instagram ads: sends ad clicks straight into automations.

Team and integrations

• Native integrations: HubSpot, Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Google Sheets, Kit.
• Zapier and Make: connect 7,000+ apps, Shopify included.
• Channels: Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, WhatsApp and Telegram.

Pricing – Free plan: 25 active contacts a month, 2 channels, branding. – Free trial: 14 days on Essential and Pro. – Essential: $14/month ($168 billed yearly), 250 contacts; the page was behind a bot check] – Pro: $29 a month, 2,500 contacts, AI included.

Pros – The best-known Instagram comment-to-DM tool. – Large template and integration library. – Manychat AI included from Pro.

Cons – The free plan allows only 25 contacts. – Overage fees apply for each extra active contact. – No built-in payments or native Shopify integration.

What users say: “I loved that I could use it for both Facebook and Instagram,” wrote Joy H., an independent sales consultant, in a November 2024 review on Capterra. She noted ManyChat charges for subscribers even if you never message them.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 on G2 (165 reviews) and 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra (72 reviews).

What I like about this platform: a creator posts a Reel and asks people to comment “recipe.” ManyChat DMs everyone who does, collects emails and syncs them to Kit, so the newsletter list grows on its own after every post.

3. Chatfuel: AI sales agents for Instagram DMs

Chatfuel was founded in 2015, went through Y Combinator and is based in San Francisco. It now calls itself an AI agent platform that replies, qualifies and books on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook.

Best for: e-commerce and service businesses that want an AI agent to sell in DMs.

Instagram triggers

• Comment replies: automatic replies to comments on posts and Reels.
• Story replies and mentions: turns Story engagement into conversations.
• Keyword auto-replies: answers common questions instantly.

Conversation building and AI

• AI agents: answer, qualify leads and follow up in DMs.
• Templates: ready-made flows for common sales scenarios.
• Live chat: a person takes over complex conversations.

Selling and CRM

• Built-in CRM: a lead pipeline next to each chat.
• Payments in chat: customers pay without leaving Instagram.
• Abandoned cart recovery: follows up on unfinished orders.

Team and integrations

• Calendar booking: schedules appointments inside the DM.
• API and SDK: for custom integrations.
• Zapier: connects Chatfuel to other apps.

Pricing – Free plan: none. – Free trial: available, no card needed; the length isn’t published. – Business: $20 a month, or $18 a month billed yearly. Includes $20 of AI credits. – Agency S: $90 a month billed yearly, $100 of AI credits, up to 3 companies.

Pros – AI agent focused on sales. – Unlimited active contacts, according to Chatfuel. – Payments and booking built in.

Cons – No free plan. – AI use is capped by credits and fair-use limits. – Smaller review base than the main competitors.

What users say: “We set up Chatfuel to automate the initial part of the conversation… and it has worked well,” wrote Felix B., a co-founder of a consumer goods brand, in a November 2024 review on Capterra. He complained that his plan was upgraded automatically as his subscriber count grew.

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 on G2 (45 reviews) and 4.3 out of 5 on Capterra (28 reviews).

What I like about this platform: someone replies to a sale Story asking about sizes. The AI agent answers, suggests a product, takes the payment in the chat and chases them if they abandon the cart.

4. respond.io: omnichannel inbox for Instagram support teams

respond.io was founded in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur and is a Meta Business Partner. It brings WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook into one AI-powered team inbox and says more than 10,000 brands use it.

Best for: mid-size support and sales teams handling DMs from several channels.

Instagram triggers

• Auto private replies: one DM per comment on posts, Reels, ads and Lives.
• Story replies and mentions: handled as inbox conversations.
• Click-to-chat ads: a trigger for ad-driven conversations.

Conversation building and AI

• Workflows: no-code automation, from the Growth plan.
• AI Agents: answer and route chats, from the Growth plan.
• Human agent tag: replies up to 7 days after the last message.

Selling and CRM

• Contact profiles: unified history across channels.
• Lead routing: assigns chats to the right agent.
• Media support: images, video and voice in DMs.

Team and integrations

• Omnichannel inbox: Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and Facebook in one place.
• Roles and teams: 5 to 10 users on standard plans.
• Message status: sent, delivered and read receipts.

Pricing – Free plan: none. – Free trial: 7 days, no card needed. – Starter: $99 a month, or $79 a month billed yearly, unlimited contacts. No workflows or AI. –

Growth: $199 a month, or $159 a month billed yearly, 1,000 active contacts, AI included.

Pros – A strong shared inbox for teams. – AI included from Growth at no extra cost. – Native comment-to-DM replies.

Cons – Workflows and AI start at $159 a month. – No broadcasts on Instagram. – Expensive for small teams.

What users say: “It just works. The interface is straightforward and easy to use,” wrote Christopher B., COO of a small business, in a September 2026 review on G2. He wasn’t a fan of the interface’s colors and icons.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 on G2 (545 reviews) and 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra (60 reviews).

What I like about this platform: a customer comments on an ad, gets a private reply and asks about a delivery. The AI Agent answers, then routes the chat to the support team, who see the customer’s WhatsApp history in the same thread.

5. Customers.ai: legacy InstaChamp Instagram automation

Customers.ai, formerly MobileMonkey, now sells website visitor identification for Shopify and Klaviyo brands. Its Instagram tool, InstaChamp, is still online and described as Meta-approved DM automation, but it no longer appears in the main product menu, and its page was last updated in March 2025.

Best for: existing MobileMonkey users who are keeping their legacy Instagram bots running.

Instagram triggers

• Comment auto-replies: answers comments with DMs.
• Story mentions and reactions: sends automatic replies.
• DM keyword funnels: keyword-based conversation paths.

Conversation building and AI

• Funnel builder: the legacy MobileMonkey interface.
• AI: generative AI isn’t developed for Instagram.
• Messenger support: Facebook Messenger bots in the same account.

Selling and CRM

• Lead capture: collects emails and phone numbers in DMs.
• Contact list: stores Instagram leads.
• Visitor ID: a separate product for website visitors.

Team and integrations

• Klaviyo and Shopify: the focus of the current product.
• Meta CAPI: an ad-tracking product.
• Legacy app: sign-up goes through app.mobilemonkey.com.

Pricing – Free plan: VIP Edition, 250 contacts, 5 keywords (legacy page). – Free trial: 7 days for the current Customers.ai products. – Platinum: $19 a month (currently promoted at $9.95), 1,000 contacts.

Pros – A free legacy tier. – Covers comments, Story mentions and keywords. – One of the early official Instagram API partners.

Cons – Instagram automation is no longer actively developed. – Current pricing doesn’t mention Instagram. – Reviewers report a complex interface.

What users say: “This is the cheapest tool you can use to build a customer list, and capture leads from your social media,” wrote Rick H., a sales director, in a September 2021 review on Capterra. He found the interface hard to learn and support weak.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 on G2 (429 reviews, mostly about visitor ID) and 4.5 out of 5 on Capterra (21 reviews).

What I like about this platform: a Shopify brand that already uses Customers.ai to identify site visitors can keep a basic keyword bot answering Instagram comments and Story mentions. Simple DMs stay covered without adding a second vendor, while the team focuses on email and ads.

Which Instagram chatbot service to choose for each need

Small business on a budget

SendPulse has the strongest free plan, with 3 bots and 500 subscribers, and Pro starts at $9.60 a month. ManyChat’s free plan stops at 25 contacts.

Creators growing an audience

ManyChat is built around comment-to-DM. SendPulse covers the same triggers and adds a follow check and CRM.

Selling inside Instagram DMs

SendPulse and Chatfuel both take payments in chat. Chatfuel leans on AI sales agents; SendPulse adds a CRM pipeline and email.

Support teams

respond.io has the strongest shared inbox. SendPulse covers chat assignment and live chat at a lower price.

Official Instagram Messaging API: rules every chatbot follows

All five tools work within Meta’s Instagram Messaging API. Your bot can reply freely for 24 hours after a user’s last message. A human agent can answer for up to 7 days. Private replies to comments are limited to one per comment within 7 days.

The old Basic Display API shut down in December 2024, so stay away from tools that ask for your Instagram password.

Conclusion

SendPulse is the best Instagram chatbot platform for most businesses in 2026. It is a Meta Business Partner, has a free plan that never expires, and puts a CRM, payments and an AI assistant into an account that costs $9.60 a month. The same account also covers WhatsApp, which is why SendPulse also tops this comparison of the best WhatsApp chatbot platforms.

ManyChat is the creators’ choice for comment-to-DM. Chatfuel suits AI-led selling, and respond.io suits support teams. Customers.ai is only worth it for legacy users.

Start with SendPulse’s free plan, then estimate your monthly subscribers before you upgrade.

FAQ

Which service do you recommend for creating an Instagram chatbot?

SendPulse is the top pick for most businesses: it’s a Meta Business Partner, it has a free plan with 500 subscribers, and Pro costs $9.60 a month. ManyChat suits creators, Chatfuel suits AI sales and respond.io suits support teams.

Is there a free Instagram chatbot builder?

Yes. SendPulse offers 3 bots and 500 subscribers free, ManyChat offers 25 active contacts, and Customers.ai keeps a legacy free tier. Chatfuel and respond.io offer only trials.

Are Instagram chatbots allowed by Meta?

Yes, if they use the official Instagram Messaging API. SendPulse, ManyChat, Chatfuel and respond.io are Meta Business Partners, and they follow the 24-hour reply window and the comment private-reply limits.

Can an Instagram chatbot use AI?

Yes. SendPulse connects ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or DeepSeek, ManyChat includes Manychat AI from Pro, Chatfuel runs AI agents on credits, and respond.io includes AI Agents from Growth plan.

What is the cheapest Instagram chatbot?

SendPulse is the cheapest paid option at $9.60 a month billed yearly, on top of its free plan. ManyChat Essential costs $14 and Chatfuel Business costs $18 billed yearly.

Can I sell through an Instagram chatbot?

Yes. SendPulse and Chatfuel support payments inside the chat. ManyChat and respond.io need integrations or links to an external checkout.

Other Interesting Articles

• AI LinkedIn Post Generator
• Gardening YouTube Video Idea Examples
• AI Agents for Gardening Companies
• Top AI Art Styles
• Pest Control YouTube Video Idea Examples
• Automotive Social Media Content Ideas
• Plumber YouTube Video Idea Examples
• AI Agents for Pest Control Companies
• Electrician YouTube Video Idea Examples
• How Pest Control Companies Can Get More Leads 
• AI Google Ads for Home Services
• 60-Second Training Videos Are the New Corporate Standard
• Cybersecurity PR Pricing: Retainers, Deliverables & ROI
• Best AI Tools for Product Consistency in E-Commerce Video