ReplyKit vs Chatbase: a general AI chatbot builder priced by credits, against a WhatsApp agent priced by plan with booking and a CRM
Chatbase is one of the best-known "train a chatbot on your own data" builders, with a website widget, a native WhatsApp integration and a choice of AI models, priced by message credits. ReplyKit trains on your data too, but it is a customer service agent for WhatsApp with booking, a CRM and handover, priced by plan. The credit model versus the plan model is where they part.
Quick answer
Choose Chatbase if you want a general-purpose AI chatbot on your documentation for a website or app, want to choose the underlying model, and are comfortable with credit-based pricing (no free plan, a 7-day trial; Hobby about $40 a month for 700 credits; Standard about $150 for 4,000; Pro about $500 for 15,000; stronger models consume several credits per reply; branding removal and extra agents cost more). Choose ReplyKit if you want a WhatsApp and website customer service agent with booking, CRM, handover and reminders, at a flat $29 to $99 with 1,000 to 20,000 replies, each reply counting once. ReplyKit is $29, $49 or $99 a month with AI replies included (1,000, 5,000 or 20,000 a month), no Meta per-message fees, a website assistant, booking, a CRM and inbox, and a 7-day free trial. It connects by QR pairing, which is instant and needs no approval but is not sanctioned by Meta for automation, so a number can be restricted; we enforce per-number limits and recommend a dedicated number.
Side by side
Rival prices and features are as listed on the vendor's public pricing page when we checked in September 2026, with changed prices updated in October 2026, and are summarised in US dollars; they change, so confirm on the vendor's page. ReplyKit's figures are current. We sell ReplyKit, and we have tried to say plainly where the other tool is the better choice.
| ReplyKit | Chatbase | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | WhatsApp and website customer service with booking and CRM | AI chatbot on your data for website, app and channels |
| Pricing model | Flat plan by replies, one reply is one reply | Credits; stronger models use several credits per reply |
| Entry price | $29 a month, 1,000 replies | No free plan, 7-day trial; Hobby about $40 for 700 credits; Standard about $150 for 4,000 |
| QR pairing to your number, no Meta fees | Native integration via the official API with a bundled message allowance | |
| Model choice | Not exposed; we tune it for customer service | Yes, several models |
| Booking | Into your slots with reminders | Actions and integrations |
| CRM and follow-up | Lead stages, nudges, digest | Lead capture; no sales CRM |
| Human handover | Inbox with takeover and hand-back | Handoff integrations |
| Branding | None on the widget | Removal about $99 a month |
| Number risk | Restriction possible | Low on the API |
The credit arithmetic
Credit pricing looks cheap until you pick a strong model: on Chatbase, premium models consume multiple credits per reply, so a 4,000-credit plan can mean well under 1,000 actual replies a month with the best models, and overages add up. ReplyKit counts one reply as one reply on every plan and the model is our problem, not yours. Chatbase's current credit rates are on its pricing page.
Where Chatbase wins
- Model choice and controls for technically minded builders.
- Documentation bots for software products and knowledge portals.
- App and API integrations and actions.
- Sanctioned WhatsApp API with a bundled allowance.
Where ReplyKit wins
- Customer service shape: booking, reminders, handover, follow-up nudges, Won and Lost.
- Predictable cost with no credit multipliers.
- WhatsApp-native with per-number safety limits and STOP handling.
- Malay, English and Chinese tuned for this market, per the multilingual guide.
The honest caveat on our side, repeated in every comparison: ReplyKit pairs with your number as a linked device. It is instant and free of Meta fees, and it is not sanctioned by Meta, so a number can be restricted. Rivals on the official API do not carry that risk and pay Meta per message instead. The trade-off is in API vs QR pairing and our ban guide.
ReplyKit plans: Starter $29 (1 number, 1 agent, 1 website assistant, 1,000 replies), Growth $49 (3 numbers, 5 agents, 5 website assistants, 5,000 replies, follow-up nudges), Pro $99 (15 numbers, unlimited agents, 20,000 replies). Extra replies are $10 per 1,000. AI is included and there are no Meta fees. Details in what it costs.
Who should choose which
- Software product needing a docs bot: Chatbase.
- Local business needing bookings from WhatsApp: ReplyKit.
- Want to pick the model: Chatbase.
- Want to never think about credits: ReplyKit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chatbase work on WhatsApp?
Yes, through a native integration on the official API with a bundled message allowance.
How does Chatbase pricing work?
By message credits per month, with stronger models consuming several credits per reply, plus add-ons.
How does ReplyKit pricing work?
Flat plans by replies, one reply counting once, with AI included.
Which is better for a clinic or salon?
ReplyKit, for booking, reminders and handover on WhatsApp.
Which is better for a software product?
Chatbase, for a documentation bot with model choice and actions.
One reply is one reply
Flat plans, booking and CRM, no credit multipliers. 7-day free trial.
Sources and further reading
- Chatbase, Pricing (checked September 2026, rechecked October 2026)
- WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy · opt-in, opt-out and prohibited-use rules every business must follow
- Harvard Business Review, The Short Life of Online Sales Leads (Oldroyd, McElheran, Elkington, 2011) · firms that responded within an hour were about seven times more likely to qualify the lead
ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with Chatbase or Meta. Rival prices and features are as published in September 2026, with changed prices updated in October 2026, and may change.