ReplyKit vs tawk.to: the free website live chat with paid add-ons and AI Assist, against a WhatsApp AI agent with a website assistant, booking and CRM
tawk.to is the free live chat widget on millions of small websites, and it is free for real: unlimited agents and chats, with revenue from add-ons and a hired-agent service. ReplyKit is a paid AI agent for WhatsApp with a website assistant included. The honest comparison is whether you want to staff a chat for free or have one answered for a fee.
Quick answer
Choose tawk.to if you want free website live chat and ticketing with human agents answering, do not need WhatsApp automation, and are happy to pay only for add-ons such as branding removal or AI Assist (add-ons from $29 a month each). Choose ReplyKit if you want an AI agent to answer WhatsApp and website visitors itself, with booking, reminders, a CRM and hand-over to you, from $29 with 1,000 AI replies included and no Meta fees. ReplyKit pairs by QR, instant but not sanctioned by Meta; tawk.to does not automate WhatsApp.
Side by side
Rival prices and features are as listed on the vendor's public pricing page when we checked 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 | tawk.to | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | AI agent for WhatsApp and website | Free website live chat and ticketing |
| Price | $29, $49, $99 a month | Free; add-ons from $29 a month each; hired agents by the hour |
| AI answering | Included, from your knowledge | AI Assist add-on |
| Native, QR pairing | No native WhatsApp automation | |
| Human live chat | Inbox with takeover | Core strength, unlimited agents |
| Booking and reminders | Built in | No |
| CRM | Built in | Contacts and tickets |
| Hired human agents | No | Yes, as a paid service |
| Number risk | Restriction possible | Not applicable |
Where tawk.to wins
- Free. Unlimited agents and chats at no cost, which no AI product matches.
- Human live chat as the core, with ticketing and a knowledge base.
- Hired agents if you want people answering without employing them.
- Mature widget with years of refinement.
tawk.to's add-on prices are on its pricing page. The live-chat-versus-AI decision generally is in live chat vs AI chat widget.
Where ReplyKit wins
- WhatsApp. tawk.to does not automate it; ReplyKit is built for it.
- Answers without staff, at any hour, in any language.
- Booking, reminders and a lead CRM for service businesses.
- One agent for both doors: the website assistant hands visitors to WhatsApp; see why WhatsApp beats contact forms.
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
- Website-only with people to answer, on a tight budget: tawk.to.
- WhatsApp is the main channel: ReplyKit.
- Want humans in the chat, maybe hired: tawk.to.
- Want it answered and booked without staff: ReplyKit.
Frequently asked questions
Is tawk.to really free?
Yes, for live chat with unlimited agents. Add-ons such as branding removal and AI Assist cost extra.
Does tawk.to automate WhatsApp?
No. ReplyKit does.
Can ReplyKit do human live chat?
Yes, through the inbox with takeover, though live chat is not its core.
Which is better for a service business with appointments?
ReplyKit, for booking and reminders on WhatsApp.
Can I use both?
Yes: tawk.to for staffed web chat and ReplyKit for WhatsApp, though ReplyKit's website assistant usually makes the second widget unnecessary.
WhatsApp-first, website included
AI replies in the plan, booking and CRM built in. 7-day free trial.
Sources and further reading
- WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy · opt-in, opt-out and prohibited-use rules every business must follow
- ReplyKit, Will WhatsApp ban my number for automation? · our own account of the risk and the limits we enforce
ReplyKit is an independent product and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or WhatsApp. This article is general guidance for running a small business, not legal, financial or regulatory advice.