ManyChat and Chatfuel both build chat automation for Instagram and Facebook, and they limit their plans in different ways. ManyChat counts active contacts, so the plan you need grows with your audience. Chatfuel gives unlimited contacts and messages and limits AI use instead. When we checked both pricing pages in 2026, ManyChat’s paid plans started at $14 a month billed yearly for 250 contacts, and Chatfuel’s Business plan was $18 a month billed yearly. This page compares them on how they charge, channels, flows, and trial, then says where VivaDialog, the tool we make, fits as a third option. Prices depend on your billing country and change, so confirm them on ManyChat’s pricing page and Chatfuel’s pricing page.
ManyChat vs Chatfuel at a glance
| ManyChat (checked in 2026) | Chatfuel (checked in 2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| What the plan limits | Active contacts per month | AI use; contacts and messages unlimited |
| Lowest paid plan, billed yearly | Essential: $14 a month, 250 contacts | Business: $18 a month ($216 a year) |
| Lowest paid plan, billed monthly | Essential: $17 a month | Business: $20 a month |
| Free plan or trial | Free plan: 25 contacts, 4 live automations | Free trial without a card |
| AI | Our check found conflicting pages: one called it a paid add-on, another part of Pro | $20 of AI credits a month on Business; the bot pauses at the limit |
| Channels listed | WhatsApp, TikTok, SMS, Telegram, and email, depending on the plan | Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and website chat |
| Flows | Visual flow builder with step metrics | Visual flows with templates and lead capture |
Both columns come from each tool’s own pricing and help pages, in US dollars. A feature missing from a column means we did not record it, not that the tool lacks it.
How each one charges
ManyChat
ManyChat’s plans go up with active contacts: 250 on Essential, 2,500 on Pro, 7,500 on Business, and 25,000 on Advanced. Billed yearly, those were $14, $29, $69, and $139 a month. Billed monthly, the first three were $17, $39, and $99, and we did not confirm Advanced. Contacts are people, so someone who comments once and someone who sends twenty DMs count the same. Our check found that going over a plan’s contacts is charged per contact, but not the rate. ManyChat pricing explained has the full table and the yearly totals.
Chatfuel
Chatfuel’s Business plan cost $20 a month billed monthly or $18 billed yearly, with $20 of AI credits a month. Agency S was $100 and $90, with $100 of credits and 3 companies. Its limits page says contacts and messages are unlimited, and that only AI processing has a fair-use limit. Keyword replies, button flows, and broadcasts do not count toward it. When the AI limit is reached, the bot pauses. Chatfuel pricing explained covers the AI limit in detail.
What that means in a busy month
On ManyChat, a post that brings in a crowd adds contacts and can move you to the next plan. On Chatfuel, the same post adds nothing to the bill, and the number to watch is how much of your traffic goes through AI. If most of your replies are keywords and buttons, Chatfuel’s limit may never matter. If an AI assistant answers every message, estimate that first.
Channels
ManyChat lists WhatsApp, TikTok, SMS, Telegram, and email next to Instagram and Facebook, depending on the plan. Chatfuel lists Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and a website chat. If you need Telegram, ManyChat lists it and Chatfuel’s channel list did not. If you need SMS, only ManyChat listed it.
Flows and building
Both have a visual builder. ManyChat’s flow builder shows metrics per step. Chatfuel’s lists templates, lead capture, and integrations with Google Sheets, Zapier, and Stripe, and describes a comment or keyword starting a DM conversation that continues as a flow. We recorded the Chatfuel integrations list; we did not record the same for ManyChat, so check ManyChat’s site if you need integrations.
Where VivaDialog fits as a third option
VivaDialog charges a flat price per workspace, so it behaves like Chatfuel on contacts: the bill does not grow with your audience. It counts conversations and AI replies per month instead. Starter is $9 a month, or $7.20 a month billed yearly, with 500 conversations and 200 AI replies. Growth is $12, or $9.60 yearly, with 2,000 conversations and 1,000 AI replies. When the AI quota runs out, AI replies pause and fixed-text automations keep running.
VivaDialog covers Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in one inbox, plus email and Website chat from Starter and Telegram from Growth. It does not support WhatsApp or SMS, and on TikTok it only schedules video posts. Its flows start on Growth and are a list of steps with waits and branches, not a canvas. It has no free plan, and a 14-day trial without a card opens after early access. VivaDialog vs ManyChat and VivaDialog vs Chatfuel have the full side-by-side tables.
Which one fits
- Pick ManyChat if you need SMS or Telegram next to Instagram, you want a visual builder with step metrics, or your contact count is small enough for the free plan.
- Pick Chatfuel if you want a bill that does not grow with contacts, you need WhatsApp or TikTok, and most of your replies do not use AI.
- Pick VivaDialog if your work is mainly Facebook, Instagram, and Threads comments and DMs, you want a flat price with AI replies in every plan, and you do not need WhatsApp.
For the total cost of the three and VivaDialog in fixed scenarios, see the cost comparison of ManyChat, respond.io, Chatfuel, and VivaDialog. For the setup either way, the Instagram comment automation guide applies to every tool that connects through Meta’s official API.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, ManyChat or Chatfuel?
It depends on your contacts. In 2026, ManyChat’s Essential was $14 a month billed yearly for 250 contacts, and Chatfuel’s Business was $18 billed yearly with unlimited contacts. As your contact count grows, ManyChat’s plans cost more, while Chatfuel’s price stays the same and its AI use is capped.
Does Chatfuel charge per contact?
Not according to its limits page, which lists unlimited active contacts and messages.
Does ManyChat have a free plan?
Yes. When we checked in 2026, the free plan covered 25 active contacts and 4 live automations.
Which one supports WhatsApp?
Both list it.
Is there another option besides ManyChat and Chatfuel?
Yes. ManyChat alternatives lists seven, and best Instagram DM automation tools puts eight side by side with prices.
VivaDialog is in early access right now, and participants get the Growth plan free for 30 days. The pricing page has the details.