ManyChat vs Messenger Platform: What are the differences?

Introduction ManyChat and Messenger Platform are both popular tools used for creating chatbots on Facebook Messenger. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences between the two platforms that set them apart.

1. Pricing Model: ManyChat offers a tiered pricing model based on the number of subscribers, with a free plan available for up to 500 subscribers. On the other hand, Messenger Platform is free to use for building chatbots, but there may be additional costs involved for advanced features like the use of artificial intelligence or chatbot hosting.

2. User Interface and Ease of Use: ManyChat provides a user-friendly visual interface that allows users to easily create and customize chatbots without any coding knowledge. In contrast, Messenger Platform requires developers to have coding skills as it uses the Facebook Graph API and requires the use of webhooks to handle user messages and respond to them.

3. Integration and Customization: ManyChat offers a wide range of integrations with popular tools and platforms, allowing users to connect their chatbots with other services seamlessly. Messenger Platform, on the other hand, provides more flexibility for customization and advanced features since it allows users to directly interact with the Facebook Graph API and leverage the full functionality of the platform.

4. Voice and Video Capabilities: ManyChat primarily focuses on text-based chatbots and lacks built-in support for voice and video interactions. In contrast, Messenger Platform provides native support for voice and video calls, allowing developers to create chatbots that can handle voice and video conversations.

5. Chatbot Approval Process: ManyChat does not have a strict chatbot approval process, allowing users to create and deploy their bots quickly. On the other hand, Messenger Platform has a review process in place, where all chatbots need to go through an approval process before they can be made publicly available on Facebook Messenger.

6. Target Audience: ManyChat is aimed at marketers and small businesses who want to easily build chatbots for their marketing campaigns and customer support. Messenger Platform, on the other hand, targets developers and larger businesses who have the expertise and resources to build more complex and customized chatbots.

In summary, ManyChat offers an intuitive visual interface, a tiered pricing model, and easier integration with other services, making it suitable for marketers and small businesses. Messenger Platform, on the other hand, requires coding skills, provides greater customization options, supports voice and video interactions, and targets developers and larger businesses.