The Respond.io alternative with everything on every plan.
Respond.io runs only on the official WhatsApp API and reserves automation, broadcasts, AI, and its developer API for higher plans. 2Chat connects your number with a QR scan or the official API, adds a real phone system, and includes flows, AI agents, and the API on every plan.
What teams value when they consider
2Chat over Respond.io
Most teams that switch to 2Chat share a similar experience. These are the reasons they mention most often:
You cannot message anyone until Meta approves you
Respond.io connects WhatsApp only through the official Business API, so a Meta business account, verification, and a number dedicated to the API come before your first message. 2Chat connects your existing number with a QR scan, like WhatsApp Web, and you can move to the official API whenever you are ready.
The features you came for live on higher plans
On Respond.io, Workflows automation, broadcasts, AI agents, Zapier, and the developer API start on the Growth plan at $159 per month, and webhooks require Advanced at $279. Growth and Advanced start at 1,000 monthly active contacts and bill $12 to $15 per extra 100. 2Chat includes automation, AI, and its API on every plan, with no contact caps.
Chat channels only, with no phone system
Respond.io covers messaging channels and WhatsApp calls, but there are no virtual numbers, IVR, or call recording, and the official API cannot join WhatsApp groups. 2Chat ships virtual numbers in 90+ countries, IVR, call recording, inbound WhatsApp calls, and WhatsApp group automation in the same inbox.
WhatsApp connection
QR scan in minutes, WABA optional
Official API only, set up via Meta
Automation and AI
Included on every plan
From the Growth plan at $159 per month
Telephony
Built-in phone system with IVR
No phone system
Contact overage fees
None
$12 to $15 per extra 100 active contacts
What you get with 2Chat that Respond.io does not give you
WhatsApp your way: QR scan or official API
Connect any WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business number by scanning a QR code, with no WABA account or business verification. When you need verified templates and scale, switch to the official API through Meta Embedded Signup on the same platform.
A real phone system built in
Virtual phone numbers in 90+ countries, IVR and call flows, call recording, reports, and WhatsApp voice calls. Respond.io handles WhatsApp calls but has no numbers of its own; 2Chat answers the phone too.
A developer API and MCP server on every plan
Send and receive messages, verify numbers, and manage groups over a REST API with webhooks and execution logs, included on every plan. On Respond.io the developer API starts on Growth and webhooks on Advanced. The 2Chat MCP server is hosted for you, so AI agents like Claude, GPT, and Gemini can operate your WhatsApp without deploying anything.
Automation included, not gated
Flows, AI agents, and audio transcription are included on every 2Chat plan. Respond.io reserves Workflows, broadcasts, and AI agents for the Growth plan and above.
See 2Chat on your own number in 5 minutes
QR connection, no WABA or Meta verification required. No credit card.
Practical feature comparison
| Feature | Respond.io | 2Chat |
|---|---|---|
Pricing and limits | ||
Monthly active contact limits | Growth and Advanced start at 1,000, $12 to $15 per extra 100 | None |
Automation, broadcasts, and AI agents | Growth plan and above | Included on every plan |
Per-message Meta fees | On every message | Only on the official API, none on QR |
Free trial | 7 days |  |
WhatsApp and channels | ||
Which one is right for you?
A practical guide to evaluate why 2Chat is the right fit for you.
2Chat
2Chat is the better choice if you:
Want to start messaging on WhatsApp today, without Meta business verification
Need chat and real phone calls in the same workspace
Automate WhatsApp groups or need features the official API does not cover
Want automation, AI, and the developer API included from the first plan
Build on top of a REST API, webhooks, or a hosted MCP server
Respond.io
Respond.io is the better choice if you:
Manage many channels in one inbox: Messenger, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, and more
Run large template campaigns exclusively on the official WhatsApp API
Need enterprise controls like SSO and multiple workspaces
Are already invested in Respond.io Workflows automation
Switch to 2Chat without wasting time
No credit card required. Our team helps you migrate.
Start free trialConnect your WhatsApp number
Scan a QR code to connect your existing number in minutes, or run Meta Embedded Signup to bring your official API number over. Your phone keeps working normally on the QR connection.
Import your contacts
Export your contacts from Respond.io as a CSV file and upload them to 2Chat to keep messaging without interruption.
Rebuild your automations
Recreate your Respond.io Workflows in the 2Chat flow builder, and connect your stack through HubSpot, Zapier, Make, n8n, or the REST API.
Bring your team over
Invite agents to the shared inbox, set roles and assignment rules, and add virtual numbers or IVR if you want calls in the same place. Our team helps at no cost.
Real-life experiences
Companies that transformed
Creating chatbots was super easy with their flow builder. Just drag and drop the components and it's ready in seconds. The connection to WhatsApp was also great. We used our own number without changing it to WhatsApp Business API.
Mark M.
Founder & CEO
Excellent customer service! I had some difficulties, but the agents helped me resolve the issues. Very professional at all times. Thank you!!
Marcos E.
2Chat has become an essential component of our daily operations! It was so nice to set up bots with their canvas for WhatsApp, in ten minutes we had an entirely new way to respond to our creators. Great integrations with Slack and Zapier!
Oscar S.
Founder
We are using the HubSpot integration to log WhatsApp messages and calls on our CRM, and so far, it's been great both in terms of quality and prices.
Adriana
A 6-star implementation and support experience. They accompanied us in every inquiry and requirement we had.
Juan W.
Customer Support Manager
A Game-Changer for WhatsApp Business Management
Luciano T.
CTO
Very good, when we ran into any obstacles in our integration, their support always helped us quickly and directly in solving each of the problems. They even made custom functions for us! We are very happy.
Esteban T.
CEO
User-Friendly App with Outstanding Customer Support
Carlos H.
CEO
It's simple, well structured, has an API, but most of all, it has an amazing support team that helped us navigate the product, onboard and solve minor issues very quickly. Very happy to recommend 2Chat. Super solid!
Henrique S.
2Chat's integration with Make.com is incredibly smooth and reliable. I've been using it to sync WhatsApp messages into Slack channels, and it works perfectly to keep everyone aligned without switching tools.
Wil M.
This tool allows you to use normal WhatsApp Business like an API, which opens many doors for automation. Customer support is very friendly. They have native integration with Zapier and Make. What you can ask more!
Kaan O.
We use 2Chat for our Slack x WhatsApp integration as a marketing agency. It works perfectly. We had 1 small issue and this was resolved within 2 minutes. Fantastic service, highly recommend.
EDGEY
Marketing agency
4.7 stars on independent platforms
Highly rated across trusted review platforms
Explore the 2Chat WhatsApp API
Send your first message with a QR scan and a single HTTP call. Code samples in cURL, Python, PHP, and JavaScript, plus webhooks and full API docs.
Frequently asked questions
How is 2Chat different from Respond.io?
Respond.io is an omnichannel inbox built on official APIs: WhatsApp runs only through the official Business API, and automation, AI, and the developer API depend on your plan. 2Chat is a communication platform: WhatsApp through a QR connection or the official API, a built-in phone system with virtual numbers and IVR, WhatsApp group automation, plus a developer REST API, webhooks, and a hosted MCP server for AI agents, all included on every plan.
Can I connect WhatsApp without a WhatsApp Business API account?
Yes. 2Chat connects any WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business number by scanning a QR code, like WhatsApp Web, with no WABA account or Meta business verification. Respond.io works only with the official API, so you cannot start before Meta approves your business.
Can I move my official WhatsApp API number from Respond.io to 2Chat?
Yes. WhatsApp Business API numbers can be migrated between providers through Meta Embedded Signup, and 2Chat supports the official API alongside QR connections. You can also keep the WABA where it is and connect a different number by QR to try 2Chat first.
Does 2Chat charge for monthly active contacts like Respond.io?
No. On Respond.io, the Growth and Advanced plans start at 1,000 monthly active contacts and bill $12 to $15 per extra 100. 2Chat bills by agents and connections, never caps or meters how many contacts you talk to, and QR-connected numbers carry no per-message fees.
Is 2Chat cheaper than Respond.io?
It depends on your usage. Respond.io charges the plan, extra users, monthly active contact overages, and Meta message fees, and reserves automation, AI, and its API for higher plans. With 2Chat, a QR-connected number has no per-message fees at all, and AI agents, flows, transcription, telephony, and the developer API are included on every plan.
Ready to switch from Respond.io?
Start a free 2Chat trial, connect your WhatsApp with a QR scan, and bring chats and calls into one place.