Best Chatbot Solutions for Small Business Growth

Your customer lands at your store, adds a product to their cart, hesitates for a second — and vanishes. No one to guide them. No one to answer a quick question. Just another lost sale. Now imagine if someone was always there to help, reply instantly, and gently nudge them toward checkout. That’s what a smart chatbot does.

Businesses are increasingly adopting chatbots to engage with their customers properly. A chatbot isn’t just about replying faster; it’s about creating more chances to convert. According to a survey, 36% of shoppers report that chatbots always influence their buying decisions.  

Chatbots are now essential for small businesses to grow faster, sell more, and stay connected with customers 24/7. This list brings you the best chatbot solutions for small businesses.

What are AI Chatbots?

AI chatbots are software programs powered by artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) that can simulate human-like conversations with users. Unlike traditional rule-based bots that follow predefined scripts, AI chatbots learn from data, understand context, and respond more naturally to customer queries.

For small businesses, AI chatbots act as virtual assistants—answering FAQs, guiding product choices, booking appointments, and resolving basic issues. They work 24/7, speed up responses, and reduce the load on human agents, helping businesses scale support efficiently.

Benefits of using AI chatbots for small businesses

As small businesses look for cost-effective ways to improve customer service and improve operations, AI chatbots have emerged as a great solution. They automate routine tasks, provide instant support, and help businesses stay available around the clock.

Here’s how AI chatbots can help small businesses grow, save time, and deliver better customer experiences:

• Instant replies: Chatbots respond to customers immediately, so you never leave anyone waiting.
• Recover abandoned carts: Send automated follow-ups to bring shoppers back and complete their purchase.
• Handle FAQs and repetitive queries: Take care of common questions without needing manual replies each time.
• Assist with orders and product recommendations: Guide customers through the buying journey with helpful suggestions.
• Save time: Automate everyday conversations so you can focus on growing your business.
• Increase conversions: Provide faster support and a smoother experience that encourages more sales.
• Work across platforms: Use chatbots on WhatsApp, your website, Instagram, and more to stay connected everywhere.

Recommended Reading: “Enhancing Customer Engagement with Interactive Chatbots: Zoko's Chatbot Customization Features”

Chatbots can drive real growth for small businesses — but choosing the right one makes all the difference. Let’s explore the features, pros and cons of 10 best chatbot solutions for small businesses. 

10 Best Chatbot Solutions for Small Business Growth

Finding the right chatbot can make a big difference in how you connect with customers and convert conversations into sales. This list features a mix of tools — from dedicated chatbot builders to customer communication platforms that offer powerful chatbot capabilities. 

Some of the tools we have discussed are not strictly standalone chatbots but are all-inclusive communication platforms with advanced chatbot features. We have included these in the list because they are ideal for small businesses and can easily cut short your hunt for best chatbot solutions.

1. Zoko 

Zoko transforms WhatsApp into a complete customer engagement hub for small businesses, blending automation with a personal touch. One of its standout features is the ability to deploy advanced ChatGPT-powered bots — pre-trained assistants that can chat like humans, guide users, answer questions, and even handle sales queries.

With Zoko you can use four different ChatGPT bots to engage with your customers and these are Hallo,  Wismo, Sello, and Guru. Hallo is suitable for greeting your customers and identifying their purchase intention. Wismo is ideal for answering questions like “where is my order?”. Sello is like an AI-powered personal shopping assistant that walks customers through the buying process. Guru is best for answering niche or product specific questions. 

Zoko has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on G2.

Key Features

Here are some key features of Zoko that automate your chats:

• ChatGPT Bot Integrations: Launch powerful bots like Hallo, Wismo, Sello, and Guru to manage everything from order updates to product inquiries.
• FlowHippo Visual Builder: Design chatbot flows easily without coding.
• Shopify + WhatsApp Commerce: Turn chats into sales by integrating product catalogs and cart recovery features.
• Multi-Agent Team Inbox: Assign conversations to teams while bots handle first-level queries.
• Segmentation & Broadcasts: Send targeted messages at scale and automate replies using smart rules.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some pros and cons of using Zoko:

Pricing

There are four pricing options for Zoko Chat:

• Starter: INR 2,999/Month or $34.99/Month
• Plus: INR 4,999/Month or $59.99/Month
• Elite: INR 9,199/Month or $109.99/Month
• Max: INR 33,333/Month or $399.99/Month

Zoko Flows costs INR 599/Month or $5.99/Month

Use Zoko to answer questions, take orders, and follow up—all on WhatsApp. Start your free 7-day trial now.

2. ProProfs Chat

ProProfs Chat is a live chat and customer engagement tool built for businesses looking to improve support, sales, and user experience. It offers chatbot automation, proactive messaging, and omnichannel capabilities—all packed in a user-friendly interface. Ideal for small teams, it helps businesses respond instantly and engage customers.

ProProfs Chat has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 on G2.

Key Features

Here are the key features of ProProfs Chat:

• Chatbot Automation: It helps you automate routine conversations and offer 24/7 support without human intervention.
• Canned Responses: ProProfs Chat speeds up replies with pre-set messages for common questions.
• Visitor Monitoring: You can track website visitors in real time and engage them proactively.
• Proactive Chat Triggers: You can set rules to automatically greet or assist users based on behavior.
• CRM & Help Desk Integration: It connects easily with tools like Salesforce, Zoho, and more to streamline customer data.
• Mobile Support: The bot can chat with customers anytime via Android and iOS apps.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using ProProfs Chat:

Pricing 

ProProfs chat offers a forever free version for single users. 

3. Manychat

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Manychat is a popular chatbot and automation platform designed to help small businesses connect with customers across Instagram, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, and email. It offers powerful yet easy-to-use tools to create engaging conversations that drive sales, automate support, and grow your contact list.

Manychat has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 on G2.

Key Features

Here are the key features of Manychat:

• Custom Chat Flows: You can build unlimited conversation flows tailored to different customer journeys.
• AI Automation: You can use AI Steps and Intention Recognition to create smart, personalized interactions.
  Multi-Channel Support: You can automate chats on Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, and email.
• Contact Segmentation: You can tag and organize contacts to deliver targeted messages.
• Live Chat & Drip Sequences: You can engage leads in real time and follow up automatically.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Manychat:

Pricing

Manychat offers a free forever plan for 1000 contacts with basic features. For other requirements a custom pricing option is available. 

4. Botsify

Botsify is a flexible chatbot platform built for small businesses and agencies to automate customer chats across websites, WhatsApp, Messenger, and more. What sets Botsify apart is its white-label and customizable chatbot solutions, helping even non-tech users to create AI-powered bots without coding. 

Botsify has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on G2.

Key Features

Here are the key features of Botsify:

• Omnichannel Support: You can deploy bots on websites, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and more to unify conversations.
• AI-Powered Conversations: Botsify uses NLP and ML to automate smart, human-like interactions with customers.
• Live Chat + Bot Handoff: You can easily transfer chats to human agents when needed, improving customer experience.
• White-Label & Custom Branding: It is ideal for agencies and resellers looking to offer chatbot services under their brand.
• Custom Integrations: It helps you connect with third-party tools like Zapier, Google Sheets, or your CRM system.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using Botsify:

Pricing

There are three pricing options:

• Do it Yourself: $49/Month
• Done for you: $149/Month
• Custom: Custom pricing for enterprises

5. ChatFuel

Chatfuel is a go-to chatbot solution for small businesses selling on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Known for its plug-and-play setup, it helps brands turn comments, DMs, and story replies into automated conversations that convert. With smart AI flows and built-in sales tools, Chatfuel makes it easy to capture leads, recover carts, and close sales.

ChatFuel has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on G2. 

Key Features

Here are the key features of ChatFuel:

• AI Sales Agents: Automate sales conversations with smart agents that qualify leads and suggest products.
• Omnichannel Support: Manage customer interactions across WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and web chat.
• Campaign Automation: Run promotions, gather feedback, and automate replies to comments, stories, and reels.
• Booking & Order Handling: Schedule appointments and streamline orders directly through chat.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using ChatFuel:

Pricing

Prices vary depending on use cases and integrations. For instance, prices are different for customer support and sales. Similarly, prices vary for different integrations like Shopify and CRM.  

6. Flow XO

Flow XO is an intuitive chatbot platform designed to help small businesses streamline customer communication. It allows you to build and deploy AI-powered chatbots that qualify leads, automate support, and reduce call volume with ease. The platform supports communication across Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, and web chat.

Flow XO has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on G2. 

Key Features

Here are the key features of Flow XO:

• Lead Qualification: You can easily identify high-intent leads with AI-powered bots and route them to demos or resources.
• Live Chat Handoff: You can easily switch from bot to human agent when needed.
• Payment Integration: You can accept payments directly through your chatbot for quicker conversions.
• Multi-Channel Deployment: You can deploy bots across WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and web chat.
• No-Code Workflow Builder: You can create smart flows without writing a single line of code.

Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using Flow XO:

Pricing

Flow XO offers flexible pricing plans where you pay as you add more functionalities. Final pricing depends on what functionalities you choose. 

7. Freshchat

Freshchat, part of the Freshworks suite, is a modern messaging platform that helps small businesses deliver fast, personalized customer support. It combines live chat with powerful AI chatbots to automate conversations, qualify leads, and assist customers instantly. Designed for growing teams, Freshchat helps reduce support workload and ensures every visitor gets timely help.

Freshchat has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 on G2.

Key Features

Here are the key features of Freshchat:

• AI Chatbots: You can automate common queries, lead capture, and follow-ups with Freddy AI.
• Omnichannel Messaging: With Freshchat you can engage customers on web chat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and mobile apps.
• Context-Driven Conversations: You can use a unified customer timeline to give agents full context.
• Smart Routing: You can easily assign chats based on agent availability and user behavior.
• Integrations: Freshchat can connect with CRMs, support tools, and marketing platforms.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some pros and cons of using Freshchat:

Pricing 

There are three pricing options other than the free plan:

• Growth: $15/Month
• Pro: $39/Month 
• Enterprise: $69/Month

8. Tidio

Tidio is an all-in-one customer service platform that combines live chat, chatbot automation, and help desk tools to help small businesses provide instant support and boost customer satisfaction. With a user-friendly interface and easy integration with websites and messaging apps, Tidio makes it simple to engage with your customers.

Tidio has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on G2. 

Key Features

Here are the key features of Tidio:

• AI Chatbots (Lyro): Answer customer queries automatically with AI-powered bots that learn from FAQs and past interactions. Lyro is specifically designed for SMBs which makes it suitable for small businesses. 
• Multichannel Messaging: Connect with customers across websites, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and email from one unified inbox.
• Live Typing & Visitor Info: See what customers are typing in real-time and access their location, device, and behavior instantly.
• Automations & Triggers: Set up welcome messages, abandoned cart prompts, and more using customizable rules and flows.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some pros and cons of using Tidio:

Pricing

Your final pricing will depend on the number of conversations you require. The pricing starts for a minimum of 100 conversations and increases thereon. 

9. Landbot

Landbot is a no-code AI chatbot platform that helps small businesses create engaging conversations across WhatsApp, websites, and Messenger. With its drag-and-drop builder and focus on lead generation, it lets you capture and qualify leads quickly.

Landbot has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on G2. 

Key Features

Here are the key features of Landbot:

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: You can design chatbots with zero coding using an intuitive visual interface.
• WhatsApp & Web Bots: You can automate conversations across your site and WhatsApp to drive engagement and conversions.
• AI Appointment Assistant: You can also book qualified meetings automatically with leads showing strong intent.
• Multi-Channel Deployment: You can run the same chatbot across Messenger, WhatsApp, and website without duplicating work.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some pros and cons of using Landbot:

Pricing

There is a forever free plan which contains basic functionalities and is suitable for small businesses. Higher tiers cost based on the number of chats you require. 

10. Pandorabots

Pandorabots is a robust chatbot solution that gives small businesses full control over their conversational experiences. Best known as the engine behind the famous Mitsuku (now Kuki) chatbot, it’s built for those who want to design intelligent, fully customized bots using AIML (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language). While it is a bit technical, Pandorabots is ideal for businesses looking to build unique and focused chatbot interactions.

Pandorabots has a rating of 5 out of 5 on G2. 

Key Features

Here are some of the key features of Pandorabots:

• AIML-Based Bot Building: Create highly intelligent bots using the open-standard AIML language for complete customization.
• Cross-Platform Deployment: Easily deploy your chatbot on websites, mobile apps, messaging platforms, and even voice assistants.
• Multilingual Support: Build bots that speak multiple languages to serve global customers.
• API Access & Integration: Connect your bot with external apps and services using Pandorabots’ flexible API.

Pros and Cons 

Here are some pros and cons of using Pandorabots:

Pricing 

Pandorabots offers custom pricing based on your unique requirements. 

Now that we’ve covered the top chatbot options, let’s take a quick look at how they actually work for small businesses.

Working of AI Chatbots for Small Businesses

AI chatbots simplify how small businesses manage customer conversations. Here’s a quick look at the typical flow—from receiving a message to resolving a query or handing it off.

• Customer initiates a chat: A customer sends a message on WhatsApp, your website, or social media.
• Chatbot receives and understands the query: Using AI and natural language processing, the bot identifies the customer’s intent (e.g., product info, order tracking, booking).
• Provides instant response: Chatbot replies with accurate answers from a predefined knowledge base or connected systems like your eCommerce or CRM platform.
• Handles tasks or escalates if needed: It can complete actions like taking orders or scheduling appointments. If it can’t resolve the issue, it smoothly hands off the chat to a human agent.
• Learns and improves: With every interaction, the chatbot gets better at handling similar queries, reducing the load on your support team.

Now that you know how chatbots work for small businesses, it's important to know how to choose the right solution for your needs.

How to Choose the Right AI Chatbot for Your Business?

Small businesses need chatbot tools that are simple, effective, and not overloaded with unnecessary features. Look for a chatbot that’s easy to set up, keeps you connected with customers, and supports your sales goals without adding extra complexity.

When you’re choosing an AI chatbot, look for these features:

• Ease of setup:  Choose a chatbot that’s simple to launch. For small businesses, no-code or low-code tools with ready-made templates can help you get started quickly.
• Platform compatibility: Make sure the chatbot works where your customers are. For many small businesses, that means choosing a solution built for WhatsApp.
• Automation features: Look for smart automation like instant replies, order updates, abandoned cart recovery, and lead capture.
• Integration with your tools: Choose a chatbot that connects smoothly with the tools you already use—like your CRM, order management system, or eCommerce platform (such as Shopify).
• Customization: Go for a chatbot that lets you tailor messages, conversation flows, and branding to reflect your business tone and customer journey. A personalized experience feels more natural and builds trust.
• Analytics and insights: Choose a solution that helps you track performance, understand customer behavior, and improve over time.
• Scalability:  Pick a chatbot that can grow with your business—handling more conversations, adding new features, or expanding to other channels as your needs evolve. .

Now that you know what to look for in an AI chatbot, it's time to find a solution that checks all the boxes. Zoko is one such platform that combines chatbot automation, WhatsApp support, and customer management in one place. 

Why Choose Zoko for Your Small Business?

Most chatbot tools are built as one-size-fits-all solutions. But small businesses don’t need complicated setups or bloated features they’ll never use. What you truly need is a simple, effective way to talk to customers, close sales, and grow — especially on a platform like WhatsApp that your audience already uses widely.

That’s exactly where Zoko comes in.

Zoko is built to help small e-commerce brands turn WhatsApp into a full-fledged sales and support channel. It brings together smart chatbot flows using ChatGPT, team inboxes, personalized broadcasts, and seamless order management—all in one place.

Instead of switching between tools, Zoko lets you chat, sell, and support your customers right where they are — saving time, boosting conversions, and helping you build stronger customer relationships.

Zoko has already helped hundreds of small businesses grow with WhatsApp — and their success stories say it best. If WhatsApp is core to your business, Zoko is the tool designed to help you grow faster.

To summarize here’s why you should consider Zoko, if you’re looking for chatbots:

• Respond instantly with AI-powered chatbots: You can keep customers engaged and never miss a sale with fast, automated replies.
• Turn chats into checkouts: You can easily move conversations straight to purchase with built-in payment and order features.
• Everything under one roof: Zoko helps you manage chat, marketing, payments, and tracking — all in a single, easy-to-use platform.
• Automate follow-ups and re-engagement: Zoko sends WhatsApp broadcasts, cart recovery nudges, and delivery updates on autopilot.
• Support more customers with a lean team: Shared inboxes and chatbot workflows help you scale without extra hires.

Start your 7-day free trial with Zoko today and see the difference smart chatbots can make for your business.

Conclusion 

Chatbots have become an essential tool for small businesses to grow faster, serve better, and sell smarter. From handling FAQs to recovering abandoned carts, the right chatbot or communication platform can completely transform your customer experience. We’ve covered some of the best chatbots and communication tools to help you find the right fit for your business goals.

If you’re serious about growing on WhatsApp, Zoko offers everything you need in one powerful platform — smart chatbots, marketing tools, order management, and more. It’s built to solve real problems small businesses face every day and helps you turn inquiries into sales opportunities.

Ready to grow your business with smarter customer conversations? Start your 7-day free trial with Zoko and see the difference for yourself.

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