Full Feature Comparison
SmarterBots vs The Alternatives
A detailed, honest comparison across service model, features, integrations, customisation and security, with the key difference made clear: DIY chatbot tools give you the software, SmarterBots gives you the managed outcome.
✓ Included
✕ Not included
~ Partial / extra cost
Swipe sideways to compare all providers.
Tawk.to
Free
branding removal +$29/mo extra (approx. +£22/mo)
Free
Tidio
From $24/mo (approx. £18/mo)
branding removal +$16.67/mo extra (approx. +£13/mo)
DIY
Chatbase
From $32/mo (approx. £24/mo)
branding removal +$99/mo extra (approx. +£74/mo)
DIY
SmarterBots
£75/mo
+VAT · all-inclusive
Fully Managed
| Pricing & Value | ||||
| Price per 100 AI conversations Estimated using 1 conversation = 5 AI responses |
From $14.50 approx. £11 · AI Assist Growth | From $48.34 approx. £36 · Lyro AI | From $8.00 approx. £6 · Entry AI plan | Approx. £3.41 + VATFully managed |
| How this is estimated: a message credit usually refers to one AI-generated text response from the chatbot. Visitor messages are not normally counted. An average AI conversation is estimated at around five chatbot responses, so 100 AI conversations equals roughly 500 AI responses or message credits. More advanced AI models, larger context settings or voice features may use credits differently. | ||||
| Included AI allowance Monthly allowance before extra usage or upgrades |
From 100 credits free1,000 on Growth | From 50 Lyro conversationsone-time/free tier | From 500 creditsHobby plan | 11,000 creditsSmarter Growth |
| Service Model | ||||
| Built & set up for you Zero technical work on your part |
✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Ongoing management & optimisation Monitored and improved for you over time |
✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| AI-powered conversation insights & summaries Regular reports showing what visitors asked |
~Reporting, not interpreted | ~Analytics available | ~Analytics available | ✓ |
| Dashboard access View your bot's conversations and stats |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chat history Browse and review previous chatbot conversations |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||||
| Lead collection Captures visitor name, email & enquiry details |
~Forms/CRM setup | ✓Needs setup | ✓Needs setup | ✓ |
| Human support fallback Bot hands off to a human agent when needed |
✓Live chat | ✓Built in | ~Via external tools | ✓ |
| Live chat (human agents) Real people can chat with visitors directly |
✓Core feature | ✓ | ~External inbox/API | ✓ |
| Conversation rating Visitors can rate their chat experience |
✓ | ✓ | ~Analytics/evaluation tools | ✓ |
| Chatbots / AI agents included How many separate bots or AI agents are included on the compared plan |
3AI agents on Growth | 1Lyro AI agent | 1AI agent | 5chatbots |
| Multilingual support Responds to visitors in their own language |
~Interface/translation support | ✓Paid plan + setup | ✓Model selected | ✓ |
| AI model selection Choose which AI powers your chatbot |
~AI Assist add-on, not user-led selection | ✕Lyro platform | ✓Advanced models from Standard $120/mo (≈£90) | ✓ |
| Dynamic suggested follow-ups Clickable AI-generated prompts that guide visitors through the conversation |
~AI Assist setup from Growth $29/mo (≈£22) | ~Flows/Lyro from Starter $24/mo (≈£18) | ~Paid plan + setup | ✓ |
| Voice input Visitors can speak their question instead of typing |
✕ | ~Voice tools via Plus from $749/mo (≈£562) | ~Custom setup | ✓ |
| Cross-conversation memory Recognises returning users or carries context where appropriate |
~Contact/history records | ~Customer context features | ~Personalisation features | ✓ |
| Monthly message credits How many conversations the bot can handle |
Unlimited(human agent) | 50–customfrom 50, then paid tiers | 50–15k+from Hobby $32/mo | 11,000Smarter Growth |
| Add custom AI actions via API / webhook Trigger external systems from a chat |
✕ | ~Paid plan + setup | ✓AI Actions from Hobby $32/mo (≈£24) | ✓ |
| Integrations | ||||
| WooCommerce | ~Embed/manual setup | ✓ | ~Zapier/API setup | ✓ |
| Shopify | ~Embed/app setup | ✓Deep native | ✓Paid plans from $32/mo (≈£24) | ✓ |
| Products view Displays products in a more visual, ecommerce-friendly layout |
~Manual/product links | ✓Ecommerce setup | ~Paid plan + setup | ✓ |
| BaseLinker | ✕ | ~Custom/API route | ~Custom/API route | ✓ |
| WordPress | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wix | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| WhatsApp for Business Connect the chatbot to WhatsApp Business messaging |
~External setup | ~Paid/external setup | ~External/API setup | ✓ |
| Custom API integrations Connect to bespoke or internal systems |
~JavaScript/API options | ~Plus from $749/mo (≈£562) | ✓You configure it | ✓ |
| Customisation | ||||
| Custom avatar | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom chat icon | ~Limited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom colours & styling Match the chat widget to your website |
✓Branding removal +$29/mo extra | ✓No branding +$16.67/mo extra | ✓Branding removal +$99/mo extra | ✓ |
| Custom role instructions Tell the AI how to behave, what to say |
✕ | ~Lyro setup from Starter $24/mo (≈£18) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Creativity / tone settings Control how the AI responds and its personality |
✕ | ~Limited | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom launcher icon The button that opens the chat window |
~Limited/custom code | ~Paid plan + setup | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chat position settings Choose where the widget appears on your site |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remove "Powered by" branding Looks like your own tool, not a third-party's |
~+$29/mo extra add-on | ~+$16.67/mo extra add-on | ~+$99/mo extra add-on | ✓ |
| Security | ||||
| Anti-spam filter Helps reduce spam, abuse and low-quality automated messages |
~Platform controls | ~Platform controls | ~Platform controls | ✓ |
| Rate limiting Prevents spam and bot abuse |
~Basic | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Domain restrictions Bot only works on your approved domains |
✓ | ~Growth from $49/mo (≈£37) | ✓ | ✓ |
| GDPR compliant Meets UK & EU data protection requirements |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support | ||||
| Support response time | Self-serve help/support | Email / chatfrom paid plans | Email/supportfrom paid plans | 24-hour emailSmarter Growth |
| Dedicated human team behind your bot Real people monitoring & improving it |
✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| The Bottom Line | ||||
| Best for | Tiny teams needing free human live chat | E-commerce teams who enjoy setting up tech themselves | Tech-savvy users who'll configure & train everything themselves | SME owners who want it built, managed & improved, without lifting a finger |
Ready to engage your customers?
Your customers expect instant answers. SmarterBots delivers intelligent conversations that convert, support, and impress – all on autopilot.
