Lead Follow-Up Platforms: The 5 Best Respond.io Alternatives (2025)

TL;DR

• Setter AI is the clear leader for conversational booking on WhatsApp & Text with 10-second response times
• WATI excels at WhatsApp-focused automation for repetitive customer queries
• SleekFlow provides omnichannel messaging with AI agents for multiple platforms
• Trengo offers unified inbox features for email, SMS, and social media
• Intercom delivers enterprise-grade support with advanced AI and automation

Understanding Respond.io

First, let's talk about Respond.io. Here's what you need to know:

• Cloud-based messaging platform for WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and more
• Centralizes customer communication across multiple channels
• AI-powered automation and workflow capabilities
• Pricing starts at $99/month for business plan

(+) When to Choose Respond.io

• You need omnichannel messaging across many platforms
• You want advanced workflow automation and AI agents
• You require enterprise-grade reliability (99.999% uptime)
• You have complex multi-team workflows
• You need deep CRM integrations with platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce

(-) When Not to Choose Respond.io

• You primarily need fast lead booking and appointment setting
• You want a simpler setup process without complex workflows
• You're a small business looking for affordable options
• You don't need advanced omnichannel features
• You want transparent, predictable pricing

#1 Setter AI: The Leader in Conversational Booking

Setter AI is the number one choice for sales teams looking to automate lead qualification and meeting booking in a conversational way over WhatsApp, Text, or Website Embed. With over 2,300 happy business owners as customers, it's the proven leader in the conversational booking space.

Setter AI's AI assistant responds to leads in 10 seconds flat, sets up your WhatsApp business presence in just 5 clicks, and books directly into your Calendly calendar. It keeps the entire booking process within WhatsApp, Text, or Website Embed for a seamless experience. Setter connects to 7,000+ apps via Zapier and can handle up to 100,000 leads per month at higher plan levels.

Key Features

• Instant responses to leads via WhatsApp in 10 seconds
• 5-click setup for WhatsApp Business
• Automated booking directly into your Calendly calendar
• Entire booking process contained within the chat (conversational booking)
• Connect with 7,000+ apps through Zapier integration
• Scalable to 100,000+ leads per month (enterprise plans)
• Channels: SMS, website embed, WhatsApp
• 15-52% lead-to-booking conversion rates

Pricing:

• Starts at $0 for up to 10 leads
• $49/month for 50 leads
• $199/month for 250 leads
• $499/month for 750 leads
• Custom pricing for over 750 leads/month

All plans include:

• Unlimited messages
• Unlimited Setters

(+) When to Choose Setter AI

• You want a fast, simple way to set up conversational booking
• You're already using Calendly and want deep integration
• You need to automatically book meetings while providing a natural chat experience
• Proven results with over 2,300 customers using it daily
• You want a true leader in the conversational booking space
• You need to handle very high lead volumes
• You want industry-leading 10-second response times

(-) When Not to Choose Setter AI

• You don't need to use WhatsApp for booking (only other channels)
• You have very advanced booking workflow or qualification needs
• You want deeper specialization in live chat/chatbots beyond just booking
• You need to support phone booking in addition to chat/messaging

#2 WATI: Powerful WhatsApp Automation

WATI (WhatsApp Team Inbox) is a leading platform for businesses to engage customers through WhatsApp. It specializes in the WhatsApp Business API and allows you to set up full automation flows to handle common queries and guide leads seamlessly to booking.

Key Features

• WhatsApp Business API integration
• AI-powered chatbots with no-code builder
• Team collaboration inbox for multi-agent support
• Broadcast messaging to large audiences
• Click-to-WhatsApp ad integration
• Analytics and reporting dashboard
• Integration with CRMs like HubSpot, Zoho, and Shopify
• Supports 1,000+ automation triggers

Pricing

• Growth Plan: ~$59/month + conversation fees
• Pro Plan: ~$119/month + additional fees
• Business Plan: ~$279/month + additional fees
• Custom Enterprise pricing available

Note: Additional WhatsApp conversation fees apply based on Meta's pricing

(+) When to Choose WATI

• You want robust WhatsApp automation beyond just booking
• You need to handle large volumes of repetitive customer queries
• You have a team that needs to collaborate on WhatsApp conversations
• You require detailed analytics on your WhatsApp activities
• You want Instagram and Facebook Messenger integration
• You need broadcast campaigns for marketing

(-) When Not to Choose WATI

• You only need basic appointment booking (no advanced flows)
• You don't communicate with leads/customers over WhatsApp
• You want a simpler setup process
• You need deeper calendar integration and conversational booking abilities
• You're looking for the most affordable option

#3 SleekFlow: Omnichannel AI Platform

SleekFlow is an agentic AI platform that transforms conversations into sales across multiple messaging channels. Trusted by over 1,500 enterprises across 80+ countries, it unifies communication channels into one single platform with customizable AI agents.

Key Features

• Omnichannel messaging (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, SMS, email)
• AI Agent that replies and acts on your behalf
• Flow Builder for customizable automation workflows
• Payment integration for in-chat purchases
• CRM and e-commerce platform integrations
• Team collaboration with unlimited collaborators
• Custom objects for enhanced data management
• WhatsApp Business API support

Pricing

• Pro Plan: $199/month (recently increased from $99)
• Premium Plan: $399/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
• Pricing based on monthly active contacts

(+) When to Choose SleekFlow

• You need true omnichannel support across many platforms
• You want AI agents that can handle conversations autonomously
• You require payment processing within chat conversations
• You need flexible automation with custom workflows
• You want deep CRM integration with platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot
• You're a growing business that needs scalability

(-) When Not to Choose SleekFlow

• You only need basic WhatsApp messaging
• You want the most affordable option
• You don't need AI agents or advanced automation
• Setup complexity is a concern for your team
• You need a simpler, more focused booking solution

#4 Trengo: Unified Team Inbox

Trengo is a customer engagement platform that consolidates messages from email, live chat, social media, and messaging apps into one unified inbox. It's designed for teams that want to collaborate on customer conversations across multiple channels.

Key Features

• Unified inbox for email, SMS, WhatsApp, social media
• Rule-based chatbots and Flowbot automation
• Team collaboration with internal notes and assignments
• Round-robin ticket assignment
• WhatsApp Business integration
• AI Journeys for automated support (in beta)
• Reporting and analytics dashboard
• Integration with tools like Shopify, WooCommerce, HubSpot

Pricing

• Essentials: ~$125/month for 10 users (300 conversations)
• Boost: ~$299/month for 10 users (billed annually)
• Pro: ~$499/month for 20 users (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
• Additional conversation fees apply

(+) When to Choose Trengo

• You need a unified inbox for multiple communication channels
• You want team collaboration features for customer support
• You require email, SMS, and social media in one platform
• You need basic chatbot and automation capabilities
• You want workload balancing across your team

(-) When Not to Choose Trengo

• Pricing has increased significantly (165%+ for some users)
• You only need appointment booking functionality
• You want transparent, predictable pricing
• Customer support response times are critical (3+ day wait times reported)
• You need advanced AI conversation capabilities
• You're a small business with limited budget

#5 Intercom: Enterprise-Grade Conversational Support

Intercom is a comprehensive customer service platform that combines live chat, automation, ticketing, and AI into a single unified platform. It's built for businesses that want enterprise-grade features with advanced AI capabilities.

Key Features

• Fin AI Agent for automated customer support
• Fin AI Copilot to assist human agents
• Shared inbox with team collaboration
• Workflow automation builder
• Multiple team inboxes and routing
• Help center and knowledge base
• Proactive support with product tours and surveys
• Integration with 450+ apps including Zendesk and Salesforce

Pricing

• Essential: $29/seat/month (billed annually)
• Advanced: $85/seat/month (billed annually) + 20 free Lite seats
• Expert: $132/seat/month (billed annually) + 50 free Lite seats
• Add-ons: Fin AI Agent ($0.99 per resolution), Fin AI Copilot ($29/seat/month)

(+) When to Choose Intercom

• You need enterprise-grade customer support features
• You want advanced AI capabilities with Fin Agent
• You require HIPAA compliance for healthcare
• You need multibrand support and advanced security
• You want comprehensive workflow automation
• You have a large support team (20+ agents)
• You need detailed analytics and reporting

(-) When Not to Choose Intercom

• Pricing is complex and can be very expensive
• You only need basic appointment booking
• You're a small business or startup with limited budget
• You want predictable, transparent pricing
• Usage-based fees make budgeting difficult
• You don't need enterprise-level features
• Setup complexity is a concern

Making Your Choice

Think about what matters most to your sales team:

• How easy is the setup process?
• What channels do you need to support (e.g. WhatsApp, voice, email)?
• Do you prefer conversational booking or complex workflow automation?
• How many team members need access and what's your conversation volume?
• What other apps and tools do you need to integrate with?
• What's your budget and do you need predictable pricing?

If you're primarily looking for seamless, conversational booking on WhatsApp, text, and website embed integrated with your calendar, Setter AI is probably your best choice. It's quick to get started, works great with Calendly, achieves 15-52% lead-to-booking rates, and keeps conversations feeling natural. Start your free trial of Setter AI here.

Remember: Only Setter AI offers true conversational booking as a leader in this space, with industry-leading 10-second response times and proven results with over 2,300 businesses.

Pick the tool that best fits your specific needs and sales process. But remember - the easier it is for your team to use, the more likely they'll adopt it successfully!

Ready to Book More Meetings on Autopilot?

Stop losing hot leads to slow response times. Build your AI sales agent for free and start booking meetings in 10 seconds.

‍