The range is wide, and the market offers a lot: from “ready to go” solutions to modular systems — from live chat to AI chatbots, which, thanks to GenAI, can communicate in an ever more natural and human-like way.
To get an overview, it makes sense to define in advance what types of chatbot and chat solutions actually exist.
Basics: Which chatbots are there?
Rule-based chatbots:
As the name suggests, rule-based chatbots work on the basis of predefined rules and draw on defined questions and answers. This means that there is often no option for users to enter free text. Instead, conversation threads and click options are usually used. In the past, such click bots were widely used and were considered as Chatbot trend, today, they have largely been replaced by AI chatbots, which can work more flexibly and individually.
AI-based chatbots:
AI-based chatbots are characterized by the fact that they understand complex issues and can therefore provide precise answers in most cases. Thanks to AI, they learn from every conservatory and get better at finding suitable solutions over time. Particularly exciting: AI chatbots are constantly evolving and can — thanks to GenAI — communicate more and more flexibly and naturally. This not only makes the conversations more varied, but also surprisingly human.
Live chat:
Live chat is a manual support solution that can be combined with chatbots. The chatbot answers simple, automated inquiries, while more complex issues are handed over to a live agent.
If you'd like to know more about the best live chat providers and the different features, check out this lexicon article past. There you can find all information at a glance.
The top 9 chatbot providers
Now that it's clear what types of chatbots actually exist, it gets exciting: Who are the top providers? We've looked around and are now presenting the best providers who prove how versatile chatbots can be. And at the end, there is a practical table that shows all important details at a glance.
1. moinAI
Chatbot type: AI-based plus live chat
In short: moinAI offers a user-friendly AI chatbot solution that helps companies in the areas of marketing, sales and customer service to efficiently automate their customer communication.
moinAI enables tailor-made solutions that can be adapted to the various brand identities of companies. With a no-code interface, GDPR compliance and the ability to continuously evolve, the chatbot improves customer communication and automates processes such as lead generation. In addition to the AI-based chatbot, a live chat tool and an AI-based product advisor are also offered. The products can be connected to many integrations, such as HubSpot, Shopify or Zapier.
Particularly practical: From the moment it goes live, moinAI's begins to develop independently using AI features that fall into the area of self-learning. With the Dreaming feature For example, the AI automatically recognizes recurring, new topics and adapts accordingly. In case of uncertainty, on the other hand, the AI bot uses Reassuring function intelligent queries to gain clarity. And thanks to GenAI, moinAI AI, for example, can generate new answers on its own — only if desired, of course. The control always lies with the company itself.
This is how moinAI differs from other chatbot providers:
Pricing: moinAI offers the option to choose between three different packages. The cheapest package Essential starts from 850€ per month plus a one-time onboarding fee. There is more information here.
Service: moinAI's AI team trains the chatbot so that it is usually ready for use after just two or three weeks. Each customer has a permanent contact person and always has access to the knowledge base. There are also regular live webinars on new features and support via phone or email.
customers: Well-known customers such as Fressnapf, FAZ, Blume2000 or Immoscout24
2. Userlike
Chatbot type: AI-based plus live chat
In short: Userlike is an all-in-one platform that combines AI chatbot and live chat for automated customer support 24/7.
Userlike promises to bring companies closer to their customers through automation using AI chatbots. However, other solutions are also offered, such as WhatsApp campaigns, the video call feature and a mobile app. Userlike promises to save resources by using AI for real-time support and generating leads, for example through a website messenger.
Pricing: There is a limited free version. The paid models start at 130€ per month. As always, the more expensive, the more features there are.
Service: In addition to a help center, where tutorials and explanations of Userlike's functions and tools are available, Userlike offers chat, email and telephone support for all models. However, only the most expensive model has a personal account manager. Professional onboarding is not available with the free version and must always be booked in addition to the paid plans.
customers: Targobank and ETH Zurich, among others
3rd Melibo
Chatbot type: AI-based plus live chat
In short: melibo offers a smart platform that promises to reduce service volumes by 60%, using generative AI and chatbots.
With melibo, companies can efficiently automate the volume of their service requests across all communication channels. There are various products, such as ticket automation or AI chatbots, and the platform supports multiple languages. melibo can also be easily integrated into existing channels and thus ensures seamless communication.
Pricing: There are no prices on the website. These are only available on request.
Service: Melibo has a permanent customer service employee who takes care of the customer during the project. There is also access to various webinars or help articles and there is a personal onboarding at the beginning.
customers: Fahrrad XXL, momox or brillen.de, among others
3. BotFriends
Chatbot type: AI-based
In short: BOTfriends promises”automated conversations that feel like real conversations”.
The company offers a user-friendly platform for creating and managing voice or chatbots. BOTfriends is particularly characterized by the ability to adapt the bots flexibly and without programming knowledge. According to the company itself, the solutions are aimed at companies of all sizes, from small medium-sized companies to large corporations, who want to automate their processes and improve customer communication.
Pricing: There are three different packages. However, the prices are only available on request.
Service: There is a personal onboarding, design & UX workshops and a personal project & success manager who can be reached via email or telephone.
customers: Bosch, TUI Cruises and ROLLER, among others
4th Onlim
Chatbot type: AI-based plus live chat
In short: Onlim also offers a conversational AI platform that helps companies automate their communication processes with AI.
From chatbots to voice assistants to messaging services, customer communication with Onlim can be optimized in many ways. The integrated analysis tool, which helps to continuously improve the performance of AI, is also practical. Onlim also enables a wide range of integrations so that companies can easily connect their existing systems.
Particularly practical: If you need to go quickly, Onlim offers the package Business Pure a self-service chatbot, i.e. no set-up assistance is required. However, should it be a more complex chatbot project, support from Onlims must be used.
Pricing: There are no prices on the website. These are only available on request.
Service: The customer is supported throughout the project phase and advised on implementation.
customers: SPORTUNION, PURADIES Nature Resort and more
5. Kauz.ai
Chatbot type: AI-based
In short: Kauz.ai offers smart AI solutions that help companies improve their customer communication and internal processes.
According to their own statement, Kauz.ai's AI chatbots answer an impressive 20,000 questions a day. The chatbot can be used, for example, for making appointments, reporting claims, product advice or employee onboarding. With their AIstudio platform, customers can also easily create and manage AI chatbots themselves and thus provide 24/7 support or automate IT assistance.
Particularly interesting: Kauz.ai has built up a special expert network of partners and resellers, with which even smaller companies such as craft businesses or law firms can quickly obtain a suitable chatbot solution.
Pricing: Kauz.ai offers three different models. The cheapest starts at 499€ per month, plus a set-up fee of 1500€.
Service: The company offers a free AI Starter Academy, which includes best practices for implementing AI chatbots, for example. Personal onboarding is included with all subscriptions. However, project support is only available by appointment.
customers: For example, VR-Networld or the Westfalenhallen Group of Companies.
6th Landbot
Chatbot type: Rule-based with AI features
In short: According to its own statement, Landbot is a chatbot builder, i.e. a modular system that allows users to build a chatbot themselves.
Building a chatbot practically requires neither coding nor IT knowledge. Landbot also offers the option of seamlessly integrating the self-built bot into many systems, such as Slack, Zapier or Salesforce. Landbot now also offers several AI features, such as an AI appointment assistant. However, the click-based Chabot solution is not comparable to an AI chatbot.
Pricing: There are four pricing plans, including a limited free version. The paid models start at 40€. The more expensive the subscription, the more features and tools are activated.
Service: Landbot offers an academy for all pricing models, including the free version. There is also email support. However, personal onboarding and live chat support are only included in the pro and business models.
customers: Companies such as Media Markt, Coca-Cola or Nestlé
8. ManyChat
Chatbot type: Rule-based with AI features plus live chat
In short: With ManyChat, so-called messenger bots can be built, which can be integrated into various platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, SMS, Instagram or Shopify.
ManyChat says it optimizes companies' omni-channel marketing. Similar to Landbot, no IT or coding knowledge is required at this point and the messenger bots can be easily built yourself using a modular system.
Particularly practical: With the Pro plan, the new tool can ManyChat AI With which, for example, texts can be improved or questions can be answered in various languages using AI.
Pricing: A limited free plan, the Pro subscription starting at $15 per month, and a more expensive business plan are offered. Depending on the price, the functions that can be used can vary significantly.
Service: ManyChat offers a free video course for all pricing models. However, customer support is limited with the free version and only limited to email with the Pro subscription. Only in the business plan is there Priority in the area of customer service and a personal customer success manager.
customers: Nike, Mindvalley and Benefit, among others
9. trbo (formerly Chatchamp)
Chatbot type: AI chatbot
In short: trbo offers so-called guided selling chatbots, which, according to its own statement, can be integrated into your own online shop in just 5 minutes.
The ones offered here Guided Selling Solutions are used to advise customers “just like in business.” trbo offers integration options with systems such as Salesforce, Adobe or Zapier, among other things. In the meantime, there is also the trbo chat, an AI chatbot that can reduce around 30% of customer inquiries (according to its own statement). This is supported by ChatGPT.
Pricing: Pricing is discussed in a personal conversation.
Service: At trbo, there is an assigned personalization consultant who provides advice and assistance. Since trbo is a self-service platform, the products themselves are implemented using the trbo tool.
customers: For example, these companies: Miamor, L'Oréal or Bitterliebe
Table of the top 9 chatbot providers
Important information in advance: For a clear and comprehensive overview, the individual categories in the table are briefly explained here.
- Main use case: This category describes what the chatbot platform is most commonly used for, such as marketing, sales, or customer service. Some providers are focused on specific industries or company sizes.
- GDPR-compliant: Indicates whether the provider meets the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is particularly important for companies in the EU.
- Your own live chat: This category shows whether the provider has its own live chat or whether it needs to be added externally.
- No-code: This is about whether the platform can be used without programming knowledge, i.e. offers a user-friendly solution that even non-technicians can work with.
- Free trial: Means whether and to what extent a free trial of the product is available to try out the features before you buy.
- Number of 5 ⭐ OMR reviews: The number of 5-star reviews on the OMR Reviews platform is shown here.
- Integrations: This category lists whether the provider can be integrated with other software solutions (e.g. CRM systems, e-commerce platforms).
- Supported languages: Shows how many languages the provider supports. Particularly important for international companies.
- Price (per month): The price per month is shown here.
- Generate customer insights: Means that AI-based analysis of customer data and interactions to identify patterns, needs, and problems that enable targeted improvement of marketing strategies and customer service.
- Manual to GenAI — Maximum flexibility: Does the chatbot provider offer both manual and fully AI-supported processes that allow the solution to be flexibly adapted to a company's specific needs?
Explanation of signs:
✅: Yes
❌: No
❓: No clear information found on the website
*Since ManyChat is based in the USA, the company is not required to be GDPR-compliant on its own initiative. Users who fall under the GDPR are responsible for adapting their ManyChat flows accordingly.
conclusion
Whether it's an AI chatbot, a live chat solution or a mix of both, the huge selection of chatbot providers offers something suitable for every company. Nevertheless, AI chatbots in particular stand out because they offer many advantages and can often be combined directly with a live chat function. This gives you a practical all-in-one solution that automatically answers customer inquiries and transfers them to human contacts as needed.
Enough of theory? Would you like to finally see what an AI chatbot could look like in your personal use case? Then simply create your individual chatbot in just a few steps — without hidden costs, of course.
