What is Respond.io?
Respond.io is a customer conversation platform that brings chats, calls and campaigns from WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, TikTok, email and other channels into one team inbox. Founded in 2017 as Rocketbots and now based in Kuala Lumpur, it is built for B2C businesses that capture and convert leads through messaging. AI agents can answer enquiries, qualify leads, route buyers and book appointments.
Beyond the inbox, respond.io offers workflow automation, broadcasts, chat-to-call switching and analytics that tie results back to ads, agents and channels. It integrates with CRMs such as HubSpot and Salesforce, ecommerce platforms like Shopify and automation tools like Zapier and Make. Respond.io is a strong fit for growing companies that handle high chat volumes across several messaging apps.
Respond.io at a glance
How does Respond.io work?
- Connect your channels
Link WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, email, SMS providers and web chat to a single workspace.
- Sync your CRM
Connect HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive or another tool so contact data and conversations stay aligned.
- Set up AI agents and workflows
Configure AI agents and workflows to answer questions, qualify leads and route chats to the right team member.
- Engage and convert
Agents reply from the shared inbox, switch to calls when needed and send broadcasts or reminders.
- Measure ROI
Use analytics to see results by ad, agent and channel.
Respond.io key features
Omnichannel team inbox
All customer chats, calls and emails in one thread per contact, with CRM data alongside.
AI agents
Agents that answer enquiries, qualify leads, recommend products and book appointments.
Workflow automation
Rules for lead routing, assignment and follow-ups across channels.
Calling in chat
Move from a message to a WhatsApp, Messenger or VoIP call without changing threads.
Broadcasts
Send promotions, renewal reminders and in-chat CSAT or NPS surveys.
Ad and ROI analytics
Reports that link conversations and revenue back to ads, channels and agents.
Broad channel support
Also supports Telegram, LINE, Viber and WeChat for teams in markets where those apps dominate.
Why use Respond.io?
- One inbox covers nearly every major messaging app, which reduces tool switching.
- AI agents respond around the clock and pass qualified buyers to humans.
- Built-in calling keeps chat and voice history in the same thread.
- Analytics by ad and channel help marketers see which campaigns produce revenue.
- Strong CRM and automation integrations fit into an existing sales stack.
Who is Respond.io best for?
A good fit for
- B2C businesses with high chat volumes
- Teams running click-to-WhatsApp and social ads
- Companies selling across several countries and messaging apps
- Sales and support teams using HubSpot or Salesforce
Less suited to
- Solo operators or very small teams on a tight budget
- Businesses that want a built-in sales pipeline CRM instead of integrating one
- Teams that only need basic WhatsApp broadcasts
Respond.io pricing
| Pricing model | Subscription |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | 7 days |
| Starting price | $79/month (Starter) |
Starter, Growth ($159/month) and Advanced ($279/month) scale features and capacity, with Enterprise on request. Costs are tied to the contacts you actively engage with each month.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official Respond.io pricing page before you buy.
Respond.io pros and cons
Pros
- Very wide channel coverage
- Capable AI agents and workflow automation
- Chat-to-call in one thread
- Solid CRM and ecommerce integrations
Cons
- Higher entry price than SMB WhatsApp tools
- Short 7-day trial
- Relies on an external CRM for full pipeline management
Respond.io integrations and platforms
Works with
Available on
Respond.io alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best WhatsApp Marketing Software.
Respond.io FAQ
Is respond.io free?
No. Respond.io does not list a free plan. It offers a 7-day free trial, and paid plans start with Starter at $79 per month, followed by Growth at $159 and Advanced at $279. Pricing is tied to the contacts you actively message, and WhatsApp fees from Meta apply separately.
What is respond.io used for?
Respond.io is used to manage customer conversations across messaging apps. Businesses connect WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, email and calls to one inbox, then use AI agents and workflows to capture leads from ads, qualify them, route them to sales and follow up with broadcasts.
Does respond.io integrate with HubSpot?
Yes. Respond.io integrates with HubSpot, as well as Salesforce, Pipedrive, ActiveCampaign and Zendesk. These connections sync contact details and conversation context, so sales teams can see chat history in their CRM. Zapier, Make and n8n support other custom connections.
Respond.io vs WATI: what's the difference?
WATI focuses on WhatsApp with lower entry pricing and built-in broadcasts and chatbots. Respond.io covers many more channels, including TikTok, Telegram, LINE and WeChat, and adds calling and ad-level analytics. Respond.io suits multi-channel teams, while WATI suits WhatsApp-first SMBs.
Where is respond.io based?
Respond.io is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company was founded in 2017 in Hong Kong as Rocketbots, moved to Kuala Lumpur in 2019 and renamed itself respond.io in 2020. It has operations across Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Sources
This overview is based on Respond.io's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.