ManyChat vs Reply.io (2025): Best Tool for Chat & Sales Automation?
Compare ManyChat vs Reply.io in 2025 to find the best automation tool for social DMs or cold outreach. Includes pricing, features, use cases, and free trial links.
TL;DR:
- ManyChat is best for social‑first lead capture and DM automation. Think Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger.
- Reply.io is built for B2B multichannel outbound, blending email, LinkedIn, SMS, WhatsApp, and calls.
- Best combo: Use ManyChat to pull leads in from social channels, then hand off to Reply.io to nurture and close them across email and LinkedIn.
Table of Contents
- What Is ManyChat?
- What Is Reply.io?
- Feature Comparison
- Pricing Breakdown
- Integration Ecosystem
- Compliance & Deliverability
- Pros, Cons & Use Cases
- Stack Strategy
- Case Study
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
What Is ManyChat?
ManyChat is a visual chatbot builder used by over 1 million businesses to automate conversations on:
- Instagram DM
- Facebook Messenger
- SMS and Email
- TikTok (beta)
Why people love it:
- Simple flow builder
- Open rate: 80–90% on chat messages
- Built-in CRM features like tags and custom fields
- New AI features like intent detection and message rewrites
- Integrates natively with Shopify, Klaviyo, and more
Pricing starts at: $15/month for 500 contacts
Use our link to unlock your first month free on ManyChat Pro.
What Is Reply.io?
Reply.io is a sales engagement platform for B2B teams doing multichannel outbound. You can automate:
- Email sequences
- LinkedIn messages
- SMS follow‑ups
- WhatsApp messages
- Phone calls and tasks
Why teams love it:
- Sequence builder for outreach across multiple channels
- Contact database: 1B+ live B2B contacts
- AI SDR: Jason AI writes, replies, and books meetings
- Unified inbox for all replies
- Deliverability tools + unlimited warm‑up included
Plans start at: $59/month for email only, $99/month for multichannel
👉 Use the link above to start Reply.io’s 14‑day free trial.
Feature Comparison: ManyChat vs Reply.io
| Feature | ManyChat | Reply.io |
|---|---|---|
| Automation Builder | Drag‑and‑drop canvas | Step‑based sequence builder |
| Channels | IG DM, Messenger, WhatsApp, SMS, Email | Email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, SMS, Phone |
| AI Tools | Built‑in AI for message rewrites, intent detection | Jason AI writes sequences, handles replies, books meetings |
| Contact Management | Tags, custom fields, CRM sync via Zapier | Live data enrichment, LinkedIn Chrome extension |
| Inbox Experience | Auto‑pauses bots when human replies | Unified inbox across all channels with AI assist |
Pricing Breakdown
ManyChat
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,000 contacts, Messenger/IG only |
| Pro | From $15/mo | Adds WhatsApp, Email, SMS, AI tools |
| Elite | Custom | For large teams + advanced support |
Usage costs:
- WhatsApp templates: 1,000/month free, then charged by country
Sign up via our ManyChat free‑month link to test Pro with no upfront cost.
Reply.io
| Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Email Volume | $59/mo | Email sequences only |
| Multichannel | $99/mo | All channels: email, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, calls, SMS |
| Agency | $166/mo | Unlimited users, white‑label options |
| AI SDR | From $300/mo | GPT‑powered autonomous SDR (usage‑based) |
Start a Reply.io free trial to see multichannel outreach in action.
Integration Ecosystem
ManyChat
- Shopify, Klaviyo, Mailchimp
- Zapier, Make, Pabbly
- Webhooks & custom fields for CRMs
Reply.io
- HubSpot, Salesforce (native sync)
- Google Sheets, Zapier, Pipedrive
- Built‑in LinkedIn & email prospecting tools
Compliance & Deliverability
Meta Rules
- ManyChat: Must follow Meta’s 24‑hour rule for Messenger and use approved WhatsApp templates
Email Warm‑Up
- Reply.io: Includes deliverability suite, auto‑warm‑up, inbox monitoring, and anti‑spam features
Pros, Cons & Use Cases
ManyChat
Pros:
- Extremely high open rates
- Easy to set up and launch
- Great for ecommerce and lead capture
Cons:
- Bound by platform rules
- Limited outbound reach (no email or LinkedIn cold outreach)
Best for: Creators, Shopify stores, DTC brands capturing interest on social
Reply.io
Pros:
- Handles cold email and multichannel outreach
- Great for outbound teams
- Jason AI reduces SDR workload dramatically
Cons:
- Higher learning curve
- Costs scale quickly with seats and AI usage
Best for: B2B sales teams, SaaS companies, agencies running outreach
Stack Strategy: Use Both Tools Together
Example setup:
- Lead opts in via Instagram DM (ManyChat flow)
- Zapier pushes email/phone to Reply.io
- Jason AI follows up via email + LinkedIn
- WhatsApp reminders via ManyChat for no‑shows
Why it works: ManyChat captures the lead, Reply.io nurtures and closes the deal
Case Study: GlowUp Beauty’s Hybrid Funnel
| Metric | Before | After 6 Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| IG Leads/Week | 160 | 2,068 |
| Meetings/Month | 14 | 42 |
What they did:
- Reels → IG DM quiz (ManyChat)
- Quiz collected emails, tagged leads
- Zapier pushed to Reply.io
- Jason AI booked Calendly calls
- WhatsApp reminders to no‑shows via ManyChat
Result: 13× list growth, 3× meetings, ROI positive by week 4
FAQs
Can I use ManyChat for cold email?
No. It's not designed for outbound email. Use Reply.io for that.
Does Reply.io integrate with Shopify?
Not natively. Use Zapier or export order data to connect.
Do I need both tools?
If your funnel starts on social but closes over email or LinkedIn—yes.
Is Jason AI safe for LinkedIn outreach?
Yes, it follows LinkedIn's limits and can personalize messages, but always review compliance yourself.
Which is more affordable?
ManyChat is cheaper to start. Reply.io gets more expensive as you scale.
Final Verdict
Choose ManyChat if your leads come from Instagram or WhatsApp and you want high open‑rate conversations. Get your first month free via this ManyChat link.
Choose Reply.io if you're running outbound sales and need multichannel sequences and AI assistance. Try it with a 14‑day free trial here.
Use both together to build a full‑funnel system—from DM opt‑in to demo booked.
Leads come in through DMs. Deals close in the inbox. This combo is your 2025 edge.