WhatsApp AI and chatbot tools for Malaysian SMEs, compared
In short: if one or two people answer customers from a phone, start with the free WhatsApp Business app. When you need a shared team inbox, broadcasts or an AI chatbot, move to a platform on the official WhatsApp Business API: AiSensy has a Free Forever plan, SleekFlow starts at US$49/month and respond.io at US$79/month (both billed yearly). Malaysian OnSend starts at RM29/month, but its cheaper plans use unofficial connections. On API platforms, Meta's message charges are extra.
Most Malaysian customers message businesses on WhatsApp. This page compares the WhatsApp tools listed on SIM, from Meta's free app to shared-inbox platforms with chatbots and AI agents. Prices are from each vendor's page on 16 October 2026; most are in US dollars. On official API platforms, Meta's WhatsApp message charges are separate from the plan price.
How we picked: these are the WhatsApp and chatbot tools listed in SIM's directory. This is not a paid ranking, no vendor paid to be included, and this page has no sponsor or affiliate links.
Comparison table
| Tool | Starting price (as shown by vendor) | Free option | Official WhatsApp API | AI features listed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business | Free app. Optional in-app purchases, e.g. Meta Verified for business from RM41.99 | Yes | Meta's own app (not the API) | No AI agent listed | App Store Malaysia |
| AiSensy | Free Forever plan; chatbot builder add-on US$80/mo for 5 chatbots (US$72/mo billed yearly) | Yes (Free Forever) | Yes | Chatbots and AI agents, charged as add-ons | aisensy.com/pricing |
| SleekFlow | Essential US$49/mo (US$588 billed yearly); Pro US$109/mo; Premium US$279/mo (billed yearly). WhatsApp API hosting and per-message fees are extra | 7-day Pro trial, no credit card | Yes | AI agents (Pro and above) | sleekflow.io/pricing |
| respond.io | Starter US$79/mo (US$948 billed yearly); Growth US$159/mo; Advanced US$279/mo (billed yearly) | 7-day free trial | Yes | AI Assist (Starter and above); AI Agents (Growth and above) | respond.io/pricing |
| WATI | Growth, Pro and Business plans; plan prices were not shown on the page we checked, so see Wati's pricing page | 7-day free trial, zero setup fees | Yes | Wati AI: Copilot and AI agents | wati.io/pricing |
| Gallabox | Basic US$112/mo billed yearly (US$150/mo billed quarterly); Essential US$248/mo; Advanced US$474/mo (billed yearly) | 7-day trial with 500 AI credits, no credit card | Yes | AI to qualify leads and automate follow-ups | gallabox.com/pricing |
| OnSend | RM29/mo (1 device, unofficial); RM39/mo Blast (unofficial); RM49/mo Premium (official and unofficial) | Free trial | Premium plan only; cheaper plans are “Unofficial” | AI supported on Premium only | onsend.io |
All facts checked 16 Oct 2026.
Important: “unofficial” WhatsApp connections don't go through Meta's official Business API. OnSend's own site describes its official option as having “lower ban risk with policy compliance”. If your WhatsApp number matters to your business, use an official API plan.
Verdict: best for…
- WhatsApp Business app: home businesses and small shops starting out. It's free, with a catalogue and quick replies, but no shared team inbox or AI chatbot.
- AiSensy: a free way to try the official API. The Free Forever plan lets you test it; chatbots and AI agents are paid add-ons.
- SleekFlow: a mid-priced shared inbox for retail and social commerce teams. Essential starts at US$49/mo billed yearly, SleekFlow has a Malaysia site in Malay and English, and the Pro trial needs no card.
- respond.io: growing teams handling WhatsApp, social and email in one place. AI Agents start on the Growth plan.
- WATI: teams that want a simple official API setup with no setup fee. Check the plan price on Wati's page before you commit.
- Gallabox: sales teams that want AI to capture and qualify leads. It offers a 7-day trial rather than a free plan.
- OnSend: Malaysian sellers who want ringgit pricing and OnPay integration. Choose the Premium plan with the official option if you can't risk losing your number.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a free WhatsApp chatbot for Malaysian businesses?
The WhatsApp Business app is free but has no AI chatbot. AiSensy has a Free Forever plan on the official API, but chatbots and AI agents are paid add-ons (checked 16 Oct 2026).
What's the difference between the WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp Business API?
The app is free and runs on your phone for you or a small team. The API is used through platforms such as respond.io, SleekFlow, WATI, Gallabox or AiSensy; it allows shared team inboxes, broadcasts at scale, chatbots and AI agents, and message charges apply.
Do I pay message charges on top of the platform price?
Yes, on API platforms. For example, WATI's pricing page says additional charges apply for messages, and SleekFlow lists monthly hosting and per-message fees for the WhatsApp Business API.
Is it safe to use unofficial WhatsApp blasting tools?
Unofficial connections don't use Meta's official API. Even OnSend, which sells both, describes its official option as having “lower ban risk”. For an important business number, use an official plan.
Which WhatsApp tool is Malaysian?
Of the tools here, OnSend is run by OnPay Solutions Sdn Bhd in Selangor and prices in ringgit.
Which tools have AI agents?
respond.io (Growth and above), SleekFlow (Pro and above), WATI and AiSensy (paid add-on) list AI agents, and Gallabox lists AI that qualifies leads. OnSend lists AI support on its Premium plan.
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