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10 Best Conversational Marketing Platform Shortlist

Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 19 tools reviewed.

Conversational marketing platforms are essential tools for marketing teams aiming to improve customer engagement. These platforms enable real-time interactions, helping teams enhance customer satisfaction and build solid connections. However, choosing the right platform can be challenging with so many options.

Using my expertise in marketing software, I’ve tested and reviewed several top conversational marketing platforms. Based on my findings, I’ve created detailed reviews to help you discover the best platform to meet your team's needs.

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Best Conversational Marketing Platform Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top conversational marketing platform selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Tools Price
Tidio From $29/month
Smartsupp From $14/user/month (billed annually)
Salesmsg From $25/month
MobileMonkey From $199/month
Gupshup Pricing upon request
MoEngage Pricing upon request
Spectrm Pricing upon request
Birdeye Pricing upon request
Omnisend From $16/month
Freshchat From $19/user/month (billed annually)
Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Compare Software

How To Choose A Conversational Marketing Platform

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. Here's a checklist of factors to remember to help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process.

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityEnsure the platform grows with your business. Check for user limits and data handling.
IntegrationsLook for compatibility with tools you already use, like CRMs or email marketing software.
CustomizabilityDetermine if you can tailor the platform to your brand's voice and workflow needs.
Ease of UseChoose a user-friendly interface to get your team up and running quickly.
BudgetAssess the cost against your budget and consider long-term value and potential ROI.
Security SafeguardsVerify data encryption and compliance with regulations to protect customer information.
Support OptionsConsider available customer support, such as live chat or dedicated account managers.
AnalyticsLook for solid reporting features to track engagement and performance metrics.

Best Conversational Marketing Platform Reviews

Here are my in-depth summaries of the top conversational marketing platforms I shortlisted. My reviews cover key features, pros and cons, integrations, and use cases to help you choose the best tool.

Best for small businesses

  • 7-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $29/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Tidio is a live chat and chatbot tool for small businesses to improve customer service and engagement. It offers real-time communication features to help you keep your customers informed and satisfied.

Why I picked Tidio: Tidio is a suitable fit for small businesses with its simple interface and affordable pricing. It combines live chat, chatbots, and email integration so you can handle customer interactions in one place. You can customize the chat widgets to match your brand’s style. With proactive chat features, you can connect with visitors and boost conversion rates.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include email integration, which allows you to manage conversations across multiple channels. Customizable chat widgets help you maintain brand consistency with ease. Proactive chat features enable your team to engage visitors and boost conversions.

Integrations include Shopify, WordPress, Wix, Mailchimp, Squarespace, BigCommerce, Magento, HubSpot, Zendesk, and Google Analytics.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable chat widgets
  • Affordable for small businesses
  • Intuitive interface for small teams

Cons:

  • Occasional connectivity issues
  • Limited advanced features

Best for chat integration

  • Free plan available
  • From $14/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Smartsupp is a live chat and chatbot platform built for ecommerce businesses aiming to improve customer engagement and support. It lets your team interact with website visitors in real-time, boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Why I picked Smartsupp: Smartsupp makes ecommerce chat easy by combining live chat and chatbot features. You can track visitors on your site in real-time and connect with them when it matters most. The chat widgets are simple to customize, matching your brand’s look. Automated messages let you greet visitors or guide them through purchases, making it a practical tool for online stores.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include real-time visitor tracking, which lets you monitor and engage site visitors effectively. Customizable chat widgets allow you to tailor the chat to your brand's look. Automated messages help guide visitors through the buying process, enhancing their shopping experience.

Integrations include Shopify, WordPress, PrestaShop, Joomla, Magento, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, API, Slack, Zapier, and WhatsApp.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Automated customer engagement
  • Customizable chat widgets
  • Effective real-time visitor tracking

Cons:

  • Basic reporting features
  • Occasional lag in chat responses

Best for SMS marketing

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $25/month

Salesmsg is a business-focused SMS texting and calling platform for marketing teams and customer service departments. It supports two-way texting and SMS marketing, enabling users to text-enable their existing landlines or acquire new numbers for seamless customer communication.

Why I picked Salesmsg: Salesmsg helps you with SMS marketing by offering tools like SMS broadcasting so you can send mass messages with personalized content. You can also text-enable your landlines, which makes it easier for customers to reach you. Features like call forwarding and shared inboxes help your team collaborate effectively. It’s a straightforward solution if you’re looking to manage calling and texting in one place.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include SMS broadcasting, which allows you to send mass messages with personalized content. You can also text-enable existing landlines, making communication more accessible. Shared inboxes facilitate team collaboration, helping your team manage customer interactions efficiently.

Integrations include HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Salesforce, Slack, Google Calendar, Pipedrive, Zapier, Mailchimp, Shopify, and Zoho CRM.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Strong team collaboration features
  • Effective SMS marketing tools
  • Easy landline text enabling

Cons:

  • Occasional delays in messaging
  • Limited international reach

Best for Facebook messaging

  • Free trial available
  • From $199/month

MobileMonkey is a messaging platform designed for businesses that connect with customers on Facebook. It helps marketers and customer service teams automate and manage conversations on Facebook Messenger.

Why I picked MobileMonkey: MobileMonkey focuses on Facebook messaging, making it a great fit if your business relies on social media engagement. It includes a chatbot builder that lets you create interactive conversations without coding. You can use its audience segmentation tools to send targeted messages and set up drip campaigns to nurture leads and build better customer relationships over time.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a chatbot builder that lets you design interactive messages easily. Audience segmentation tools help you target specific customer groups effectively. Drip campaigns allow you to maintain engagement with your audience over time.

Integrations include Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Slack, Google Sheets, Salesforce, ActiveCampaign, and Pipedrive.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Useful audience segmentation
  • Easy chatbot creation
  • Effective for Facebook engagement

Cons:

  • Requires some setup knowledge
  • Limited to Facebook Messenger

Best for messaging APIs

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Gupshup is a messaging platform that provides APIs for developers and businesses to create conversational experiences. It primarily serves developers and enterprises looking to integrate messaging solutions into their applications and customer support systems.

Why I picked Gupshup: Gupshup focuses on messaging APIs, making it a good choice if you need customizable messaging solutions. It offers APIs for different messaging channels, making integrating with your existing systems easy. You can use its templates to deploy solutions quickly and save time. With clear documentation, you can implement what you need efficiently and tailor it to your specific requirements.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include various messaging APIs supporting different channels, allowing seamless integration into your systems. Templates are available to help you deploy solutions quickly, saving development time. Extensive documentation ensures you can implement and customize solutions efficiently.

Integrations include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, Instagram, SMS, Twitter, and Amazon Alexa.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Detailed documentation available
  • Quick deployment with templates
  • Extensive API options

Cons:

  • Limited user interface features
  • Requires developer expertise

Best for customer analytics

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

MoEngage is a customer engagement platform that helps you and your team understand customer behavior and personalize interactions. It provides tools for analyzing data and creating strategies to improve engagement and retention.

Why I picked MoEngage: MoEngage lets you understand your users with detailed analytics so you can shape your marketing strategies. Its segmentation tools allow you to target specific audiences effectively. You can connect with users at the right time with push notifications and in-app messaging. The journey builder enables you to automate customer interactions using real-time data.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a journey builder that automates interactions based on customer actions. Advanced segmentation tools help you target specific groups with precision. Push notifications and in-app messaging keep your users engaged and informed.

Integrations include Salesforce, Shopify, HubSpot, Segment, Mixpanel, Google Analytics, Slack, Zendesk, Mailchimp, and Marketo.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful journey builder
  • Effective segmentation capabilities
  • Strong customer analytics focus

Cons:

  • May face occasional analytics delays
  • Requires constant data updates

Best for customer engagement

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Spectrm is a conversational marketing platform that helps businesses connect with customers through personalized messaging. It’s designed for marketing teams to boost customer engagement and drive conversions.

Why I picked Spectrm: Spectrm enables you to engage your customers with automated messaging tailored to their interactions. It includes conversation analytics to understand customer behavior and adjust your messages. You can deliver personalized content that connects with each customer. With Spectrm's chatbot builder, you can create conversations that boost engagement and drive conversions.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include conversation analytics that provide insights into customer behavior. Personalized content delivery ensures your messages match customer preferences. A chatbot builder helps you create engaging and interactive conversations to boost engagement.

Integrations include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Google Ads, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Shopify, Slack, and Zendesk.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use chatbot builder
  • Detailed conversation analytics
  • Strong focus on personalized engagement

Cons:

  • Requires initial setup time
  • Limited customization options

Best for reputation management

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.8/5

Birdeye is a reputation management platform that helps businesses improve their online presence and customer interactions. It’s designed for businesses looking to manage customer reviews and strengthen their online reputation.

Why I picked Birdeye: Birdeye allows you to manage your reputation by providing tools to collect and handle customer reviews. It includes automated review requests, making gathering feedback easy for your team. With sentiment analysis, you can understand customer opinions and adjust your strategies. The platform also lets you monitor and respond to reviews, keeping you connected with your customers.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated review requests, which simplify gathering customer feedback. Sentiment analysis helps you understand customer opinions and refine your approach. Tools for monitoring and responding to reviews assist your team in maintaining a positive online presence.

Integrations include Salesforce, Google My Business, Facebook, Yelp, QuickBooks, Slack, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Zendesk, and Shopify.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Insightful sentiment analysis
  • Automated review requests
  • Effective reputation management tools

Cons:

  • Some learning curve for users
  • Requires initial setup effort

Best for email integration

  • Free plan available
  • From $16/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Omnisend is an email marketing automation platform for ecommerce businesses that want to boost customer engagement. It offers tools to create, automate, and improve email campaigns to increase sales and retain customers.

Why I picked Omnisend: Omnisend is built for ecommerce marketers who rely on email campaigns. It offers customizable email templates to match messages to your brand’s style. Its automation features, like cart abandonment emails, help you recover lost sales. With segmentation tools, you can target specific customer groups with personalized content.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable email templates that let you match your brand's style. Automation tools, such as cart abandonment emails, help you recover potential lost revenue. Segmentation features allow you to send personalized content to specific customer groups, enhancing your engagement efforts.

Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop, Wix, Mailchimp, Zapier, Salesforce, and Facebook.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable templates available
  • Effective cart abandonment tools
  • Strong email integration capabilities

Cons:

  • Some customization restrictions
  • Occasional feature limitations

Best for team collaboration

  • Free plan + 14-day free trial
  • From $19/user/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.4/5

Freshchat is a live chat software built for businesses to enhance customer support and engagement. It’s designed for customer support teams, offering tools for real-time communication and quick issue resolution.

Why I picked Freshchat: Freshchat is built for team collaboration with features like team inboxes to simplify communication. It gives you contextual information so your team can offer quick, personalized support. The platform supports cross-platform messaging, letting you connect with customers wherever they are. With detailed reporting tools, you can track performance and find ways to improve your team’s efficiency.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include cross-platform messaging, allowing your team to connect with customers on their preferred channels. Contextual information provides your team with the insights needed for personalized support. Reporting tools help you track team performance and improve customer interactions.

Integrations include Salesforce, Slack, Shopify, WordPress, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Trello, and WhatsApp.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Contextual support information Cross-platform messaging supported
  • Contextual support information
  • Effective team collaboration tools

Cons:

  • Limited AI-driven features
  • Occasional connectivity issues

Other Conversational Marketing Platforms

Here are some additional conversational marketing platform options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist but are still worth checking out.

  1. ChatBot

    For AI-driven chatbots

  2. Intercom

    For customer messaging

  3. Keap

    For small business CRM

  4. Zoho Marketing Plus

    For integrated marketing tools

  5. LivePerson

    For a personalized digital experience

  6. Oracle Marketing

    For enterprise solutions

  7. ActiveCampaign

    For marketing automation

  8. Conversica

    For AI-driven sales assistants

  9. Marketo Engage

    For lead management

Conversational Marketing Platform Selection Criteria

When selecting the best conversational marketing platform to include in this list, I considered everyday buyer needs and pain points like enhancing customer engagement and automating responses. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair.

Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these everyday use cases:

  • Enable live chat with customers
  • Provide chatbot automation
  • Support multi-channel communication
  • Offer customer engagement analytics
  • Facilitate lead capture and nurturing

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • AI-driven conversation flows
  • Personalized customer experiences
  • Integration with CRM systems
  • Advanced reporting and insights
  • Omnichannel support capabilities

Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Intuitive interface design
  • Easy navigation and layout
  • Minimal learning curve
  • Customizability of features
  • Responsive design for mobile devices

Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Access to interactive product tours
  • Availability of templates and guides
  • Support from chatbots or live assistance
  • Availability of webinars and workshops

Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • Availability of 24/7 support
  • Multiple support channels (phone, chat, email)
  • Response time and efficiency
  • Access to a complete help center
  • Availability of dedicated account managers

Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing compared to features
  • Flexibility in subscription plans
  • Availability of free trials or demos
  • Transparency in the pricing structure
  • Scalability of pricing with business growth

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Comments on feature effectiveness
  • Feedback on customer support experience
  • Reviews on ease of use
  • Testimonials on ROI and business impact

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different conversational marketing platform vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on.

  • Voice interaction capabilities: More platforms are integrating voice recognition to allow users to interact with voice commands. This trend is growing as businesses seek to offer hands-free customer support experiences. Some vendors are exploring integration with smart speakers and voice assistants.
  • Emotion detection: Platforms analyze customer sentiment during interactions to provide more empathetic responses. This feature helps businesses tailor their communication strategies to match customer emotions, enhancing engagement.
  • Hyper-personalization: Vendors focus on delivering personalized experiences by using data analytics to understand user preferences. This trend enables businesses to offer content and product recommendations tailored to individual customers, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Conversational commerce: There's a growing focus on facilitating purchases directly through chat platforms. This trend allows customers to complete transactions within the chat interface, providing a seamless buying experience and reducing the need for multiple touchpoints.
  • Data privacy enhancements: With increasing concerns over data security, platforms are enhancing privacy features to comply with regulations. Businesses prioritize secure data handling tools and transparent privacy policies to build customer trust.

What Is A Conversational Marketing Platform?

A conversational marketing platform is a software tool that enables real-time communication between businesses and customers, usually through chatbots or live chat interfaces. These tools help marketing and customer service teams engage with customers and improve their experience.

Features like automated messaging, personalization, and sentiment analysis make connecting with customers and understanding their needs more leisurely. Ultimately, these platforms help businesses communicate more efficiently and build solid relationships with their audience.

Features Of Conversational Marketing Platforms

When selecting a conversational marketing platform, look for the following key features.

  • Live chat: Provides real-time communication with customers, enhancing engagement and support.
  • Chatbot automation: Automates responses to common inquiries, saving time and improving efficiency.
  • Multichannel support: Enables interaction across various platforms like the web, social media, and messaging apps.
  • Personalization: Offers tailored communication based on user preferences, increasing relevance and connection.
  • Sentiment analysis: Detects customer emotions during interactions, allowing for more empathetic responses.
  • Analytics and reporting: Provides user behavior and chat performance insights to optimize strategies.
  • Voice interaction: Allows users to use voice commands, catering to hands-free customer support.
  • Data privacy features: Ensures secure data handling and compliance with regulations, building customer trust.
  • Integration capabilities: Connects with existing tools and systems to create a unified workflow.
  • Conversational commerce: Facilitates transactions within the chat interface, simplifying the buying process.
  • Conversational AI: Employs natural language understanding and AI-powered chatbots to enable human-like interactions and drive customer engagement.
  • Drift integration: Offers compatibility with Drift, a leading conversational marketing tool, to enhance customer interactions and drive conversions.
  • Follow-up automation: Ensures timely and personalized follow-ups, helping to nurture potential customers and increase lead conversion.
  • Qualified leads identification: Identifies and prioritizes high-quality leads, streamlining marketing efforts and optimizing the sales funnel.
  • Sales team support: Enhances collaboration between sales reps and marketing teams to improve customer interactions and support the sales process.
  • Customer journey tracking: Maps and tracks customer journeys to provide a better understanding of customer behavior and engagement touchpoints.
  • Landing pages integration: Connects conversational tools with landing pages, improving conversion rates and capturing potential customers.
  • Marketing efforts optimization: Uses conversation insights to refine marketing campaigns and drive more targeted outreach.
  • Potential customers engagement: Increases engagement with potential customers, helping convert them into qualified leads.
  • Real-time conversations: Facilitates instant communication with customers, offering immediate support and personalized experiences.
  • Sales process alignment: Ensures a smooth transition from marketing to sales, supporting sales reps and driving faster conversions.
  • AI-powered chatbots: AI-driven chatbots automate responses, reducing the need for human intervention while supporting potential customers.

Benefits Of Conversational Marketing Platform

Implementing a conversational marketing platform provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to.

  • Enhanced customer engagement: Real-time chat and personalized interactions help keep customers interested and connected.
  • Improved efficiency: Chatbot automation handles routine queries, allowing your team to focus on more complex tasks.
  • Increased sales opportunities: Conversational commerce features let customers complete purchases directly in chat, boosting sales.
  • Valuable insights: Analytics and reporting offer a better understanding of customer behavior, guiding your marketing strategies.
  • Better customer satisfaction: Sentiment analysis ensures your team can respond empathetically, leading to happier customers.
  • Wider reach: Multichannel support allows you to engage customers on their preferred platforms, expanding your audience.
  • Stronger customer trust: Data privacy features ensure secure interactions, building confidence in your brand.

Costs & Pricing Of Conversational Marketing Platforms

Selecting a conversational marketing platform requires understanding the various pricing models and plans. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes standard plans, their average prices, and typical features included in conversational marketing platform solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Conversational Marketing Platform

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic chat capabilities, limited user support, and basic analytics
Personal Plan$10-$30/user/monthEnchanted chat features, personalization options, and basic integrations
Business Plan$50-$100/user/monthAdvanced automation, multichannel support, and detailed analytics
Enterprise Plan$150-$300/user/monthCustom solutions, dedicated support, advanced security features, and full API access
A breakdown of plan types, costs, and features for conversational marketing platforms.

Conversational Marketing Platform FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions about conversational marketing platforms.

What tool will allow you to engage in conversational marketing platforms with customers?

Tools like chatbots are essential to engage in conversational marketing. They provide instant responses and updates, enhancing customer interaction. These tools help brands offer personalized content and event information, making the experience more engaging for users. Implementing chatbots can improve customer satisfaction and streamline communication.

Why would a company use conversational marketing platforms?

Companies use conversational marketing to boost customer engagement and improve inbound efforts. By offering one-on-one interactions, businesses can gather timely data on customer preferences. This approach enhances the user experience by addressing customer needs more effectively, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.

Do conversational marketing platforms represent the next big digital marketing opportunity?

Yes, conversational platforms are seen as a significant opportunity in digital marketing. Over the next few years, these platforms will likely expand beyond customer service. They will facilitate informed decision-making and create immersive brand experiences, providing businesses new ways to engage customers.

What is the main objective of conversational marketing platforms?

The main objective of conversational marketing is to build deeper customer connections. It aims to create opportunities for engagement and conversion by providing instant, helpful answers. Whether assisting with product inquiries or checking out, this approach enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty.

How do conversational marketing platforms improve customer decision-making?

Conversational marketing platforms offer instant access to information, helping customers make informed decisions. They provide personalized recommendations and support, guiding users through their buying journey. By enhancing the decision-making process, these platforms can improve the overall customer experience and increase sales.

How do businesses measure the success of conversational marketing platform strategies?

Businesses measure success through metrics like customer engagement rates and conversion rates. Analyzing customer feedback and satisfaction scores also helps assess the effectiveness of conversational marketing strategies. These insights enable businesses to refine their approaches and better meet customer needs.

What’s Next?

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Dozie Anyaegbunam
By Dozie Anyaegbunam

Dozie Anyaegbunam is the Senior Editor of The CMO Club, a digital media publication that helps SaaS marketing leaders win at work. He has several years of core brand marketing experience across various verticals, from edu-tech, to food and beverages, to SaaS. He's also led marketing teams at B2B SaaS startups, global multinationals, and the public sector. Dozie is the Founder & Host of The Newcomers, a media publication that explores what it means to be an immigrant.