30 Instagram automation tools and ManyChat alternatives, compared

In short:

• These are 30 tools that automate Instagram DMs (comment-to-DM, keyword DMs, story replies) through Meta's official API, sorted into four groups: our pick and ManyChat, creator tools, budget tools priced mostly in rupees, and multi-channel platforms.
• BuzzWire (our product) is #1 for one reason: a free plan with no monthly DM, contact or automation cap, for one Instagram account. Zorcha, ViralDM and SuperProfile also advertise unlimited free DMs, each with other limits listed below.
• ManyChat moved to new pricing on 2 March 2026. Its free plan is now 25 active contacts a month.
• Free plans count in different units: contacts, DMs, automations or credits. Check the unit before the price.
• Prices are copied as each vendor publishes them ($, € or ₹), not converted, and were checked on 23 Oct 2026.

BuzzWire is our product, and we ranked it first. Everything else is listed by group, not by score. For every tool, we say where it's the better choice and what to watch out for. Prices change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you pay.

How we picked the 30 tools

We started with 43 tools that are sold as ManyChat alternatives or Instagram DM automation tools. Every tool in the final 30:

• Automates Instagram DMs today, through Meta's official API, so you sign in with Instagram's own login screen and never hand over your password.
• Publishes its prices. Every free plan and price below was read on the vendor's own pricing or product page on 23 Oct 2026.
• Is live and on sale.

We left out tools with no Instagram DM automation (Landbot, Zapier, Later), products we couldn't confirm are still sold, and platforms where Instagram comment automation is missing or sits on expensive team plans.

Two notes on what you'll read:

• Meta status is quoted in each vendor's own words. "Meta Business Partner", "Tech Provider" and "official API" are different things, and none of them means Meta endorses a tool. We didn't check the claims against Meta's directories.
• We left out user counts and ratings. Several vendors give different numbers on different pages of their own site.

All 30 tools at a glance

All prices as published on each vendor's own site, checked 23 Oct 2026. "Billed yearly" means the monthly rate when you pay for a year up front.

Our pick and the benchmark

1. BuzzWire: free plan with unlimited DMs (ours)

BuzzWire is an Instagram-only DM automation tool for creators. It sends your link by DM when someone comments a keyword, replies to your story or DMs you, and its free plan has no monthly DM, contact or automation cap.

• Free: unlimited DMs and automations on 1 Instagram account, sent within Instagram's limits. Comment-to-DM, keyword DMs, story replies and public comment replies are all included. Free DMs carry a small "Automated with BuzzWire.io" line.
• Paid: Pro is $9.99/mo or $79/yr (founding-member price). It adds Follow Gate, Follow Nudge, Email Capture with CSV export and image-card DMs, and removes the line. There's a 14-day Pro trial with no card.
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status: a Verified Meta Tech Provider, using the official Instagram API. That's a business verification, not an endorsement; BuzzWire isn't affiliated with Meta.
• Watch out for: one Instagram account per plan, no Facebook or WhatsApp, no AI replies and no multi-step flow builder. Email Capture collects addresses; it doesn't send email.

See every plan detail on BuzzWire pricing.

2. ManyChat: the multi-channel benchmark

ManyChat is the biggest name in chat automation and the tool most people compare against. It covers Instagram alongside Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, WhatsApp, SMS and email in one visual flow builder.

• Free: 25 active contacts a month, 2 channels, up to 4 active automations and "Powered by Manychat" on the first message.
• Paid: Essential is $14/mo billed yearly ($17 month-to-month) for 250 active contacts. Pro is $29/mo billed yearly ($39 monthly) for 2,500 contacts, plus a fee for each contact over that. Business is $69/mo and Advanced $139/mo, billed yearly.
• Channels: Instagram, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram on Free and Essential. WhatsApp, SMS and email from Pro.
• Meta status, in its words: an "Official Meta Business Partner".
• Best for: brands that run Instagram plus WhatsApp, SMS or email from one builder.
• Watch out for: billing grows with every contact who messages you, so a Reel that takes off raises the bill. The 25-contact free plan can run out on the first day of a good post.

ManyChat vs BuzzWire · ManyChat pricing explained

Creator-focused ManyChat alternatives

Instagram-first tools with prices in US dollars or euros, built for creators who send links, freebies and offers through DMs.

3. LinkDM: several accounts plus Facebook

A creator comment-to-DM tool that also handles Facebook comments, with three Instagram accounts on its Pro plan.

• Free: 1 account, 1,000 DMs a month, LinkDM branding.
• Paid: Pro $19/mo or $182/yr (3 accounts, 25,000 DMs a month). Platinum+ is $99/mo for 10 accounts.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook.
• Meta status, in its words: "a certified Meta Business Partner since 2021".
• Watch out for: the public comment reply and branding removal are Pro-only.

LinkDM vs BuzzWire · LinkDM pricing

4. CreatorFlow: story replies and keywords on free

An Instagram-only tool with flat plans and no per-contact fees. Story replies and unlimited keyword triggers are on the free plan.

• Free: 1 account, 500 DMs a month, unlimited automations.
• Paid: Pro $15/mo, or $12/mo billed yearly (2 accounts, 5,000 DMs a month). Growth $30/mo (5 accounts, 10,000 DMs).
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status, in its words: "Meta Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: every plan caps monthly DMs, and the free plan's 500 can go in one busy day.

CreatorFlow vs BuzzWire

5. InstantDM: cheap annual plan, AI comment replies

Comment-to-DM with flat pricing, AI comment replies and multi-account plans for agencies.

• Free: 1 account, 500 DM automations a month, up to 5 post automations, InstantDM branding.
• Paid: Legend Pro $9.99/mo billed yearly, with unlimited monthly DMs. Trendsetter $24.99/mo billed yearly adds an AI agent node that uses your own AI key.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook comments, Messenger (Trendsetter and up).
• Meta status, in its words: "Built on Meta's official API".
• Watch out for: headline prices are billed yearly, and the cheaper paid tiers cap sends per hour.

InstantDM vs BuzzWire

6. Inrō: an AI agent and an Instagram CRM

An Instagram-only tool built around an AI agent that holds open conversations and qualifies leads, with a CRM view of your contacts.

• Free: 100 active contacts a month, 3 automations, 50 AI credits.
• Paid: Pro starts at €12.99/mo and rises with the contacts you activate each month. A managed account starts at €299/mo.
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status, in its words: "Meta Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: Pro has no fixed price, and the pricing page doesn't list the price for each contact band.

Inrō vs BuzzWire

7. ReplyRush: biggest metered free plan with Facebook

A low-cost Instagram and Facebook automation app with iOS and Android apps.

• Free: 1,500 DMs a month, 1 Instagram and 1 Facebook account.
• Paid: Lite $10/mo (7,500 DMs). Boost $25/mo (40,000 DMs, 3 accounts each). MAX $100/mo.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook.
• Meta status, in its words: "officially approved by the Meta (Facebook) Developer Team".
• Watch out for: the public comment reply isn't on the free plan, and branding removal starts at Boost.

ReplyRush vs BuzzWire

8. Zorcha: unlimited free DMs plus a storefront

An India-built tool that bundles free unlimited DM automation with link-in-bio, digital product sales and AI FAQ replies. It publishes separate global (USD) and India (INR) prices.

• Free: unlimited contacts, DMs and automations, 20 AI FAQs, 15K AI credits, and an 8% fee on digital product sales.
• Paid: Pro $14.99/mo, or $9.99/mo billed yearly. In India, ₹1,199/mo or ₹799/mo billed yearly.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook.
• Meta status, in its words: "uses Meta-approved APIs".
• Watch out for: email and phone capture are paid features, and AI replies run on separate credits.

9. RapidDM: cheap starter plan with quarterly billing

Instagram DM automation for creators and digital sellers, with keyword, story and follow-to-continue flows.

• Free: 1 account, 1,000 DMs a month, unlimited automations.
• Paid: Starter $9/mo, $8/mo quarterly or $6.58/mo yearly (10,000 DMs, 10 keywords). Pro $19/mo (unlimited DMs, 3 accounts, AI).
• Channels: Instagram.
• Meta status: shows a Meta Tech Provider badge.
• Watch out for: AI and extra accounts start at Pro.

10. EasyDM: DM automation plus post scheduling

Instagram DM automation with a bot filter that skips spam accounts, and post scheduling in the same tool.

• Free: 1 account, 2,000 DMs a month, 500 contacts, 3 automations.
• Paid: Growth $9/mo (2 accounts, unlimited DMs and contacts). Agency $20/mo (5 accounts).
• Channels: Instagram.
• Meta status, in its words: "Official Meta Business Partner".
• Watch out for: the free plan stops at 500 contacts and 3 automations.

11. HeyDM: one flat unlimited plan

Comment-to-DM sold as a single unlimited plan after a trial, so there are no tiers to compare.

• Free: no free plan. A 14-day trial includes all features.
• Paid: Pro Unlimited $99/yr ($8.25/mo), or $9.99/mo. India: ₹419/mo or ₹3,999/yr.
• Channels: Instagram (Facebook "coming soon").
• Meta status: says it uses the official Meta API for Instagram.
• Watch out for: after 14 days you pay or stop.

12. BooSend: AI sales agents that book calls

AI agents for Instagram DMs that qualify leads and book calls, with voice-note and video DM features.

• Free: no free plan. A 30-day trial, no card.
• Paid: Explorer $15/mo or $153/yr (unlimited contacts and DMs). AI features start at Creator, $29/mo.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram.
• Meta status: shows an "Official Meta Tech Provider" badge.
• Watch out for: the cheapest plan has no AI agent, which is the main reason to choose it.

Budget ManyChat alternatives, mostly priced in rupees

Instagram tools built in or for India, most quoting prices in ₹. Several are among the cheapest paid plans anywhere.

13. AutoDM: the cheapest paid plan we found

A no-AI comment-to-DM tool for Instagram, Facebook Pages and Telegram bots.

• Free: 3,000 replies a month, 4 automations at once (2 of them comment-to-DM).
• Paid: Creator Pro $1.99/mo or $19.99/yr, with unlimited replies.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook Pages, Telegram.
• Meta status, in its words: uses "official Instagram Business APIs approved by Meta".
• Watch out for: no AI features at all, by design.

14. ReplyKaro: low prices across many packs

A low-cost Instagram and Facebook comment and story-to-DM tool with flows, broadcasts and AI credits.

• Free: 1 account, 3 automations, 1,000 DMs a month, no AI credits.
• Paid: Starter Pack ₹99 / $3 a month (30,000 DMs). Pro Pack ₹299 / $9 a month (unlimited DMs).
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook (priced as separate plans or bundles).
• Meta status: describes itself as "Official Meta Approved", with a note that it's not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta.
• Watch out for: its plan pages disagree with each other on DM caps, so confirm the limit on the plan you buy.

15. BlipDM: high DM volume for very little

A very low-cost Instagram comment and story-to-DM tool.

• Free: 1 account, 500 DMs a month, unlimited flows.
• Paid: Pro ₹99/mo for 50,000 DMs. Elite ₹499/mo for unlimited DMs.
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status, in its words: "a Meta Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: every plan supports one Instagram account.

16. Repli: Instagram and WhatsApp from one vendor

Instagram comment and DM automation plus WhatsApp Business marketing, on credit-based plans.

• Free: 1 account, 1 active automation, 15 credits plus 5 a day, DMs capped at 300 characters with a Repli footer.
• Paid: Creator ₹249/mo (unlimited comment-to-DM automations). Pro+ ₹1,499/mo adds AI replies.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp and email (Growth and up).
• Meta status, in its words: "uses Meta's official APIs".
• Watch out for: AI replies start at the ₹1,499 plan.

17. LinkPlease: AI comment moderation and brand-deal detection

An Instagram growth and DM automation tool with AI moderation and a brand-deal detector on higher plans.

• Free: 1,000 DMs and 1,000 contacts a month.
• Paid: Pro ₹399/mo per Instagram account (unlimited DMs and contacts). Super ₹799/mo adds the AI features.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook Pages and Messenger.
• Meta status, in its words: a "Verified Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: prices are per Instagram account.

18. ChatAutoDM: AI FAQ replies at a low price

A low-cost Instagram comment, story and DM tool with AI FAQ replies and a flow builder.

• Free: 1,000 contacts a month, 10,000 AI credits, unlimited flows.
• Paid: Pro ₹499/mo (unlimited contacts, 500,000 AI credits). Elite ₹1,299/mo.
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status, in its words: "a Meta Business-Verified and Access-Verified Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: its pricing page says final usage caps are published before billing starts, so limits aren't all public yet.

19. SuperProfile: auto-DM inside a link-in-bio store

Instagram auto-DM built into a creator link-in-bio and storefront product.

• Free: unlimited AutoDMs on Reels and posts, 1 keyword, a "Sent via SuperProfile" line.
• Paid: Creator ₹99 for the first month, then ₹499 (India). Elsewhere, $4.99 for the first month, then $29/mo. Up to 5 accounts.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook Messenger (paid).
• Meta status: its India page says it's "certified by Meta as a Verified Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: stories, Lives and ask-to-follow need the paid plan, and the price outside India is much higher.

20. ViralDM: UPI payments inside DMs

An India-built tool that can take UPI payments inside Instagram DMs and reply in Hinglish and other Indian languages.

• Free: 1 account, unlimited DMs, 1 automation (3 keywords), 25 leads a month, ViralDM branding on the first DM.
• Paid: Starter ₹499/mo with the first 30 days free (2 accounts, 3 automations, 3,000 AI replies). Growth ₹1,499/mo for unlimited automations.
• Channels: Instagram DMs, with post scheduling to other networks.
• Meta status, in its words: "passed Meta's business verification and access verification as a Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: the free plan runs only one automation.

21. MagicDM: Amazon affiliate links in DMs

An Instagram comment and DM tool that adds your Amazon affiliate tag to links automatically and supports 11 Indian languages.

• Free: 2,000 DMs a month.
• Paid: Standard ₹599/mo (10,000 DMs). Pro ₹999/mo (1,00,000 DMs), labelled a launch offer. About $9 outside India, per its site.
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status: calls itself an "Official Meta Business Partner" and a "Meta Verified Tech Provider".
• Watch out for: the ₹999 price is a launch offer, so it may rise.

22. CheckYourDM: A/B tests for your DMs

Instagram comment, story and DM automation with A/B testing and AI-built flows.

• Free: 1 account, 2,000 DMs a month, 3 automations, a "Powered by" footer.
• Paid: Creator ₹699/mo (unlimited DMs, 3 accounts). Business ₹1,999/mo (10 accounts, lead-capture pages).
• Channels: Instagram only.
• Meta status: shows "Meta Tech Provider" and "Business Verified by Meta" badges.
• Watch out for: email capture through lead pages is on the ₹1,999 plan only.

Multi-channel ManyChat alternatives and suites

Platforms that run Instagram alongside WhatsApp, Messenger, web chat or a CRM. They suit brands and support teams more than solo creators.

23. Chatfuel: the closest like-for-like to ManyChat

A chatbot builder for Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok and websites, with comment-to-DM, keyword and story-reply automation and an AI agent.

• Free: no free plan. A 7-day trial with $15 of credits.
• Paid: Business $20/mo, or $18/mo billed yearly, with unlimited contacts and seats for 1 bot.
• Channels: Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, website.
• Meta status, in its words: "Official Meta Partner".
• Watch out for: there's no free plan to start on.

24. SendPulse: chatbots inside a marketing suite

An email and messaging marketing platform with Instagram chatbots for comment replies, comment-triggered DMs, keywords and story mentions.

• Free: 3 chatbots, 500 subscribers, 10,000 messages a month. The pricing page doesn't say whether Instagram is on the free plan.
• Paid: Pro $12/mo, or $9.60/mo billed yearly. The price rises with subscribers.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp and other channels.
• Meta status: shows a "Meta Business Partner" badge.
• Watch out for: subscriber-based pricing, much like ManyChat's contact pricing.

25. Spur: for Shopify stores

Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook automation with Shopify integration, comment-to-DM and AI replies.

• Free: no free plan. A 14-day trial.
• Paid: AI Acquire $12/mo or $144/yr, with 1 user, 100 AI credits and 3 Instagram or Facebook flows.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, live chat.
• Meta status, in its words: an "official Meta Technology Partner".
• Watch out for: the entry plan allows only 3 flows.

26. Interakt: an Instagram-only plan from a WhatsApp tool

A WhatsApp commerce platform that also sells an Instagram-only plan with comment auto-replies and comment-to-DM.

• Free: no free plan. A 14-day trial.
• Paid: Instagram Starter $12/mo on its US page (₹999/mo plus taxes on its Instagram page). Growth $55/mo covers both channels.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp.
• Meta status: describes itself as a Meta Business Partner.
• Watch out for: its pages quote the Instagram plan in different currencies, so confirm the price for your country.

27. Respond.io: for support and sales teams

A customer conversation platform for teams, covering WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok and web chat, with comment-to-DM and AI agents.

• Free: no free plan. A 7-day trial.
• Paid: Starter from $79/mo on its pricing page.
• Channels: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, web chat and more.
• Meta status, in its words: "Meta Premier Partner".
• Watch out for: its pricing page doesn't say which plan includes Instagram comment-to-DM, and it's priced for teams rather than creators.

28. Wati: WhatsApp first, Instagram included

A WhatsApp-first platform that also automates Instagram comment-to-DM, public replies and story replies.

• Free: no free plan. A 7-day trial.
• Paid: Growth $59/mo billed yearly (3 users, 1,000 automation triggers a month, 1 Instagram account).
• Channels: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger.
• Meta status: shows an "Official Meta Business Partner" badge.
• Watch out for: the 1,000 monthly automation triggers can run out fast on a busy Reel.

29. Kommo: a sales CRM with Instagram automation

A messenger-based sales CRM with Instagram comment-to-DM, follow-to-DM, story replies and keyword automation.

• Free: no free plan. A 14-day trial.
• Paid: Base $25 per user a month, billed for 6 months minimum. Comment automation needs Advanced, $35 per user a month.
• Channels: Instagram, WhatsApp and other messengers.
• Meta status: shows Meta badges without further wording.
• Watch out for: per-user pricing and a 6-month minimum.

30. Metricool: DM flows inside a scheduler

A social media scheduler and analytics suite whose Flows feature adds comment-to-DM, keyword DMs and story-reply DMs.

• Free: a free plan exists, but it doesn't include Flows.
• Paid: Starter €16/mo billed yearly (€20 monthly). Flows are included on paid plans "for a limited time".
• Channels: Flows for Instagram, TikTok and X. The scheduler covers more networks.
• Meta status: not stated.
• Watch out for: no AI replies, and Flows may become a paid extra later.

How to choose from 30 tools

Answer these in order and most of the list falls away:

• Do you need more than Instagram? If WhatsApp, Messenger or SMS matter, look at ManyChat, Chatfuel, Respond.io or Wati. If Instagram is enough, stay with the creator and budget groups.
• How many DMs in your best month, not your average one? A Reel that takes off can bring thousands of comments. A free plan with a DM or contact cap stops there, and contact-based pricing (ManyChat, Inrō, SendPulse) rises with it.
• How many accounts? One account fits every tool. For several, compare LinkDM, CreatorFlow, EasyDM or the agency plans.
• Do you want AI writing the replies? Inrō, BooSend, InstantDM and the multi-channel platforms offer AI agents. Keyword tools such as BuzzWire, AutoDM and CreatorFlow send the message you wrote.
• Which currency will you pay in? Rupee prices are often far lower than the same tool's dollar price outside India.

For free plans only, see our free Instagram DM automation tools comparison. For a shorter, ranked list, see the 7 best Instagram DM automation tools.

What every tool here has in common

All 30 use the same Meta API, so the core rules are identical whichever you pick:

• They only message people who contacted you first: a comment, a story reply or a DM.
• Meta allows one private reply per comment, within 7 days of the comment.
• After someone messages you, there's a 24-hour window to reply.
• A DM can be up to 1,000 bytes of text.

The differences are in price, channels and features, not in what Meta permits. No tool can promise your account won't be restricted. For the details, read how Instagram DM automation works and Instagram DM limits.

FAQ

What are the best ManyChat alternatives for Instagram?

It depends on what you need. BuzzWire (our product) has a free plan with no DM, contact or automation cap for one account. LinkDM and CreatorFlow suit creators with several accounts. Inrō and BooSend lead on AI agents. AutoDM, BlipDM and ReplyKaro have the cheapest paid plans. Chatfuel is the closest like-for-like if you also need WhatsApp or Messenger.

Is there a free ManyChat alternative with no limits?

Several tools advertise unlimited DMs on a free plan, each with other limits. BuzzWire's free plan has unlimited DMs and automations on one account, with a small BuzzWire line on each DM. Zorcha's free plan is unlimited but charges 8% on digital product sales and keeps email capture for paid plans. ViralDM's allows one automation, and SuperProfile's covers post and Reel comments with one keyword. Every tool still works within Instagram's own messaging limits.

What is the cheapest Instagram automation tool?

Among paid plans, AutoDM's Creator Pro is $1.99 a month, and BlipDM and ReplyKaro start at ₹99 a month in India. Among creator tools priced in US dollars, HeyDM is $8.25 a month billed yearly, RapidDM and EasyDM start at $9 a month, and BuzzWire Pro is $9.99. Prices checked 23 Oct 2026.

How much does ManyChat cost now?

Since 2 March 2026, ManyChat's free plan covers 25 active contacts a month. Essential is $14 a month billed yearly or $17 month-to-month, and Pro is $29 billed yearly or $39 monthly, with a fee for each contact above the plan's limit.

Are Instagram automation tools allowed?

Yes, when they use Meta's official API, as all 30 here do. You connect through Instagram's own login screen and never share your password. Meta's rules still apply: one private reply per comment within 7 days, and a 24-hour window to reply to messages.

Which Instagram automation tools also do WhatsApp?

ManyChat (Pro and up), Chatfuel, Respond.io, Wati, Interakt, Spur, SendPulse, Kommo, BooSend and Repli all cover WhatsApp as well as Instagram. BuzzWire, CreatorFlow and most budget tools are Instagram only.