10 Best AI Chatbots for Customer Engagement

The customer support dilemma: how do you provide instant, personalized service around the clock without hiring an army of agents? This challenge haunts businesses of all sizes, but there’s a powerful solution that’s becoming increasingly sophisticated. The best AI chatbots for customer engagement now offer human-like conversations, omnichannel support, and deep integration capabilities that were unimaginable just a few years ago. I’ve researched, tested, and compared the top contenders to bring you this comprehensive guide to the 10 best options on the market.

Zendesk

When it comes to scalable customer support, Zendesk consistently rises to the top of my recommendations for the best AI chatbots for customer engagement. What makes Zendesk stand out is its affordable pay-per-resolution pricing model, starting at just $1 per automated resolution.

Key Features:

• Automated resolution capabilities that handle routine inquiries
• 24/7 support availability that never leaves customers waiting
• Seamless knowledge base integration that leverages your existing content
• Scalable solution that grows with your business

Zendesk’s chatbot excels at integrating with your existing systems, making implementation relatively painless. I’ve seen businesses achieve significant cost savings while maintaining high customer satisfaction rates. The platform’s ability to scale makes it particularly valuable for growing companies that need flexibility.

Pricing:

Starting at $1 per automated resolution, which makes it accessible for businesses of all sizes. While this might seem inexpensive at first glance, it’s worth noting that costs can add up quickly as your volume increases.

Pros:

• Affordable entry point compared to many competitors
• Integrates smoothly with existing systems
• Highly scalable for growing businesses

Cons:

• Pricing structure can become expensive with high volumes
• Some advanced features require additional investment

Best For:

Zendesk is ideal for businesses that need a scalable support solution that can grow alongside their customer base. If you’re looking for a reliable chatbot with proven results and straightforward implementation, this should be on your shortlist.

HubSpot

I’ve always been impressed by HubSpot’s approach to customer engagement, and their AI chatbot solution continues that tradition. What makes HubSpot particularly valuable is its deep integration with their CRM platform, creating a seamless experience for both customers and support teams.

Key Features:

• CRM integration that provides context for every conversation
• Sales automation capabilities that turn support into opportunities
• Free limited tools to get started without upfront investment
• Comprehensive analytics to measure performance

The free plan offers a taste of what’s possible, though you’ll likely outgrow it quickly if you’re serious about customer engagement. What I love about HubSpot’s chatbot is how it ties together marketing, sales, and service in one cohesive ecosystem.

Pricing:

HubSpot offers free limited tools to get started, making it accessible for small businesses or those wanting to test the waters before committing to a paid plan.

Pros:

• Free plan available for basic needs
• Excellent CRM integration for contextual conversations
• Unified platform for marketing, sales, and service

Cons:

• Limited features in the free plan
• Can become expensive as you add more functionality

Best For:

HubSpot shines for CRM-heavy teams that want to leverage customer data for more personalized interactions. If your business already uses HubSpot’s other tools, their chatbot is a natural extension that will integrate seamlessly with your existing workflows.

Zoho SalesIQ

Zoho SalesIQ offers one of the most user-friendly experiences I’ve encountered in the AI chatbot space. Their drag-and-drop chatbot builder makes it accessible even for team members without technical expertise.

Key Features:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop chatbot builder for easy setup
• Robust multilingual support (up to 30 languages)
• Pre-defined responses that can be quickly implemented
• Affordable pricing structure starting at $7/month for paid plans

What sets Zoho SalesIQ apart is its accessibility. You don’t need to be a technical wizard to create effective conversation flows. The multilingual support is also impressive, making it a solid choice for businesses with a global customer base.

Pricing:

Paid plans start at $7 per month (billed annually), with a free plan available for up to 3 operators. They also offer a 15-day free trial so you can test the platform before committing.

Pros:

• Exceptionally easy to use, even for non-technical users
• Strong multilingual capabilities for global businesses
• Affordable entry point compared to many competitors

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to some higher-end solutions
• May require upgrades as your needs become more sophisticated

Best For:

Zoho SalesIQ is perfect for small to medium businesses looking for an affordable, easy-to-implement chatbot solution. If multilingual support is important to your business, this should definitely be on your radar.

Netomi

When it comes to enterprise-level AI chatbots, Netomi delivers impressive capabilities. Their omnichannel approach ensures consistent customer experiences across all touchpoints.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive omnichannel support across platforms
• Deep CRM integration for contextual conversations
• Sophisticated analytics for performance optimization
• High automation rates (reportedly handling over 70% of requests without human intervention)

What impresses me most about Netomi is its ability to maintain context across different channels. If a customer starts a conversation on your website and continues it via email, the chatbot doesn’t miss a beat.

Pricing:

Netomi doesn’t publicly disclose pricing, requiring potential customers to contact their sales team. This typically indicates an enterprise-focused solution with customized pricing based on specific needs.

Pros:

• Strong analytics capabilities for performance tracking
• Excellent omnichannel support for consistent experiences
• High automation rates that reduce agent workload

Cons:

• Pricing isn’t transparent, making budgeting difficult
• Likely requires significant investment for full implementation

Best For:

Netomi is best suited for enterprises needing sophisticated omnichannel support. If your business handles high volumes of customer interactions across multiple platforms, Netomi’s robust capabilities make it worth considering despite the lack of transparent pricing.

Intercom Fin

Intercom’s Fin chatbot represents the cutting edge of AI-powered customer engagement. Built on OpenAI technology, it offers some of the most advanced conversation capabilities I’ve seen.

Key Features:

• OpenAI-powered intelligence for handling complex queries
• Ability to ask clarifying questions for better understanding
• Comprehensive analytics for performance tracking
• Seamless integration with Intercom’s broader platform

What sets Fin apart is its ability to handle nuanced, complex customer queries that would stump many other chatbots. It can break down complicated topics and follow up with clarifying questions when needed.

Pricing:

Plans start at $29 per seat/month (billed annually) plus $0.99 per resolution. While not the cheapest option, the advanced AI capabilities may justify the investment for businesses dealing with complex customer inquiries.

Pros:

• Advanced AI capabilities for handling complex queries
• Excellent at understanding customer intent
• Comprehensive analytics for optimization

Cons:

• Relatively expensive compared to simpler solutions
• Complex setup process that requires investment of time

Best For:

Intercom Fin is ideal for businesses dealing with complex customer queries that require sophisticated understanding. If your support team frequently handles complicated issues that basic chatbots struggle with, Fin’s advanced capabilities make it worth the investment.

Ada

Ada stands out for its combination of powerful AI and exceptional ease of use. Their no-code builder makes it accessible to teams without technical expertise.

Key Features:

• AI and NLP powered intelligence for natural conversations
• No-code builder for easy implementation and updates
• Multilingual support for global businesses (100+ languages)
• Voice channel support for phone call automation

What impresses me about Ada is how it balances sophisticated AI capabilities with accessibility. The no-code builder means your marketing or support teams can create and refine chatbot flows without developer dependency.

Pricing:

Ada doesn’t publicly disclose pricing, requiring potential customers to contact their sales team. They do offer a 14-day free trial, which provides an opportunity to test the platform before committing.

Pros:

• No-code interface empowers non-technical teams
• Excellent multilingual support (100+ languages)
• Scalable solution that grows with your business

Cons:

• No mobile app available for on-the-go management
• Learning curve for optimization despite easy interface
• Pricing not transparent, suggesting potentially high costs

Best For:

Ada is particularly well-suited for businesses needing multilingual support across multiple channels. If global reach is important to your customer engagement strategy, Ada’s language capabilities make it a standout choice.

Zowie

Zowie brings something unique to the table with its self-learning AI specifically designed for e-commerce businesses. This specialized focus makes it particularly effective for retail customer engagement.

Key Features:

• Self-learning AI that improves over time
• E-commerce focus with specialized capabilities
• Comprehensive analytics for performance tracking
• Multilingual support (175 languages)

What sets Zowie apart is its ability to learn from interactions and continuously improve its performance. The e-commerce specialization means it understands product queries, order status questions, and other retail-specific concerns better than many general-purpose chatbots.

Pricing:

Zowie doesn’t publicly disclose pricing, requiring potential customers to contact their sales team for custom quotes.

Pros:

• Self-learning capabilities that improve over time
• Specialized e-commerce focus for retail businesses
• Strong multilingual support for global brands

Cons:

• Limited data transfer capabilities
• Complex user interface that can be challenging to navigate
• Lack of transparent pricing

Best For:

Zowie is the ideal choice for e-commerce brands looking for a specialized solution. If your business sells products online and needs a chatbot that understands the unique challenges of retail customer service, Zowie’s specialized capabilities make it worth considering.

Meya

For businesses with developer resources, Meya offers unparalleled customization capabilities. This platform gives you the tools to build highly sophisticated chatbot experiences.

Key Features:

• Customizable workflows for complex scenarios
• Backend integration capabilities for connected experiences
• Comprehensive coding support for developers
• Web IDE for streamlined development

What makes Meya special is its flexibility. If you can imagine a chatbot workflow, you can probably build it with Meya. The platform provides the tools and infrastructure for creating truly custom conversational experiences.

Pricing:

Plans start at $99 per month, with a 14-day free trial available. This makes it more accessible than many enterprise solutions while still offering advanced capabilities.

Pros:

• Highly customizable for specific business needs
• Developer-friendly tools for complex implementations
• More affordable than many enterprise solutions

Cons:

• Requires coding knowledge for full utilization
• Steeper learning curve than no-code platforms
• May require developer resources for implementation

Best For:

Meya is ideal for businesses with developer resources who need highly customized chatbot experiences. If off-the-shelf solutions don’t meet your specific requirements, Meya’s flexibility makes it possible to build exactly what you need.

Freshchat

Freshchat offers a comprehensive customer engagement solution powered by their Freddy AI. Their multi-channel approach ensures consistent experiences across touchpoints.

Key Features:

• AI-driven sales bot for proactive engagement
• Multi-channel support across platforms
• Comprehensive analytics for performance tracking
• Seamless integration with other Freshworks products

What I appreciate about Freshchat is its balance of automation and human touch. The platform makes it easy to transition from bot to human agent when needed, ensuring customers always get the right level of support.

Pricing:

Pricing varies based on specific needs and scale. Freshchat offers different plans to accommodate businesses of various sizes.

Pros:

• Excellent multi-channel support capabilities
• Strong integration with other Freshworks products
• Proactive engagement features for sales opportunities

Cons:

• Pricing structure can be complex to navigate
• May require investment in other Freshworks products for full benefit

Best For:

Freshchat is particularly well-suited for businesses looking for customer engagement across multiple channels. If providing consistent experiences across web, mobile, and messaging platforms is important to your strategy, Freshchat’s omnichannel capabilities make it a strong contender.

Emitrr

Emitrr offers a specialized approach to customer engagement with a focus on appointment-based businesses. Their two-way text and voice communication capabilities make them unique in the chatbot landscape.

Key Features:

• Two-way text and voice communication for natural interactions
• Appointment automation for scheduling and reminders
• Customizable workflows for different business processes
• Advanced AI answering services for accurate responses

What sets Emitrr apart is its focus on specific use cases like appointment scheduling and management. If your business revolves around appointments, their specialized capabilities can significantly reduce no-shows and streamline operations.

Pricing:

Pricing varies based on specific needs and scale. Emitrr offers different plans to accommodate businesses of various sizes.

Pros:

• Specialized capabilities for appointment-based businesses
• Effective automation of scheduling and reminders
• Customizable workflows for specific business processes

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
• May be too specialized for businesses with diverse needs

Best For:

Emitrr is ideal for small and medium enterprises that rely heavily on appointments. If scheduling, reminders, and appointment management are central to your business, Emitrr’s specialized focus makes it particularly valuable.

Comparison Of The Best AI Chatbots For Customer Engagement

Choosing the best AI chatbots for customer engagement ultimately depends on your specific business needs, technical capabilities, and budget. Each platform offers unique strengths, from Zendesk’s scalability to Zowie’s e-commerce focus. Consider your priorities-whether that’s multilingual support, complex query handling, or appointment automation-and select the solution that aligns with your customer engagement goals.