A MessageBird alternative for teams that live in WhatsApp
MessageBird is now Bird, a set of APIs for email, SMS, WhatsApp and voice, billed per message. If what you need is a team answering customers on WhatsApp, Tobachat is built for exactly that, on a monthly plan.
Where each one fits
Bird is the better pick when
- Your developers build messaging into your own software through an API, SDK or CLI.
- You want email, SMS, WhatsApp and voice from a single vendor.
- You'd rather pay per message and use their free inbox on top.
Tobachat is the better pick when
- You want one monthly plan, with Meta billing your messages directly and no markup.
- An AI agent should answer your customers, on every plan.
- You want to get started without a developer.
- You'd like to try it free first, with no credit card.
Bird and Tobachat, side by side
| Compared | Bird | Tobachat |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | APIs, SDKs, a CLI and an MCP server for email, SMS, WhatsApp, voice and more | A web app with an inbox, contacts, campaigns, automations and an AI agent |
| Shared inbox | Free software. You pay for each channel's messages | Included on every plan |
| WhatsApp pricing | A $0.005 processing fee per message on top of Meta's fee (Netherlands rate) | €29, €99 or €199 a month. Meta bills messages directly, with no markup |
| Getting started | An API key, or their dashboard and inbox | Connect your number through Meta's own sign-up window |
Checked on 25 October 2026 against Bird's own website, as shown to a visitor in the Netherlands. Prices exclude VAT and may have changed since.
Moving from Bird
Your number and your contacts come along. Templates need to be submitted again.
Release the number
Disconnect your WhatsApp number at Bird so Meta can link it to a new account.
Start free
Create an account and connect the number through Meta's own sign-up window.
Bring the rest
Import your contacts from a CSV file, set up your automations and submit your templates to Meta.
Common questions
Try it free on your own number
No credit card, no developer. Connect your number and answer your first customer.
Prefer a hand getting started? We'll get you started