A WhatsApp AI chatbot that answers from your own facts.
Connect your WhatsApp Business number, save your prices and policies, and the chatbot replies to text, voice notes and photos. Hold replies for approval, or let it hand off to a person when a customer asks.
WhatsApp starts on Growth ($129/mo, 35,000 AI replies) and Pro ($349/mo, 100,000). Meta bills WhatsApp message fees separately.
The short answer
What does a WhatsApp AI chatbot do in Instant Reply?
Instant Reply's WhatsApp AI chatbot answers customer messages on the WhatsApp Business Platform from the prices, policies and FAQs you saved. It reads voice notes and photos, can hold replies for your approval, and hands a chat to a person when asked. WhatsApp starts on Growth at $129/mo; Meta's message fees are billed separately.
Last verified
Key facts
- WhatsApp needs Growth ($129/mo) or Pro ($349/mo); Starter covers Instagram and Messenger.
- Voice notes and photos are read before the reply.
- Three reply modes: Approval, AI can hand off, Full auto.
- Booking inside the chat is a Pro feature.
- Meta bills WhatsApp message fees to your Meta account.
Verified capabilities
What the WhatsApp chatbot does today
Checked against the product source code and plan data on October 2, 2026. The last row lists what it does not do.
| Capability | How it works today | Plans |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp channel | WhatsApp connects through Meta's Embedded Signup, in standard or coexistence mode. 2 included on Growth, 5 included on Pro; extra numbers are $19/mo each. | Growth and ProNot on Starter |
| AI reads text, voice notes and photos | The chatbot transcribes voice notes and describes photos, then replies in the same thread using what it read. | Growth and Pro |
| Answers from your facts | Replies come from the AI Brain: FAQs, prices, policies and product facts you saved. "Use only my AI Brain" sends unanswered questions to your team. | All plans |
| Reply modes | Approval holds replies as drafts, AI can hand off replies on its own and calls in a person, Full auto replies without review. | All plans |
| Shopify lookups | With Shopify connected, the AI can check inventory and look up an order for the customer. | Needs Shopify |
| Booking in the chat | With Google Calendar connected and Booking handoff set up, the AI offers open slots and confirms the pick. Calendly sends your booking link instead. | Pro |
| Human handoff | A customer who asks for a person stops the AI in that thread, opens a ticket and routes the chat to a teammate. | All plans |
| Keyword rule trees | There is no menu builder or keyword-to-reply flow editor. Fixed actions are limited to Automations and pipeline workflow forms. | Not available |
Best fit
Use the chatbot when customers ask varied questions.
It replaces copy-and-paste answers, not your sales judgment.
Best fit
Businesses whose WhatsApp inbox is full of price, availability, delivery and booking questions.
Start in Approval mode
Read the first replies before anything sends, especially for refunds, medical or legal topics.
Pick something else if
You need keyword menus with fixed wording on every step, or you only want a click-to-chat button.
How it works
How It Works
Connect WhatsApp through Meta
Sign in to Meta, choose an eligible number and finish the checks. Meta controls eligibility, verification and timing.
Save your facts
Add FAQs, prices, policies and tone examples to the AI Brain. Connect Shopify if you sell products.
Pick a reply mode
Hold replies for approval, let the AI reply and hand off, or run Full auto. A teammate can take over any thread.
Why teams choose it
What the chatbot handles
Routine questions in any format, with a person in reach.
Hears voice notes
The AI transcribes a voice note and uses what the customer said as reply context.
Reads product photos
A customer sends a photo; the AI describes it and replies with that context.
Checks Shopify
With Shopify connected, it can check inventory and look up an order.
Books on Pro
Google Calendar slots are offered and confirmed in the chat. Calendly sends your link.
Best fit
Perfect for teams that move fast in DMs.
Coaches and consultants
Scenario
A prospect voice-notes a question about what is included. The chatbot transcribes it, answers from your offer, and on Pro offers discovery-call slots.
Outcome
Online shops
Scenario
A buyer sends a photo and asks for your stock. With Shopify connected, the chatbot checks inventory and answers.
Outcome
Local services
Scenario
A customer messages at 11pm for a quote. The chatbot answers from your saved prices and hands the quote itself to a person.
Outcome
The difference
Why Switch?
Without Instant Reply
With Instant Reply
FAQ
Common Questions
What is a WhatsApp AI chatbot?
It is software that reads WhatsApp messages, writes a reply with an AI model using facts you saved, and sends it through the WhatsApp Business Platform. Instant Reply's version also reads voice notes and photos, and hands the chat to a person when needed.
How do I set up a WhatsApp chatbot with Instant Reply?
Connect your WhatsApp Business number through Meta's Embedded Signup, save your prices, policies and FAQs in the AI Brain, and choose a reply mode. WhatsApp needs Growth ($129/mo) or Pro. Meta controls number eligibility and approval timing.
How much does a WhatsApp chatbot cost?
Growth is $129/mo with 35,000 AI replies and Pro is $349/mo with 100,000. Meta bills its WhatsApp message fees to your Meta account, separately. Since October 1, 2026 Meta also bills service messages; our pricing-change guide has the details.
Can the chatbot read WhatsApp voice notes?
Yes. It transcribes the voice note and uses the transcript as context for the reply. A noisy recording can be misread, so keep a person on anything high-stakes.
Do I need the WhatsApp Business API?
Yes, the chatbot runs on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Embedded Signup sets that up for you during connection, so you do not need your own developer integration. Coexistence mode keeps the WhatsApp Business app on the same number where Meta allows it.
Can a person take over from the AI?
Yes. Request human handoff on a thread, switch Auto AI replies off for it, or reply yourself. When a customer asks for a person, the AI stops in that thread and a ticket opens.
How is an AI chatbot different from a rule-based WhatsApp bot?
A rule-based bot replies to keywords with fixed answers. An AI chatbot writes each reply from the customer's message and your saved facts. The trade-off is less exact control over wording, which is why Approval mode exists.
Related reading
- WhatsApp automation botTemplates, broadcasts and automation around the chatbot.
- WhatsApp Business API setupWhat the connection involves and what Meta charges for.
- Meta's October 2026 WhatsApp pricing changeWhat is billable now, with a source and date.
- WhatsApp chatbot guideHow to plan and test a WhatsApp chatbot.
Related features
Features that work with this one
Each page below covers the next step in the same workflow, with its own plan limits and a list of what it does not do.
Next
AI reply drafts
Draft replies fast and keep humans in control.
Next
WhatsApp automation bot
Automate routine questions, templates, and human handoffs on WhatsApp.
Next
WhatsApp Business API
Embedded Signup, templates, signed webhooks and delivery tracking.
Next
Shared inbox
See every DM in one place.
Next
No flow builder
AI replies from your saved facts, with no flow canvas to maintain.
Ready when you are
Try the chatbot on your own WhatsApp questions.
Start the 7-day trial, connect a number, and read the replies in Approval mode before anything sends.
An interactive read-only demo, and plan limits in plain English.