respond.io alternative in Malaysia: ThinkChat vs respond.io (2026)
respond.io is an AI-powered customer conversation platform headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, priced in US dollars, by Monthly Active Contacts from the Growth plan up. ThinkChat is an AI Chat Agent and multi-channel AI customer service platform for Malaysian SMEs, priced in Ringgit by plan. Both put WhatsApp and other chat channels in one inbox. They suit different teams.
Quick answer
- Pick ThinkChat if you're a small or mid-size Malaysian business that wants an AI to answer, book and hand over chats, on a fixed RM monthly price.
- Pick respond.io if you need advanced workflows, CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce), calls, a mobile app or multiple workspaces.
Side-by-side (checked 26 Oct 2026)
| ThinkChat | respond.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | AI Chat Agent for SMEs | Customer conversation platform for sales, marketing and support |
| Pricing basis | Fixed plan, with a monthly AI allowance | Monthly Active Contacts (MAC) tiers, from Growth up |
| Starting price | RM299/month (Junior), RM269/month billed yearly | US$79/month billed yearly, US$99 monthly (Starter) |
| Plans | Junior RM299 · Senior RM599 · Manager RM899 per month | Starter · Growth US$159 · Advanced US$279 (yearly rate) · Enterprise custom |
| Human Agents (staff logins) | 2 / 5 / 10 Human Agents | Users included vary by plan; extra users US$12–20/month (see pricing page) |
| AI Agent | AI Agent on every plan | AI Agents from Growth; AI Prompt and AI Assist on Starter |
| Channels | 10: WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Viber, Zalo, X, website chat | WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, plus chat, email and calls (per its site) |
| Bookings | Built-in ThinkChat Calendar (Senior and up) | Integrations with Cal.com, Calendly and Google Calendar |
| Languages | English, Chinese, Malay replies | Not compared |
| WhatsApp fees | Billed by Meta directly | Not included in subscription; Meta charges by usage, top-up on platform |
| Free trial | 14 days, Senior features | 7 days, Growth features, no card |
| Mobile app | No (web app) | Yes |
Both exclude WhatsApp message fees. respond.io's monthly price rises with your contact tier; Growth and Advanced figures are for the entry 1,000-contact tier; Starter is not priced by contacts.
Where respond.io is stronger
- Workflow automation, webhooks and HTTP requests for technical teams.
- HubSpot, Salesforce, Zapier and Make integrations.
- Calls with AI recordings and summaries, plus a mobile app.
- Multiple workspaces and SSO on higher plans.
Where ThinkChat is stronger for Malaysian SMEs
- Predictable Ringgit bill. Your price doesn't climb with the number of people who message you.
- AI answers on every plan, from your own Q&A, website and files, with human takeover any time.
- Built-in bookings in ThinkChat Calendar, no extra tool.
- WeChat, LINE, Viber, Zalo and Telegram alongside WhatsApp, for multilingual customers.
- English, Chinese and Malay replies.
- Simple setup: connect WhatsApp via Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform API or a QR scan.
Who should choose which
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Clinic, salon, retailer or service SME with lots of repeat questions | ThinkChat |
| Want one fixed RM price | ThinkChat |
| Sales team living in HubSpot or Salesforce | respond.io |
| Need calls and a mobile app | respond.io |
| Many contacts but few staff | ThinkChat (plan price isn't per contact) |
FAQ
What is the best respond.io alternative in Malaysia for SMEs? For SMEs that mainly want AI to answer customer chats and take bookings, ThinkChat is a strong alternative: RM pricing from RM299/month, 10 channels, and English, Chinese and Malay replies.
How is respond.io priced? By Monthly Active Contacts from the Growth plan up. On 26 Oct 2026 its page listed Starter at US$79, Growth US$159 and Advanced US$279 per month billed yearly, for the entry contact tier.
Does ThinkChat charge per contact? No. ThinkChat plans are fixed monthly prices with an AI allowance. If the allowance runs out, only the AI pauses; messages still reach your inbox. Credit packs keep the AI running.
Are WhatsApp fees included? Not in either. On ThinkChat, Meta bills WhatsApp fees to you directly.
Which channels does ThinkChat support? WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Viber, Zalo, X and website chat.
Does ThinkChat have a mobile app? No, it's a web app that runs in your browser.
Related
- Best WhatsApp AI Chat Agent for Malaysian SMEs (2026)
- WATI alternative in Malaysia: ThinkChat vs WATI
Talk to Lyia
WhatsApp Lyia at +60 11-5515 9317: wa.me/601155159317
respond.io is a trademark of its owner. ThinkChat is not affiliated with respond.io. Competitor details from respond.io's public pricing page, checked 26 Oct 2026, and may change.
Sources
- respond.io pricing: https://respond.io/pricing (checked 26 Oct 2026; includes FAQ on WhatsApp fees, MAC, AI credits; KL address in page schema)
- ThinkChat pricing and features: https://thinkchat.tech/ and https://thinkchat.tech/features/ (checked 26 Oct 2026)