| Requirement | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| Free access | Recurring allowance, trial expiry and AI inclusion. |
| Useful answers | A review against your approved knowledge. |
| Lead handling | A voluntary contact request and usable saved brief. |
| Required channel | A demonstrated native workflow where necessary. |
| Operating cost | Subscriptions, usage, implementation and staff time. |
The selection method
Record what remains available after the trial and what happens at the limit. Test a normal business question and a question without an approved answer. Do not budget for unlimited replies from a free tier, and do not confuse a free builder with included generative AI usage.
Commercial disclosure: this guide is published by LeadVaani. It does not present an independent ranking, paid recommendation or verified accuracy league table. The right alternative may be better for your required channel or operational process.
Chatbase: what to evaluate
A limited Free tier and paid message-credit plans are listed. Check model and inactivity conditions.
Consider LeadVaani when your immediate need is a focused website assistant using your business knowledge, collecting relevant contact details and putting enquiries into a business workspace. Keep your evaluation small enough to inspect the answers and records yourself. Use the same source documents and unanswered questions on both tools, then examine the saved enquiry and follow-up process.
Landbot: what to evaluate
The free builder allowance does not include AI chats. AI and WhatsApp capacities differ by plan.
Consider LeadVaani when your immediate need is a focused website assistant using your business knowledge, collecting relevant contact details and putting enquiries into a business workspace. Keep your evaluation small enough to inspect the answers and records yourself. Test exact eligibility branches alongside unexpected free-text answers, and check whether WhatsApp is part of the purchased product.
Tawk.to: what to evaluate
Base live chat and AI Assist have separate allowances and add-ons. Confirm the current free AI limits.
Consider LeadVaani when your immediate need is a focused website assistant using your business knowledge, collecting relevant contact details and putting enquiries into a business workspace. Keep your evaluation small enough to inspect the answers and records yourself. Measure staffing needs, unanswered hours and AI usage separately. Do not assume that every free chat product has the same automation costs.
Use the same trial before deciding
Write down five representative customer questions, including an unsupported request and a follow-up requiring confirmation. Give the products equivalent approved knowledge where their workflows allow it. Review the answers, saved records and staff action required, not only the first greeting.
Compare recurring allowances, paid operating cost, implementation effort and the capabilities you still need elsewhere. Keep a dated note of provider terms because a free entitlement or channel rule can change.