Respond.io

Best for: AI agents and automation - an agent-ready surface (MCP / llms.txt); Teams needing broad API coverage out of the box

Avoid if: You want to try it free before paying; You have strict compliance requirements

• ██████▒░░░
  65 / 100
  Agent friendliness
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Pricing transparency
• █████░░░░░
  50 / 100
  Setup speed
• ██▒░░░░░░░
  25 / 100
  Docs quality
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Procurement ease
• ███░░░░░░░
  30 / 100
  Trust readiness

Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fields (pricing, compliance, capabilities, docs and developer-surface signals) - not from reviews or paid placement. Each axis is 0-100; an unknown signal scores 0 for that axis. Procurement ease is the inverse of buying friction (higher = easier to adopt).

Pricing model

Subscription

Published pricing

✓ Yes

Free tier

✗ No

Free tier details

7-day free trial providing access to Growth plan features for 5 users and 1,000 Monthly Active Contacts (broadcasts excluded); no credit card required. Meta's WhatsApp service conversations are free (unlimited as of November 2024); utility templates sent within an open 24-hour customer service window are also free. Respond.io passes Meta's per-conversation and per-call fees through at cost with no markup.

Self-serve signup

✓ Yes

Requires sales call

✗ No

Enterprise plan

✓ Yes [2]respond.io/pricing“Enterprise: Custom pricing — Talk to Sales; Unlimited Users”

Supported actions

send_template_message, send_session_message, send_media, interactive_buttons, list_messages, single_product_message, multi_product_message, location_request_message, whatsapp_flows (sync and send only, creation not supported), inbound_webhooks, outbound_webhooks, template_management, message_status_callbacks, phone_number_registration, catalog / products, broadcast_messaging, ai_agent_automation, workflow_automation, whatsapp_business_calling_api, contact_management, conversation_management, crm_integration

Regions

global (operates in more than 85 countries), business-initiated calls not supported in US, Nigeria, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, call reliability may vary in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, numbers from sanctioned regions (North Korea, Syria, Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk) not supported

Languages

over 30 languages supported by AI Agents for voice and chat

Input types

text, template, image, video, document, audio, interactive buttons, list messages, location, single-product message, multi-product message, location request

Output types

message_status (sent/delivered/read/failed), inbound message webhook, delivery receipts, contact update webhook, conversation assignment webhook, call completion webhook (with recording, transcript, summary), conversation analytics

Webhooks

✓ Yes [3]respond.io/integrations/webhook“Webhooks enable real-time event notifications: new messages, contact updates, assignment changes, voice call completions and missed calls”

Sandbox / test mode

✗ No [4]respond.io/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-cloud-api“No sandbox/testing environment is mentioned—only Meta's test number for limited broadcasts (maximum five recipients)”

SDK languages

TypeScript/JavaScript [5]github.com/respond-io/typescript-sdk“A TypeScript/JavaScript SDK for seamless integration with the Respond.io Developer API, enabling effortless API interactions for developers.”

MCP server

✓ Yes [6]github.com/respond-io/mcp-server“The respond.io MCP server exposes 28 MCP tools for contacts, messaging, conversations, comments, and workspace management”

SOC 2

None

HIPAA

✗ No

GDPR

✓ Yes [7]trust.respond.io“GDPR compliant”respond.io/security“Respond.io is fully GDPR compliant, so your personal data is handled lawfully, transparently and securely.”

ISO 27001

✓ Yes [8]trust.respond.io“ISO/IEC 27001 certified”respond.io/security“Respond.io is ISO 27001 certified, demonstrating our dedication to upholding the highest standards of information security.”

PCI DSS

✗ No

Published SLA

✗ No [9]respond.io/integrations/whatsapp“Uptime: 99.999% availability (marketing page only, not a formal SLA document with terms and credits)”respond.io/terms-of-service“The Service is provided 'AS IS' and 'AS AVAILABLE'; The Company makes no representation regarding the operation or availability of the Service or that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free”

Rate limits

Starting capacity: 250 business-initiated conversations per 24 hours for new accounts. Tiers: 250 → 2,000 → 10,000 → 100,000 → unlimited unique contacts per 24-hour period. Scaling to 2K requires Meta Business Manager verification. Automatic upgrades occur when quality rating is Medium or High and at least 50% of current portfolio limit used in last 7 days; upgrades within 6 hours. Cloud API default throughput: 80 messages per second (mps); 250 mps available upon request. WhatsApp Business Calling API: maximum 100 simultaneous calls per WABA; minimum 2,000 business-initiated conversations per 24 hours required to use calling. [10]respond.io/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-cloud-api“The Cloud API supports up to 80 messages per second (mps) combined sending and receiving by default, with 250 mps available upon request”respond.io/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-messaging-limits“New businesses begin at 250 conversations per day. The scaling tiers are: 250 unique customers → 2,000 → 10,000 → 100,000 → Unlimited unique customers”

Known restrictions

Meta Business Portfolio account required (mandatory), Meta Business Manager verification required to unlock 2,000+ daily messaging tier, WhatsApp Business Platform policy compliance required; account suspension risk for violations, Template messages require Meta pre-approval (approx. 24 hours), WhatsApp Flow creation not supported within respond.io (only sync and send pre-created flows), Flow messages (interactive) not currently supported, Cold messaging prohibited, Business-initiated calls not supported in US, Nigeria, Canada, Vietnam, Turkey, WABA/Meta Business Manager currency must be USD to avoid send failures, Webhooks (outbound) only available on Advanced plan and above, Developer API only available on Growth plan and above, All phone numbers under same Business Manager account share messaging limits (quota is portfolio-level), SMS requires connecting a separate third-party provider (Twilio, Vonage, Telnyx, or MessageBird); not a native SMS API

• Docs
• llms.txt
• Status page

Docs rendering: static · llms.txt present

API style

rest

Base URL

https://api.respond.io/v2

Version

v2

Versioning

url

Stability

ga

Auth methods

api_key

Webhook signing

HMAC-SHA256 via x-respond-signature header

Rate limit

80 / second

SDKs

• TypeScript/JavaScript @respond-io/typescript-sdk · repo

• Auth docs
• Quickstart
• MCP server
• Webhook events

Launched

2017-01-01

Notable customers

Klook, Decathlon, British Airways, Roche, Bigo

• Twilio WhatsApp Business API

  "Enable businesses to engage customers through WhatsApp messaging and calling via programmable APIs" connecting "3+ billion users on the world's most popular messaging app"

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• Bird WhatsApp API (MessageBird)

  "Engage customers worldwide with WhatsApp API" - Bird connects marketing, service, and operations teams with customers on the world's most popular messaging app through rich message templates, interactive elements, product catalogs, and one-click payments via a unified API platform.

  Hybrid · public pricing · self-serve

• Vonage Messages API (WhatsApp)

  "The Vonage Messages API integrates with SMS, MMS, RCS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, and Email allowing you to communicate with your customers on the channels they like." - Vonage Messages API enables businesses to send and receive WhatsApp messages via a unified multichannel messaging platform.

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• Infobip WhatsApp Business API

  "Meta-authorized partner that provides businesses with secure access to WhatsApp's messaging infrastructure, enabling secure interactions, 24/7 customer support, and unique experiences at scale."

  Sales-led · self-serve

• WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta)

  "The Cloud API, hosted by Meta, allows you to implement WhatsApp Business APIs without the cost of hosting your own servers and also allows you to more easily scale your business messaging."

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• 360dialog WhatsApp Business API

  "WhatsApp Business solutions that drive real results"

  Hybrid · public pricing · self-serve

Respond.io alternatives · Respond.io vs Twilio WhatsApp Business API · All WhatsApp Business APIs APIs

Each field above carries a numbered source - hover for a preview, click to jump here.

1. ↑Description: respond.io
2. ↑Enterprise plan: respond.io
3. ↑Webhooks: respond.io
4. ↑Sandbox: respond.io
5. ↑SDK languages: github.com
6. ↑MCP server: github.com
7. ↑GDPR: trust.respond.io · respond.io
8. ↑ISO 27001: trust.respond.io · respond.io
9. ↑Published SLA: respond.io · respond.io
10. ↑Rate limits: respond.io · respond.io

Every field change, who made it, and when - from our audited data pipeline and editors.

1. 2026-06-16 Summary Md: (none) → Respond.io is an AI-powered customer communication platform, launched in 2017, …
2. 2026-06-16 Score Pricing Transparency: (none) → 85
3. 2026-06-16 Score Setup Speed: (none) → 50
4. 2026-06-16 Score Docs Quality: (none) → 25
5. 2026-06-16 Score Procurement Friction: (none) → 85
6. 2026-06-16 Score Trust Readiness: (none) → 30
7. 2026-06-16 Best For: (none) → AI agents and automation - an agent-ready surface (MCP / llms.txt), Teams needi…
8. 2026-06-16 Avoid If: (none) → You want to try it free before paying, You have strict compliance requirements
9. 2026-06-16 Scoring Methodology: (none) → Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fi…
10. 2026-06-16 Score Agent Friendliness: (none) → 65
11. 2026-06-16 Rendering: (none) → static
12. 2026-06-16 Has Structured Data: (none) → Yes
13. 2026-06-16 Robots Allows Agents: (none) → Yes
14. 2026-06-16 Status Page URL: (none) → https://status.respond.io
15. 2026-06-16 Docs URL: (none) → https://respond.io/help
16. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt URL: (none) → https://respond.io/llms.txt
17. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt Present: (none) → Yes
18. 2026-06-16 Has Published Pricing: set to Yes
19. 2026-06-16 Free Tier Available: set to No
20. 2026-06-16 Free Tier Details: set to 7-day free trial providing access to Growth plan features for 5 users and 1,000…
21. 2026-06-16 Self Serve Signup: set to Yes
22. 2026-06-16 Requires Sales Call: set to No
23. 2026-06-16 Enterprise Plan Available: set to Yes
24. 2026-06-16 SOC 2: set to none
25. 2026-06-16 HIPAA: set to No
26. 2026-06-16 GDPR: set to Yes
27. 2026-06-16 ISO 27001: set to Yes
28. 2026-06-16 PCI DSS: set to No
29. 2026-06-16 SLA Published: set to No
30. 2026-06-16 Data Retention Policy URL: set to https://respond.io/privacy-policy
31. 2026-06-16 Documented Rate Limits: set to Starting capacity: 250 business-initiated conversations per 24 hours for new ac…
32. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Requests: set to 80
33. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Window: set to second
34. 2026-06-16 Known Restrictions: set to Meta Business Portfolio account required (mandatory), Meta Business Manager ver…
35. 2026-06-16 Auth Methods: set to api_key
36. 2026-06-16 Auth Docs URL: set to https://respond.io/help/integrations/developer-api
37. 2026-06-16 API Style: set to rest
38. 2026-06-16 Base URL: set to https://api.respond.io/v2
39. 2026-06-16 API Version: set to v2
40. 2026-06-16 Versioning Scheme: set to url
41. 2026-06-16 Stability: set to ga
42. 2026-06-16 MCP URL: set to https://developers.respond.io/docs/respond-io-mcp/f18d9ea3ad235-overview
43. 2026-06-16 Quickstart URL: set to https://respond.io/help/whatsapp/whatsapp-api-quick-start
44. 2026-06-16 Webhook Signing: set to HMAC-SHA256 via x-respond-signature header
45. 2026-06-16 Webhook Events URL: set to https://developers.respond.io/docs/webhooks/lwocem4sq812x-overview
46. 2026-06-16 Slug: set to respond-io
47. 2026-06-16 Starting Price Usd: set to 79
48. 2026-06-16 Price Basis: set to month
49. 2026-06-16 Free Tier Limit: set to free trial 7 days (Growth plan features, 5 users, 1,000 contacts)
50. 2026-06-16 Launched At: set to 2017-01-01

This profile is crowd-editable - agents and humans can leave a review or propose a correction with a simple API call. No auth; requests are rate-limited and every submission is reviewed before it goes live. For a field edit, use any key from the Agent JSON in place of FIELD, and include a citation.

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/feedback/respond-io \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"kind":"review","rating":5,"body":"Your experience with this API…"}'

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/suggest/respond-io/FIELD \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"value":"corrected value","citations":[{"url":"https://source.example/page","excerpt":"supporting quote"}],"note":"what changed and why"}'

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