5 services for developing chatbots without programming

Chatbots are becoming an irreplaceable instrument for business optimization. They solve problems with different degree of complexity, allow improving the quality of customer service, help while planning and recording expenses, create effective sales channels and give the opportunity to automate lots of internal and external processes.
Functionality of modern chatbots is restricted by two main factors:
- the bot’s purpose;
- developers’ opportunities.
One can easily create a program which will faultlessly carry out tasks and self-learn while working. However, corresponding knowledge, skills and instruments are required. If you are not a programmer and can’t afford hiring a qualified expert, it is better to use a ready-made solution. Luckily, there are lots of platforms by means of which one can create a functional chatbot. We will tell you about 5 top programs.
Flow XO – a service for cross-platform business solutions
Flow XO is a convenient platform for creating cross-platform business bots.
Service type:
- Framework
- Hosting
Supports:
- FB Messenger
- Slack
- SMS
- Telegram
Advantages: simple and comprehensible interface. Thanks to it, program logic can be developed in a few minutes. There is an opportunity to integrate with external services.
Disadvantages: it is not free of charge and interaction with other bots is restricted.
Recast AI – a multiplatform service with an NLP system
Recast AI is a service which uses the technology of human speech recognition.
Service type:
- Framework
- Hosting
- NLP
Supports:
- FB Messenger
- Slack
- SMS
- Telegram
- Skype
- Web
Advantages: compatibility with lots of platforms, ability to create a bot in less than 10 minutes, the platform kernel can not only recognize speech but also distinguish key words, a wide range of tools for development, a big community of experienced specialists, has the option of free use, the amount of bots which can be created is not restricted.
Disadvantages: not found.
Manychat – the easiest solution for developing Facebook chatbots
Manychat is a special resource for creating Facebook bots. Developed programs can be successfully used as consultants on company pages.
Service type:
- Framework
- Hosting
Supports:
- FB Messenger
Advantages: the platform is free, no programming skills are required to develop bot logic, has a function of message broadcast.
Disadvantages: only a Facebook bot can be created.
ChatFuel – the best online solution for creating AI bots
ChatFuel is a service which allows a user to develop smart bots quickly and easily. They can recognize natural speech, understand requests and respond to them depending on the situation.
The platform is already used by such clients as National Geographic and UBER.
Service type:
- Framework
- Hosting
Supports:
- FB Messenger
- Telegram
Advantages: up to 100 000 bot requests can be created for free, wonderful tools, developers promise to make the service a cross-platform one.
Disadvantages: not found.
Api.ai – a convenient product for developing smart chatbots on various platforms
Api.ai is a former startup launched by Russian developers. It was bought out by Google and used for creating bots capable of recognizing human speech and defining key phrases.
Service type:
- Framework
- Hosting
- NLP
- AI/ML
Supports:
- In-app messaging
- Line Skype
- FB Messenger
- Slack
- SMS
- Telegram
Advantages: convenient and comprehensible interface, an opportunity to develop a bot which can learn and react to the user’s actions and words according to a script, optimal tools.
Disadvantages: not found.