Why Look for a Respond.io Alternative?

Respond.io is a solid omnichannel messaging platform, especially for WhatsApp Business API. But it has some limitations that lead businesses to seek alternatives:

  • No email marketing: Respond.io focuses on messaging channels—no email campaigns, newsletters, or email automation
  • Per-user fees add up: Extra users cost $12-24/month each, making team scaling expensive
  • WhatsApp fees charged separately: Meta's WhatsApp API fees are added on top of your subscription
  • Short free trial: Only 7 days to evaluate—barely enough time to test properly
  • Contact overage charges: $12-15 per 100 additional contacts when you exceed your limit
The Bottom Line
WhatsApp + Email = Complete Customer Communication

If you need email marketing alongside WhatsApp, HiMail.ai gives you both in one unified platform. One contact database, one automation builder, one dashboard—no juggling separate tools.

HiMail.ai vs Respond.io: Feature Comparison

Here's how HiMail.ai compares to Respond.io Growth (the most popular paid tier) at similar price points.

Feature HiMail.ai Professional Respond.io Growth
Monthly Price
Starting price
 $149/month $159/month
Email Marketing
Campaigns, newsletters, automation
 Full email suite Not available
WhatsApp Marketing
Broadcasts, automation, API
 5,000/month included Included (Meta fees extra)
Team Members
Users included
 Unlimited 10 users ($20/ea extra)
Contacts
Active contacts included
 10,000 contacts 1,000 MACs (overage fees)
Free Trial
Evaluation period
 14 days 7 days
Workflow Automation
Automated sequences
 Email + WhatsApp Messaging only
AI Features
AI-powered capabilities
 AI personalization AI Agents
CRM Integration
Native contact management
 Included Included

Respond.io Pricing in 2025

Understanding Respond.io's pricing structure helps you see where costs can add up:

Respond.io Plans

📊 Respond.io Tiers
  • Starter: $79/mo (5 users, 1K MACs)
  • Growth: $159/mo (10 users, 1K MACs)
  • Advanced: $279/mo (10 users, 1K MACs)
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing
Hidden Costs
  • Extra users: $12-24/month each
  • Contact overage: $12-15 per 100
  • WhatsApp fees billed separately
  • No email marketing at all

Real Cost Comparison

Scenario HiMail.ai Respond.io
Base plan + 5,000 contacts $149/month $159 + overage = ~$640/month
+ 5 additional team members $0 extra +$100/month ($20 × 5)
+ Email marketing Included Need separate tool ($50-100+)
Total Monthly Cost $149 $790-890+

Note: Respond.io MACs = Monthly Active Contacts. They charge per 100 contacts over your limit. HiMail.ai includes more contacts and unlimited users.

Why Choose HiMail.ai Over Respond.io

1. Email + WhatsApp in One Platform

Respond.io only handles messaging channels. HiMail.ai gives you full email marketing—campaigns, newsletters, drip sequences, templates—alongside WhatsApp. No need to pay for and manage separate tools.

2. Unlimited Team Members

Respond.io charges $12-24 per additional user. On HiMail.ai Professional, your entire team can access the platform at no extra cost.

3. More Generous Contact Limits

Respond.io starts at 1,000 Monthly Active Contacts with steep overage fees. HiMail.ai includes 10,000 contacts on Professional—10x the contacts for a similar price.

4. Longer Free Trial

You get 14 days to properly evaluate HiMail.ai, compared to Respond.io's 7-day trial. More time to test automations, import contacts, and see real results.

5. WhatsApp Messages Included

HiMail.ai includes 5,000 WhatsApp messages in your subscription. Respond.io passes Meta's fees directly to you on top of your plan cost.

✓ HiMail.ai Strengths
  • Email + WhatsApp unified
  • Unlimited team members
  • 10,000 contacts included
  • 14-day free trial
  • WhatsApp messages included
  • Simpler, predictable pricing
✗ Respond.io Limitations
  • No email marketing
  • Per-user fees ($12-24/each)
  • Only 1,000 MACs included
  • Only 7-day trial
  • WhatsApp fees extra
  • Contact overage charges

When to Choose Respond.io Instead

Respond.io might be the better choice if you:

  • Only need messaging channels: If you don't use email marketing at all
  • Need TikTok or Line: Respond.io supports channels HiMail.ai doesn't
  • Want AI Agents: Respond.io's AI Agent feature is quite advanced
  • Have a small contact list: Under 1,000 contacts on the Starter plan
  • Are already invested: Already have complex workflows built in Respond.io

Who Should Consider Switching?

HiMail.ai is the better choice if you:

  • Need email marketing: Newsletters, campaigns, drip sequences alongside WhatsApp
  • Have a growing team: Unlimited users means no per-seat surprises
  • Have 1,000+ contacts: Avoid Respond.io's aggressive overage charges
  • Want predictable billing: Know exactly what you'll pay each month
  • Prefer unified analytics: See email and WhatsApp performance in one dashboard

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate from Respond.io to HiMail.ai?

Yes. HiMail.ai offers migration assistance for teams switching from Respond.io. We'll help you import contacts, recreate key workflows, and get set up quickly. Most migrations complete within a few hours.

Does HiMail.ai have all the WhatsApp features Respond.io offers?

HiMail.ai includes all core WhatsApp Business API features: broadcasts, automation workflows, team inbox, chatbots, and analytics. Plus you get full email marketing that Respond.io doesn't offer.

How does pricing compare at scale?

At scale, HiMail.ai is significantly more cost-effective. With 5,000 contacts and 15 team members, HiMail.ai costs $149/month. Respond.io would cost $159 base + ~$480 contact overage + $100 extra users = $739+/month—and still no email marketing.

What channels does HiMail.ai support?

HiMail.ai supports Email (full marketing suite), WhatsApp Business API, and SMS. We focus on the channels that drive the most business value rather than adding every possible messaging app.

Is there a free trial?

Yes! HiMail.ai offers a 14-day free trial on all plans—double the length of Respond.io's 7-day trial. No credit card required to start. You can test email campaigns, WhatsApp messaging, and all features before committing.