Yes, Manychat has a free plan. Manychat's plans page says the free plan covers 25 Active Contacts per month, any 2 channels, up to 4 active automations and 1 user, and it doesn't need a credit card.
Manychat automates replies in Instagram DMs, comments and other messaging apps. It can power those comment a keyword and I'll DM you the link posts. The free plan is there so you can build and test an automation before deciding whether it's worth scaling. The limit to understand is the Active Contact, because it decides how far the free plan goes. Here's what you get and how to make it last.
What Manychat's free plan includes
- 25 Active Contacts per month.
- Any 2 channels, chosen from Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Messenger or Telegram.
- Basic automations, up to 4 active at once, built yourself or from 60+ ready-made templates.
- 1 user, which means login access for you only.
- A basic unified inbox for replying to messages in one place.
- Manychat branding: a Powered by Manychat line appears the first time you message a contact.
Manychat's templates cover common starting jobs: replying to comments, greeting new followers and sharing links in DMs. Four live automations is enough for one lead magnet flow, a welcome message and a couple of keyword replies.
Manychat Free vs Essential
| Feature | Free | Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Active Contacts | 25 Active Contacts each month | Included contacts, then extra per contact |
| Channels | Any 2 of Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, Telegram | Any 2 of the same |
| Automations | Up to 4 active | Unlimited custom automations |
| Collect contact info and tag contacts | No | Yes |
| Users | 1 | 2, with role-based permissions |
| Powered by Manychat line | Shown | Removed |
| Try before upgrading | Free plan, no card | 14-day trial |
The plan above Essential adds Broadcasts and AI-powered conversations, and lets you connect 3 channels, with WhatsApp, SMS and Email in the list.
The catch: what counts as an Active Contact
This is the bit that decides whether the free plan works for you. Manychat defines an Active Contact as a real person you interact with during a monthly period, through messages or automations. One person equals one Active Contact for the month, however many messages you swap.
A contact counts as active when messages are sent or received through Manychat, whether that's through an automation, AI, Broadcasts or the Inbox. So every person who comments your keyword and gets a DM uses up one of your 25 for that month.
Here's why that matters. If one Reel asks people to comment a word for a freebie and 60 people do it, you've gone past the free allowance in a single post. The free plan is perfect for building and testing your flow. It isn't built for a launch.
How to set up your first free automation
- Create a free Manychat account. You won't be asked for a card.
- Connect your 2 channels, for example Instagram plus one other.
- Pick a template, such as replying to comments with a link in DMs.
- Set your keyword, write the DM in your own words and switch the automation on.
- Test it from a second account before you announce it, so your first real contacts aren't spent on bugs.
If you want to see how Manychat compares with other tools for this job, my guide to the best Instagram DM automation tools covers the main options side by side.
Making 25 contacts go further
- Use the free plan to perfect one flow, then switch on the bigger campaign once you've upgraded.
- Point the automation at a smaller audience first, such as a Story rather than a Reel.
- Keep the conversation short so it's useful in one exchange.
- Check your Active Contact count before you post anything that asks for comments.
When to look beyond Manychat
If the branding line or the contact limit doesn't suit you, it's worth comparing before you commit. My list of Manychat alternatives shows other tools that automate DMs and comments.
What counts toward your 25, and what doesn't
Manychat's rule is about people, not messages. If the same person comments three times and swaps ten DMs with your automation in a month, they still count as one Active Contact for that month. So a free plan copes well with a small group of engaged followers, and struggles with a wide audience who each send one message.
Manychat also says Active Contacts are counted monthly. Each new month gives you a fresh 25, which makes the free plan a good fit for a steady trickle of conversations, such as a welcome DM for new followers, rather than one big push.
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Channels on the free plan
You choose any 2 channels from Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Messenger and Telegram. WhatsApp, SMS and Email aren't in the free list. Manychat only offers those from its higher plans, so if WhatsApp is where your customers talk to you, the free plan won't cover it.
My verdict: Manychat is free, and the free plan is the right place to build and test your first DM automation. Treat 25 Active Contacts as a testing allowance, not a launch allowance, and upgrade before you post anything that could pull in more than a couple of dozen comments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manychat completely free?
Manychat has a free plan with 25 Active Contacts per month, any 2 channels, up to 4 active automations and 1 user. Higher plans add unlimited automations, more users and more channels.
What is an Active Contact in Manychat?
Manychat says an Active Contact is a real person you interact with during a monthly period, through messages or automations. One person counts once for the month.
Does Manychat's free plan show branding?
Yes. Manychat says a Powered by Manychat line appears the first time you message a contact on the free plan.
Do I need a credit card for Manychat Free?
No. Manychat says the free plan doesn't require a credit card.
Can I try a higher Manychat plan for free?
Yes. Manychat offers a 14-day trial on its higher plans.
Does Manychat Free work with WhatsApp?
No. Manychat's free plan lets you connect any 2 of Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Messenger and Telegram. WhatsApp, SMS and Email are on higher plans.
Does one person count more than once in Manychat?
No. Manychat says one person equals one Active Contact for the month, however many messages you exchange.
