Switching from Respond.io to UptoNova
Respond.io works — until it doesn't. Here's what teams gain when they bring their conversations, contacts, and AI playbooks to UptoNova.
In short: Respond.io (from $99/mo) is a capable tool, and its real strength is here — APAC sales-led brand + channel breadth. If that is most of what you need, it may be the right pick. UptoNova is the stronger fit when you want a grounded AI sales agent that quotes only real catalog prices (never invented ones), a true omnichannel inbox across WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, WhatsApp Groups and web chat (with TikTok coming soon), and a built-in CRM that fills itself from every conversation — all on flat pricing from $49/mo/mo with no per-contact or per-resolution surprise bills. Most teams switch for the AI selling and the unified inbox, then stay for the CRM.
"AI-powered omnichannel inbox + lead management for sales-led teams."
Pain points
- ×MAC-based pricing trap — bill compounds with Monthly Active Contacts.
- ×Cannot edit / delete sent messages.
- ×Missing pipeline / CRM deal tracking.
Where Respond.io is strong
Respond.io's real strength — APAC sales-led brand + channel breadth. If that is mainly what you need, it may be the right tool. Switch to UptoNova when you want AI-led selling, true omnichannel reach beyond a single app, or a built-in CRM that fills itself.
"AI sales agent + omnichannel inbox + auto-filling CRM, flat pricing."
What you gain
- ✓WhatsApp Groups — Listen + reply inside WhatsApp Groups, not just 1-to-1 DMs.
- ✓Telegram Channels — Broadcast and listen inside Telegram Channels.
- ✓AI image search across catalog — Customer sends a photo; AI matches the closest product.
- ✓Per-tenant model routing — Switch Flash-Lite / Flash / Pro per tenant or use case.
- ✓AI cost dashboard — Per-tenant token/$ spend by model + cache hits.
- ✓Flat plan — Single flat subscription with no per-event surprise.
Switching from Respond.io: what it takes
Moving is straightforward, and our team does it with you during founding onboarding. Most businesses are live the same day.
- 1
Connect your channels
Reconnect WhatsApp Business and your other channels to UptoNova. Your number and history stay yours — nothing is deleted on Respond.io until you're ready.
- 2
Import contacts & catalog
Bring contacts in by CSV and add your product catalog and FAQ. The AI grounds every answer in this data, so it never quotes a price you didn't set.
- 3
Recreate your automations
Welcome flows, 3-day no-reply follow-ups and abandoned-cart recovery are built in — turn on the ones you used in Respond.io in a few clicks.
- 4
Go live & run in parallel
Test on the AI Simulator, then go live. Many teams run both tools for a few days before switching fully — no pressure, no lock-in.
Pricing
Less per month. More per dollar.
Respond.io lowest tier
$99/mo
USD · before per-message, per-contact, or AI add-on fees
UptoNova starter
$49/mo
Flat · AI agent included · no per-resolution fee
Flat pricing makes your software cost predictable — exact savings depend on your current plan, seat count and AI usage. Meta's per-conversation WhatsApp fees apply with every provider, including Respond.io.
Feature by feature
Where UptoNova pulls ahead
| Feature | Respond.io | UptoNova |
|---|---|---|
|
WhatsApp Groups
Listen + reply inside WhatsApp Groups, not just 1-to-1 DMs.
|
× | ✓ |
|
Telegram Channels
Broadcast and listen inside Telegram Channels.
|
× | ✓ |
|
AI image search across catalog
Customer sends a photo; AI matches the closest product.
|
× | ✓ |
|
Per-tenant model routing
Switch Flash-Lite / Flash / Pro per tenant or use case.
|
× | ✓ |
|
AI cost dashboard
Per-tenant token/$ spend by model + cache hits.
|
× | ✓ |
|
Flat plan
Single flat subscription with no per-event surprise.
|
× | ✓ |
|
Freemium
A genuinely free tier (not just a trial).
|
× | ✓ |
Comparison reflects Respond.io's publicly listed plans and UptoNova's planned launch features, based on public vendor documentation and pricing pages as of the last update. Spotted something out of date? Tell us via support and we'll fix it.
Ready to make the switch?
Join the founding waitlist and be first in line when UptoNova opens.
Join the founding waitlist →