Best Cobalt Alternatives in 2026
The top Cobalt alternatives are ConvoCore, AthenaText and Boei: 15 SMS chatbot software our editors would look at instead of Cobalt, in our ranking order.
Cobalt: A commerce-focused SMS chatbot platform with broad messaging and automation tools. Where it falls short: starts at $199 per month with no free plan.
Switching from Cobalt? For most sms chatbot software buyers the best Cobalt alternative is ConvoCore, built for affordable feature-rich SMS automation. On a budget, Boei starts at $19/mo, against $199/mo for Cobalt. AthenaText has a free plan, which Cobalt does not. Evoriqa SMS AI Chatbot offers the most message limit (4900 messages/mo).
Why People Look for a Cobalt Alternative
- Starts at $199 per month with no free plan
- Message charges apply in addition to monthly plan fees
- Advanced AI and custom integrations require higher tiers
- No free plan — 5 of the alternatives below have it
- Paid from $199/mo — Boei is $19/mo
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallConvoCore9.3
Affordable feature-rich SMS automation
Visit ConvoCore - Lowest priceBoei8.9
Paid plans from $19/mo
Visit Boei - Best free optionAthenaText9.1
Has a free plan (Cobalt has none)
Visit AthenaText - Most message limitEvoriqa SMS AI Chatbot8.5
4900 messages/mo
Visit Evoriqa SMS AI Chatbot
All 15 Cobalt Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forAffordable feature-rich SMS automation
- Better than Cobalt:
- Paid from: $29/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.1
A flexible SMS automation platform with AI conversations, workflows, campaigns, and API access.
- Interactive menus
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
9.3/10★★★★★Visit ConvoCore -
Best forTeams needing compliant AI SMS workflows
- Better than Cobalt:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.1
A focused SMS automation platform with AI replies, routing, compliance controls, and team handoff.
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
- API access
9.1/10★★★★★Visit AthenaText -
Best forCRM-heavy teams needing broad integrations
- Better than Cobalt:
- Paid from: $19/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.1
Boei suits CRM-heavy teams that need SMS automation across a broad integration ecosystem.
- Workflow builder
- API access
- AI responses
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Boei -
Best forMultilingual and multi-channel SMS programs
- Better than Cobalt:
- Paid from: $25/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.1
A flexible SMS automation platform with strong flow design, AI, and integration options.
- Interactive menus
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit TextIt -
Best forEnterprise conversational messaging deployments
- Better than Cobalt:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.1
A full-featured choice for enterprise teams managing complex conversational messaging.
- Interactive menus
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Smobi -
Best forAppointment-focused SMS chatbot users
- Better than Cobalt:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.1
A focused SMS chatbot for appointment workflows, lead capture, and human handoff.
- API access
- AI responses
- Two-way SMS
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Evoriqa -
Best forLarge multichannel chatbot programs
- Better than Cobalt:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.1
A broad multichannel platform for teams running complex chatbot programs.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Gupshup -
Best forLead qualification and appointment automation
- Better than Cobalt:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.1
A managed SMS automation platform for qualifying leads and booking appointments.
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
- API access
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Verse -
Best forMature omnichannel messaging teams
- Better than Cobalt:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.1
A capable omnichannel messaging suite with a high starting price.
- MMS support
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Sinch Engage -
Best forEstablished interactive SMS workflows
- Better than Cobalt:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.1
A web-based builder for interactive, API-connected messaging journeys.
- Interactive menus
- Workflow builder
- API access
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Clickatell -
Best forLow-cost chatbot teams adding SMS
- Better than Cobalt:
- Paid from: $19/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.1
A low-cost chatbot with SMS, live handoff, and no-code automation.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit ChatBot -
Best forManaged appointment-setting services
- Better than Cobalt:
- Paid from: $105/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.1
A broad SMS automation suite for teams focused on appointment setting.
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
- API access
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Wellgrow -
Best forSelf-hosted hospitality SMS automation
- Better than Cobalt:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.1
A free, self-hosted hotel chatbot that brings SMS into a broader guest inbox.
- MMS support
- Workflow builder
- API access
7.7/10★★★★☆Try Jack The Butler -
Best forDevelopers targeting African SMS channels
- Better than Cobalt:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.1
A flexible, API-first SMS chatbot platform with strong African channel support.
- Workflow builder
- API access
- AI responses
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Sarufi -
Best forOmnichannel support teams with SMS needs
- Better than Cobalt:
- Free plan
- Paid from: $45/mo vs $199/mo
- Editor score 7.5 vs 7.1
A broad omnichannel support platform with AI and live chat, but SMS is not its central focus.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Crisp
Cobalt Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cobalt?
ConvoCore: #1 in our SMS Chatbot Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A flexible SMS automation platform with AI conversations, workflows, campaigns, and API access.
Is there a free alternative to Cobalt?
Yes. AthenaText, Evoriqa SMS AI Chatbot, Jack The Butler, Sarufi and Crisp have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Cobalt?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Boei starts lowest, at $19/mo.
Why do people look for Cobalt alternatives?
Starts at $199 per month with no free plan; Message charges apply in addition to monthly plan fees; Advanced AI and custom integrations require higher tiers.
Which Cobalt alternative has the most message limit?
Evoriqa SMS AI Chatbot, with 4900 messages/mo.
How do I switch from Cobalt?
Export your data from Cobalt (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cobalt.
How to Switch from Cobalt
- Export your data from Cobalt (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cobalt.
Cobalt vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | AI responses | Workflow builder | Two-way SMS | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Cobalt | No | $199/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 1 | ConvoCore | No | $29/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | AthenaText | Yes | $468/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Boei | No | $19/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | TextIt | No | $25/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | Smobi | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 6 | Evoriqa SMS AI Chatbot | Yes | $279/yr | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | Gupshup | No | $0.001/unit usage-based | 8.4 | |||
| 8 | Verse | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 9 | Sinch Engage | No | 8.2 | ||||
| 10 | Clickatell ChatFlow | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | ||
| 11 | ChatBot | No | $19/user/mo | 7.9 | |||
| 12 | Wellgrow | No | $105/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 13 | Jack The Butler | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 14 | Sarufi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 15 | Crisp | Yes | $45/mo | 7.5 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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