Microsoft Bot Framework
Microsoft Bot Framework: A flexible framework for developers building custom bots across web, messaging, and enterprise channels. Ranked #75 of 257 in Chatbot Builders by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers building customizable channel bots.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forDevelopers building customizable channel bots
- Free planYes
- Deployment channelsMultichannel
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- SDKs support C#, JavaScript, Python, and other languages
- Connects bots to websites, apps, Teams, Slack, email, and more
- Composer adds visual authoring alongside code-based development
Where it doesn't
- Primarily suited to technical teams rather than no-code creators
- S1 bills premium channels per 1,000 messages
- Deployment and channel configuration run through Azure services
Our verdict on Microsoft Bot Framework
Microsoft Bot Framework is a developer platform for building, testing, deploying, and managing conversational bots. It is aimed at teams creating custom applications rather than users seeking a purely no-code chatbot builder. SDKs for C#, JavaScript, Python, and other supported languages provide a code-based foundation, while Bot Framework Composer adds visual authoring. The platform supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and API environments, with cloud, desktop, and browser-extension deployment options.
Pricing is structured around Free and S1 plans. The Free plan includes unlimited messages on standard channels and 10,000 messages per month on premium channels. S1 keeps unlimited messages on standard channels and applies premium-channel pricing per 1,000 messages. That structure gives smaller projects a defined starting allowance while allowing larger deployments to scale premium-channel usage by volume. Channel coverage is broad: Azure AI Bot Service can connect bots to websites, mobile apps, Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Slack, email, Microsoft 365 email, Alexa, LINE, Telegram, Direct Line, Web Chat, Microsoft Copilot Studio, Azure Communication Services, and Omnichannel.
Its main strength is the combination of developer flexibility and channel breadth. Bot Connector exchanges messages and events between bots and channels, while the platform supports speech, natural-language understanding, questions and answers, interactive cards, bot skills, and Web Chat embedding. Teams that need one bot to provide capabilities to another can use bot skills, and teams embedding chat in a web application can use the Web Chat control. Choose Microsoft Bot Framework when custom code, multichannel deployment, and Azure-connected configuration matter. Consider a simpler alternative if the priority is nontechnical creation with minimal development work.
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Microsoft Bot Framework pricing
All 2 Microsoft Bot Framework plans and prices →
Microsoft Bot Framework fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment channels | Multichannel |
| Visual flow builder | Yes |
| AI bot generation | Not verified |
| Knowledge-base answers | Yes |
| Human handoff | Yes |
| Included conversations | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 13 integrations: Microsoft Teams, Facebook Messenger, Slack, Alexa, LINE, Telegram … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | dev.botframework.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Microsoft Bot Framework integrations
Microsoft Bot Framework lists 13 integrations on its own site.
- Microsoft Teams
- Facebook Messenger
- Slack
- Alexa
- LINE
- Telegram
- Microsoft 365 email
- Direct Line
- Web Chat
- Microsoft Copilot Studio
- Azure Communication Services
- Omnichannel
Alternatives to Microsoft Bot Framework
- IBM watsonx AssistantA multichannel IBM chatbot platform with visual flows, AI search and human escalation.9.4
- LivePerson Conversational CloudA mature platform for brands combining AI agents, messaging, voice, and human support.9.3
- Oracle Digital AssistantA broad enterprise assistant platform for Oracle-centered teams.9.2
See all Microsoft Bot Framework alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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