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Amazon Lex vs Microsoft Bot Framework

Amazon Lex logo

Amazon Lex

Software

AWS conversational AI service

From
$0.00075/per text request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Software

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Lex pay-as-you-go model with no standard free tier, only AWS free credits for new customers (6 months, $200 limit); Microsoft Bot Framework the SDK is MIT licensed and free, but running a bot in production still requires a paid Azure Bot Service or Azure compute resource
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Lex covers Speech recognition, Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Lex and Microsoft Bot Framework actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Lex and Microsoft Bot Framework differ
AttributeAmazon LexMicrosoft Bot Framework
Starting price$0.00075/per text requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, AWS CloudWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice
Founded20061975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Lex

  • Speech recognition
  • Natural language understanding
  • Voice and text
  • Lambda integration
  • AWS services
  • Lambda
  • DynamoDB
  • SNS

Only in Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Bot Builder
  • Language Understanding (LUIS)
  • QnA Maker
  • Multi-channel support
  • Teams
  • Slack
  • Facebook
  • Telegram

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Lex

  • Building conversational chatbots leveraging Alexa deep learning enginenot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Voice and text-based NLU applications requiring automatic speech recognitionnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Custom conversational interfaces integrated into existing applicationsnot Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Customer engagementnot Amazon Lex
  • Lead generationnot Amazon Lex
  • Customer supportnot Amazon Lex
  • Sales automationnot Amazon Lex

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Lex

  • Pay-as-you-go model with no standard free tier, only AWS free credits for new customers (6 months, $200 limit)
  • Speech requests cost $0.004 each, text requests $0.00075 each, training costs $0.50 per minute
  • Variable costs can accumulate quickly for high-volume applications

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • The SDK is MIT licensed and free, but running a bot in production still requires a paid Azure Bot Service or Azure compute resource

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Lex

$0.00075/per text request

No published plan breakdown. See the Amazon Lex review.

Microsoft Bot Framework

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Bot Framework SDK
    • Azure Bot Service basic
  • Standard$0.5/month
    • Advanced connectors
    • Premium support
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Enterprise features
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Lex if

  • You need speech recognition.
  • You work on Web, AWS Cloud.
  • You also want natural language understanding.
Amazon Lex review

Choose Microsoft Bot Framework if

  • You need bot builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
  • You also want language understanding (luis).
Microsoft Bot Framework review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Lex or Microsoft Bot Framework better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Lex starts at $0.00075/per text request and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Lex or Microsoft Bot Framework?
Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $0.00075/per text request for Amazon Lex and Free for Microsoft Bot Framework.
Does Amazon Lex or Microsoft Bot Framework run on more platforms?
Amazon Lex runs on Web, AWS Cloud. Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
Can I use Microsoft Bot Framework for free?
Yes. Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Amazon Lex starts at $0.00075/per text request.
What is Amazon Lex best used for?
Amazon Lex is most often used for building conversational chatbots leveraging alexa deep learning engine, voice and text-based nlu applications requiring automatic speech recognition, custom conversational interfaces integrated into existing applications. Of those, building conversational chatbots leveraging alexa deep learning engine and voice and text-based nlu applications requiring automatic speech recognition are not what Microsoft Bot Framework is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Lex do that Microsoft Bot Framework cannot?
Amazon Lex covers Speech recognition, Natural language understanding, Voice and text, Lambda integration. Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Both handle Web support, Mobile support.
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