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Chatra vs Microsoft Bot Framework

Chatra logo

Chatra

Live Chat

Live chat and CRM software for customer engagement

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Live Chat

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Chatra free plan is capped at 5 chats per month and one agent seat; Microsoft Bot Framework no pricing information published on official product pages
  • They diverge on capability: Chatra covers Live chat messaging, Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Chatra and Microsoft Bot Framework differ
AttributeChatraMicrosoft Bot Framework
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice
Founded20101975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Live Chat).

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 Chatra

  • Live chat messaging
  • CRM functionality
  • Visitor tracking
  • Chat history
  • Shopify
  • Zapier
  • API
  • Mobile app support

Only in Microsoft Bot Framework

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

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Chatra

  • Small teams starting on live chat with a hard free-tier chat limit before needing to upgradenot Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Chatbot development and deploymentnot Chatra
  • Conversational AI applicationsnot Chatra
  • Microsoft Teams bot integrationnot Chatra
  • Multi-channel bot deploymentnot Chatra

Where each one falls short

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

Chatra

  • Free plan is capped at 5 chats per month and one agent seat
  • Essential and Pro tiers are billed per agent seat at $31/month and $41/month (or $25/month and $33/month if billed yearly), so cost rises directly with headcount

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • No pricing information published on official product pages
  • Pricing likely depends on underlying Azure services used
  • Customers directed to Azure pricing calculator for cost estimation

Pricing, plan by plan

Chatra

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live chat
    • Basic CRM
    • 1 agent
  • Starter$15/month
    • Unlimited agents
    • Advanced CRM
  • Business$49/month
    • Priority support
    • Custom branding

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 Chatra if

  • You need live chat messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want crm functionality.
Chatra 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 Chatra or Microsoft Bot Framework better?
Neither clearly leads. Chatra starts at Free and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Chatra or Microsoft Bot Framework?
Chatra starts at Free and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free.
Does Chatra or Microsoft Bot Framework run on more platforms?
Chatra runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
Can I use Chatra for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Chatra best used for?
Chatra is most often used for small teams starting on live chat with a hard free-tier chat limit before needing to upgrade. Of those, small teams starting on live chat with a hard free-tier chat limit before needing to upgrade is not what Microsoft Bot Framework is typically brought in for.
What can Chatra do that Microsoft Bot Framework cannot?
Chatra covers Live chat messaging, CRM functionality, Visitor tracking, Chat history. Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Both handle Slack, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Chatra: Is Chatra's free plan available indefinitely?

Yes. Chatra's free plan is available free for as long as you want with no time limitation. No credit card is required to start.

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: How much does Microsoft Bot Framework cost?

Microsoft Bot Framework itself has no published pricing. Costs depend on the Azure services used to host and run bots, which are billed through Azure consumption-based pricing for compute, storage, and other resources required.

Source
Chatra: How quickly can I start using Chatra's free plan?

The free plan can be started in 3 minutes according to the website.

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: How do I estimate Microsoft Bot Framework costs?

Use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate costs based on your bot's compute, storage, and messaging requirements. Costs scale based on bot traffic, deployment region, and storage needs for conversation data.

Source
Microsoft Bot Framework: Are there any free tiers for Microsoft Bot Framework?

Microsoft Bot Framework itself is free to develop and deploy, but hosting and operating bots incurs Azure service costs that vary based on usage patterns and selected Azure services.

Source
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