Softwr

Software · head to head

Microsoft Bot Framework vs Bold360

Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Software

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
B

Bold360

Software

AI-powered customer engagement and service platform

From
On request
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: 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; Bold360 bold360 as a standalone product is discontinued: the vendor's own domain bold360.com now 302-redirects (captured 8 January 2024) to genesys.com/capabilities/live-chat-software, and the live domain no longer resolves at all.
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Bold360 covers Live chat messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Bot Framework and Bold360 actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Bot Framework and Bold360 differ
AttributeMicrosoft Bot FrameworkBold360
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, VoiceWeb, Mobile app, IOS, Android
Founded19752005

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 Microsoft Bot Framework

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

Only in Bold360

  • Live chat messaging
  • AI chatbots
  • Email support
  • Knowledge base
  • Salesforce
  • IBM Watson
  • API
  • Webhooks

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Customer engagement
  • Lead generation
  • Customer support
  • Sales automation

Bold360

  • Customer engagement
  • Lead generation
  • Customer support
  • Sales automation

Both are used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

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

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

Bold360

  • Bold360 as a standalone product is discontinued: the vendor's own domain bold360.com now 302-redirects (captured 8 January 2024) to genesys.com/capabilities/live-chat-software, and the live domain no longer resolves at all.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Bold360

On request
  • Starter$75/month
    • Live chat
    • Basic AI
    • Chatbot
  • Professional$150/month
    • Advanced AI
    • Omnichannel
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom solutions
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Bold360 if

  • You need live chat messaging.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want ai chatbots.
Bold360 review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Bot Framework or Bold360 better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Bold360 at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Bot Framework or Bold360?
Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Bot Framework and On request for Bold360.
Does Microsoft Bot Framework or Bold360 run on more platforms?
Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice. Bold360 runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
Can I use Microsoft Bot Framework for free?
Yes. Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Bold360 starts at On request.
What is Microsoft Bot Framework best used for?
Microsoft Bot Framework is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation.
What can Microsoft Bot Framework do that Bold360 cannot?
Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Bold360 covers Live chat messaging, AI chatbots, Email support, Knowledge base. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Bot Framework

More on Bold360

Keep looking

Other head to heads