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Botpress vs Microsoft Bot Framework

Botpress logo

Botpress

Live Chat

Open-source chatbot platform and framework

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: Botpress dependent on OpenAI integration; users must provide and manage OpenAI API keys and costs; Microsoft Bot Framework no pricing information published on official product pages
  • They diverge on capability: Botpress covers Visual bot builder, 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 Botpress and Microsoft Bot Framework actually diverge.

Attributes where Botpress and Microsoft Bot Framework differ
AttributeBotpressMicrosoft Bot Framework
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsOpen-source (self-hosted), Cloud-managed (Botpress Cloud)Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice
Founded20161975

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 Botpress

  • Visual bot builder
  • NLU integration
  • Analytics
  • Messenger
  • WhatsApp
  • On-premise support
  • Cloud support
  • Docker support

Only in Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Bot Builder
  • Language Understanding (LUIS)
  • QnA Maker
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Web support
  • Mobile support
  • Messaging apps support

Both cover

  • Multi-channel support
  • Slack
  • Teams

What people use each for

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

Botpress

  • AI customer support ticketing and refund processingnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Multi-channel helpdesk automation with escalationnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Self-service account updates and order correctionsnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Proactive customer outreach and retentionnot Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework

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

Where each one falls short

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

Botpress

  • Dependent on OpenAI integration; users must provide and manage OpenAI API keys and costs

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

Botpress

Free
  • Standard$9000/year
    • Up to 4 seats
    • 1,200 conversations per month
    • No per-seat cost

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 Botpress if

  • You need visual bot builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Open-source (self-hosted), Cloud-managed (Botpress Cloud).
  • You also want nlu integration.
Botpress 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 Botpress or Microsoft Bot Framework better?
Neither clearly leads. Botpress 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, Botpress or Microsoft Bot Framework?
Botpress starts at Free and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free.
Does Botpress or Microsoft Bot Framework run on more platforms?
Botpress runs on Open-source (self-hosted), Cloud-managed (Botpress Cloud). Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
Can I use Botpress for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Botpress best used for?
Botpress is most often used for ai customer support ticketing and refund processing, multi-channel helpdesk automation with escalation, self-service account updates and order corrections, proactive customer outreach and retention. Of those, ai customer support ticketing and refund processing and multi-channel helpdesk automation with escalation are not what Microsoft Bot Framework is typically brought in for.
What can Botpress do that Microsoft Bot Framework cannot?
Botpress covers Visual bot builder, NLU integration, Analytics, Messenger. Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Facebook. Both handle Multi-channel support, Slack, Teams.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Botpress: How much does Botpress cost?

Botpress charges $9,000 per year for the standard plan supporting 4 seats with 1,200 conversations monthly. No per-seat cost is applied when adding team members or expanding usage, and AI capabilities are included in the subscription.

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
Botpress: Is there a free Botpress plan?

Yes, Botpress offers a free tier with no credit card required. You can try the platform for free and test it on your own support tickets before upgrading.

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
Botpress: What does Botpress include compared to Zendesk or Intercom?

Botpress saves $25,500 per year compared to Zendesk and Intercom for a 4-seat team handling 1,200 monthly conversations, delivering the same AI-powered support without separate AI billing.

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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