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Microsoft Bot Framework vs Olark

Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Software

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Olark logo

Olark

Software

Make your business human

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Olark the AI website agent is a $400 a month flat plan billed annually at $4,800, which is a large step from the $29 per agent human only plan
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Olark covers Live chat.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Bot Framework and Olark differ
AttributeMicrosoft Bot FrameworkOlark
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, VoiceWeb
Founded19752009

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Mobile support

Only in Olark

  • Live chat
  • Chat transcripts
  • Visitor insights
  • Customization
  • Offline messaging
  • Shortcuts
  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Customer engagementnot Olark
  • Lead generationnot Olark
  • Customer supportnot Olark
  • Sales automationnot Olark

Olark

  • Live chat on a website with a small support teamnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Running an AI agent on website conversations with human handoffnot Microsoft Bot Framework

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

Olark

  • The AI website agent is a $400 a month flat plan billed annually at $4,800, which is a large step from the $29 per agent human only plan
  • That flat price covers only one human seat, with each additional seat at $29 a month
  • Regional routing, SSO and custom SLAs require a custom enterprise plan with no published price

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

Olark

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 20 chats/month
    • 1 agent
    • Basic customization
  • Standard$29/month
    • Unlimited chats
    • Chat transcripts
    • Integrations
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Co-browsing
    • Chatbot
    • Priority 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 Olark if

  • You need live chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want chat transcripts.
Olark review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Bot Framework or Olark better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Olark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Bot Framework or Olark?
Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Olark at Free.
Does Microsoft Bot Framework or Olark run on more platforms?
Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice. Olark runs on Web.
Can I use Microsoft Bot Framework for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Microsoft Bot Framework best used for?
Microsoft Bot Framework is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Olark is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Bot Framework do that Olark cannot?
Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Olark covers Live chat, Chat transcripts, Visitor insights, Customization. Both handle Slack, Web support.
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Related pages

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