Softwr

Software · head to head

Microsoft Bot Framework vs Rasa

Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Software

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rasa logo

Rasa

Software

Open-source framework for building conversational AI

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; Rasa free Developer Edition caps conversations at 1,000 external or 100 internal per company per month
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Rasa covers NLU engine.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Microsoft Bot Framework and Rasa differ
AttributeMicrosoft Bot FrameworkRasa
Pricing modelfreemiumopen-source
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, VoiceOn-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded19752016

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
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

Only in Rasa

  • NLU engine
  • Dialogue management
  • Multi-language support
  • Testing tools
  • Custom channels
  • API
  • On-premise support
  • Cloud deployment support

Both cover

  • Teams
  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Bot Framework

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

Rasa

  • Developers self-hosting an open source conversational AI framework before needing enterprise scalenot 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

Rasa

  • Free Developer Edition caps conversations at 1,000 external or 100 internal per company per month
  • Rasa Pro and the Business Plan (Pro plus Studio) are not priced on the site and require contacting sales

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

Rasa

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full framework access
    • Community support
  • Rasa Pro$50/month
    • Additional tools
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Advanced features
    • 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 Rasa if

  • You need nlu engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on On-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want dialogue management.
Rasa review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Bot Framework or Rasa better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Rasa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Bot Framework or Rasa?
Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Rasa at Free.
Does Microsoft Bot Framework or Rasa run on more platforms?
Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice. Rasa runs on On-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes.
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 Rasa is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Bot Framework do that Rasa cannot?
Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Rasa covers NLU engine, Dialogue management, Multi-language support, Testing tools. Both handle Teams, Slack.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Microsoft Bot Framework

More on Rasa

Keep looking

Other head to heads