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Microsoft Bot Framework vs Rasa

Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Live Chat

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rasa logo

Rasa

Live Chat

Open-source framework for building conversational AI

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Bot Framework no pricing information published on official product pages; 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

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
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, VoiceOn-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes
Founded19752016

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 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

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

  • 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

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
  • Free Developer EditionFree
    • One bot per company
    • Up to 1,000 external conversations per month or 100 internal conversations per month
    • Free Rasa license for local or production use
  • Rasa Pro$undefined/mo
    • Pro-code framework with CALM dialogue understanding
    • Language-agnostic NLU, enterprise search, multi-LLM management
    • Kubernetes support
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Full access to Rasa Platform and Premium Support
    • 24/7/365 support with Customer Success Manager
    • Business reviews and guidance

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 chatbot development and deployment, conversational ai applications, microsoft teams bot integration, multi-channel bot deployment. Of those, chatbot development and deployment and conversational ai applications 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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Rasa: Does Rasa offer a free version?

Yes. Rasa offers a free Developer Edition with one bot per company, up to 1,000 external conversations per month, and free community support.

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
Rasa: What support is included with Rasa's free tier?

The free tier includes community forum support with responses from Rasa community members. Paid tiers add premium support with enhanced response times.

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
Rasa: What is the difference between Rasa Pro and Enterprise?

Rasa Pro includes the pro-code framework with advanced NLU and multi-LLM management. Enterprise adds full platform access, 24/7 support, dedicated Customer Success Manager, and business reviews.

Source
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