Softwr

Live Chat · head to head

Microsoft Bot Framework vs Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Live Chat

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations logo

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Live Chat

Omnichannel messaging and customer engagement 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 no pricing information published on official product pages; Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot be purchased standalone; requires expensive Zendesk Suite Professional or higher plans
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Bot Framework and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Bot Framework and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations differ
AttributeMicrosoft Bot FrameworkZendesk Sunshine Conversations
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, VoiceWeb, iOS, Android
Founded19752015

Identical on both: 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
  • Teams
  • Facebook
  • Telegram
  • Mobile support

Only in Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Live chat
  • SMS messaging
  • Facebook Messenger
  • WhatsApp integration
  • Salesforce
  • Zendesk Support
  • API
  • Mobile app support

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Chatbot development and deploymentnot Zendesk Sunshine Conversations
  • Conversational AI applicationsnot Zendesk Sunshine Conversations
  • Microsoft Teams bot integrationnot Zendesk Sunshine Conversations
  • Multi-channel bot deploymentnot Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Customer engagementnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Lead generationnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Customer supportnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Sales automationnot 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

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

  • Cannot be purchased standalone; requires expensive Zendesk Suite Professional or higher plans
  • Low included monthly active users (1,000 MAU) and notifications (1,000) necessitate paid add-ons for most businesses
  • Custom implementations require developer resources for webhooks and API configuration

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

Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

On request
  • Team$19/month
    • Chat + messaging
    • Basic features
    • Limited agents
  • Growth$49/month
    • Omnichannel
    • Advanced automation
    • Routing
  • Professional$99/month
    • All features
    • Custom workflows
    • Premium 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 Zendesk Sunshine Conversations if

  • You need live chat.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want sms messaging.
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Bot Framework or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Bot Framework starts at Free and Zendesk Sunshine Conversations 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 Zendesk Sunshine Conversations?
Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Bot Framework and On request for Zendesk Sunshine Conversations.
Does Microsoft Bot Framework or Zendesk Sunshine Conversations run on more platforms?
Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations runs on Web, 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. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations starts at On request.
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 Zendesk Sunshine Conversations is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Bot Framework do that Zendesk Sunshine Conversations cannot?
Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Zendesk Sunshine Conversations covers Live chat, SMS messaging, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp integration. Both handle Slack, Web support.

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
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: Can I buy Zendesk Sunshine Conversations standalone?

No. Sunshine Conversations is only available with Zendesk Suite Professional, Enterprise, or Enterprise Plus plans. It cannot be purchased as a standalone product.

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
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: What messaging channels does Sunshine Conversations support?

Sunshine Conversations connects 15+ messaging channels including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, SMS, and provides a Web Widget for on-site chat.

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
Zendesk Sunshine Conversations: What are the usage limits on Zendesk Sunshine Conversations?

The base includes 1,000 Monthly Active Users and 1,000 notifications per month. Additional usage requires $50 add-ons for each 2,500 MAU pack or $50 for each 25,000 notification pack.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Microsoft Bot Framework

More on Zendesk Sunshine Conversations

Keep looking

Other head to heads