ManyChat's free plan gives you 25 active contacts a month, four live automations and ManyChat branding on messages (details). One good reel uses that up in an hour. So which free plans go further?
Every free plan has a catch. The useful question is which catch hurts you least. We build DM Flow, so read our entry knowing that. Competitor details are from their public pages and reviews, with sources; check them before you decide, because plans change.
The quick comparison
| Tool | What the free plan limits | Branding on free messages | Price after free |
|---|---|---|---|
| ManyChat | 25 active contacts a month, 4 live automations | Yes | US $, per active contact |
| DM Flow | 1 live automation, 200 DMs a month, no follow-gate | No | ₹, flat, contacts included |
| LinkDM | 1,000 DMs a month, 1 account | Yes | US $ |
| Inro | 100 active contacts a month, 3 active automations | Check | €, per active contact |
| Instagram's own tools | No comment-to-DM at all | No | Free |
Sources: ManyChat and LinkDM as published in 2026 (SetSmart's LinkDM review, July 2026); Inro from its pricing page, October 2026; DM Flow from our pricing page.
DM Flow: free, no branding, built for India
What you get free: one live comment-to-DM automation with no time limit, keyword triggers, public replies and a lead list with CSV export. The follow-gate starts on Growth. No "powered by" line in your messages.
The catch: one live automation at a time, and 200 DMs a month. Fine for one product reel or one freebie; a busy seller will want Growth, which also adds the follow-gate.
Best for: Indian sellers and creators who want to start free and later pay in rupees by UPI, with flat pricing so a viral reel does not raise the bill.
More: DM Flow vs ManyChat · what is DM Flow
LinkDM: the most DMs on a free plan
What you get free: about 1,000 DMs a month on one account, for link-in-DM.
The catch: branding on free messages, and paid plans in US dollars.
Best for: creators who send one link to lots of people and do not mind the branding.
More: DM Flow vs LinkDM
Inro: a free tier with several automations
What you get free: 100 active contacts a month and three active automations.
The catch: like ManyChat, it counts active contacts, so busy months cost more once you upgrade; paid plans are in euros.
More: DM Flow vs Inro
Instagram's own free tools
Instagram and Meta Business Suite give Professional accounts saved replies, FAQs shown when someone opens a chat, and simple instant replies to new messages. They cost nothing and need no app.
The catch: none of them reply to comments, so they do nothing for "Comment PRICE" reels. Good as a backup, not a replacement.
What about InstantDM?
InstantDM is another popular comment-to-DM tool. When we last checked, its pricing page showed a trial rather than a permanent free plan. See DM Flow vs InstantDM.
How to choose a free plan
- Count your busiest month, not your average. How many people comment your keyword on your best reel?
- Check what runs out first: contacts, DMs or automations. For comment-to-DM, contacts and DMs grow with every viral reel.
- Decide if branding matters. For a brand, "powered by" in the first message looks like a free plan. For a personal creator, it may not matter.
- Look at the price after free. Per-contact pricing in dollars behaves very differently from a flat rupee plan. See per-contact vs flat pricing.
- Make sure it uses Meta's official API. Never give a free tool your Instagram password.
More options, paid and free: ManyChat alternatives for India and free Instagram auto DM tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free ManyChat alternative?
Several tools have permanent free plans, including DM Flow, LinkDM and Inro. All of them have limits; none is unlimited and free.
Which free ManyChat alternative has no branding?
DM Flow adds no branding to messages on its free plan. Check each tool's current terms, as this changes.
Can I use a free plan for my business?
Yes, for a small account or one offer at a time. Upgrade when the limit starts cutting off customers who asked.
Are free Instagram automation tools safe?
The ones that use Meta's official API are. Avoid any tool, free or paid, that asks for your Instagram password.