10 Chatbot and Live Chat Tools for Singapore F&B and Retail
SleekFlow is the top pick for Singapore F&B and retail teams because it unifies WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger into one shared inbox with strong automation. Respond.io is the best runner up for independent shops that need a mobile-friendly queue for repeat DMs. Tidio works best for online stores with a web cart or click-and-collect menu. ManyChat suits Instagram-first boutiques, while Gupshup handles high-volume enterprise messaging. Choose based on your primary channel and team size.
TL;DR
SleekFlow is the top pick for Singapore F&B and retail teams because it unifies WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger into one shared inbox with strong automation. Respond.io is the best runner up for independent shops that need a mobile-friendly queue for repeat DMs. Tidio works best for online stores with a web cart or click-and-collect menu. ManyChat suits Instagram-first boutiques, while Gupshup handles high-volume enterprise messaging. Choose based on your primary channel and team size.
How we picked this list
We assembled this shortlist through desk research across public sources, checking every website to confirm it resolves and the business is trading. We ranked the tools on the criteria in the table below, focusing on WhatsApp coverage, human handoff, and no-code usability for local teams. No placements are paid. This is a merit-based ranking for Singapore F&B and retail contexts.
Table of Contents
- TL;DR
- How we picked this list
- Intro
- Quick Picks
- Comparison Table
- The List
- 1. SleekFlow
- 2. Respond.io
- 3. Tidio
- 4. Engati
- 5. Crisp
- 6. Zoho SalesIQ
- 7. Tawk.to
- 8. ManyChat
- 9. Gupshup
- 10. Yellow.ai
- How to Choose
- FAQ
Intro
Many Singapore business owners believe that adding a chatbot means hiring a developer or paying for enterprise software. That is not true. Most small cafes and boutique shops in the heartlands use free or low-cost tools to handle daily queries. The real challenge is choosing a platform that fits your workflow. Do you receive orders on WhatsApp? Do you sell via Instagram DMs? Or do you need website live chat for click-and-collect? Each tool handles these differently. This guide breaks down ten options so you can match the software to your actual customer touchpoints.
Quick Picks
Choose SleekFlow if you want one inbox for WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger with automated order flows. Choose Respond.io on a tighter budget if you need a mobile-friendly queue for repeat DMs. Choose Tidio for edge cases where your sales happen primarily on a website cart. Choose ManyChat if your business lives on Instagram. Choose Gupshup if you are a multi-outlet chain handling high volume.
Comparison Table
| Business | Best for | Price band | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| SleekFlow | F&B and retail teams moving off free WhatsApp App | Subscription | Singapore, Hong Kong |
| Respond.io | Independent cafes and shops with many repeat DMs | Free plan with paid upgrades | Not stated |
| Tidio | Online F&B and retail stores with web cart | Freemium | Not stated |
| Engati | Restaurants wanting fast FAQ bots | Freemium with paid plans | Not stated |
| Crisp | Small retail stores and delivery-focused F&B | Free plan with paid plans | Not stated |
| Zoho SalesIQ | Retailers using Zoho CRM | Freemium | Not stated |
| Tawk.to | Small shops wanting free live chat | Mostly free with optional paid add-ons | Not stated |
| ManyChat | Retail boutiques selling through Instagram | Free plan with paid plans | Not stated |
| Gupshup | Mid-size to large F&B retailers | Usage based, quote required | Not stated |
| Yellow.ai | Established retail chains and F&B groups | Enterprise quotation | Not stated |
For a broader view on how conversational AI fits into wider digital strategies, explore our guide on why your brand needs an AI agent strategy.
The List
1. SleekFlow
SleekFlow is a cloud messaging CRM for teams living in WhatsApp and Instagram. It pulls conversations from multiple channels into a single shared inbox. Staff reply from one device without passing around a phone. The visual flow builder creates automated conversations for order intake and customer tagging. This helps F&B teams manage reservations and takeaways. Customer profiles store tags, order notes and campaign history in one place.
What’s good
- Strong support for the WhatsApp Business Platform, not just click-to-chat links.
- Shared inbox allows several staff or outlets to reply without passing one phone around.
- Automation flows can capture order details and add customer tags.
What to watch
- WhatsApp conversation fees are billed separately from the software plan.
- Switching from WhatsApp Business App to an API tool needs some chat export and routing planning.
Who it suits
This tool is best for F&B and retail teams moving their order and support conversations out of the free WhatsApp Business App. If you rely heavily on SMS or email, you may want to look elsewhere.
Price
Subscription
Details
Name: SleekFlow
Website: https://sleekflow.io
Area: Singapore, Hong Kong
2. Respond.io
Respond.io focuses on team inbox management for messaging apps. It routes conversations to the right person using rules, tags and assignment settings. Independent cafes and shops often receive many repeat DMs asking about opening hours or menu items. Respond.io helps you manage these in a single queue. The mobile-friendly inbox means agents can answer from the floor while packing orders. It also includes bot building tools for frequently asked questions and simple intake flows.
What’s good
- Mobile-friendly inbox means agents can answer from the floor while packing orders.
- Canned replies and saved responses speed up common queries on opening hours and prices.
- Tags help teams track order requests, refunds and reservations.
What to watch
- Free plans limit chats and users, so costs rise as conversation volume grows.
- Broadcast messages need approved templates, so last minute promotions are harder.
Who it suits
This is ideal for independent cafes and shops that receive many repeat DMs and want one queue across channels. If you need heavy marketing automation, look at tools with stronger broadcast features.
Price
Free plan with paid upgrades
Details
Name: Respond.io
Website: https://respond.io
3. Tidio
Tidio is a website live chat tool with a no-code chatbot and a separate AI assistant for self-service answers. It works best for online F&B and retail stores with a web cart, click-and-collect menu or service booking page. The visual chatbot editor is quick to set up without developer help. Agents can see what page the visitor is viewing before the chat starts. This context helps them answer more accurately. Abandoned cart messages can be automated through the same chat tool.
What’s good
- Visual chatbot editor is quick to set up without developer help.
- Agents can see what page the visitor is viewing before the chat starts.
- Abandoned cart messages can be automated through the same chat tool.
What to watch
- Works best on a website, so WhatsApp-only businesses get less value.
- Some useful automation features sit behind paid plans.
Who it suits
Choose Tidio if your primary sales channel is a website with a cart. If you sell mostly through WhatsApp or Instagram DMs, this tool will not cover your needs.
Price
Freemium
Details
Name: Tidio
Website: https://www.tidio.com
4. Engati
Engati is a no-code chatbot builder with templates for FAQ, delivery status, feedback and lead capture. It is well suited for restaurants that want a fast FAQ bot for branch hours, menu allergens, order status and reservation links. Bots can be published to WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram and a website. The platform also provides a human handoff inbox. Prebuilt F&B templates reduce the setup workload significantly. One bot can run across multiple channels from the same dashboard.
What’s good
- Prebuilt F&B templates reduce the setup workload.
- One bot can run across multiple channels from the same dashboard.
- Human takeover is included when a customer asks for staff.
What to watch
- Pricing and feature names move between plans, confirm exact limits before signing.
- Bots need training on local phrases such as ta pao or dabao if they are taking orders.
Who it suits
Engati suits restaurants and retail brands that need a quick FAQ bot across multiple channels. If you need deep CRM integration, consider other options.
Price
Freemium with paid plans
Details
Name: Engati
Website: https://www.engati.com
5. Crisp
Crisp is a shared inbox that combines live chat, email, a support inbox and a self-service help centre. It has a rule-based bot that can qualify questions before passing them to a human. This tool is best for small retail stores and delivery-focused F&B brands that need a light support desk without CRM complexity. It is easy to manage with two or three staff and no full-time admin. Help centre articles can reduce repetitive questions while the product catalogue is in the shop.
What’s good
- Easy to manage with two or three staff and no full-time admin.
- Help centre articles can reduce repetitive questions while the product catalogue is in the shop.
- Clean mobile app suits owners who answer chats after store hours.
What to watch
- Native telephone or WhatsApp support is not the main strength.
- It is not designed for heavy marketing broadcasts or contact segmentation.
Who it suits
Choose Crisp if you need a light support desk for website and email queries. If your business relies on WhatsApp or Instagram for sales, look at other tools.
Price
Free plan with paid plans
Details
Name: Crisp
Website: https://crisp.chat
6. Zoho SalesIQ
Zoho SalesIQ is a live chat and website visitor tracking tool, often used together with Zoho CRM. It can trigger chats based on pages visited, visitor location or actions taken on the site. This is best for retailers already using Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk who want chat history tied to the customer record. Tight integration with Zoho CRM means chat leads and support tickets link automatically. Online visitors can be watched and invited to chat when they linger on a menu or delivery page.
What’s good
- Tight integration with Zoho CRM means chat leads and support tickets link automatically.
- Online visitors can be watched and invited to chat when they linger on a menu or delivery page.
- Rule-based chatbots can ask for customer name, order number and enquiry type.
What to watch
- Without the wider Zoho ecosystem, this can feel heavier than a simple chat widget.
- Needs website code installed and some configuration time for bot rules.
Who it suits
Choose Zoho SalesIQ if you are already using the Zoho ecosystem. If you are starting fresh, a standalone chat tool may be simpler.
Price
Freemium
Details
Name: Zoho SalesIQ
Website: https://www.zoho.com/salesiq/
7. Tawk.to
Tawk.to is a live chat and helpdesk widget with unlimited agent accounts for the core product. It includes chat history, canned responses, notes, offline messages and visitor intelligence. This is best for small shops and one outlet restaurants that want a professional live chat box without a monthly fee. The core live chat is free even when several staff need access. The web dashboard is straightforward and fast to load. It works on a laptop, tablet or phone while a shop assistant is on the floor.
What’s good
- Core live chat is free even when several staff need access.
- The web dashboard is straightforward and fast to load.
- Works on a laptop, tablet or phone while a shop assistant is on the floor.
What to watch
- The interface feels more utilitarian than newer marketing chatbots.
- Its strength is website support, not WhatsApp campaign broadcasts.
Who it suits
Tawk.to is ideal for small shops wanting free website live chat. If you need WhatsApp or Instagram automation, choose a different tool.
Price
Mostly free with optional paid add-ons
Details
Name: Tawk.to
Website: https://www.tawk.to
8. ManyChat
ManyChat is an automated messaging platform for Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Telegram. It creates keyword-triggered flows, quick replies, audience broadcasts and simple order links. This is best for retail boutiques and bakeries that sell through Instagram and want structured responses to product and order messages. The friendly visual flow builder is suitable for a small team. It can connect to Shopify to send abandoned cart followups. It works well for announcing a limited menu or a new collection to followers.
What’s good
- Friendly visual flow builder for a small team.
- Can connect to Shopify to send abandoned cart followups.
- Works well for announcing a limited menu or a new collection to followers.
What to watch
- It is built more for marketing journeys than multitouch customer support.
- Instagram and WhatsApp changes can affect flow behaviour, so regular testing is needed.
Who it suits
Choose ManyChat if your business lives on Instagram. If you need deep customer support features, look at other tools.
Price
Free plan with paid plans
Details
Name: ManyChat
Website: https://manychat.com
9. Gupshup
Gupshup is an enterprise messaging platform for WhatsApp, SMS, Instagram, RCS and other channels. It provides APIs, a visual bot builder and tools for rich templates, QR flows and contact management. This is best for mid-size to large F&B retailers handling order status, delivery updates and high volume support chats. It is built to handle large WhatsApp rollouts with reliable delivery and reporting. It supports rich message types such as product carousels and order notifications. It is suitable for brands with delivery integrations or multiple retail outlets.
What’s good
- Built to handle large WhatsApp rollouts with reliable delivery and reporting.
- Supports rich message types such as product carousels and order notifications.
- Suitable for brands with delivery integrations or multiple retail outlets.
What to watch
- Operational depth assumes a product manager, developer or agency partner.
- Pricing is usage based, so the team must forecast chat volume carefully.
Who it suits
Gupshup is for established F&B and retail brands with high volume and complex needs. If you are a small cafe, this is overkill.
Price
Usage based, quote required
Details
Name: Gupshup
Website: https://www.gupshup.io
10. Yellow.ai
Yellow.ai is an enterprise conversational AI for chat and voice. It offers generative AI agents, intent-based bot flows, ticketing and analytics for customer service operations. This is best for established retail chains and F&B groups with many outlets and a large service volume. Voice and chat automation can run from the same platform. It is suitable for member signup, feedback loops and complicated outlet-specific queries. It integrates into CRM and ticketing stacks used by larger marketing teams.
What’s good
- Voice and chat automation can run from the same platform.
- Suitable for member signup, feedback loops and complicated outlet-specific queries.
- Integrates into CRM and ticketing stacks used by larger marketing teams.
What to watch
- Overpowered for a two-outlet cafe or a single retail store.
- Implementation needs bot training and governance rather than a weekend DIY setup.
Who it suits
Yellow.ai is for large retail chains and F&B groups. If you are a small business, this is not the right fit.
Price
Enterprise quotation
Details
Name: Yellow.ai
Website: https://yellow.ai
How to Choose
| Criterion | Why It Matters | What Good Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp and Instagram coverage | Singapore customers use messaging to ask about stock, delivery times and reservations instead of calling. | The tool connects to the WhatsApp Business Platform and Instagram DMs without frequent manual workarounds. |
| Human handoff | A chatbot cannot handle every dispute, refund or custom food order. | The customer can be moved to a staff member with the full conversation history intact. |
| F&B and retail features | Restaurants and stores need shared menus, staff notes, order tags, promotions and simple catalogue links. | Quick replies, tagging, nicknames and custom fields cover common tasks like ta pao orders, size exchanges and click-and-collect. |
| No-code learning curve | Most owners and marketing managers do not have a developer on call. | Visual flow editors and ready made templates allow a basic bot to go live within a few days. |
| Pricing transparency | Hidden per seat or per conversation fees make budgeting hard for small margins. | Monthly costs, agent limits and message charges are clear before signup. |
| Local language handling | Customers switch between English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, and chatbot responses should handle that naturally. | The tool supports multilingual content or lets the team edit every bot reply for a Singapore voice. |
| Integrations | Order links, CRM records and delivery platforms should talk to the chat tool. | The chosen tool has an API or direct connection to Shopify, WooCommerce, Google Calendar or the business’s existing CRM. |
For more insights on leveraging digital tools, check out our Learn hub for guides on various digital marketing topics.
FAQ
Which chatbot can take orders from WhatsApp and Instagram for a restaurant in Singapore?
SleekFlow and Respond.io are strong choices for taking orders from WhatsApp and Instagram. SleekFlow offers a shared inbox and automation flows for order details. Respond.io routes conversations to the right staff member. Both tools support the WhatsApp Business Platform and Instagram DMs. They allow human handoff when needed. Choose based on your team size and budget.
What is the difference between the WhatsApp Business App and a paid WhatsApp API chatbot?
The WhatsApp Business App is free and allows one user to manage conversations. It lacks advanced automation and shared inbox features. A paid WhatsApp API chatbot supports multiple agents and automated flows. It can handle higher volumes and integrate with other systems. The API version requires setup but offers more control. It is suitable for businesses with multiple staff or outlets.
Are there free chatbot options good enough for a small cafe with a simple menu?
Tawk.to and Respond.io offer free plans for small cafes. Tawk.to provides unlimited agents for core live chat. Respond.io limits chats and users on the free plan. These tools are sufficient for handling basic queries and order intake. They may not support complex automation or high volumes. If your needs grow, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Do I need to hire an agency to set these up, or can my own team manage the bot?
Most tools in this list are designed for no-code setup. Visual flow editors and templates allow a basic bot to go live within days. A marketing manager or owner can handle this without a developer. However, complex integrations or high-volume setups may benefit from an agency. Assess your team’s technical skills before deciding. If you are comfortable with visual builders, you can manage it yourself.
How do costs change when chat volume grows beyond a few hundred conversations a month?
Most tools charge per conversation or per user as volume grows. WhatsApp conversation fees are billed separately from the software plan. Paid plans often include a certain number of chats or users. Exceeding these limits incurs additional charges. Forecast your chat volume carefully to avoid surprises. Review the pricing page of each tool for specific limits.
