Consumers expect 24/7 customer support today, but providing round-the-clock assistance can be challenging. Issues such as working hours, extra pay, and maintaining global support facilities make it difficult to offer consistent support.

Conversational AI bots address these challenges by mimicking human language and behavior using NLP and machine learning. They can solve customers’ questions and help build loyal brand-attended connections.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top conversational AI chatbots and their features and advantages.

But first, some basics.

What is a Conversational AI Chatbot?

A conversational AI chatbot is an artificial intelligence program that simulates a conversation and answers like a real human. Generally, businesses use it to answer customer inquiries and questions on their website or app.

They are very popular in web-based contexts, including customer service and sales. For example, chatbots can answer general inquiries about delivery and shipment in an e-commerce store without contacting the owner.

Differences Between Traditional Chatbots vs. Conversational AI Chatbots

Traditional chatbots handle specific tasks and give predefined responses based on how they are programmed. However, conversational AI uses advanced technology to understand and respond more naturally, making interactions more meaningful.

Here’s how conversational AI chatbots differ from traditional ones:

Aspect Traditional Chatbots Conversational AI Chatbots
Command Inputs Text only Voice & text
Channels Single (usually website or app) Omnichannel, for e.g., websites, apps, and smart speakers
Conversational Flow Predetermined scripts Dynamic (uses Natural language processing)
Interaction Style Rule-based, linear Wide-scope, non-linear
Focus Navigational Dialogue
Update & Maintenance Manual reconfiguration Continual learning, fast iterations
Scalability Limited Highly scalable
Building Process Time-consuming Easy deployment, integrates with databases

Best Conversational AI Chatbots in 2024

1. Exotel

Exotel AI offers AI-powered chatbot solutions that help startups and businesses deliver natural and meaningful conversations. These chatbots use NLP and machine learning technologies to offer human-like conversations.

Key Features:

» Automated Data Collection: The chatbot gathers relevant customer data during conversations. This process is automated, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of accumulated data. 

» Omnichannel Presence: You can easily use Exotel across multiple platforms and SDKs to engage with customers at their preferred touchpoints

» API integration: Easy integration with external APIs for data exchange and synchronization. 

Pros:

  • Respond to customer queries and address them promptly
  • Quick API integration, multi-platform availability.
  • 24*7 availability

Cons:

  • No support for call transfer, conference, and parallel ringing

Pricing:

  • Pricing available upon request

Best For:

Indian organizations with heavy customer data and a need for cost-effective cloud telephony.

Get started with Exotel and go live with all the AI-enabled features. 

2. Yellow.ai

Yellow.ai is an AI conversational platform that offers chatbot and voice bot solutions for businesses. The AI chatbots understand 135 languages and can be deployed across 35+ text and voice channels. The platform uses advanced natural language processing and generative AI models to power its conversational agents. 

Key Features: 

» Custom API Integrations: Connect with other platforms with ease

» Comprehensive Dashboard: Perform in-depth analysis and gain insights through the Data Explorer

» Scalability: Deploy unlimited bots and agents to support your operations (in the Enterprise plan only)

» Omni-channel Support: Integrates with multiple web, mobile, and social media platforms

» User360: Advanced user profiling with up to 1000 records in the Free plan and unlimited in the Enterprise plan

Pros:

  • Supports Southeast Asian languages (Mandarin, Bahasa)
  • Advanced ML and NLP capabilities
  • Intuitive chat widget for easy interactions

Cons:

  • Getting deflection metrics is not easy
  • Conversational AI chatbot lacks performance insights

Pricing:

  • Free: Limited features
  • Enterprise: Unlimited features, usage-based pricing

Best For:

Enterprises looking to enhance customer support and engagement through real-time connections 

3. Knowlarity

Knowlarity simplifies contact center requirements by migrating them to the cloud. It offers an easy setup and management process, making it convenient for contact centers.

Key Features:

» Set up scheduled reports on chatbot usage (daily/weekly/monthly) 

» Customize themes, include welcome messages (image/video), and allow sticky buttons for frequently asked questions. 

» Activate auto bot pop-up to help customers with form completion and documentation

Pros:

  • Modern, user-friendly interface for easy navigation
  • Simple to set up and expand 

Cons:

  • Lacks reliable customer support  

Pricing:

Customer quotation is available on request.

Best For:

Organizations need a single IVR number for multiple departments. It’s particularly useful for sales teams.

Ubers triumph in enhancing connectivity for 2 Million daily calls powering uninterrupted journeys with Exotel

4. Freshworks Customer Service Suite

Freshworks Customer Service Suite is an AI-powered omnichannel platform that allows businesses to create and deploy chatbots that engage with customers and solve their queries.

Key Features:

» Offer multiple touchpoints for the customers to interact with

» Easy integration with other platforms for marketing and sales automation

» Build intelligent bots to offer self-service options to customers

» Chatbots can be integrated with Messenger or Teams via API

Pros:

  • Easy to use and highly customizable platform
  • Offers automation features to streamline contact center processes

Cons:

  • Poor customer support experience reported by users

Pricing:

Growth: ₹2,299 /agent/month, billed annually

Pro: ₹5,499 /agent/month, billed annually

Enterprise: ₹8,899 /agent/month, billed annually

Best For:

Businesses that aim to offer exceptional customer service

5. Genesys

Genesys Cloud CX simplifies customer relationships by offering a comprehensive platform that seamlessly unifies conversations from calls, emails, chats, and social media channels. This customizable application enhances business-to-customer interactions by providing real-time analytics and dashboards, facilitating personalized customer experiences across channels. 

Key Features:

» Omnichannel Integration: Manage interactions across multiple channels, ensuring consistent conversational AI chatbot experiences

» Real-time Analytics: Get up-to-the-second insights and metrics to empower agents and enhance decision-making

» Drag-and-drop interface: Design, configure, and control applications with an intuitive interface

» Third-Party Integration: Connect applications like Salesforce, AWS, and Twilio

Pros:

  • Improves client services via popular app integrations
  • Simplifies admin, reporting, and vendor management
  • Saves time and costs with quick setup

Cons:

  • No native options to build custom reports

Pricing:

  • CX 1 – Voice: $75 per user/month (billed annually)
  • CX 2 – Digital: $95 per user/month (billed annually)
  • CX 2 – Digital + Voice: $115 per user/month (billed annually)

Best For:

Organizations seeking a cloud-based, end-to-end solution for managing customer interactions across diverse channels, including chatbots.

6. Sprinklr Service

Sprinklr Service is a cloud-native unified customer service platform driven by AI. It facilitates customer interactions across over 30 digital, social, and voice channels. It aims to empower customers and agents with enhanced experiences through AI-driven insights and a unified view of customer interactions.

Key Features:

» Omnichannel Interaction: Deliver consistent brand experiences across digital, social, and voice channels

» AI-Powered Insights: Get real-time recommendations for relevant responses to enhance agent productivity

» Unified Customer View: Get a 360-degree customer view to deliver personalized interactions and efficient issue resolution

» Operational Excellence: Equip supervisors with insights to drive operational efficiencies and uncover growth opportunities

Pros:

  • An intuitive interface enhances navigation and user experience
  • Customizable permissions facilitate better organizational user management
  • Flexible admin controls enable customized permissions and improved control 

Cons:

  • Customization options are less robust, limiting layout flexibility.

Pricing:

  • Self-Serve Plan (Monthly): $199 per seat per month (billed annually)
  • Enterprise Plan: Contact sales for pricing details

Best For:

Large enterprises seeking a comprehensive platform to manage customer interactions across multiple social media and digital channels from a unified interface. 

Transform the way you engage with your customers

7. Nextiva

Nextiva is an AI-powered communication platform consolidating business conversations into a unified hub, enabling real-time customer insights to enhance personalized customer experiences. Its AI chatbot deploys natural language processing and machine learning to personalize customer interactions. Also, it supports 50+ languages and offers support for multiple channels to ensure the smooth running of business operations. 

Key Features:

» Intelligent Intent Recognition: Chatbots analyze customer queries and automatically route them to sales or service teams to ensure they are connected to the right resources to help them

» Comprehensive Knowledge Base: Nextiva’s chatbot has an integrated knowledge base that proactively answers questions with relevant details

» Offline Behaviour: Schedule chatbot behavior according to time, holidays, or using variables

Pros:

  • Getting started is easy with no training or configuration. 
  • Call forwarding and call transferring 

Cons:

  • Prolonged wait times and ineffective responses from customer support.
  • Confusing software interface, lacks explanatory resources, impacts usability.
  • Concerns about pricing structure, need for clearer information.

Pricing:

  • Essential Plan: $99 per month per user 
  • Professional Plan: $119 per month per user 
  • Enterprise Plan: $139 per month per user 

Best For:

Businesses who want to excel in lead capture and automate sales and service requests.

Wrapping Up!

A good conversational AI chatbot significantly boosts support team efficiency. It provides round-the-clock customer service, meeting the expectations of today’s audiences, who expect immediate assistance rather than waiting.

Exotel AI excels in AI-enabled Chatbots for natural, empathetic conversations in multiple languages. It integrates easily via APIs, scales reliably for 24/7 operations, and automates data collection for actionable insights. Ideal for businesses needing cost-effective, high-performance conversational AI. Learn More!

Shambhavi Sinha

Shambhavi Sinha is an SEO expert at Exotel with a passion for writing about technology. With a keen interest in the latest trends in contact centers and artificial intelligence, Shambhavi aims to empower users by sharing insightful and up-to-date knowledge. Her expertise in SEO and her dedication to educating her audience make her a valuable resource for anyone looking to stay informed about the evolving landscape of tech in customer service and beyond.

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