What a WhatsApp AI assistant costs in South Africa
Pricing for WhatsApp bots is confusing on purpose. Here are the questions to ask any provider, and exactly what we charge.
By Sizo Gugushe, founder of Futnor · Updated
6 questions to ask any provider
- Rand or dollars? Dollar pricing goes up every time the rand drops.
- Is there a setup fee? Some charge thousands before you see a single reply.
- Do you charge per message? Per-message pricing punishes you for being busy, and voice notes and photos can count extra.
- Is there a contract? Can you leave next month if it doesn't work?
- Do I keep my number? A new number has hidden costs: every existing customer has to find you again.
- What happens in a busy month? Does it stop replying, or charge you a surprise bill?
Client Engine Reply pricing
All prices in South African rand, for every country. Plans count customers, not messages: voice notes, photos and follow-ups are included, and anything you type yourself is free. No setup fee, no contract, cancel any time.
| Plan | Price | Customers a month |
|---|---|---|
| Free | R0 | About 30 |
| Starter | R750 a month | About 120 |
| Growth | R1,450 a month | About 300 |
| Busy | R2,750 a month | About 600 |
| Multi-branch | R5,500 a month | About 1,200 |
- Every new account starts with 7 days of the full Growth plan free, no card needed.
- Your first month on any paid plan is half price.
- Paying annually saves 20%.
- Add-ons, on any plan: appointment reminders R250 a month, message all your customers R300 a month, Google review requests R150 a month.
- Our promise: if a customer goes unanswered because of us, that month is free.
Is it worth it?
Starter works out to about R175 a week. If it saves you one booking a week that you would have missed, it has paid for itself. Most businesses miss far more than one: the messages that come in while you are working, driving or asleep.
Start on the free plan and see how many customers it answers in your first week.
More guides
- Best WhatsApp AI assistant in South AfricaHow to choose the best WhatsApp AI assistant for a South African business in 2026: languages, your own number, real prices, bookings, voice notes and cost in rand.
- WhatsApp AI assistant for LesothoLesotho’s first Meta-approved WhatsApp AI assistant.
- WhatsApp AI assistant for African businessesA WhatsApp AI assistant made for African small businesses: answers customers 24/7 on your own number, in their language, quotes your prices and books appointments.
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- WhatsApp assistant for clinics and dentistsA WhatsApp AI receptionist for dentists, skin and aesthetics clinics and practices in South Africa and Lesotho.
- WhatsApp auto reply vs AI assistantWhatsApp Business away messages, menu chatbots and AI assistants compared: what each one does, what customers think of them, and which one actually turns enquiries into bookings.
- WhatsApp assistant for guest houses and lodgesA WhatsApp AI assistant for guest houses, B&Bs and lodges in South Africa and Lesotho.
- WhatsApp assistant for plumbers and electriciansA WhatsApp AI assistant for plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople in South Africa and Lesotho.
- Ka Sesotho: mothusi oa AI oa WhatsAppClient Engine Reply ke mothusi oa pele oa AI oa WhatsApp Lesotho o amohetsoeng ke Meta.
Questions
How much does a WhatsApp AI assistant cost in South Africa?
Client Engine Reply has a free-forever plan for about 30 customers a month. Paid plans run from R750 a month for about 120 customers to R5,500 a month for about 1,200. There is no setup fee and no contract.
Does Client Engine Reply charge per message?
No. Plans count customers, not messages. Voice notes, photos and follow-ups are included, and messages you type yourself are free.
Try it on your own WhatsApp
Free forever for about 30 customers a month. 7 days of the full Growth plan free. No card, no contract.
Start freeAsk us on WhatsApp