Question 1

Is Bugalou a full-fledged Respond.io alternative?

Accepted Answer

Bugalou offers most of Respond.io’s core functionality — multichannel inbox, WhatsApp Business, Instagram, Messenger, email, AI chatbot and automation. Respond.io also supports Telegram and LINE, channels that Bugalou does not offer. Bugalou excels with e-commerce integrations (Bol.com, Lightspeed, Picqer, Returnless), CSAT surveys, transactional emails and phone — features that Respond.io lacks. And all of this without MAC tracking or overage costs.

Question 2

What does Bugalou cost compared to Respond.io?

Accepted Answer

Bugalou starts at €49/month with all features included and no unpredictable MAC costs. Respond.io’s Starter plan costs $79/month, Growth $159/month and Advanced $279/month. On top of that, Respond.io charges based on MACs (Monthly Active Contacts), with $12 per 100 extra MACs when you exceed the limit. Check our pricing page for a full overview.

Question 3

What is MAC tracking and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

MAC stands for Monthly Active Contacts. Respond.io counts the number of unique contacts you communicate with in a month. If you exceed your plan’s limit, you pay $12 per 100 extra MACs. This makes your costs unpredictable, especially for growing businesses. Bugalou charges a fixed monthly fee without contact limits.

Question 4

Does Respond.io have features that Bugalou doesn’t?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Respond.io supports additional channels like Telegram, LINE and Viber that Bugalou does not offer. Respond.io also has advanced broadcast and drip campaign functionality. If you need these specific channels or features, Respond.io may be the better choice.

Question 5

How quickly can I switch to Bugalou?

Accepted Answer

The average setup takes 10 minutes. You can start a free trial today, connect your channels and get started with your team right away.

Question 6

Is Bugalou GDPR-compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All your data is stored on servers in Frankfurt (EU). We offer a data processing agreement (DPA) and are fully GDPR-compliant. More info on our GDPR page.

Respond.io alternative: simpler and more affordable