ManyChat offers an intuitive drag-and-drop Flow Builder to create chatbot conversations without coding. Users can map out message sequences, decision points, and actions (like tagging a user or integrating with other apps) in a flowchart-style interface, making chatbot design accessible and clear.

Design one chatbot that works across multiple channels – Instagram DM, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, and even email. This allows businesses to manage all their messaging conversations in one platform and reach customers on their preferred channel.

ManyChat provides numerous ways to attract and capture contacts, called Growth Tools. For example, you can set up Instagram Comment-to-DM triggers (automatically send a message when someone comments a specific keyword on your post), Messenger referral links and QR codes, embeddable website widgets, pop-ups, and more. These tools help convert your audience into subscribers by initiating chatbot interactions.

With ManyChat, you can send broadcast messages (one-time blasts) or set up automated sequences (drip campaigns) to your subscribers. This is useful for announcements, newsletters via Messenger, follow-up sequences after a user opts in, or educational series. The platform ensures broadcasts comply with messaging platform rules (like Facebook’s 24-hour rule for promotional messages) through appropriate tag settings.

Use Custom Fields, Tags, and Segments to personalize conversations and target specific groups. For instance, tag users based on their interests or actions (e.g., “interested_in_product_X”) and then send targeted content or offers to those segments. ManyChat’s advanced segmentation and filtering tools help tailor the chatbot experience for different audience segments, increasing relevance and conversion.

ManyChat includes built-in analytics dashboards to track key metrics such as subscriber growth, open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversion rates from your chatbot campaigns. The insights help you optimize your chatbot flows and understand user behavior.

A Live Chat feature allows human agents to intervene in automated conversations when necessary. Agents can use the unified inbox to see all incoming messages and take over from the bot if a user needs personal assistance. You can configure automation to pause when a human joins, ensuring a smooth transition and better customer experience.

In addition to its built-in AI, ManyChat historically allowed integration with NLP services like Dialogflow. It now also integrates directly with ChatGPT/OpenAI and other AI through apps. This means you can incorporate AI responses (for free-text questions) into your flows or even let an AI handle parts of a conversation (e.g., answering general questions), expanding the bot’s capability beyond pre-scripted messages.

Generate entire conversation flows by simply describing your goal – the AI can draft a chatbot flow outline for you, which you can then refine.

Automatically enhance your message copy to be more clear, engaging, and on-brand with one click. This helps ensure your chatbot’s tone and grammar are professional.

The AI can detect the intent behind user messages (in multiple languages) and route the conversation accordingly, rather than relying solely on keyword triggers. This leads to more accurate responses and less manual setup of keywords.

An action in flows where ManyChat’s AI can generate a contextually appropriate answer on the fly or ask follow-up questions as needed. This is useful for handling open-ended questions or simulating more natural, unscripted dialogue within an otherwise structured flow.

ManyChat supports e-commerce by integrating with payment processors Stripe and PayPal inside Messenger chats. You can set up a “Buy Button” in your chatbot flows, allowing users to complete purchases without leaving the chat. This feature simplifies the checkout process for customers interacting through chat.

For those who prefer not to start from scratch, ManyChat offers pre-built templates for various use cases (via the Template Marketplace). There are templates for things like an FAQ bot, an appointment booking bot, a product recommendation quiz, etc. These can be installed and then customized, saving time and providing proven conversation flows to begin with.

ManyChat consolidates your contacts across channels in one subscriber list (with identifiers for source channel). It allows you to manage consent (important for WhatsApp and SMS compliance), unsubscribe users, and even provides a feature to merge duplicate contacts if the same person interacts on multiple channels.

As mentioned, ManyChat’s integration capabilities are a key feature. In addition to built-in app integrations, there’s a ManyChat API that developers can use to programmatically send messages or fetch data, and a Developer App Marketplace where third-party tools expand ManyChat (for example, integrating CRM systems or other chat platforms). This means if a needed feature isn’t native, you can often find an app or use the API/Zapier to achieve it.

As mentioned, ManyChat’s integration capabilities are a key feature. In addition to built-in app integrations, there’s a ManyChat API that developers can use to programmatically send messages or fetch data, and a Developer App Marketplace where third-party tools expand ManyChat (for example, integrating CRM systems or other chat platforms). This means if a needed feature isn’t native, you can often find an app or use the API/Zapier to achieve it.

ManyChat helps users stay compliant with messaging platform policies by providing tags and settings for message types (e.g., “Confirmed Event Update” tag for sending updates outside the 24-hour window on Messenger). It also has a Campaign Approval process for certain channels like WhatsApp (which require template message approval). These features ensure your chatbot usage remains within the legal and platform-specific guidelines, preventing bans or penalties.