All the channels your customers use - without per-resolution AI fees
Plain is an API-first B2B support tool with strong developer ergonomics but prices AI per resolution and lacks consumer channels. Chatwoot gives you 12+ messaging channels, an AI copilot billed in flat credit packs, and transparent pricing with the option to self-host.
- WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, and more - channels Plain does not support
- AI copilot included in plans, not billed per resolution
- Free plan with 2 agents - no 7-day trial pressure
- Self-host for complete data control
- Open source with full code access - not just API-first
At a glance
12+ channels
- Chatwoot
- Yes
- Plain
- No
AI copilot included
- Chatwoot
- Yes
- Plain
- Per resolution
Free plan
- Chatwoot
- Yes
- Plain
- Yes
Self-hosted option
- Chatwoot
- Yes
- Plain
- No
Open source
- Chatwoot
- Yes
- Plain
- No
Feature comparison
See how Chatwoot and Plain compare across key features.
| Feature | Chatwoot | Plain |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging Channels | ||
| Website live chat | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | No | |
| Instagram DMs | Yes | No |
| Facebook Messenger | Yes | No |
| Telegram | Yes | No |
| LINE | Yes | No |
| SMS | Yes | No |
| TikTok DMs | Yes | No |
| API channel | Yes | Yes |
| AI & Automation | ||
| AI copilot for agents | Yes | Yes |
| AI-powered replies | Yes | Yes |
| Chatbots / bot builder | Yes | No |
| Automation rules | Yes | Yes |
| Canned responses | Yes | Yes |
| SLA management | Yes | Yes |
| Team Collaboration | ||
| Shared inbox | Yes | Yes |
| Private notes | Yes | Yes |
| Team assignments | Yes | Yes |
| Agent collision detection | Yes | No |
| Labels and tags | Yes | Yes |
| Contact segments | Yes | No |
| Reporting & Analytics | ||
| Conversation reports | Yes | Yes |
| Agent performance reports | Yes | No |
| CSAT reports | Yes | No |
| Live dashboard | Yes | No |
| Team reports | Yes | No |
| Custom report filters | Yes | No |
| Deployment & Security | ||
| Cloud hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted option | Yes | No |
| Open-source code | Yes | No |
| SSO / SAML | Yes | Yes |
| Audit logs | Yes | No |
| Custom data retention | Yes | No |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
Why teams switch from Plain
Common pain points that lead teams to explore alternatives.
AI costs scale unpredictably
Plain prices its AI features per resolution, so AI costs grow with support volume. Chatwoot bills Captain AI in flat credit packs instead, so costs stay predictable.
No consumer messaging channels
Plain supports Slack, Teams, Discord, and email but has no WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok, or LINE integration. Consumer-facing teams need a separate solution.
Closed source, cloud-only
Plain is not open source and offers no self-hosting. Your customer data lives entirely on their infrastructure with no alternative.
Newer platform with limited track record
Plain is a smaller, newer company. Chatwoot has 37k+ GitHub stars, thousands of self-hosted deployments, and years of production usage across industries.
How Chatwoot is different
What makes Chatwoot the right choice over Plain.
12+ messaging channels
WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, SMS, LINE, and more. Plain covers B2B channels only.
AI without resolution fees
Captain AI is included on paid plans. No per-resolution charges that grow with volume.
Free plan with no trial expiry
Two agents on live chat at no cost, forever. Plain offers a shorter free trial.
Proven at scale
Thousands of businesses run Chatwoot in production. Battle-tested with years of community development and enterprise deployments.
Open source transparency
Full source code access. Contribute, audit, or fork. Plain offers API access but not code access.
Self-host for data sovereignty
Run Chatwoot on your own servers when compliance or data residency matters. Docker and Helm charts make it straightforward.
Common questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about switching from Plain to Chatwoot.
How does Chatwoot compare to Plain for developer teams?
Chatwoot offers a comprehensive REST API, webhooks, and SDK integrations. Being open source, developers can also contribute directly to the codebase, build custom integrations, and self-host with full control.
Does Chatwoot have a help center like Plain?
Yes. Chatwoot includes a built-in help center for publishing knowledge base articles. Customers can search articles directly from the chat widget before contacting support.
Can I migrate from Plain to Chatwoot?
Yes. Chatwoot offers import tools and a comprehensive API for migrating contacts and conversation history. Our team can help with migration planning on enterprise plans.
Does Chatwoot support Linear and Jira integrations?
Chatwoot integrates with a wide range of tools via webhooks and API. Direct integrations with popular tools are available, and the open-source community actively builds new connectors.
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Switching from Plain?
Try Chatwoot free and see the difference. Our team can help you migrate your data and get set up.