Side by side
ChatbotX vs Microsoft Bot Framework
Both stand on chatbot builders. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
ChatbotX offers a free self-hosted Community plan alongside paid tiers with stated message and team limits. Review how it counts bot messages and which channels, collaboration features and support options each plan provides.
Visit ChatbotXThe Bot Framework may suit developers maintaining bots that need its SDK, channel connections, and hosting flexibility. For new agent development, Microsoft recommends the Microsoft 365 Agents SDK; teams relying on support tickets should also account for the stated end of Bot Framework SDK ticket service.
Visit Microsoft Bot FrameworkThe facts
| ChatbotX | Microsoft Bot Framework | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Self-hosted | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Lite: $29 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 5 | 2 |
| Maker | ChatbotX | Not published |
| Website | chatbotx.io | dev.botframework.com |
| On chatbot builders | #6 of 257 | #2 of 257 |
ChatbotX: what it does well
- Community plan includes unlimited bot messages.
- Supports eight named messaging and web channels.
- Includes visual flow building and human handoff.
- Can be self-hosted and white-labeled.
- Offers API, CLI, MCP, OpenClaw, n8n and Make integrations.
What to know first
- Lite plan includes 10,000 bot messages.
- Pro plan includes five team members.
- Managed cloud trials require a credit card.
- Support options vary by plan.
Microsoft Bot Framework: what it does well
- Includes tools and templates for speech, natural language, and Q&A bots.
- Provides client libraries for C#, JavaScript, Python, and Java.
- Connects bots to Teams, Facebook, Slack, and other channels.
- Allows hosting on own servers, Azure, or another data center.
- Free plan includes unlimited standard-channel messages.
What to know first
- Microsoft says the SDK is no longer updated or maintained.
- Microsoft recommends a different SDK for new agent development.
- Free plan limits premium-channel messages to 10,000 per month.
- Channel adapters may be needed for some channels or features.
Alternatives to ChatbotX Alternatives to Microsoft Bot Framework The whole list