Honest comparison · Last reviewed Q2 2026
Envoy vs Chatbase
A lean, local-business-focused alternative built around lead capture.
Disclosure: We make Envoy. We try to represent Chatbasefairly based on publicly available information, but we're naturally biased. Verify pricing and features on their website before deciding.
Where Chatbase shines
Chatbase is a polished general-purpose AI chatbot platform with strong developer integrations and a large user base.
Where Envoy fits
Envoy is tuned for local businesses that need lead capture, multilingual answers, and simple setup — not a developer playground.
Side-by-side
Hand-researched. Updated quarterly. If you spot an outdated fact, tell us— we'll fix it.
| Feature | Envoy | Chatbase | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (monthly) | $23/mo (billed yearly) | $40/mo | Us |
| Trained on your website automatically | Yes — full-site crawl + PDFs + Q&A overrides | Yes — URL + files | Tie |
| Built-in lead capture (email, phone, handoff) | Yes, on every plan | Lead forms on Standard+ only | Us |
| Language support | 40+ languages out of the box | 95+ languages | Them |
| Developer API + integrations | REST API + Slack/Zapier via webhooks | Deep Zapier/Make integrations + custom API | Them |
| Human handoff with AI summary | Included on every paid plan | Live chat add-on | Us |
| Best for | Local service businesses, SMBs, agencies | SaaS product support, developer tools | Tie |
Pick Envoy if...
- You run a local business and need leads captured — not just questions answered.
- You want to launch in 5 minutes without writing a single prompt.
- Your plan budget is under $40/mo and you bill yearly.
- You need a human handoff workflow built into every plan.
Pick Chatbase if...
- You're a SaaS company that needs deep Zapier/Make workflows.
- You need obscure language coverage beyond the top 40.
- You're a developer who wants to script custom prompt logic.
Common questions
- Can I migrate my chatbot from Chatbase to Envoy?
- Yes. Re-point Envoy at your website URL and it re-crawls automatically. Manual Q&A overrides import via CSV in under 5 minutes.
- Does Envoy hallucinate like other AI chatbots?
- Envoy stays silent when it's not confident (below 0.3 similarity score) and escalates via webhook so you can review. It cites sources on every answer.
- What's the real price difference over a year?
- Envoy Pro is $79/mo or $948/yr. Chatbase Standard is $40/mo ($480/yr) but limited — most businesses end up on Pro at $150/mo ($1,800/yr). Envoy works out ~$850/yr cheaper on equivalent tiers.
Try Envoy — see if it fits
If it doesn't beat Chatbasefor your business in the first 30 days, we'll refund you.