Intercom Alternative: Why Teams Are Switching to Andy
AI agents on WhatsApp, Web, and Slack without per-resolution fees or 12-month lock-ins.
TL;DR
Intercom is powerful but expensive — $29-132/seat/month plus $0.99 per AI resolution, WhatsApp fees, and 12-month contracts. Costs often end up 2-3x higher than expected.
Andy is built for teams who need AI agents on WhatsApp, Web, and Slack without enterprise pricing. Simple pricing, WhatsApp as a first-class channel, and no per-resolution fees.
Choose Intercom if: You're an enterprise with budget for premium features and complex automations.
Choose Andy if: You want WhatsApp-native support, predictable costs, and multi-channel agents that work in minutes.
Why Teams Look for Intercom Alternatives
Intercom is a pioneer in customer messaging. But over the years, the platform has become increasingly expensive and complex — especially for growing teams who don't need enterprise-grade everything.
The Pricing Problem
Intercom's pricing looks reasonable at first:
- Essential: $29/seat/month
- Advanced: $85/seat/month
- Expert: $132/seat/month
But that's just the entry fee. Once you add:
- AI resolutions: $0.99 per conversation Fin resolves
- WhatsApp: Per-message fees on top of seat costs
- SMS: Additional per-message charges
- Proactive messaging: Usage-based fees
Your actual bill can be 2-3x higher than the advertised per-seat price.
"Very expensive, has a 12-month contract forcing the customer to pay for 12 months even if they would like to cancel early."
— G2 Reviewer
The Contract Problem
Intercom requires 12-month commitments. Decided it's not the right fit after month 3? You're still paying for months 4-12.
For startups and SMBs testing channels, this is a dealbreaker.
The WhatsApp Problem
WhatsApp has 2+ billion users. For many businesses — especially in LATAM, Europe, and Asia — it's the primary way customers want to communicate.
But on Intercom:
- WhatsApp is an add-on, not a core channel
- You pay extra per-message fees
- You can't use the WhatsApp mobile app with the same number
- Setup is complex with currency restrictions (WABA must be USD)
- Leads from WhatsApp can't easily be used for marketing
WhatsApp on Intercom feels like an afterthought. Because it was.
The Complexity Problem
Intercom has evolved into a feature-packed platform for enterprises. Great if you're a 200-person support team. Overwhelming if you're a 5-person startup.
"Too complex for our needs... We just wanted a simple chatbot."
— Capterra Review
The Support Irony
Perhaps the most frustrating part? Intercom's own customer support has declined:
"WORST CUSTOMER SUPPORT EVER!!! 7 days without a first response."
— Capterra Reviewer
"We've had numerous issues open and I don't think they have resolved one with any engineering update. They keep saying they are 100% focused on AI while the rest of their product withers away."
— Reddit r/SaaS
A customer service platform with bad customer service. The irony isn't lost on anyone.
Andy: Built for WhatsApp-First, Multi-Channel Teams
Andy takes a different approach. Instead of bolting channels onto a legacy chat platform, we built for multi-channel from day one.
What Makes Andy Different
1. WhatsApp Is a First-Class Channel
On Andy, WhatsApp isn't an add-on. It's a core deployment channel:
- Deploy in minutes — No complex WABA setup
- No per-message fees — Included in your plan
- Lead capture built-in — Capture intent mid-conversation
- Unified history — All channels feed into one insights layer
If your customers live on WhatsApp, Andy was built for you.
2. Multi-Agent Platform (Not Just One Bot)
Intercom gives you one inbox, one bot. Andy gives you a platform:
- Support agent on your website
- Sales agent on WhatsApp
- Internal knowledge agent in Slack
- Each agent has its own knowledge base, tone, and channels
Same dashboard. Separate agents. No knowledge bleed.
3. Predictable Pricing
No per-resolution fees. No per-message WhatsApp charges. No 12-month lock-in.
| Intercom | Andy | |
|---|---|---|
| Base price | $29-132/seat/mo | Simple per-agent tiers |
| AI resolution fees | $0.99 each | Included |
| WhatsApp fees | Per-message add-on | Included |
| Contract | 12 months | Month-to-month |
| Hidden costs | Yes (usage-based) | No |
You know what you're paying. Every month.
Feature Comparison: Andy vs Intercom
Core Features
| Feature | Andy | Intercom |
|---|---|---|
| Website chat widget | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI chatbot | ✓ Included | ✓ Fin (per resolution) |
| ✓ First-class | ⚠️ Add-on fees | |
| Slack | ✓ Full integration | ✗ None |
| Multiple agents | ✓ Native | ⚠️ Limited |
| Lead capture | ✓ With intent detection | ✓ Limited |
| Knowledge base | ✓ Per agent | ✓ Shared |
Pricing & Limits
| Andy | Intercom | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | ✓ Trial | ✗ None |
| AI fees | ✗ None | ✓ $0.99/resolution |
| WhatsApp fees | ✗ None | ✓ Per message |
| Contract | Month-to-month | 12 months |
| Billing surprises | None | Common |
Who Should Choose Intercom
Intercom is still a strong choice for:
- Enterprise teams — 50+ seats, complex workflows
- Deep automation — Advanced routing and rules
- Big budgets — $30k+/year spend is fine
- Product tours — Intercom excels here
Intercom's sweet spot: Enterprise B2B SaaS with high ticket volume and budget for premium tooling.
Who Should Choose Andy
Andy is built for teams who:
- Need WhatsApp — A first-class channel, not an add-on
- Want predictable pricing — No per-resolution surprises
- Need multiple agents — Support + sales + internal
- Are growing fast — Need a tool that scales without enterprise pricing
- Want simplicity — Live in minutes, not months
Andy's sweet spot: SMBs, WhatsApp-first markets, and modern teams who want powerful AI without the enterprise tax.
Switching from Intercom to Andy
What You Can Bring
- Contact lists
- FAQ content
- Knowledge base articles
What Needs Rebuilding
- Intercom workflows (Andy uses AI, not rules)
- Custom bots (Andy re-trains from your content)
- Some integrations (Andy has its own set)
Timeline
Most teams migrate in 1-2 weeks:
- Export your Intercom data
- Import contacts and knowledge into Andy
- Set up agents for each channel
- Test and go live
Most teams are fully migrated within 1-2 weeks.
Last updated: February 2026
Case Studies
See real results from businesses using Andy.
FAQ
Is Andy really cheaper than Intercom?
Yes. Intercom's advertised pricing doesn't include AI resolution fees ($0.99 each), WhatsApp per-message fees, or other usage charges. Andy includes WhatsApp and AI in all plans with no per-use fees.
Can I use Andy just for WhatsApp?
Absolutely. Many customers use Andy primarily for WhatsApp, with the website widget as a secondary channel. You can deploy to any combination of channels.
Does Andy have all of Intercom's features?
No — and that's intentional. Intercom has features most teams never use. Andy focuses on what matters: AI agents that answer customer questions across channels, capture leads, and give you insights. If you need product tours or complex automation rules, Intercom may still be a better fit.
How does Andy's AI compare to Intercom's Fin?
Both use advanced AI to answer customer questions. The key difference: Andy doesn't charge per resolution. You pay for your plan, and AI is included.
Can I try Andy without canceling Intercom first?
Yes. Run Andy alongside Intercom during your trial. Many teams start with one channel (e.g., WhatsApp) on Andy while keeping their website on Intercom, then migrate fully once they are confident.
Compare Andy to Other Platforms
Ready to Try an Intercom Alternative?
Start with Andy's 14-day free trial. No credit card. No 12-month commitment. Deploy your first AI agent on WhatsApp, Web, or Slack in under 10 minutes.