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Octopods vs native channels and other messaging tools

Octopods connects WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and other popular messaging apps to Intercom and HubSpot. These comparisons show when the built-in Intercom or HubSpot channel is enough, which SMS tool fits HubSpot, and how Octopods differs from other tools.

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native channel or octopods

Is the built-in Intercom or HubSpot channel enough?

Intercom and HubSpot both have their own WhatsApp, and Intercom has its own Telegram bots. These pages compare each with Octopods, feature by feature.

Intercom

Intercom native WhatsApp vs Octopods

What it compares
Intercom's built-in WhatsApp channel and WhatsApp through Octopods: who owns the number, how Meta's charges are billed, the WhatsApp Business app, group chats and price.
Read this if
You're choosing how to bring WhatsApp into Intercom, or thinking of moving a number off the native channel.
Read the comparison HubSpot

HubSpot native WhatsApp vs Octopods

What it compares
HubSpot's built-in WhatsApp and WhatsApp through Octopods: plan requirements, coexistence, workflow templates and multiple numbers. Also covers Cooby, WATI and 360dialog.
Read this if
You already use HubSpot's own WhatsApp, or you're deciding between it and a connector.
Read the comparison Intercom

Intercom native Telegram vs Telegram Personal

What it compares
Intercom's built-in Telegram bots and Telegram Personal by Octopods, which connects your own Telegram account instead of a bot.
Read this if
Customers already message a person's Telegram account, and you're deciding whether a bot is enough.
Read the comparison

sms tools for hubspot

Which SMS tool fits HubSpot?

A roundup of the main ways to text customers from HubSpot, not a one-to-one comparison.

HubSpot

HubSpot SMS options vs Native, Sakari, Salesmsg or Twilio

What it compares
Native HubSpot SMS, Sakari, Salesmsg, ClickSend and your own Twilio numbers through Octopods: what each is best for and what to check.
Read this if
You want to text customers from HubSpot and are comparing tools, not just one alternative.
Read the comparison

alternatives

Looking for an alternative to respond.io or ClearFeed?

For HubSpot teams who want to keep customer conversations in the HubSpot inbox instead of a separate tool.

HubSpot

A respond.io alternative for the HubSpot inbox

What it compares
A separate messaging platform such as respond.io, Trengo or SleekFlow, and keeping WhatsApp, SMS and social messages in the HubSpot inbox with Octopods.
Read this if
Your team works in HubSpot and you don't want a second inbox to manage.
Read the comparison HubSpot

A ClearFeed alternative for Slack support in HubSpot

What it compares
ClearFeed and Octopods for answering customers' Slack threads from HubSpot: intake, replies and ticket controls.
Read this if
Customers ask for support in shared Slack channels and your team answers in HubSpot.
Read the comparison

short answers

Questions teams ask when comparing

Yes. It's a paid channel on Intercom's Essential, Advanced and Expert plans. The number is registered to Intercom's WhatsApp Business Account and Meta's charges are billed through Intercom. With Octopods, you connect your own WhatsApp Business Account. See Intercom native WhatsApp vs Octopods.

Yes. HubSpot's own WhatsApp connects to the HubSpot inbox and needs Marketing or Service Hub Professional or Enterprise. Octopods brings WhatsApp into HubSpot alongside SMS, Telegram, Instagram and other channels. See HubSpot native WhatsApp vs Octopods.

Yes. Intercom connects Telegram bots in its own channel settings. It connects bots, not personal accounts. Telegram Personal by Octopods connects your own Telegram account, so customers keep talking to the person they know. See Intercom native Telegram vs Telegram Personal.

HubSpot has a marketing SMS add-on, and a service SMS beta that uses one generated US number. Octopods connects your own Twilio numbers for two-way SMS in the HubSpot Inbox or Help Desk. See HubSpot SMS options.

It depends on how your team works. HubSpot's native WhatsApp fits when WhatsApp is your main requirement and its plan fits your portal. Octopods fits when you want WhatsApp alongside SMS and social messaging, answered in the HubSpot Inbox or Help Desk.

For HubSpot teams, yes. respond.io, Trengo and SleekFlow are separate messaging platforms with their own inbox. Octopods keeps WhatsApp, SMS and social messages in the HubSpot inbox your team already uses. See A respond.io alternative for the HubSpot inbox.

Each comparison is checked against the other product's own documentation, and each page says when it was last checked. Features and pricing change, so every page links to its sources.

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