Free option 1: Meta’s own tools
Before you sign up for anything, switch on what Instagram and Meta give you for free. In the Instagram app you can add up to four FAQs people tap when they open a chat with you. In Meta Business Suite on a computer you can add an instant reply, an away message, custom keyword replies and a comment to message automation.
- Keyword replies match up to 5 keywords or phrases, are case-sensitive, and go out after 15 minutes unless you reply first.
- Comment to message replies to comments that contain specific hashtags — not plain words like “LINK”.
- Everything is free, official and already connected to your account.
The catch: it only reacts to exact words, it waits 15 minutes, and it can’t check a follow, collect an email or answer a question in your own words. Step-by-step setup: Instagram auto reply.
Free option 2: the free plans of DM tools
| Tool | Free allowance | AI replies | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| ohyap | Free allowance200 messages a month, unlimited contacts, every feature | AI repliesYes | The catchSmaller message allowance than the link-only tools |
| Zorcha | Free allowanceUnlimited DMs and contacts | AI replies15K AI credits | The catchAI use is metered in credits |
| LinkDM | Free allowance1,000 DMs a month, 1 account | AI repliesNot listed | The catchLink delivery, no AI listed |
| CreatorFlow | Free allowance500 DMs a month | AI repliesNot listed | The catchLink delivery, no AI listed |
| Inrō | Free allowance100 activated contacts a month, 3 automations | AI replies50 AI credits | The catchCounted per contact, like ManyChat |
| ManyChat | Free allowance25 active contacts a month, 4 live automations, 2 channels | AI repliesNo (from Pro) | The catch“Powered by Manychat” branding; no overage on Free |
Which free plan fits what you’re doing
- One big launch, a link for everyone who comments: Zorcha or LinkDM — the free allowance covers hundreds or thousands of DMs.
- People ask questions before they buy: a free plan with AI — ohyap answers from your Knowledge Base with 200 messages a month; Zorcha and Inrō include AI credits.
- You just want an away message and a price reply: Meta Business Suite is enough.
- You are testing ManyChat: 25 active contacts is enough to try it, not to run a post.
Set up a free auto DM in ohyap (about two minutes)
Sign up and connect Instagram
Free, no card. You connect through Instagram’s own login — Business or Creator account, no Facebook Page needed.
Pick the post and the keyword
A specific post or reel, every post, or the next one you publish. Keywords match as whole words in any capitalisation — “LINK pls” counts.
Write the public reply and the DM
A few public reply variations (they rotate) and one warm line with your link button.
Optional: ask for a follow or an email first
The first DM has a button; when it’s tapped, ohyap checks the follow or asks for an email before sending the link.
Write a short Knowledge Base
So the AI can answer whatever people reply with — prices, dates, how to join.
What free plans usually leave out
- Branding. ManyChat adds “Powered by Manychat” to the first message each new contact gets.
- Contacts. Per-contact plans stop at 25 (ManyChat) or 100 (Inrō) people a month.
- AI. Several free plans send links only; others meter AI in credits.
- Follow-to-unlock and email capture. Check that they are on the free plan if your funnel needs them — on ohyap they are.
When paying starts to make sense
Once a post regularly brings more DMs than the free allowance, a flat plan is usually cheaper than per-contact pricing. ohyap Creator is $15/month for 10,000 messages with unlimited contacts; ManyChat’s cheapest plan with AI is $39/month for 2,500 active contacts. The calculator in our ManyChat pricing guide works it out for your numbers.
Questions people ask
Is there a free auto DM for Instagram?
Yes. Meta Business Suite has free keyword replies and a comment-to-message automation for hashtags, and most DM tools have a free plan: Zorcha (unlimited DMs), LinkDM (1,000 DMs a month), CreatorFlow (500), ohyap (every feature with 200 messages a month), Inrō (100 contacts) and ManyChat (25 contacts).
What is the best free Instagram auto DM tool?
For sending links at volume, Zorcha or LinkDM. For answering questions with AI, ohyap’s Free plan — every feature, 200 messages a month, unlimited contacts. If you only need fixed answers, Meta Business Suite costs nothing.
Is ManyChat free?
ManyChat has a Free plan for up to 25 active contacts a month with 4 live automations and its own branding. AI starts on the Pro plan at $39 a month.
Can I auto DM people who comment for free?
Yes. Meta Business Suite can reply to comments with specific hashtags for free, and the free plans of comment-to-DM tools send a DM when someone comments your keyword — within Meta’s rule of one private reply per comment, within 7 days.
Is free Instagram auto DM safe?
It is when the tool uses Meta’s official API: you log in through Instagram, never share a password, and the tool only messages people who commented or wrote to you first. Avoid anything that asks for your password or promises to message strangers.
Do free auto DM tools work on reels?
Yes. Comment-to-DM works on reels and regular posts; in ohyap you can attach it to one post, every post or the next one you publish.
Start free — every feature, AI included
Comment-to-DM, story replies and AI answers in your voice. No card, unlimited contacts.
Try ohyap free →Sources