LinkDM vs ManyChat at a glance
| LinkDM | ManyChat | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | LinkDMBy DMs sent per month | ManyChatBy active contacts per month, plus overage |
| Free plan | LinkDM1 Instagram account, 1,000 DMs/month, LinkDM branding | ManyChat25 active contacts/month, 4 live automations, ManyChat branding |
| Main paid plan | LinkDMPro: $19/month ($182/year), 3 accounts, 25,000 DMs | ManyChatPro: $39/month ($29 billed yearly), 2,500 active contacts |
| Big plan | LinkDMPlatinum+: $99/month ($832/year), 10 accounts, 300,000 DMs | ManyChatAdvanced: $199/month ($139 yearly), 25,000 active contacts |
| AI replies | LinkDMNot listed on its pricing page | ManyChatFrom Pro ($39/month) |
| Comment-to-DM | LinkDMEvery plan | ManyChatEvery plan |
| Public reply under the comment | LinkDMPro and up | ManyChatEvery plan |
| Story replies and mentions | LinkDMEvery plan | ManyChatEvery plan |
| Other channels | LinkDMFacebook | ManyChatTikTok, Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, email (by plan) |
| Builder | LinkDMSimple automations; flow automation on Pro | ManyChatVisual flow builder, integrations, templates |
| Meta status | LinkDMMeta Business Partner since 2021 | ManyChatMeta Business Partner |
Pricing: DMs vs active contacts
This is the biggest difference. LinkDM counts DMs: each plan includes a monthly number of messages. ManyChat counts people: since March 2026 you pay for every person who interacts with your automations in a month, with a fee per extra person over your plan’s limit. A busy post costs LinkDM DMs; it costs ManyChat contacts.
Here is what a month costs with each — the cheapest plan that covers it. ohyap counts messages like LinkDM, with AI included: Free covers 200, Creator 10,000 for $15.
| A month of | LinkDM | ManyChat (cheapest) | ManyChat with AI | ohyap (AI included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 people × 2 DMs | LinkDMFree — $0 | ManyChat (cheapest)Essential — $22 | ManyChat with AIPro — $39 | ohyap (AI included)$15 |
| 3,000 people × 2 DMs | LinkDMPro — $19 | ManyChat (cheapest)Pro — $64 | ManyChat with AIPro — $64 | ohyap (AI included)$15 |
| 20,000 people × 2 DMs | LinkDMPlatinum+ — $99 | ManyChat (cheapest)Advanced — $199 | ManyChat with AIAdvanced — $199 | ohyap (AI included)$90 |
Two things the table doesn’t show: on LinkDM’s free plan the DM carries LinkDM branding and no public reply is posted under the comment; and ManyChat’s overage is added automatically to your next bill unless you set a cap.
Features: where each one is stronger
- LinkDM is stronger at sending a lot of link DMs cheaply, several Instagram accounts on one plan (3 on Pro, 10 on Platinum+), and Instagram-specific extras on Pro: a follower growth tool, reminder DMs, a DM planner, and “Rewind” to send DMs to people who commented before you set the automation up.
- ManyChat is stronger at everything beyond Instagram: more channels, a visual builder for multi-step funnels, integrations, team inboxes with seats, and AI from Pro. It is also testing follow-to-DM for new followers, where Meta decides which accounts can use it.
- AI replies: if you want people’s questions answered automatically — “how much?”, “does it ship to Canada?” — ManyChat needs Pro ($39), and LinkDM’s pricing page doesn’t list AI replies at all.
Who should pick which
| If you… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Mostly send links from comments and stories, at volume, for little money | PickLinkDM |
| Run several Instagram accounts on one budget | PickLinkDM |
| Need TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS or email too | PickManyChat |
| Build multi-step funnels or work as a team | PickManyChat |
| Want AI that answers questions in your voice, at a flat price | Pickohyap |
Where ohyap fits
ohyap sits between them: priced by messages like LinkDM, so a viral post doesn’t multiply the bill, but with an AI that answers DMs from a short Knowledge Base you write — in your voice, in any language, voice notes included. Creator is $15/month for 10,000 messages with unlimited contacts; Free has every feature with 200 messages. It is Instagram-focused (plus WhatsApp for shops), with one account per plan for now. More options: the best Instagram automation tools.
Questions people ask
Is LinkDM better than ManyChat?
For sending link DMs from Instagram comments and stories at high volume and low cost, LinkDM is usually the better fit. For multiple channels, complex funnels, team inboxes or AI, ManyChat does more. If you want AI replies at a flat price, ohyap is a third option.
Is LinkDM free?
Yes. LinkDM’s free plan connects 1 Instagram account and sends up to 1,000 DMs a month, with LinkDM branding. Public replies under comments and the other Pro features need the $19 Pro plan.
How much does LinkDM cost?
Pro is $19 a month ($182 a year) for 3 Instagram accounts and 25,000 DMs a month. Platinum+ is $99 a month ($832 a year) for 10 accounts and 300,000 DMs. Enterprise is custom.
Does LinkDM have AI replies?
Its pricing page doesn’t list AI-written replies; it focuses on keyword automations, story replies and link delivery. ManyChat’s AI starts on its Pro plan at $39 a month; ohyap includes AI replies on every plan.
Is LinkDM safe for my Instagram account?
LinkDM says it has been a certified Meta Business Partner since 2021, and partners work through Meta’s official APIs, as ManyChat does. No tool can stop Instagram from limiting an account that behaves like spam, so keep messages personal and paced.
Can I use LinkDM and ManyChat at the same time?
You can connect both, but don’t run them on the same posts or keywords, or people get two DMs for one comment. Split them by post, or move automations over one at a time.
Want AI replies at a flat price?
ohyap answers comments and DMs in your voice for $15 a month — unlimited contacts. Start free, no card.
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