HelloMateo alternative compared

HelloMateo alternative compared.

HelloMateo alternative: This page puts HelloMateo, SmartChat, Chatwerk, Charles and Trengo side by side. The public information of the five providers differs mainly on double opt-in, pricing and fees on top of the plan. SmartChat lists prices from €0 to €999 per month and no add-ons. HelloMateo's pricing page lists no amounts; you get the price in a consultation. As of: 02.11.2026.

The comparison table at a glance.

The information on HelloMateo, Chatwerk, Charles and Trengo comes from the providers' public pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026. The table only includes points that are verified for all five providers.

x = not described on the provider's public pages, as of 02.11.2026.

What the providers write about data protection and consent .

Not every provider covers every point. Here's what each page says. Missing information doesn't imply anything.

• SmartChat. The servers are in Germany. You can download the proof of consent for each contact with date, time and channel as a PDF. Landing page, website popup, click-to-WhatsApp button and QR code come with every plan.
• HelloMateo. The privacy page says: “Ihre Daten werden auf Servern von AWS in Frankfurt am Main (EU-Central-1) gespeichert.” Consent is recorded with date and time on the contact, and the chat shows the exact wording. The newsletter page mentions “Bericht je Empfänger exportieren” (export a report per recipient) and a QR code and link for each WhatsApp number. The terms and conditions cover data processing in section 16.4.
• Charles. The privacy policy says in English: “we store all data in the EU.” It refers to a Data Processing Addendum. On double opt-in, the help center says: “A DOI provides a clear, timestamped confirmation trail”.
• Trengo. The security page says: “Our application is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS).” Before a broadcast, the help center requires the contacts' consent: “Make sure the customers you send your message to, have opted-in to receive these messages.” A blog article mentions a chat link, QR code and website widget for sign-ups.
• Chatwerk. A keyword starts the campaign. You share it via social media, your website, a link or a QR code.

Who fits what.

Which provider fits depends on your business. The points are verified features, not a verdict.

By situation

• You want to collect contacts in several ways. SmartChat lists landing page, website popup, click-to-WhatsApp button and QR code in every plan. HelloMateo and Chatwerk describe a QR code and link, and Trengo, according to a blog article, a link, QR code and widget.
• You want to see the price up front. SmartChat, Chatwerk and Trengo list amounts on their pages. At HelloMateo, you get the price in a consultation.
• You want to know all costs on top of the plan. Chatwerk lists a service fee on Meta's fees plus add-ons, Trengo extra packs, and HelloMateo a one-time setup fee. SmartChat lists no add-ons and no setup fee.
• You plan follow-up messages in a fixed sequence. HelloMateo describes customer journeys, Chatwerk automatable follow-ups, Charles scheduled campaigns. SmartChat offers follow-ups in every plan.
• You're looking for a provider with AI agents. Charles says: “Our AI agents handle tasks like lead qualification, product recommendations, or customer support”. At SmartChat, AI replies come with every plan.

SmartChat features

• Built for WhatsApp marketing. After you enter your website, SmartChat AI builds the landing page, confirmation message and follow-ups in 60 seconds.
• Consent built in. Double opt-in runs automatically, and you can download the proof for each contact as a PDF.
• Servers in Germany. SmartChat's data is stored on servers in Germany.
• One price, no extras. Newsletters, follow-ups, API, MCP and webhook come with every plan. There are no add-ons.
• No lock-in. You can cancel anytime, and the time you've paid for keeps running.

Prices in detail.

The providers structure their plans differently. That's why we show the providers' own figures here. All amounts are in euros per month.

SmartChat

SmartChat has four plans with a fixed price. Paying 3 months in advance gets you a 24 % discount, 12 months in advance 37 %.

HelloMateo

The pricing page lists the Premium, Business, Business Plus and Enterprise packages without amounts. It says: “Deinen konkreten Preis erfährst du im Beratungsgespräch.” The page doesn't say whether amounts are net or gross.

Chatwerk

Chatwerk's pricing page lists prices “zzgl. MwSt, zzgl. einmalige Einrichtungsgebühr” (plus VAT, plus a one-time setup fee). Each cell shows the price with an annual contract first, then with monthly cancellation. An Enterprise plan is available on request.

Trengo

Trengo lists two plans with a price and an Enterprise plan by arrangement. The pricing page says nothing about tax; the terms and conditions state prices in euros excluding VAT.

Fits less well, when.

At SmartChat

• You want to send messages across multiple channels. SmartChat sends exclusively through WhatsApp.
• You want to build a chatbot yourself. SmartChat has no chatbot builder. Basic and Pro: SmartChat builds your automation.
• You need several of your own automations on the Starter plan. Your own automations start with Basic. The one automation in Starter is the fixed double opt-in automation.

With the other providers

• HelloMateo. The pricing page lists no amounts. On top come a one-time setup fee (amount not stated) and separate training.
• Chatwerk. A 10% service fee is added to Meta's fees. The public pages say nothing about double opt-in or proof of consent (as of 02.11.2026).
• Charles. The public pages say nothing about prices, add-ons or setup (as of 02.11.2026).
• Trengo. WhatsApp broadcasting is an add-on from Boost up. According to the pricing page, AI conversations cost €0.30 per conversation with monthly payment.