SmartChat vs. Charles
SmartChat vs. Charles.
According to their public pages, SmartChat and Charles differ mainly in what is described there. Both describe a double opt-in, a proof with a timestamp, API, webhooks and AI features. SmartChat additionally states prices, contract term and limits openly on its pricing page. The public Charles pages we checked say nothing about this. As of: 02.11.2026.
The comparison table at a glance.
The table shows points that are stated on public pages for both providers. An x appears where Charles does not describe the point on the pages we checked. The information about Charles comes from Charles' pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026.
| SmartChat | Charles | |
|---|---|---|
| Data storage | Server in Germany | Privacy policy: "we store all data in the EU." |
| proof of consent | Per contact with date, time and method, available as a PDF | Help article on double opt-in: “A DOI provides a clear, timestamped confirmation trail” |
| Double opt-in | Automatic: confirmation on sign-up via landing page or popup, in every plan | Via confirmation message: “the subscription only activates once the contact completes that second step” |
| Campaigns | WhatsApp newsletter and follow-ups in every plan, including Free | Product page: “Send timed campaigns” |
| AI features | AI reply in every plan, even in Free; replies in the contact's language | "Our AI agents handle tasks like lead qualification, product recommendations, or customer support" |
| Monthly price from | €0 (Free), then €299 | x |
| Free plan and discount | Free with no time limit and no credit card; 24% for 3 months, 37% for 12 months in advance | x |
| Meta fees, add-ons and setup | You pay Meta fees directly to Meta, SmartChat adds no markup; no add-ons, no setup fee | x |
| term and cancellation | No minimum term, no commitment; cancel any time, without notice period, up to 1 hour before the payment is taken | x |
| Limits for contacts and messages | Contacts unlimited in every plan; messages 100 one-time, 3,000, 6,000, unlimited in Pro | x |
| Limits for team and numbers | Team seats 1, 3, 6, 12; 1 WhatsApp number per account | x |
| Integrations | API, MCP and webhook in every plan; Zapier, Make and n8n | API and webhooks: “Use the Charles API and webhooks to automate flows and journeys integrated with your custom software.” |
| Source | SmartChat pricing and feature pages | Charles product page, help on opt-ins, privacy policy |
x = not described on the provider's public pages, as of 02.11.2026.
Who fits what.
The answer depends on your business. The following points state documented features, not a verdict.
SmartChat features
- Landing page in 60 seconds. Enter your website and SmartChat AI builds your landing page, confirmation message and follow-ups.
- Four ways to sign up. Landing page, website popup, click-to-WhatsApp button and QR code are included in every plan, including Free.
- Proof per contact as a PDF. You retrieve the date, time and method of consent for every contact.
- Prices and terms stated openly. Four plans, no add-ons, no setup fee and no extra charge per message are stated on the pricing page.
- No lock-in. There is no minimum term, and you can cancel any time.
Charles features
- Help article on opt-ins. It describes the double opt-in as a second step the contact completes, and the timestamp as proof.
- Scheduled campaigns. The product page names “timed campaigns”.
- AI agents. The product page names tasks such as lead qualification, product recommendations and support.
- API and webhooks. The product page describes them for workflows with your own software.
- Data Processing Addendum. The privacy policy refers to it and lists the sub-processors in Annex 2.
When which provider fits
- You want to read up on prices, contract term and limits beforehand. For this, SmartChat states them openly on the pricing page.
- You want to look at AI agents and timed campaigns. For this, Charles describes AI agents and timed campaigns on its product page.
Prices of SmartChat.
Charles describes no prices on the public pages we checked. That is why only SmartChat's price overview is shown here, and there is no example calculation. You can find out Charles' prices from Charles. All amounts are in euros per month.
SmartChat plans
SmartChat has four plans with a fixed price. Paying 3 months in advance gets you a 24 % discount, 12 months in advance 37 %.
| Free | Starter | Basic | Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | 0 € | 299 € | 499 € | 999 € |
| Price per month when paying 3 months in advance | 0 € | 227 € | 379 € | 759 € |
| Price per month when paying 12 months in advance | 0 € | 188 € | 314 € | 629 € |
| Contacts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Messages | 100 one-time | 3,000 per month | 6,000 per month | Unlimited |
| team seats | 1 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Automations | 1 | 1 | 3 | Unlimited |
| Credits for SmartChat AI | 500 one-time | 3,000 per month | 6,000 per month | 12,000 per month |
| Source | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing | SmartChat pricing |
Fees for messages
With SmartChat, you pay the Meta fees directly to Meta via the payment method in your Meta account. SmartChat charges no extra per message.
Fits less well, when.
At SmartChat
- You want to send messages across multiple channels. SmartChat only sends via WhatsApp.
- You want to build a chatbot yourself. SmartChat has no chatbot builder. SmartChat AI replies to messages, and in the Basic and Pro plans, SmartChat builds your automation.
- You need multiple WhatsApp numbers in one account. One account has 1 WhatsApp number. For multiple numbers, you create multiple accounts.
- You want to resell SmartChat under your own name. There is no white label.
With Charles
- You want to read up on prices and contract term on the provider's page. They are not described on the public Charles pages we checked, as of 02.11.2026.
- You want to know limits for contacts, messages and team beforehand. The Charles pages we checked say nothing about this either.
FAQ about SmartChat and Charles.
What is the difference between SmartChat and Charles?
According to their public pages, SmartChat and Charles differ mainly in what is described there. Both name a double opt-in, a proof with a timestamp, API, webhooks and AI features. SmartChat additionally names prices, contract term and limits. All points are in the table above.
Where is the data stored at Charles and at SmartChat?
SmartChat's servers are in Germany. Charles' privacy policy says: “we store all data in the EU.” It also refers to a Data Processing Addendum with a list of sub-processors.
How does the double opt-in work at Charles?
Charles' help article describes the double opt-in as a confirmation by message. The subscription only becomes active when the contact completes the second step. With SmartChat, the double opt-in runs automatically when someone signs up via landing page or popup.
Do both have proof of consent?
Yes, both describe a proof. Charles writes in its help article: “A DOI provides a clear, timestamped confirmation trail”. With SmartChat, you retrieve the proof of consent for each contact, with date, time and channel, as a PDF.
What does Charles cost?
We found no prices on the public Charles pages we checked, as of 02.11.2026. You can find out Charles' prices from Charles. That is why this page has no price comparison and no example calculation.
What do you pay at SmartChat compared to Charles?
Free costs €0, Starter €299, Basic €499 and Pro €999 per month. With 3 months in advance you save 24%, with 12 months in advance 37%. Contacts are unlimited in every plan. Source: SmartChat pricing.
Are there extra costs at SmartChat?
At SmartChat there are no add-ons, no setup fee and no extra charge per message. You pay Meta fees directly to Meta through the payment method in your Meta account. The pages we checked say nothing about extra costs at Charles.
Can you cancel SmartChat any time?
Yes. SmartChat has no minimum term and no commitment. You cancel any time without notice period, up to 1 hour before the payment is taken, and the paid period continues. The pages we checked say nothing about Charles' contract term.
What campaigns and follow-ups are there?
SmartChat includes the WhatsApp newsletter and follow-ups in every plan, even in Free, and sending costs no credits. On its product page, Charles describes timed campaigns: “Send timed campaigns”.
What can the AI features do?
SmartChat AI replies to messages in the contact's language and is included in every plan. Charles writes that its AI agents take over tasks such as lead qualification, product recommendations or customer support.
What interfaces do SmartChat and Charles name?
Where does the information about Charles come from?
The information about Charles comes from Charles' public pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026. All sources are listed at the bottom of the page. Prices and features may change. SmartChat is the provider of this page. You can report an incorrect statement via Contact .
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Sources and date. All information about Charles comes from the provider's public pages, retrieved on 02.11.2026. Prices and features may change. SmartChat is the provider of this page. This comparison was written by SmartChat and is not legal advice.
Charles: Charles product page · Charles help: opt-ins · Charles privacy policy
SmartChat: SmartChat pricing · Landing page · Website popup · Double opt-in · proof of consent · API · MCP
Charles is a trademark of its respective owners. Found an incorrect statement? Please report it via Contact.
Last updated: By SmartChat Team