Instagram isn’t just about pretty pictures anymore. It’s a place where conversations happen daily, between brands and customers, creators and fans, small businesses and curious visitors. And while your posts and Stories bring people in, your DMs are where the real connection begins.

That’s where Instagram chatbots come in.

If you’ve ever found yourself manually replying to the same questions or missing out on DMs when you’re offline, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a techie, a developer, or spend money to build your AI-powered chatbot for Instagram. You can set one up in minutes using free, no-code tools that work directly with your Instagram account.

This guide walks you through exactly how to do that.
No jargon. No complicated setup. Just a simple way to automate your DMs and grow your business or brand, even while you sleep.

Let’s get started with what exactly an Instagram chatbot is and how it helps.

Free Tools You Can Use to Make an Instagram Chatbot

The good news? You don’t need to spend a rupee or know how to code. Several tools in 2025 now let you create Instagram chatbots using drag-and-drop builders and AI-powered reply engines. These platforms are beginner-friendly and designed for creators, freelancers, online sellers, coaches, and small businesses.

Let’s look at the top free tools people are using to build Instagram bots in 2025:

1. Manychat (Free Plan Available)

Manychat is still one of the most popular Instagram chatbot builders, and it’s perfect for beginners. The free plan lets you connect one Instagram account and set up basic automated replies using flows or keywords. It also has built-in AI features now, like message understanding and intent detection.

What you can do with the free plan:

• Set up welcome messages and quick replies
• Reply to FAQs based on keywords
• Send product links, lead magnets, or booking forms
• Use AI to detect common customer intents

2. SendPulse

SendPulse now supports Instagram chatbot creation with a free plan that includes up to 500 subscribers. Their visual flow builder is simple, and you can integrate it with Google Sheets or email tools to store lead data.

It’s great for businesses that want more than just reply automation. You can combine email, WhatsApp, and Instagram chatbots into one workspace.

3. Botmother

This platform allows you to build bots across multiple platforms, including Instagram. While the UI isn’t as polished as Manychat, the free version is powerful and gives you more control over how the chatbot behaves, especially if you want multi-language or conditional replies.

4. Wati (AI + Instagram Integration)

Wati now supports Instagram via API for business accounts, and their AI assistant can generate responses using GPT-level understanding. While Wati is more popular for WhatsApp automation, it’s now gaining traction in the Instagram space too, especially among Indian businesses.

If you're an early-stage solopreneur or a service provider, the free trials on these tools are more than enough to test and launch your chatbot.

How to Build Your Instagram Chatbot (Step-by-Step, No Coding Needed)

Creating a chatbot sounds technical, but in 2025, it’s mostly drag, drop, and write your replies. You don’t need to hire a developer or write complex logic. Here's how to build a fully working Instagram chatbot from scratch using free tools and AI.

Step 1: Choose a Free Bot Builder

Start by selecting a platform that supports Instagram bots. Manychat, SendPulse, and Botmother are good options, depending on your needs. Just make sure it integrates with Instagram’s official API, which all three do.

If you’re just starting, we suggest Manychat for its ease of use and large tutorial library.

Step 2: Connect Your Instagram Business Account

You’ll need:

• A business Instagram account (not personal)
• A linked Facebook page
• Admin access to that page

Once you have that ready, connect your account to the chatbot platform. This usually takes just a few clicks.

Step 3: Set Up a Welcome Message

This is the first message users see when they DM you. Keep it friendly and simple, like:

“Hey! I’m InstaBot, here to help you with quick answers. What would you like to know?”

You can set up buttons for common actions like:

• View services
• Book a call
• FAQs
• Talk to a human

Step 4: Build Your Flow

Use the drag-and-drop interface to design how your chatbot responds. Add:

• Keyword triggers (e.g., “price,” “help,” “book”)
• Smart replies
• Image or video cards
• AI-powered answers that learn from past chats

For example:

• If someone types “pricing,” the bot can instantly reply with a card showing your packages.
• If they type “how does it work?”, the bot can send a short explanation followed by a video.

Step 5: Use AI for Smarter Conversations

Most platforms now have GPT-level natural language AI integrations. This means you can write a few sample messages, and the bot can auto-understand variations.

Example:
User types: “Can I see your rates?”
Bot understands: “They’re asking about pricing” and sends your pricing card.

Step 6: Test Your Bot

Send yourself a few DMs from a second account. Try:

• Misspelled words
• Voice messages (if supported)
• Emojis or slang

Adjust your flows based on how people interact.

Step 7: Publish It

Once you’re satisfied, hit publish. Your Instagram chatbot is now live and can handle leads, FAQs, and bookings while you sleep.

What You Can Automate With an Instagram Chatbot (2025 Use Cases)

Instagram chatbots aren’t just about replying with “Hi there!” anymore. In 2025, they’ve evolved into fully functional assistants that can take over many parts of your business communication. Let’s look at what you can automate with an AI-powered Instagram bot:

1. Welcome Messages for Every New DM

Every time someone messages your account, your chatbot can greet them instantly, giving a professional first impression. It can also guide them to the right path—whether they want to explore your services, ask a question, or talk to a human.

Example:
“Hey! Thanks for reaching out. Are you looking for help with…
[ Book a Call ] [ Pricing Info ] [ Talk to Support ]”

2. Auto Reply Based on Keywords or Questions

If someone asks a common question like “What are your rates?” or “Do you ship to India?”, your chatbot can detect the intent and provide an accurate reply.

Even better, with AI, the bot understands variations of the same question even if they’re phrased differently.

You can automate answers for:

• Pricing
• Availability
• Location
• Services offered
• Testimonials

3. Auto DM on Story Replies or Post Comments

This is where growth hacks happen.

Let’s say you post, “Comment ‘INFO’ to get our pricing.”

The bot instantly DMs everyone who comments “INFO” with a personalized message and pricing brochure.

This turns passive commenters into leads, automatically.

You can even customize replies based on keywords. Comment “DEMO”? The bot sends a demo video. Comment “BOOK”? The bot shares your calendar link.

4. Booking Calls or Appointments

Your bot can handle appointment scheduling by integrating with platforms like Calendly or TidyCal. No back-and-forth needed. Just drop a calendar link, ask the user to pick a time, and confirm the booking automatically.

5. Collecting Lead Information

The bot can ask for the user’s name, email, phone number, or even what service they’re interested in—and store it in your CRM or Google Sheets via integration.

This is great for:

• Lead generation agencies
• Freelancers and coaches
• Local businesses

6. Handling Support Queries

If someone is having an issue or wants to ask for help, your bot can:

• Answer common questions
• Escalate to human agents if needed
• Let them know when your team is available

This works beautifully for brands that receive a lot of repetitive DMs like “where’s my order?” or “how do I return this?”

7. Sharing Product Catalogs or Offers

Your chatbot can be a mini salesperson.

Fore-commercee, you can:

• Share carousel-style product messages
• Send discount coupons
• Suggest personalized products based on user preferences

This boosts conversions from Instagram traffic without needing a human in the loop.

Tools to Make a Free Instagram Chatbot in 2025

You don’t need to spend money or hire a developer to build a smart Instagram chatbot anymore. Several platforms now offer powerful free plans, drag-and-drop builders, and even AI integrations that help you launch fast. Below are some of the best tools you can use to create your chatbot without writing a single line of code.

1. Manychat (Free Plan Available)

Manychat remains the most beginner-friendly tool to create Instagram chatbots. It’s officially partnered with Meta, which means it complies with Instagram’s messaging rules. You can automate DMs, send broadcast messages, create comment-triggered DMs, and much more.

Why use it:

• Super simple interface
• Integrates with Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
• Comment-to-DM automation
• Free for up to 1,000 contacts

Best for: Small businesses, coaches, creators, and service providers who want to capture leads from DMs and post comments.

2. SendPulse

SendPulse is more like a full marketing platform than just a chatbot builder. Their Instagram bot system is highly visual, and you can link it with email, SMS, and Telegram workflows. It also supports AI logic to detect intent.

Why use it:

• Omnichannel automation
• Smart flows and personalization
• AI-ready responses
• Free plan supports basic chatbot features

Best for: Brands that want one tool to manage both messaging and email/SMS campaigns.

3. Botmother

Botmother allows you to create bots for Instagram, Telegram, and Facebook, ok all from a single dashboard. It has a clean interface and supports API calls, webhook integrations, and dynamic replies using AI.

Why use it:

• One builder for multiple platforms
• ChatGPT integrations
• Free plan with unlimited bots (limited features)

Best for: Agencies or developers looking to test bots on multiple platforms before scaling.

4. Chatfuel

Once known for Facebook bots, Chatfuel now supports Instagram chatbot creation with ease. It's free plan lets you test out flows, and you can build advanced automations once your audience grows.

Why use it:

• Pre-built chatbot templates
• AI plugins
• Free plan available

Best for: Startups and ecommerce brands that want quick deployment with pre-made templates.

5. Flow XO

Flow XO is a bit more advanced, but it’s great if you’re looking for deep customization. While not solely focused on Instagram, it supports integrations with Instagram’s API and can be used to build logic-heavy bots.

Why use it:

• Advanced logic and flows
• API and webhook support
• Visual builder with powerful features

Best for: Tech-savvy users who want control over how the chatbot responds.

Real Use Cases of Instagram Chatbots from Small Businesses in India

While big brands may get the spotlight, it’s often the small businesses that use Instagram chatbots most creatively. From local boutiques to online educators, many are turning their Instagram DMs into a full-time sales and support channel.

1. A Surat-Based Saree Seller Who Doubled Orders

This local clothing store used a simple keyword-based chatbot to handle hundreds of messages daily. Anyone who typed “price” or “order” in the DMs was instantly guided to product catalogs and payment options. The result? Less time spent replying, more time shipping orders.

What worked:

• Clear keyword flows like “Sarees,” “Lehengas,” “COD”
• Link to WhatsApp for high-value inquiries
• Built trust with fast replies

2. A Personal Fitness Coach Offering Paid DM Workouts

A Pune-based personal trainer used a free chatbot tool to send out lead magnets, such as “7-Day Workout Plans,” to people who replied to stories. Later, the bot offered a paid monthly plan. It helped him grow his income without needing a website.

What worked:

• Auto-DM after replying to Instagram Stories
• Freebie delivery through a bot
• AI-driven upsell messages in DMs

3. A Mumbai-Based Jewelry Brand Automating Product Demos

With new collections dropping every week, replying manually wasn’t sustainable. They used Manychat to trigger DMs from post comments like “want,” “show me,” or “interested.” The bot would instantly send images, prices, and even stock availability.

What worked:

• Comment-to-DM campaigns
• Visual carousels inside chat
• Real-time inventory updates

4. A Freelance Digital Marketer Offering Services via DM

A freelancer from Jaipur created a simple bot that acted like a portfolio walkthrough. Visitors could click buttons like “View My Work,” “Check Prices,” or “Book a Call.” It made lead capture feel natural inside Instagram DMs.

What worked:

• Structured FAQ flow
• Instant Calendly link drop
• Personalized voice note follow-up after lead capture

5. A Cafe in Bangalore Handling Reservations and FAQs

This small cafe installed an auto-responder for common questions like “Where are you located?” or “Do you have vegan food?” The chatbot handled these 24/7 while giving options to book a table instantly through an embedded link.

What worked:

• Fast replies to FAQs
• Click-to-book CTA
• Menu delivery via chatbot

These businesses didn’t start with fancy websites or expensive software. They used free or low-cost chatbot tools to automate DMs and focus more on what matters: selling, serving, and scaling.

Tips to Make Your Instagram Chatbot Feel Human (Not Robotic)

Even if you’re using AI or simple flows, your chatbot should never feel cold or mechanical. A few small tweaks can make your Instagram chatbot feel like a real person, without hiding the fact that it’s automated.

1. Use Natural Language, Not Scripted Text

Avoid robotic phrases like “How can I assist you today?” Instead, write like you’d talk. For example:
 “Hey! Want help picking something out?”
 “Looking for prices or recommendations?”

Keep the tone light, friendly, and conversational.

2. Personalize Based on What They Click

Use dynamic variables or button-based replies that adapt based on user action. If someone clicked “See Earrings,” don’t show them necklaces in the next step. Smart branching makes the chatbot feel more attentive.

3. Use Emojis and Spacing Strategically

Break long texts into short, digestible lines. Emojis can help guide attention, but don’t overload. For example:

Choose a category:

• Jewelry
• Clothing
• Footwear

Looks better than a text wall and makes the bot easier to navigate.

4. Add Voice Notes or Reels as Part of Replies

You can embed Instagram Reels or attach a voice note to make the bot more expressive. A quick voice greeting like “Hey, I’m here to help!” adds warmth. Reels showing how to use your product also improve conversion.

5. Let Them Exit or Speak to a Human

Always include a button like “Talk to Someone” or “Get Help” that routes the user to a real human. This builds trust. If your automation can’t solve their problem, hand it over don’t trap them in a loop.

6. Regularly Test and Update the Flow

Instagram changes its features often. Keep checking if your auto-replies work well. Update flows when you launch new products, change pricing, or get repeated questions you hadn’t thought of.

Final Thoughts: Start Free, Scale Smart

Creating an Instagram chatbot in 2025 isn’t just for big brands or tech-savvy marketers. With free tools and AI integrations, anyone from a home baker to a SaaS startup can build one in under an hour.

Start with one simple flow:- a DM auto-reply or a comment trigger. See what your audience responds to. Then add more layers like upsells, lead captures, and personalized flows. The goal isn’t to replace humans, it’s to help you grow without burning out.

Instagram is where your customers are. An intelligent chatbot makes sure you never miss a message, a lead, or a sale.