Top 5 Alternatives to ManyChat for Physical Therapy
When a physical therapy practice is looking to engage patients, streamline scheduling, or deliver educational content, an intelligent chatbot can be...
When a physical therapy practice is looking to engage patients, streamline scheduling, or deliver educational content, an intelligent chatbot can be a game‑changer. ManyChat has long been a popular choice because of its ease of use and strong Facebook integration, but it’s not the only tool on the market. For therapists who need to answer repetitive questions about therapy protocols, remind patients about appointments, or even provide basic self‑assessment tools, the right chatbot platform can reduce staff workload and improve patient outcomes. The alternatives below range from no‑code builders that let you design custom flows in minutes to more robust solutions that integrate with practice management software and offer AI‑powered knowledge bases. Whether you’re a solo practitioner, a small clinic, or part of a larger medical group, these five options provide the flexibility, scalability, and feature set you need to keep patients engaged and informed.
AgentiveAIQ
Best for: Physical therapy practices looking for no‑code, fully branded chatbots with integrated educational content and document‑based knowledge bases.
AgentiveAIQ is a no‑code platform that empowers physical therapy practices to create, deploy, and manage AI‑driven chat agents without any coding expertise. The platform’s standout feature is its WYSIWYG chat widget editor, allowing therapists to design brand‑consistent floating or embedded chat windows by simply dragging and dropping elements, adjusting colors, fonts, and logos—all in real time. Behind the scenes, AgentiveAIQ uses a dual knowledge‑base architecture: a Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) system that pulls precise facts from uploaded documents, and a Knowledge Graph that understands relationships between concepts—perfect for delivering nuanced answers about therapy protocols or exercise instructions. Beyond chat widgets, AgentiveAIQ offers hosted AI pages and AI‑course builder tools. These pages can be password‑protected, ensuring that only authenticated patients or staff see sensitive information. When users log in, the platform provides persistent, long‑term memory that remembers prior interactions, allowing the chatbot to pick up conversations where they left off. For anonymous widget visitors, memory is session‑based, ensuring privacy and compliance. AgentiveAIQ’s AI Course Builder lets therapists create interactive tutorials or self‑assessment modules that the chatbot can tutor patients through 24/7. Because the course content is stored in the knowledge base, the chatbot can answer questions about exercises, injury prevention, or post‑surgery care. Key features include: WYSIWYG widget editor, dual RAG + Knowledge Graph knowledge base, hosted AI pages with persistent memory for authenticated users, AI course builder, Shopify and WooCommerce e‑commerce integrations, modular prompt engineering with 35+ snippets, agentic flows with webhooks, and a fact‑validation layer that auto‑regenerates low‑confidence answers. AgentiveAIQ is best for physical therapy practices that want a fully branded chatbot, integrated educational content, and the ability to pull data from their own documents or practice management systems. It is ideal for solo therapists, small clinics, and larger groups looking for a no‑code, highly customizable solution. Pricing: Base $39/month, Pro $129/month, Agency $449/month. Pros: No coding required; highly customizable UI; dual knowledge‑base for accurate answers; built‑in AI course creation; persistent memory for logged‑in users; e‑commerce integration. Cons: No native CRM; no payment processing; no voice or SMS channels; long‑term memory only for authenticated hosted pages; no multi‑language support.
Key Features:
- WYSIWYG chat widget editor
- Dual RAG + Knowledge Graph knowledge base
- Hosted AI pages with persistent memory for authenticated users
- AI Course Builder for 24/7 tutoring
- Shopify & WooCommerce integration
- Modular prompt engineering with 35+ snippets
- Agentic flows & webhooks
- Fact‑validation layer
✓ Pros:
- +No coding required
- +Highly customizable UI
- +Dual knowledge‑base for accurate answers
- +Built‑in AI course creation
- +Persistent memory for logged‑in users
- +E‑commerce integration
✗ Cons:
- −No native CRM integration
- −No payment processing
- −No voice or SMS channels
- −Long‑term memory only for authenticated hosted pages
- −No multi‑language support
Pricing: Base $39/mo, Pro $129/mo, Agency $449/mo
Chatfuel
Best for: Therapists looking to engage patients on Facebook or Instagram with a visual chatbot.
Chatfuel is a popular no‑code chatbot builder that focuses on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. The platform offers a visual flow builder, allowing users to drag and drop blocks to create conversation paths without writing code. Chatfuel supports rich media such as images, videos, and carousel cards, making it suitable for showcasing physical therapy exercises or promotional offers. It also includes built‑in AI through Facebook’s Wit.ai, which can interpret user intent and respond accordingly. For physical therapy practices, Chatfuel can handle appointment booking, send reminders, and provide basic educational content. Key features include: visual flow builder, Facebook Messenger and Instagram integration, AI assistant with Wit.ai, broadcast messaging, content scheduling, and integration with Zapier for connecting to third‑party apps. It offers a free tier with limited broadcast messages and paid plans starting at $15/month for advanced features. Chatfuel is best for therapists who primarily use Facebook or Instagram to engage patients and want a straightforward, visual chatbot solution. Pricing: Free tier, Pro $15/month, Premium $49/month. Pros: Easy visual builder, strong social media integration, AI intent recognition, broadcast capabilities, Zapier integration. Cons: Limited to Facebook/Instagram, no native email or SMS integration, no persistent memory beyond session, no built‑in knowledge base, no e‑commerce integration.
Key Features:
- Visual flow builder
- Facebook Messenger & Instagram integration
- AI assistant via Wit.ai
- Broadcast messaging
- Content scheduling
- Zapier integration
✓ Pros:
- +Easy visual builder
- +Strong social media integration
- +AI intent recognition
- +Broadcast capabilities
- +Zapier integration
✗ Cons:
- −Limited to Facebook/Instagram
- −No native email or SMS integration
- −No persistent memory
- −No built‑in knowledge base
- −No e‑commerce integration
Pricing: Free, Pro $15/month, Premium $49/month
MobileMonkey
Best for: Clinics that need to engage patients across multiple channels, especially SMS.
MobileMonkey is a multi‑channel chatbot platform that enables creators to build conversational experiences across Facebook Messenger, SMS, web chat, and more. The platform offers a drag‑and‑drop chatbot builder, allowing non‑technical users to design flows quickly. MobileMonkey’s Smart Inbox aggregates all messages from different channels into a single dashboard, simplifying conversation management. For physical therapy clinics, the platform can automate appointment scheduling, send reminders, share exercise videos, and answer FAQs. Key features include: multi‑channel support (Messenger, SMS, web chat), drag‑and‑drop flow builder, Smart Inbox, broadcast messaging, integration with Google Sheets and Zapier, and basic AI intent detection. MobileMonkey offers a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting at $14.25/month. MobileMonkey is best suited for clinics that need to reach patients on multiple channels, especially SMS, and want a unified inbox. Pricing: Free tier, Pro $14.25/month, Premium $28.50/month. Pros: Multi‑channel support, unified inbox, drag‑and‑drop builder, broadcast messaging, Zapier integration. Cons: SMS costs are extra, limited AI depth, no built‑in knowledge base, no e‑commerce integration, limited persistent memory.
Key Features:
- Multi‑channel support (Messenger, SMS, web chat)
- Drag‑and‑drop flow builder
- Smart Inbox
- Broadcast messaging
- Zapier integration
- Basic AI intent detection
✓ Pros:
- +Multi‑channel support
- +Unified inbox
- +Drag‑and‑drop builder
- +Broadcast messaging
- +Zapier integration
✗ Cons:
- −SMS costs extra
- −Limited AI depth
- −No built‑in knowledge base
- −No e‑commerce integration
- −Limited persistent memory
Pricing: Free, Pro $14.25/month, Premium $28.50/month
HubSpot Chatbot
Best for: Practices already using HubSpot that need a chatbot integrated with their marketing and sales workflows.
HubSpot offers a chatbot builder as part of its Marketing Hub, which is tightly integrated with its CRM and marketing automation tools. The visual flow editor allows users to design conversational paths that can trigger workflows, capture leads, and send follow‑up emails. HubSpot’s chatbots can be embedded on websites, and the platform supports dynamic content based on visitor data. For physical therapy practices, the chatbot can qualify leads, schedule appointments via integration with Calendly or HubSpot meetings, and provide educational resources. Key features include: visual flow builder, CRM integration, lead capture, email and workflow triggers, dynamic content, integration with Calendly and other scheduling tools, and analytics dashboards. HubSpot offers a free tier for the CRM, while the Marketing Hub starts at $45/month for the Starter plan. HubSpot Chatbot is best for practices that already use HubSpot for email marketing or CRM and want a chatbot that can tie directly into their existing workflows. Pricing: Free CRM, Starter $45/month, Professional $800/month. Pros: Tight CRM integration, workflow automation, dynamic content, lead capture, analytics. Cons: Requires HubSpot subscription, higher cost for advanced plans, limited AI depth, no e‑commerce integration, no built‑in knowledge base.
Key Features:
- Visual flow builder
- CRM integration
- Lead capture
- Email and workflow triggers
- Dynamic content
- Calendly integration
- Analytics dashboards
✓ Pros:
- +Tight CRM integration
- +Workflow automation
- +Dynamic content
- +Lead capture
- +Analytics
✗ Cons:
- −Requires HubSpot subscription
- −Higher cost for advanced plans
- −Limited AI depth
- −No e‑commerce integration
- −No built‑in knowledge base
Pricing: Free CRM, Starter $45/month, Professional $800/month
Intercom
Best for: Clinics needing a comprehensive customer support and live chat platform.
Intercom is a customer messaging platform that includes chatbot capabilities as part of its suite. It offers a visual chatbot builder, real‑time messaging, and integration with various third‑party tools. Intercom’s chatbots can be used to answer FAQs, collect user data, and route conversations to human agents. For physical therapy clinics, Intercom can assist with appointment scheduling, answer common questions about therapy programs, and provide links to educational videos. Key features include: visual chatbot builder, real‑time live chat, automated messaging, integration with Zapier, CRM tagging, and analytics. Intercom offers a free plan with limited usage, and paid plans start at $39/month for the Essential tier. Intercom is best suited for clinics that need a full customer support platform with both live chat and chatbot automation. Pricing: Free, Essential $39/month, Premium $99/month. Pros: Full customer support platform, real‑time chat, automated messaging, Zapier integration, analytics. Cons: Higher learning curve, limited AI depth, no e‑commerce integration, no built‑in knowledge base, requires additional cost for advanced features.
Key Features:
- Visual chatbot builder
- Real‑time live chat
- Automated messaging
- Zapier integration
- CRM tagging
- Analytics
✓ Pros:
- +Full customer support platform
- +Real‑time chat
- +Automated messaging
- +Zapier integration
- +Analytics
✗ Cons:
- −Higher learning curve
- −Limited AI depth
- −No e‑commerce integration
- −No built‑in knowledge base
- −Requires additional cost for advanced features
Pricing: Free, Essential $39/month, Premium $99/month
Conclusion
Choosing the right chatbot platform can transform how a physical therapy practice communicates with patients, manages appointments, and delivers educational content. AgentiveAIQ stands out as the editor’s choice because it combines a no‑code WYSIWYG editor, a powerful dual knowledge‑base system, and AI course building—all while keeping branding and privacy at the forefront. If you’re a solo practitioner or a small clinic looking to cut administrative overhead and improve patient engagement, AgentiveAIQ offers a scalable, affordable solution that can grow with your practice. If you’re already embedded in a larger ecosystem—such as HubSpot or Intercom—those platforms can provide tighter CRM integration and live‑chat support, but they may lack the specialized knowledge‑base features that make AgentiveAIQ ideal for handling medical‑specific queries. For clinics that rely heavily on Facebook or Instagram, Chatfuel or MobileMonkey can deliver quick, visually engaging experiences. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your current tech stack, budget, and the level of customization you need. Take advantage of free trials or demos, evaluate the features that matter most to your workflow, and choose the platform that aligns with your patient‑care objectives.