Fonada AI is an omnichannel AI agent platform that enables businesses to build and deploy conversational AI agents across WhatsApp, Voice Telephony, RCS Messaging, Web Widget, and Chatbot channels in under 5 minutes. It features a no-code flow builder, RAG knowledge base, 70+ tool integrations, and automated workflows for customer engagement.

What is RCS messaging?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the next-generation upgrade to SMS. Unlike traditional SMS limited to 160 characters of plain text, RCS supports rich media (images, videos, audio), interactive buttons, carousel cards, and verified sender branding. RCS achieves 85%+ open rates compared to SMS's approximately 20%, making it highly effective for business messaging.

How long does it take to set up an AI agent on Fonada?

You can build and deploy a fully functional AI agent in under 5 minutes using Fonada's no-code platform. The process involves four simple steps: Choose your channel (WhatsApp, Voice, RCS, etc.), Configure your AI (personality, behavior, LLM provider), Add knowledge (upload documents or connect data sources), and Deploy. Your agent is immediately live and ready to serve customers.

What channels does Fonada support?

Fonada supports 5+ communication channels: WhatsApp Business API with templates and rich media, RCS Messaging with rich cards and carousels, Voice/Telephony with real-time speech-to-text and text-to-speech, Web Widget with voice and chat capabilities for websites, and text-based Chatbot for any platform. Deploy once and engage customers everywhere.

What is the difference between SMS and RCS?

SMS is limited to 160 characters of plain text with no media support, while RCS supports 8,000+ characters, rich media (images, videos), interactive buttons, carousel cards, and verified sender branding. RCS has ~85% open rates vs SMS's ~20%, and ~35% click-through rates vs SMS's ~2%. RCS also provides read receipts and typing indicators that SMS lacks.

Is Fonada SOC 2 compliant?

Yes, Fonada is SOC 2 certified with enterprise-grade security. We offer 256-bit encryption for all data, role-based access control, comprehensive audit logs, API key management, and GDPR compliance. Our platform guarantees 99.9% SLA uptime with automatic failover systems.

What automation features does Fonada offer?

Fonada includes pre-built automation templates for abandoned cart recovery (recover 15-30% of lost sales), payment link follow-up, and invoice reminders. The visual flow builder allows you to create custom conversation flows without coding. Automations can trigger based on user behavior, time delays, or external events via webhooks.

What LLM providers does Fonada support?

Fonada supports multiple LLM providers including OpenAI (GPT-4o, GPT-4, GPT-3.5 Turbo) and Groq (LLaMA 3.3-70B Versatile, Mixtral 8x7B). For voice capabilities, we integrate with ElevenLabs for natural-sounding text-to-speech. You can choose the best model for your use case and budget.

What is the best AI chatbot platform for WhatsApp in India?

The best fit depends on your use case, but teams in India often prioritize platforms with reliable WhatsApp Business API delivery, RCS and voice in the same stack, no-code and AI-native flows, India-friendly pricing, and local compliance. Fonada is built as an India-focused omnichannel AI agent platform: you get WhatsApp plus Voice, RCS, and web in one place, 70+ integrations, a visual flow builder, and enterprise SLAs—ideal for support, sales, and automation at scale.

How do I build a voice AI agent for customer support?

On Fonada you define the agent in the visual builder, connect your knowledge base and tools, enable the Voice channel, and map intents to flows (e.g. order status, refunds, handoff to a human). Configure speech-to-text and text-to-speech, set business hours and routing, then test in the playground and deploy to your telephony or widget. No separate voice stack is required; the same agent can run on chat and voice.

What is the difference between AI agents and RPA?

RPA (robotic process automation) typically automates rule-based, repetitive tasks in fixed UIs and systems using scripts and selectors. AI agents use large language models and tools to understand natural language, reason over context, and take multi-step actions (APIs, CRM, search, handoffs). RPA is great for stable back-office routines; AI agents are better for open-ended conversations, personalization, and channel-native customer engagement.

Can AI chatbots handle multiple languages?

Yes. Modern AI agents on platforms like Fonada can converse in many languages in the same flow—driven by your chosen LLM, prompts, and knowledge base. You can set a default language, detect user language from messages, and route to localized templates (e.g. WhatsApp) or voice. Consistency in tone and brand voice should be set in the system instructions and reviewed per locale.

How much does WhatsApp Business API cost?

WhatsApp Business API pricing has two parts: Meta conversation-based pricing (varies by country, category, and session type) and your BSP or platform fees. On Fonada you typically pay for platform usage, conversations, and optional add-ons. Exact numbers change by region and message category—use Fonada’s pricing page or contact sales for current rate cards, currency (e.g. INR), and any volume or enterprise plans.

What integrations does Fonada support for e-commerce?

Fonada supports 70+ tool integrations, including e-commerce and ops: order and catalog systems, payment links, abandoned cart and payment reminders, CRM and helpdesk, webhooks, and custom APIs. Use cases include cart recovery, order status, COD confirmation, and returns—exposed in the no-code flow builder and agent tools. Connect your stack via native connectors or custom integrations.

How does Fonada compare to Gupshup, Infobip, Twilio, and Bird?

All five provide messaging CPaaS in some form, but focus differs. Comparison (high level): (1) Core positioning — Fonada: omnichannel AI agent platform (WhatsApp, Voice, RCS, web) with no-code + RAG; Gupshup, Infobip, Twilio, Bird: broad CPaaS with conversations API and varying low-code and partner ecosystems. (2) India / RCS: Fonada emphasizes India-first programs including Jio RCS; check each vendor for current RCS and regional coverage. (3) AI depth: Fonada is built around multi-step AI agents, tools, and knowledge; others add AI through products or partners—evaluate your need for a single product vs. self-assembled stack. (4) Abandoned cart and commerce: Fonada offers templates and flows for recovery and e-commerce; compare feature depth and time-to-launch. (5) Table — Primary strength | Fonada: AI agents, omnichannel, India focus | Gupshup: long-standing WhatsApp ecosystem | Infobip: global supernetwork and suite | Twilio: developer-first APIs, broad U.S. adoption | Bird (MessageBird): global messaging and Inbox. Choose based on your channels, country, budget, and whether you need a unified AI product versus raw APIs.

Comparison Guide

WhatsApp vs SMS: Complete Comparison

Choose the right channel for your business. WhatsApp delivers 8-10pt higher conversions, while SMS offers 100% reach. See the verified data.

2B+

WhatsApp Users

Worldwide (Meta 2024)

8-10pt

Conversion Lift

vs SMS (Banco Inter)

500M+

India Users

Largest market

98%

Open Rate

Both channels

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

A detailed look at how WhatsApp Business and SMS compare

Feature

📱 SMS

Universal Reach

💬 WhatsApp

Rich Messaging

Global Users

SMS reaches all phones; WhatsApp leads in messaging apps (Meta 2024)

5B+ devices

2B+ active users

Character Limit

WhatsApp allows much longer messages

160 characters

4,096 characters

Rich Media

WhatsApp supports rich media up to 16MB

MMS only (limited)

Images, Videos, Documents, Audio

Interactive Buttons

Enable one-tap actions in conversations

Quick Reply & CTA buttons

Message Templates

Rich, branded templates for business messaging

Pre-approved templates

Verified Business Profile

Official business verification builds trust

Limited sender ID

Green tick verification

Read Receipts

Know when messages are delivered and read

End-to-End Encryption

All messages are encrypted by default

Open Rate

Both channels have excellent open rates

~98%

Conversion Rate Lift

WhatsApp OTP sees 8-10pt conversion lift vs SMS

Baseline

8-10 points higher

Two-Way Conversations

Natural conversational flow with customers

Limited

Native chat experience

App Download Required

SMS works on all phones without any app

Internet Required

SMS works even without data/WiFi

Cost per Message

SMS is cheaper but WhatsApp has higher ROI

₹0.10-0.25

₹0.30-0.80 (template)

Why Choose WhatsApp Business?

The business case for WhatsApp Business API

8-10pt Conversion Lift

Banco Inter saw 8-10 point increase in conversions using WhatsApp vs SMS for OTP

2 Billion Users

WhatsApp has over 2 billion active users worldwide, with 500M+ in India alone.

End-to-End Encryption

All messages are encrypted, providing superior security for sensitive communications.

Rich Conversations

Interactive buttons, media sharing, and chatbot integration create engaging experiences.

When to Use Each Channel

Choose the right channel based on your use case

💬 WhatsApp

OTP & Authentication

WhatsApp OTP delivers 8-10pt higher conversion than SMS

💬 WhatsApp

Customer Support

Two-way chat with AI chatbots for instant resolution

💬 WhatsApp

Marketing Campaigns

Rich templates with images, buttons, and tracking

📱 SMS

Transactional Alerts

Critical notifications that need 100% reach

📱 SMS

Rural/Offline Reach

Areas with limited internet connectivity

💬 WhatsApp

Payment Reminders

Interactive payment links with WhatsApp Pay

WhatsApp vs SMS: FAQ

WhatsApp shows significantly better conversion rates. Banco Inter reported 8-10 point increase in conversions using WhatsApp OTP vs SMS (Source: Meta Business 2025). This is attributed to the seamless user experience and trust in the WhatsApp platform.

Ready to Get Started?

Use WhatsApp Business for 8-10pt higher conversions, or SMS for universal reach

Both SMS & WhatsApp No credit card required Setup in 5 minutes

WhatsApp vs SMS: Complete Comparison

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Why Choose WhatsApp Business?

8-10pt Conversion Lift

2 Billion Users

End-to-End Encryption

Rich Conversations

When to Use Each Channel

OTP & Authentication

Customer Support

Marketing Campaigns

Transactional Alerts

Rural/Offline Reach

Payment Reminders

WhatsApp vs SMS: FAQ

Which has better conversion rates?

Which is more cost-effective?

Can I use both together?

Which is better for India?

Ready to Get Started?