One app for every phone
iMessage reaches customers on Apple devices. With Kanal, customers on other phones hear from you on WhatsApp or by SMS, from the same Shopify data and the same inbox.
Kanal vs Zobi.
The honest comparison.
A Kanal vs Zobi comparison for Shopify stores choosing how to reach shoppers on iMessage.
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Zobi is a done-for-you texting service for Shopify brands: its concierge reads the abandoned cart, writes the message and handles the replies, mostly on iMessage, and the store pays as it sells. Kanal is an app you run yourself: cart reminders, order updates, campaigns and an AI agent on iMessage, WhatsApp and SMS, from the same Shopify data. This comparison shows where each one fits.
Kanal vs Zobi.Side by side.
Kanal vs Zobi for Shopify: a done-for-you iMessage cart recovery service paid on sales, next to an app that runs iMessage, WhatsApp and SMS flows.
Comparison
Kanal
Zobi
Marketing and automation
Abandoned cart recovery
Automated reminder with the product and a button to finish the order
The core use case: abandoned checkouts texted under your brand name
Pricing, setup and support
Pricing model
Monthly subscription from €89, with Meta's WhatsApp fees on top
Paid as it sells: no seats, no retainer, no monthly contract, according to Zobi
Who it is for
Best for
Stores that want to run every messaging flow from one app
Stores that want cart recovery handled for them and paid on results
More
Channels
iMessage and WhatsApp, with SMS and RCS from the Scale plan
iMessage first, with RCS, SMS, WhatsApp and email when iMessage is not available
How it works
An app: you choose the flows, the wording and the segments
A service: its concierge writes the messages and handles replies, and you approve campaigns before they go out
Shopify connection
Installed from the Shopify App Store
Connects to your Shopify store, live the same day according to Zobi
After the order
Order confirmation, shipping and delivery updates, upsell, review requests, back in stock alerts
Replies, reorders and upsells in one ongoing conversation per customer
Replies
An AI agent answers, and your team takes over in a shared inbox
The concierge answers; Zobi says a model drafts several replies and sends the one most likely to convert
Why brands switch to Kanal.Instead of Zobi.
You decide what goes out
You pick the flows, the wording, the segments and the timing. The AI agent answers within your rules, and your team steps in whenever a conversation needs a person.
A cost you can plan
Kanal is a fixed monthly subscription, listed on its pricing page. Your messaging cost does not move with the revenue of each month.
What Shopify brands say about Kanal.
“Setting up was incredibly easy. Within 15 minutes we were sending our first recovery campaign and seeing results immediately.”
GaëtanCeo, Barz“Our customer engagement has increased by 300% since switching to WhatsApp marketing with Kanal. Best decision we made.”
AlexandreFounder, Mushngo“The AI chatbot handles 80% of our support queries automatically. Our team can now focus on what matters most.”
AbdelCEO, OdorWhen Zobi is the better choice
Zobi is the better choice when you do not want to run messaging yourself. If you would rather hand abandoned checkouts to a team that writes and answers every message for you, with nothing to set up and a cost tied to the sales it brings, Zobi's model fits that need.
The verdict
Zobi suits stores that want cart recovery done for them and paid on sales; Kanal suits stores that want iMessage, WhatsApp and SMS flows in one app they control.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kanal an alternative to Zobi?
Yes, for Shopify stores that want to run their own messaging. Zobi is a service that writes and answers messages for you, mostly on iMessage. Kanal is an app with cart reminders, order updates, campaigns and an AI agent on iMessage, WhatsApp and SMS.
Which channels does Zobi use?
Zobi's site presents iMessage as the primary channel, with RCS, SMS, WhatsApp and email used when iMessage is not available.
How does Zobi charge?
Zobi says you only pay as it sells, with no seats, no retainer and no monthly contract. Its brand page lists no price, so ask Zobi for the rate that applies to your store. Kanal plans start at €89 a month.