# Kanal vs Zobi: the honest comparison

A Kanal vs Zobi comparison for Shopify stores choosing how to reach shoppers on iMessage.

Source: https://getkanal.com/alternatives/zobi

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

| Comparison | Kanal | Zobi |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |

## Why brands switch to Kanal

### 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.

### 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.

## When 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.

## 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.

## 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.