OCTIS vs respond.io, SleekFlow, WATI and RakanSales: WhatsApp CRM and shared inbox in Malaysia
Four ways to run WhatsApp sales and support as a team. Plan prices differ, and WhatsApp's own message fees come on top of all four.
Last checked · 5 sources
Otty's short answer
RakanSales is the lowest entry price in ringgit, from RM150 per month on annual billing, and is built for Malaysian sales chat. SleekFlow publishes Malaysian pricing from RM399 per month. respond.io starts at US$79 and WATI at S$119, so both carry currency risk. All four pass WhatsApp's per-message charges on to you.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISSdn Bhd + OCTIS | respond.io | SleekFlow | WATI | RakanSales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan, annual billing | Not published; 10–30% below your current bill | US$79 per month | RM399 per month | S$119 per month | RM150 per month |
| Mid plan, annual billing | Not published; 10–30% below your current bill | US$159 per month | RM1,199 per month | S$329 per month | RM350 per month |
| Price currency | MYR flat | US$ | RM | S$ | RM |
| Users on entry plan | One company plan, no per-seat ladder | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| AI chatbot on entry plan | AI agents that do the work (Otty) built in | Not published | 3,000 AI credits | Not published | 1 chatbot |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | Not published |
| Built in Malaysia | Built for a Malaysian Sdn Bhd, MYR pricing | No | No | No | Yes |
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Sdn Bhd + OCTIS
Choose OCTIS if you want customer conversations, CRM, pipeline and AI agents in one business workspace rather than a stand-alone inbox.
respond.io
Choose respond.io if you run many channels and need routing and automation, and are fine paying in US$.
SleekFlow
Choose SleekFlow if you want Malaysian ringgit pricing, more seats on higher plans and a wide set of channels.
WATI
Choose WATI if WhatsApp is your main channel and you want a simple broadcast and inbox tool.
RakanSales
Choose RakanSales if you are a small Malaysian sales team and want the lowest ringgit entry price.
What the table does not show
Plan price is only part of the bill
All four charge a platform fee, and none include WhatsApp's own per-message fees. Meta charges per message by category, and Malaysia has its own rate. Meta added ringgit as a rate card currency from 1 April 2026. respond.io says you top up WhatsApp credit on the platform. SleekFlow adds a RM50 monthly number hosting fee. WATI says message charges vary by recipient country and template type. Ask each vendor for a worked monthly example using your message volume.
How each one counts usage
respond.io and SleekFlow count monthly active contacts. SleekFlow Pro starts at 1,000 contacts and respond.io Growth at 1,000, with extra blocks billed on demand. RakanSales counts monthly unique conversations: 500 on Basic, 2,000 on Growth, 5,000 on Pro. WATI plans are priced by seats: 3 on Growth, 5 on Pro, with extra Pro users at S$35 each. A busy follow-up list can push a conversation-based plan up fast, so estimate your volume first.
Currency and local fit
SleekFlow and RakanSales publish ringgit prices, which makes budgeting simple. respond.io lists US$ and WATI lists S$ on the pages we checked, so your cost moves with the exchange rate. None of these replace accounting software. Sales confirmed in chat still need an invoice, and a MyInvois e-invoice where it applies. RakanSales listed one calculator figure that did not match its plan cards, so confirm your quote in writing.
Where OCTIS fits
A WhatsApp inbox helps you close the sale. OCTIS handles what comes after for Malaysian companies: accounting, bookkeeping, tax and company secretary work, with a built-in CRM and business workspace for leads and deals. If you pay for a chat tool and an accountant separately, send us your current bills and we will show you 10–30% off.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best WhatsApp CRM in Malaysia?
It depends on size and budget. RakanSales has the lowest ringgit entry price at RM150 per month on annual billing. SleekFlow publishes ringgit pricing from RM399. respond.io suits multi-channel teams and WATI suits WhatsApp-first teams.
Do these tools include WhatsApp message fees?
No for respond.io, SleekFlow and WATI. Meta's per-message charges are billed separately, and Malaysia has its own rate card, now available in ringgit. RakanSales does not publish how it handles them, so ask.
Is SleekFlow cheaper than respond.io for Malaysia?
Entry plans are close once converted: SleekFlow Pro is RM399 per month and respond.io Starter is US$79. respond.io includes 5 users at entry, SleekFlow Pro includes 3. Check the exchange rate on the day you buy.
Do I need the WhatsApp Business API?
For shared team inboxes, broadcasts and chatbots, yes. These tools connect to the API. The free WhatsApp Business app suits one phone and a few staff.
Is there a free trial?
respond.io, SleekFlow and WATI each list a 7-day trial. RakanSales' trial terms were not on the pricing page.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.