Publisher disclosure: this comparison is written by WhatFlow. Competitor capabilities are based on the linked public documentation; the WhatFlow screenshots come from our demo store. Examples are illustrative, and results depend on your store and configuration.
WhatFlow and Reco at a glance
| Consideration | WhatFlow | Reco |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | WhatsApp order automation and a shared inbox inside Shopify. | Reco lists abandoned-cart reminders, COD replies that tag orders, editable shipping templates, and a chatbot that hands off to staff. Its free tier is the storefront widget. |
| Published pricing | Free app plan with 100 sends included. Starter $4.99/month with 2,000 sends. Overage and applicable Meta charges are separate. | Reco Lite is $19/month and includes automations, shared inbox and AI chatbot. The $49/month Pro listing adds Shopify Flow triggers and a send action alongside other integrations. Check annual pricing separately if you intend to prepay. |
| Decision | My first test would be the Shopify Flow workflow you actually want. WhatFlow includes its native blocks and the team inbox on Free, so you can prove a custom order handoff before committing to a paid subscription. | Reco makes more sense if a built-in bot answering product questions and handing off to staff is your priority. WhatFlow is built around the team inbox, configured automation and Shopify events; there’s no built-in AI bot. |
My first test would be the Shopify Flow workflow you actually want. WhatFlow includes its native blocks and the team inbox on Free, so you can prove a custom order handoff before committing to a paid subscription.
When testing WhatFlow and Reco, ask: Can you explain which recipients failed and retry only the ones worth retrying? In WhatFlow, test a Shopify customer or segment send, then try scheduling a separate Inbox broadcast from a spreadsheet or existing conversations. The campaign walkthrough shows the test send, reply handoff and recipient report.
What does Reco do well?
Reco lists abandoned-cart reminders, COD replies that tag orders, editable shipping templates, and a chatbot that hands off to staff. Its free tier is the storefront widget. See the Shopify listing.
What does the setup cost?
Reco Lite is $19/month and includes automations, shared inbox and AI chatbot. The $49/month Pro listing adds Shopify Flow triggers and a send action alongside other integrations. Check annual pricing separately if you intend to prepay.
If Shopify Flow is the reason you’re switching, compare WhatFlow Free with Reco Pro. There’s a $49/month difference in base subscription at zero overage, before applicable messaging charges and tax. If you only need a built-in chatbot and a shared inbox, compare Reco Lite too. Check current WhatFlow pricing for allowances and overage rates.
How would I test it in a Shopify store?
Suppose a shopper replies “no” to a COD confirmation because the shipping address is wrong. Configure your test workflow to tag the order for review and have an agent check it before canceling. Test the no-reply path as well.
Test a COD reply and a fulfillment event on the actual tier you’d buy. Add message fees and check chatbot allowances before comparing totals.
Which one would I choose?
Reco makes more sense if a built-in bot answering product questions and handing off to staff is your priority. WhatFlow is built around the team inbox, configured automation and Shopify events; there’s no built-in AI bot.
For WhatFlow in this comparison, I mean the official Cloud API app. I’d pilot it on Free with the shared inbox and the Shopify Flow actions you expect to use. Once the customer journey works, size the messaging plan from the sends you actually expect.
Questions worth asking
How much does Reco cost on Shopify?
Reco Lite is $19/month and includes automations, shared inbox and AI chatbot. The $49/month Pro listing adds Shopify Flow triggers and a send action alongside other integrations. Check annual pricing separately if you intend to prepay.
When should I choose Reco over WhatFlow?
Reco makes more sense if a built-in bot answering product questions and handing off to staff is your priority. WhatFlow is built around the team inbox, configured automation and Shopify events; there’s no built-in AI bot.
What should I test before switching from Reco?
Test a COD reply and a fulfillment event on the actual tier you’d buy. Add message fees and check chatbot allowances before comparing totals.
Sources and methodology
We checked these primary sources on November 8, 2026. Vendor pages describe advertised capabilities, rather than independent performance tests. Confirm current pricing, plan limits and availability with each provider.
- Reco on the Shopify App Store
Listing, feature descriptions and USD pricing checked November 8, 2026.
- WhatFlow WhatsApp Business API on Shopify
Official API, listed capabilities and Shopify app pricing.
- WhatFlow plans and messaging charges
App allowance and overage pricing; Meta charges are separate.