Rivet vs Botpress: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Rivet and Botpress comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Botpress wins this matchup. Pick Rivet if you need AI agents.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Rivet
The open-source visual AI programming environment for building and debugging LLM agents.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Botpress requires payment)
- • You want simplifies the creation of complex AI agent chains visually
- • You want provides powerful debugging capabilities for LLM workflows
Botpress
Open-source conversational AI platform for chatbots
Best for you if:
- • You want open source option
- • You want visual builder
| At a Glance | Rivet | Botpress |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | AI Agents | AI Assistants |
Rating | - | 4.5/5G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Overage fees for messages beyond tier limits |
Choose Rivet or Botpress?
Choose Rivet if
The open-source visual AI programming environment for building and debugging LLM agents.
- You want a fully free tool (Botpress requires payment)
- You want simplifies the creation of complex AI agent chains visually
- You want provides powerful debugging capabilities for LLM workflows
- Your work is AI agents-shaped, not AI assistants-shaped
Choose Botpress if
Open-source conversational AI platform for chatbots
- You want open source option
- You want visual builder
- Your work is AI assistants-shaped, not AI agents-shaped
| Feature | Rivet | Botpress |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.5/5 549 reviews |
| Categories | AI AgentsDeveloper Tools | AI AssistantsChatbots |
In-Depth Analysis
Rivet
The open-source visual AI programming environment for building and debugging LLM agents.
Strengths
- +Simplifies the creation of complex AI agent chains visually
- +Provides powerful debugging capabilities for LLM workflows
- +Enhances team collaboration through version-controlled YAML graphs
- +Allows for rapid iteration and deployment of AI applications
- +Open-source nature fosters community contributions and transparency
Weaknesses
- -Requires some technical knowledge for integration and deployment
- -Primarily focused on LLM prompt graphs, may not cover all AI development needs
Key features
Botpress
Open-source conversational AI platform for chatbots
The Plus tier at $79/month provides good value for small businesses needing more messages and features like human handoff.
Watch out
Overage fees for messages beyond tier limits
Strengths
- +Open source option
- +Visual builder
- +Good NLU
- +Self-hostable
- +Modern approach
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Cloud expensive
- -Documentation gaps
- -Complex for simple bots
- -Version changes
Key features
Pricing: Rivet vs Botpress
| Plan | Rivet | Botpress |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $0 Pay-as-You-Go |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $79 Plus |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $445 Team |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $995 Managed |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Rivet pricing and Botpress pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Rivet is free. Botpress is freemium.
Go with: Rivet
Want the highest-rated option?
Botpress is rated 4.5/5. Rivet has no ratings yet.
Go with: Botpress
Value user reviews?
Rivet: no ratings yet. Botpress: 549 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Botpress
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Rivet is free. Botpress is freemium. Go with Rivet if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Rivet is a AI agents tool. Botpress is in AI assistants. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Botpress is rated 4.5/5; Rivet has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Botpress
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Rivet
- Completely free
- Better fit for AI agents
The Bottom Line
Botpress wins this matchup. That said, Rivet is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rivet or Botpress better?
Botpress is rated in our evaluation. Rivet is free and Botpress is freemium.
What are Rivet and Botpress used for?
Rivet: The open-source visual AI programming environment for building and debugging LLM agents.. Botpress: Open-source conversational AI platform for chatbots.
What does Rivet cost vs Botpress?
Rivet is completely free. Botpress is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.