Comparison
Sela vs Respond.io
Sela and Respond.io are both omnichannel WhatsApp inboxes, but Sela is purpose-built for the Arabic-speaking market with native RTL workflows, Arabic AI replies, and a built-in team appointments calendar for service businesses in Iraq and the GCC. Respond.io is a flexible global messaging platform with broad channel coverage. Choose Sela for Arabic-first operations; choose Respond.io for highly custom, multi-region messaging automation.
Sela is best for
Arabic-speaking service businesses that want a ready-made WhatsApp operations hub with AI replies, follow-up, and staff appointments.
Respond.io is best for
Global teams that need very broad channel coverage and highly customizable automation across many regions and languages.
| Capability | Sela | Respond.io |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business API inbox | Native, first-class | Native, first-class |
| Arabic-native UI & RTL | Yes, built-in | Partial / English-first |
| AI replies in Kurdish (Sorani & Badini) | Yes | Not advertised |
| AI support co-pilot (RAG) | Included, KB-grounded | AI features available |
| Appointment requests from chat | Handed to your team, scheduled in the built-in calendar | Via integrations |
| Lead follow-up automation | Built-in | Workflow builder |
| Local market focus | Iraq & GCC | Global, multi-region |
| AI phone agent (WhatsApp calls) | Growth plan and above | Not native |
| Entry pricing | 7-day free trial, from $19/month | Tiered by contacts/users |
| Onboarding for Arabic teams | Designed Arabic-first | Self-serve, English-first |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sela a good Respond.io alternative for Arabic businesses?
Yes. Both are omnichannel WhatsApp inboxes, but Sela is Arabic-native with full RTL, Arabic AI replies, and a built-in team appointments calendar, which makes it a stronger fit for service businesses in Iraq and the GCC than the global, English-first Respond.io.
Does Sela include AI replies like Respond.io?
Sela includes an AI support co-pilot grounded in your knowledge base via retrieval-augmented generation, so it can draft and auto-send replies. Sela's AI is tuned for Arabic and local context.
Which is better for appointment requests?
In Sela, customers cannot book themselves yet and the AI does not book appointments. The AI answers questions such as opening hours and hands booking requests to your team, who schedule them in the built-in Appointments calendar with reminders. Respond.io typically relies on third-party integrations for scheduling. If customers must book themselves, use a dedicated booking tool with either product.
An Arabic-first WhatsApp operations hub
Get a ready-made inbox with AI replies, follow-up, and staff appointments — no heavy configuration.