Top 7 Open Source WhatsApp Chatbot Frameworks for 2025 (Free & GitHub)

An open source WhatsApp chatbot brings together two powerful ideas. First, a chatbot is an AI-powered program that simulates human conversation using text or voice [source: https://www.ibm.com/topics/chatbot]. Second, "open source" means the software's code is free for anyone to see, change, and share [source: https://opensource.com/resources/what-open-source].

In short, an open source WhatsApp chatbot is a conversational tool with publicly available code that developers can freely use and change. These bots run on WhatsApp and use the WhatsApp Business API to communicate. By 2025, these tools offer great flexibility, helping businesses and individuals automate conversations.

These chatbots can handle many tasks automatically on WhatsApp, such as answering common questions, providing customer support, and even helping with sales. Because they are open source, they encourage innovation and allow a community of users to make quick improvements.

Why Choose an Open Source Solution?

Using an open source solution for your WhatsApp chatbot has many advantages. Paid, proprietary systems often have high fees and can lock you into a single provider. Open source tools remove these problems, making advanced AI accessible to everyone.

Here are some of the best reasons to choose open source in 2025:

• Cost-Effective: Most open source software is free, which greatly lowers your initial costs. You won't have to pay for licenses or subscription fees.
• Flexible and Customizable: With full access to the code, you can customize the chatbot to fit your exact needs. You can change its behavior, add new integrations, and tailor every feature.
• Transparent and Secure: Anyone can review the code, which helps find and fix security issues quickly. You always know exactly how your chatbot works.
• Community Support: Open source projects usually have active communities where you can find help, share ideas, and get answers to your questions.
• Fast Innovation: A global community works together to add new features and make improvements. This teamwork helps the software develop quickly and stay up to date.

Additionally, open source tools are built to work well with other software. This allows you to create a stronger and more flexible communication system.

Key Advantages for Developers

Open source WhatsApp chatbot frameworks are a great choice for developers. They provide a space to learn and experiment with new ideas. These tools help developers build and test chatbots quickly, which is essential in the modern tech world.

The key advantages for developers are:

• Full Control: Developers have full ownership of the code they use, with no restrictions from a vendor. This gives them complete creative freedom.
• Learning and Skill Development: Working with open source code is a great way to learn. Developers can study how it's built, contribute to the project, and improve their skills.
• Quick Prototyping: Using ready-made code and components speeds up development. This makes it easier to test new ideas and get a working model up and running fast.
• Easy Integration: Open source platforms are flexible. They offer tools to easily connect with other systems, like CRMs, databases, and third-party services [source: https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/what-is-api/].
• Simpler Debugging: With access to the source code, developers can find and fix problems themselves. This is often faster than waiting for help from a company's support team.
• Collaboration: Developers can help the project grow by fixing bugs, suggesting new features, and making improvements. This creates a strong sense of teamwork.

The open source model gives developers the tools and freedom they need to create powerful WhatsApp solutions that can grow with their needs in 2025.

Deciding on the "best" open-source WhatsApp chatbot framework for 2025 depends on your specific needs, including your technical expertise, required features, and scalability. This section explores the top contenders, each offering unique strengths for building powerful WhatsApp bots.

1. BuilderBot

BuilderBot offers a visual, low-code approach that simplifies bot creation, making it ideal for users without deep coding knowledge. Experienced developers can also take advantage of its flexibility.

• Visual Interface: Drag-and-drop tools streamline bot design.
• Rapid Prototyping: Quickly build and test bot flows.
• Extensibility: Integrate custom code for advanced functions.
• Ease of Use: A gentle learning curve for beginners.

BuilderBot focuses on user accessibility, aiming to make bot development available to everyone. This makes it a great choice for small businesses or quick project iterations.

2. Baileys

Baileys is a popular and actively maintained Node.js library that provides a low-level API for WhatsApp. This robust framework offers extensive control for developers.

• Headless Mode: Operates without a browser instance.
• Performance: Optimized for speed and resource efficiency.
• Feature-Rich: Supports all core WhatsApp features.
• Developer-Centric: Ideal for custom, complex integrations.

Known for its stability, Baileys is often the choice for professional developers who need to build scalable and reliable solutions.

3. Venom Bot

Venom Bot is another powerful Node.js library that simplifies WhatsApp automation tasks. Built on the WhatsApp Web API, this framework offers many practical features.

• Easy Automation: Send messages, manage chats effortlessly.
• Cross-Platform: Works well on various operating systems.
• QR Code Login: Simple setup with a quick scan.
• Media Handling: Supports sending and receiving various file types.

Venom Bot has a strong community that provides helpful support, making it perfect for automating customer service or marketing interactions.

4. WPPConnect

WPPConnect is a comprehensive toolkit that extends WhatsApp Web functionality. It enhances bot capabilities significantly by offering a full suite of APIs and tools.

• Advanced Features: Includes webhooks, message queues, and more.
• Multi-Device Support: Designed for modern WhatsApp sessions.
• Robust API: Provides programmatic access to many WhatsApp features.
• Business Solutions: Tailored for scaling business operations.

WPPConnect is well-suited for businesses, enabling sophisticated customer engagement and complex workflow automation.

5. Node-Whatsapp-Bot

Node-Whatsapp-Bot is a straightforward Node.js solution focused on simplicity and ease of use. This framework is excellent for beginners or projects that only need basic bot functions.

• Simplicity: Get started quickly with minimal setup.
• Lightweight: Low overhead, ideal for smaller projects.
• Node.js Native: Familiar for JavaScript developers.
• Community Driven: Benefits from open-source contributions.

This is a great option if you need a quick, uncomplicated WhatsApp bot. It provides a solid foundation for building essential interactions without complex configurations.

6. Rasa

Rasa is a leading open-source conversational AI framework for building sophisticated assistants. It excels in natural language understanding (NLU) and effectively manages complex dialogues.

• Advanced NLU: Understands user intent and entities deeply.
• Dialogue Management: Handles multi-turn conversations seamlessly.
• Customization: Train your AI model with specific data.
• Channel Agnostic: Easily connect to WhatsApp via custom connectors.

Rasa stands out for its enterprise-grade capabilities, supporting highly intelligent bots. It's an ideal choice for complex customer service platforms or internal knowledge systems.

7. Botpress

Botpress is another powerful open-source conversational AI platform that combines visual development with robust AI capabilities. It helps users build, deploy, and manage chatbots efficiently.

• Visual Flow Editor: Design conversation paths easily.
• NLU and NLP: Built-in processing for understanding language.
• Integrations: Connects with many external services.
• Deployment Flexibility: Host on your servers or in the cloud.

Botpress offers a complete ecosystem that supports the entire bot lifecycle, making it a strong contender for comprehensive bot solutions in 2025.

Assessing Your Technical Skills (Node.js, Python, etc.)

Start by looking at your team's current technical skills. Each open-source WhatsApp chatbot framework uses a specific programming language, so it’s best to pick one that matches what your team already knows.

For example, many popular frameworks, like Baileys or Venom Bot, use Node.js and JavaScript. If your developers are good at this, these frameworks will be easier to work with. In the same way, frameworks like Rasa often use Python, which is a great choice for teams skilled in that language.

Choosing a framework that fits your team's skills has several key benefits:

• Faster Development: Your team can understand the framework and start building faster.
• Easier Troubleshooting: Fixing problems is easier with tools your team already knows.
• Efficient Code Maintenance: It's simpler for your team to maintain and update the bot.
• Reduced Learning Curve: Your team spends less time learning a new language and more time building the bot.

Knowing the framework's language well will help you build a better chatbot whatsapp open source more quickly in 2025.

Considering Community Support and Documentation

A good open-source project needs strong community support and clear documentation. Both are key to solving problems and ensuring long-term success. An active community means you can get help when you run into trouble.

Before you choose a framework, check its community. See if it has an active GitHub page, busy forums, or helpful chat channels. A strong community offers useful knowledge, shared tips, and help from other developers. Research shows that active communities help fix bugs and add new features faster [source: https://opensource.com/article/18/1/what-makes-good-open-source-community].

Good documentation is also a must. Look for well-written guides, clear API information, and useful examples. This helps your team spend less time figuring out code and more time learning.

Here’s what to look for when checking the community and documentation:

• GitHub Activity: Check the number of contributors, recent updates, and open or closed issues.
• Forum Engagement: Are questions on forums or Stack Overflow answered quickly and well?
• Tutorials and Examples: Are there clear, step-by-step guides for common tasks?
• API Reference: Is the API documentation detailed and easy to follow?
• Release Schedule: Is the project updated regularly with clear release notes?

Scalability and Feature Requirements

Your chatbot whatsapp open source solution needs to work now and also handle more users as you grow. Think about how many messages and users your bot will manage in 2025. Will it be hundreds per day, or millions?

Look at how each framework is built. Some are designed to scale easily and work well with cloud services. Others may need extra work to manage a lot of users. Check things like how it handles many messages at once, what databases it connects to, and how it manages user sessions.

Next, list the features you need. What must your WhatsApp bot be able to do?

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): Does it need to understand what users are asking in a natural way?
• Integration Capabilities: Can it connect easily to your CRM, databases, or other tools?
• Multimedia Support: Will your bot send images, videos, or documents?
• Multi-language Support: Do you need to support users who speak different languages?
• Session Management: How does the bot remember the context of a conversation?
• Security Features: What built-in features protect user data?

A good framework should have the main features you need right away. It should also be flexible enough to add new functions later. Picking a framework that meets your needs for growth and features will keep your bot effective and efficient for years to come.

Step 1: Get Access to the WhatsApp Business API

To start building an open-source WhatsApp chatbot, you first need access to the WhatsApp Business API. This API is the gateway that connects your bot to everyone on WhatsApp. Without it, your bot can't send or receive messages.

Understanding the WhatsApp Business API Options

Meta offers two main ways to get API access:

• Cloud API: This is the easiest and most recommended option. Meta hosts the API on its own servers, which means less setup work for you. It’s quick to get started and can grow with your business.
• On-Premises API: If your business has strict data or compliance rules, you can host the API on your own servers. This gives you more control but requires more technical skill and resources.

How to Get Started with the Cloud API (Recommended)

Follow these steps to get your API access:

1. Create a Meta Business Portfolio: First, you need a verified Meta Business Portfolio. This is where you'll manage all your business tools on Meta [source: https://www.facebook.com/business/help/279853926500806].
2. Access Meta for Developers: Go to the Meta for Developers dashboard. On this dashboard, create a new app and connect it to your Business Portfolio.
3. Set Up WhatsApp Business Account: Inside your app dashboard, set up your WhatsApp Business Account. You will need to provide your business details and verify a phone number.
4. Obtain API Credentials: Once you're set up, you’ll get temporary API keys and a phone number ID. You'll need these to connect your open-source bot.

Remember to follow WhatsApp's Business Policy. This is required for your bot to be approved and stay active.

Step 2: Set Up Your Development Environment

Setting up your development environment correctly is a key step for building a strong open-source WhatsApp chatbot. This makes sure you have all the tools you need. A good setup makes coding, testing, and launching your bot much easier.

Essential Tools for Your Bot Development

Get your computer ready with these essential tools:

• Programming Language Runtime: Most open-source WhatsApp chatbot tools use either Node.js or Python.
  • Node.js: Download and install the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version from the official website [source: https://nodejs.org/en/download].
  • Python: Install Python 3.9 or a newer version. Make sure to add it to your system's PATH when you install it [source: https://www.python.org/downloads/].
• Package Manager: These tools help you manage the code your project depends on.
  • npm (Node Package Manager): This comes with Node.js.
  • pip (Python Package Installer): This usually comes with Python. You can update it by running pip install --upgrade pip.
• Code Editor / IDE: A good code editor makes you more productive.
  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code): We highly recommend it because it has many helpful extensions, a built-in terminal, and great debugging tools.
  • PyCharm (for Python): A great editor designed specifically for Python.
• Git: You'll need this version control system to manage your code and copy projects from GitHub. Install it from the official Git SCM website [source: https://git-scm.com/downloads].

Configuring Environment Variables

Use environment variables to safely store private info like API keys and tokens. You should never write these directly in your code. Tools like dotenv for Node.js or python-dotenv for Python make this easy to manage.

Step 3: Clone a Repository from GitHub

Now that your environment is ready, it's time to get an open-source chatbot framework from GitHub. GitHub has many great open-source projects to choose from. When you "clone" a repository, you copy its files to your computer.

Finding Your Preferred Framework

Check the "What is the Best chatbot whatsapp open source?" section in this article. It lists top choices like Baileys, WPPConnect, and Rasa. Visit their GitHub pages to learn about their features and read their instructions.

Steps to Clone a Repository

1. Navigate to GitHub: Go to the GitHub page of the framework you want to use.
2. Find the "Code" Button: Click the green "Code" button and copy the HTTPS URL. It's usually the easiest option for beginners.
3. Open Your Terminal: Open your computer's terminal or command prompt.
4. Execute the Clone Command: Use the git clone command, then paste the URL you copied.

   git clone [repository_url]

   For example, to get Baileys, you would type:

   git clone https://github.com/adiwajshing/Baileys.git

5. Enter the Project Directory: After cloning, go into the new project folder using the cd command.

   cd Baileys

Reading the README.md File

Almost every good open-source project has a README.md file. This file contains important information, such as:

• What the project is and what it does.
• Step-by-step installation instructions.
• How to configure the project.
• Examples of how to use it.
• Rules for contributing to the project.

Always read this file carefully before you start.

Step 4: Configure and Deploy Your Bot

The final steps are to customize the framework you downloaded and get your bot online. These steps are crucial to make sure your open-source chatbot works correctly.

Configuration Essentials

Most frameworks will need some setup:

1. Install Dependencies: Use your package manager to install all the necessary code libraries.
   • For Node.js projects: npm install or yarn install
   • For Python projects: pip install -r requirements.txt
2. Environment Variables File: In the main project folder, create a file named .env. Add your WhatsApp Business API details (like your Access Token and Phone Number ID) to this file.
3. Framework-Specific Settings: Check the project’s documentation for other setup files (like config.json or settings.py). These files control things like how the bot behaves, its message templates, or database links.
4. Webhook Setup: To get messages from WhatsApp, you need to set up a webhook. Go to your Meta for Developers dashboard and add a webhook URL that points to your bot's public address.

Running Your Bot Locally and Testing

Before you go live, test your bot on your own computer to make sure it works. Run the main script (like node index.js or python main.py). Send some test messages to your WhatsApp Business number and check the bot's replies. Fix any errors or problems you find.

Deployment Options for 2025

Once it's tested, you can put your bot on a cloud service so it can run 24/7:

• Heroku: Great for small projects and has a free plan.
• Vercel: Good for certain types of apps called serverless functions.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services): A powerful, scalable option with services like EC2 and Lambda.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Offers powerful tools like App Engine and Cloud Run.
• DigitalOcean: Known for simple and affordable virtual servers (Droplets).
• Docker: Lets you package your app into a container so it runs the same way everywhere.

Choose a platform that fits your technical skill, budget, and how much you expect your bot to grow. Follow the deployment guide for the platform you choose. Your open-source WhatsApp chatbot is now ready to talk to your users!

Chatbot WhatsApp Open Source Free

Yes, open-source WhatsApp chatbot tools are free. You can download, change, and share the software without paying license fees. This is a major benefit of the open-source model.

However, "free" does not mean you pay nothing. You will still have costs for related services, such as:

• WhatsApp Business API Access: The API is free, but WhatsApp charges you for each conversation. This is especially true for messages your business sends first [source: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing].
• Hosting and Infrastructure: To run your chatbot, you need servers, databases, and other cloud services. These have ongoing costs.
• Development and Maintenance: You need skilled developers to build and maintain a custom chatbot. This costs both time and money.
• Third-party Integrations: Connecting your bot to other tools, like CRMs or payment systems, may have extra fees.

In short, the software code is free, but running and maintaining it will cost you money.

Chatbot WhatsApp Open Source GitHub

GitHub is the main place for most open-source WhatsApp chatbot projects. It's an essential platform for developers looking for strong, community-supported tools. You can find many frameworks there for your 2025 projects.

Here are the key reasons why GitHub is so important for these projects:

• Version Control: GitHub’s strong version control helps developers track changes and work together easily.
• Community Collaboration: It builds an active community where developers can add code, report problems, and suggest improvements.
• Easy Access: Projects are easy to find and copy, which helps you get set up much faster.
• Issue Tracking: Project leaders use GitHub's issue trackers to manage bugs and feature requests.
• Documentation: Most projects keep their guides right on GitHub, making it easy to get started.

Frameworks like Baileys, Venom Bot, and WPPConnect are all actively worked on and maintained on GitHub. They are some of the top choices for building powerful WhatsApp bots today.

What is the best free WhatsApp bot?

The "best" free WhatsApp bot depends on your project's needs and your technical skills. There is no single "best" option for everyone in 2025.

Think about these factors when you choose:

• Technical Skill Level: Some tools are easier for beginners, while others need advanced coding skills (like Python for Rasa or Node.js for Baileys).
• Required Features: Do you need simple automated replies, or more advanced features like AI conversations (NLP) and connections to other software?
• Scalability Needs: How many chats do you expect? Some tools are better at handling a large number of conversations.
• Community Support: A strong, active community can be very helpful for solving problems and finding help.
• Deployment Environment: Check if the framework works with the hosting service you plan to use.

Here are a few suggestions for common situations:

• For Getting Started Quickly (Node.js): Baileys and WPPConnect are great choices for building and launching fast. They also have strong community support.
• For Advanced AI and NLP: Rasa is the best choice if your bot needs to have smart, human-like conversations. It is very good at understanding what users are asking for.
• For Low-Code/No-Code Options: Botpress uses a visual builder, which requires less coding. It's a good option for teams with fewer developers.

We suggest you check each framework carefully to see if it fits your project's needs. Looking at their GitHub pages is a great way to learn more about them.

Open-source chatbot GitHub

GitHub is the best place to find and work on open-source chatbot projects. This is true for all chatbots, including those for WhatsApp. For 2025, you can find many new and creative tools on the platform.

When looking for a chatbot on GitHub, here are some signs of a good and useful project:

• Star Count: A high number of stars usually means a project is popular and well-regarded by developers.
• Fork Count: A high number of forks suggests that other developers are using or helping to improve the project.
• Commit Activity: Regular updates (commits) show that the project is actively being developed and maintained. Check for recent activity.
• Issue Tracking: Look at the project's issues tab. If problems are being closed regularly, it shows the maintainers are active and helpful.
• Documentation Quality: Good, clear instructions are very important for helping you get started and understand how the tool works.
• License: Always check the license to make sure you can use the project for your needs. Common licenses are MIT, Apache, and GPL [source: https://opensource.org/licenses/].

Whether you need a simple script or a complex AI tool, GitHub helps you find, check, and contribute to the future of open-source chatbot technology.