Trengo: Is there a more affordable alternative?
Trengo is a customer service software from the Netherlands. After a significant price increase last year, many businesses are wondering whether there is a more affordable alternative. In this article, we compare Trengo with Superchat, the leading messaging solution in Europ with over 6,000 satisfied customers, and help you make the right choice for your business.
At first glance, both platforms appear similar. However, upon closer inspection, there are significant differences in features, pricing models, and service. You should be aware of these differences to choose the messaging solution that best fits your business.
In the following, we take a detailed look at the features, customer satisfaction, and value for money of both providers.
Note: All figures and ratings mentioned are as of March 2025 and are updated regularly.
Value for money in direct comparison
In 2024, Trengo introduced a conversation-based pricing model. This new model caused dissatisfaction among many customers, as ongoing costs can quickly rise with higher message volumes. The Boost Plan includes 3,600 conversations per year, while the Pro Plan includes 12,000 conversations. For every additional 100 conversations, Trengo charges an extra 15 euros.
Especially as message volume grows, these additional costs can add up significantly. The fees for WhatsApp Business messages, which apply on top of this, are not included in the calculation for either provider.
Public reviews on platforms like Capterra also reflect the dissatisfaction of many users. Here are two examples:
Monthly costs compared
Trengo’s high costs become clear through a comparison table and two concrete pricing examples.
Superchat Professional | Trengo Boost | |
---|---|---|
Base Price | €129 | €149 |
Conversation Fees | €0 | 300 free/month, then €15 per 100 conversations |
User Access | 10 included (additional €10 per user) | 5 included (additional €25 per user) |
AI Chatbot | 1000 messages = €19 (500 messages included) | Fee: €0.25 per conversation |
Example 1: Costs for 1500 AI messages per month
Below, we calculate the costs for sending 1500 automated AI messages in Superchat’s Professional Plan and Trengo’s Boost Plan.
Superchat costs:
- Professional plan: €129
- 1000 additional AI messages: €19
- Total: €148
Trengo costs:
- Boost Plan: €149
- 1500 AI messages at €0.25 each: €0.25 x 1500 = €375
- Total: €524
Result:
With Superchat, you save €376 per month, which adds up to €4,512 per year. The separate WhatsApp Business fees from Meta are not included in this calculation for either provider.
Example 2: Costs for 10 users and 1000 standard messages
Below, we calculate the costs for 10 users and 1000 standard messages in Superchat’s Professional Plan and Trengo’s Boost Plan.
Superchat costs:
- Professional plan: €129
- 10 user accesses: free
- 1000 standard messages: free
- Total: €129
Trengo costs:
- Boost plan: €149
- 5 additional user accesses: 5 x €25 = €125
- 700 additional messages: 7 x €15 = €105
- Total: €379
Result:
Again, Superchat is significantly more affordable and transparent. The savings with Superchat amount to €250 per month, totaling €3,000 per year.
Lack of pricing transparency at Trengo
Another criticism of Trengo is its lack of transparent pricing. Many add-ons such as Voice, WhatsApp Flows, or AI features come at an additional cost, but no concrete prices are listed on the website. Moreover, personal onboarding with Trengo is chargeable, with no clear price indicated. In contrast, Superchat lists all prices transparently, and personal onboarding is free of charge.
Features: Superchat vs. Trengo
The following table shows a feature comparison between Superchat and Trengo:
Superchat | Trengo | |
---|---|---|
Free Personal Onboarding | ✅ | ❌ |
No Service Fees (Messages) | ✅ | ❌ |
Review Management | ✅ | ❌ |
WhatsApp Newsletter | ✅ | ❌ |
Team Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
AI Chatbot | ✅ | ✅ |
Automations | ✅ | ✅ |
WhatsApp Broadcast | ✅ | ✅ |
Premium Support | ✅ | ✅ |
Staff Training | ✅ | ✅ |
✅ | ✅ | |
✅ | ✅ | |
Facebook Messenger | ✅ | ✅ |
Telegram | ✅ | ✅ |
✅ | ✅ | |
Webchat | ✅ | ✅ |
Live Chat | ✅ | ✅ |
User Assignment | ✅ | ✅ |
Even when it comes to messaging features, Superchat clearly leads. While Superchat allows personalized WhatsApp newsletters and advanced automations, these features are only rudimentarily available at Trengo. Trengo focuses on simple broadcasts where recipients must have the number saved. Personalization, segmentation, or automation are not supported.
Superchat uses the official WhatsApp Business API to enable professional newsletter marketing campaigns and lead qualification. With our visual no-code builder, you can create complex automations with multiple paths. The interface is intuitive, and mistakes like forgotten branches can be spotted immediately. At Trengo, automations are limited and require a paid Flow Bot, which does not support complex automation scenarios.
Additionally, Superchat offers comprehensive integrated features for review management, internal team communication, and lead generation.
Customer satisfaction: Superchat leads
A look at the reviews confirms the impression:
Platform | Superchat | Trengo |
---|---|---|
4.8 stars (496 reviews) | 3.7 stars (252 reviews) | |
Capterra | 4.8 stars (278 reviews) | 4.1 stars (25 reviews) |
OMR | 4.7 stars (284 reviews) | No reviews |
The advantages of Superchat at a glance
- Market leader with over 6,000 customers in Europe
- Transparent pricing structure with no hidden costs or setup fees
- No high additional costs for messages
- Integrated review management for systematic customer acquisition
- Powerful no-code editor for complex automations
- Free personal onboarding
The Trengo Alternative: Superchat Offers More Features at Better Prices
Trengo provides a solid live chat solution but suffers from high prices, limited automation capabilities, and basic WhatsApp marketing functions.
Superchat, on the other hand, was designed from the ground up as a comprehensive messaging platform. With powerful tools for automation, review management, marketing, and team communication, you get more functionality at a better price. Our advanced AI chatbots and efficient WhatsApp Business tools, such as WhatsApp newsletters, make Superchat the all-in-one solution for your customer communication.
Our messaging experts are happy to offer you personal guidance and show you how to make the most of Superchat for your business.
