The best Chatbase alternative for teams who want simple pricing
Chatbase popularized the "upload docs, get a chatbot" model. But confusing credit-based pricing, expensive white-label add-ons, and a 2.1 Trustpilot rating have left a lot of users looking for something better. ChatRig is that something.
Bring your own OpenAI key and pay OpenAI directly. No markup.
Remove ChatRig branding on every plan. Chatbase charges $150/mo.
Monthly plans -- no credit system, no commitment, no catch.
ChatRig vs Chatbase: feature comparison
| Feature | ChatRig | Chatbase |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (monthly) | $19 | $40 |
| Messages included | 1,000 - 25,000 | 40 credits - 40,000 credits |
| Pricing model | Flat monthly | Confusing credit system |
| Bring your own API key | Yes, all tiers | Yes, some tiers |
| White-label / remove branding | All plans (from $19/mo) | Standard tier ($150/mo) |
| Custom domain | Coming soon | Unlimited ($400/mo) |
| Knowledge base upload | All tiers | All tiers |
| Embeddable widget | All tiers | All tiers |
| Conversation logs | All tiers | All tiers |
| Playground / testing | All tiers | All tiers |
| API access | Coming soon | Standard tier |
| Trustpilot rating | New | 2.1 / 5 |
Why teams switch from Chatbase
Credit-based pricing is confusing
Chatbase uses a credit system where different actions cost different amounts. A single message can cost 1-10+ credits depending on the model and context. ChatRig uses flat monthly pricing -- you always know what you're paying.
White-label costs $150/mo on Chatbase
Removing the "Powered by Chatbase" branding requires the Standard plan at $150/mo. On ChatRig, white-label is included on every plan, starting at $19/mo.
BYOK saves you 50% or more
With ChatRig's BYOK option, you connect your own OpenAI key and pay OpenAI directly at their rates. No markup, no middleman. This typically cuts AI costs by more than half compared to managed pricing on any platform.
2.1 Trustpilot tells a story
Chatbase has a 2.1 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Common complaints include billing issues, poor support response times, and features not working as advertised. ChatRig is new, but we're building in public and focused on getting the fundamentals right.
Pricing comparison
| Plan level | ChatRig (BYOK) | ChatRig (Managed) | Chatbase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $19/mo | $19/mo (1,000 msgs) | $40/mo |
| Mid | $49/mo | $49/mo (5,000 msgs) | $150/mo |
| Business | $99/mo | $99/mo (25,000 msgs) | $400/mo |
BYOK plans include unlimited messages (you pay your AI provider directly). Managed plans include the monthly messages shown.