Comparison · Bot builders
BotFather vs Manybot
These two are not rivals but two steps of the same job. BotFather (@BotFather) is Telegram's official registrar: it creates the bot, issues the API token and sets its commands, description, inline mode and privacy, and does nothing beyond that. Manybot (@ManyBot) turns that token into a working bot by chat: broadcasts, custom commands, menus, forms and autoposting from RSS or YouTube, in an interface available in six languages. The catch is that reviews report Manybot adds its own advertising to the bots you create. Every bot starts in BotFather; Manybot is the next step for a simple broadcast bot when you do not write code.
@BotFather
FreeOfficial
95/ 100
#1 in Bot buildersThe official Telegram bot for creating and managing bots: registers a new bot in a minute, issues the API token, sets commands, description and avatar. Free, English interface, no third-party sign-up.
@ManyBot
Free
74/ 100
One of the oldest no-code bot builders inside Telegram, with about a million monthly users: connect a token from BotFather and set up broadcasts, custom commands, menus, forms and autoposting from RSS, YouTube or VK by chatting with Manybot. Free, but the bots you create carry Manybot's advertising.
By the numbers
BotFather is ahead: 95 against 74 out of 100 for Manybot. BotFather wins on functionality, reliability & speed, popularity & trust, price & free tier, safety & privacy, freshness, no intrusive ads. Both are free to use.
At a glance
| BotFather | Manybot | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly users | 8.9M | 996.8K |
| Pricing and limits | Free | Free |
| Languages | EN | EN · ES · RU · MULTI |
| Inline mode | no | no |
| Mini App | no | no |
| Works in groups | no | no |
| Works in channels | no | no |
| Accepts voice | no | no |
| Accepts files | no | no |
| Requires phone number | no | no |
| Requires registration | no | no |
| Shows ads | no | yes |
| Official | yes | no |
| Developer | Telegram | Manybot |
| Last check | November 4, 2026 | November 4, 2026 |
Score by criterion
| Criterion | Weight | BotFather | Manybot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functionality | 25 | 9 | 7 |
| Reliability & speed | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Popularity & trust | 15 | 10 | 9 |
| Price & free tier | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Usability | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Safety & privacy | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Freshness | 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Localization | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| No intrusive ads | 5 | 10 | 4 |
| Total | 100 | 95 | 74 |
Pros and cons
BotFather
- Official, always online, no data beyond your account
- Every bot setting in one place
- Does not build bot logic; you need code or a constructor
Manybot
- Everything is set up in a chat, no dashboard
- Huge user base and a decade of history
- Interface in six languages
- Manybot's advertising appears in the bots you create and cannot be removed
- No conditional logic, payments or API
Frequently asked questions
BotFather or Manybot: which is better?
BotFather is ahead: 95 against 74 out of 100 for Manybot. BotFather wins on functionality, reliability & speed, popularity & trust, price & free tier, safety & privacy, freshness, no intrusive ads. Both are free to use.
Are BotFather and Manybot free?
BotFather: Free. Manybot: Free.
Do BotFather and Manybot work in groups?
BotFather: no. Manybot: no.