manychatmigrationguide

How to Switch from ManyChat to Reply in DM (5-Minute Migration Guide)

July 9, 2026By Reply in DM

One of the most common questions we get is: "I'm using ManyChat — can I switch without breaking anything?"

Yes. The whole migration takes about five minutes, and this guide walks through it step by step — including the one mistake that causes double DMs.

Why people switch

•Pricing. ManyChat's free plan caps at 1,000 contacts; paid plans start around $15/month and grow with your contact list. Reply in DM is free with unlimited DMs and contacts — the paid plan ($9/month, first 14 days free) only removes the small branding note.

•Simplicity. If all you want is "comment a keyword, get a DM", you don't need a chatbot flow builder.

•EU data residency. Reply in DM stores data in the EU (europe-west3).

For a full feature comparison, see Reply in DM vs ManyChat or the best ManyChat alternatives.

What transfers — and what doesn't

Transfers automatically: nothing needs to transfer. Your Instagram account, posts, and comments live on Instagram — both tools just connect to them.

Doesn't transfer: your ManyChat contact list and chatbot flows. Reply in DM builds its own subscriber lists as people opt in (via keywords or the Subscribe button), so your list rebuilds naturally with your most engaged followers.

The 5-minute migration

Step 1 — Connect your Instagram to Reply in DM. Sign in, click Connect, and approve with your Instagram login. This does NOT disconnect ManyChat — both can be connected at the same time.

Step 2 — Recreate your keyword rules. For each ManyChat "comment automation", open the matching post in Reply in DM (Connect Existing), add the keyword and the DM text. Most people have 2–5 of these; it's a minute each.

Step 3 — Turn OFF the ManyChat automation for each post you move. This is the important one: if both tools answer the same post, commenters get two DMs. Move post by post — turn a rule on in Reply in DM, turn the same one off in ManyChat.

Step 4 — Test it. Comment your keyword from another account. The DM should arrive within seconds.

Step 5 — Cancel ManyChat once every automation has moved and you're happy. Nothing on Instagram changes when you do.

Common questions

Can I run both tools at once? Yes — just never on the same post (double DMs). Running both during a transition is exactly how you should migrate.

Do I need to disconnect ManyChat first? No. Instagram allows multiple connected apps.

Will my subscribers come with me? No tool can export/import Instagram DM contacts (Meta doesn't allow it). Reply in DM rebuilds your list through opt-ins — with unlimited contacts, free.

Is the free plan really unlimited? Yes — unlimited posts, rules, DMs, and contacts. DMs include a small Reply in DM footer link; Pro removes it for $9/month, with a 14-day free trial.

Ready? Get started free — the whole setup takes about two minutes.