5 Best ManyChat Alternatives for Recipe Creators

Updated July 1, 2025

ManyChat is a robust Instagram automation tool with features like comment-to-DM, auto-replies, and analytics…but it’s built for general use, not recipe creators.

For food bloggers, that often means workarounds and missed opportunities. Tools built specifically for recipe creators offer simpler setup, clearer pricing, and niche features like one-click grocery shopping, automatic email list growth, and direct affiliate integrations.

If you’re tired of hacking general tools to fit your workflow, there are better options tailored to how recipe content actually performs online.

1. Grocers List

Grocers List is an Instagram automation tool designed specifically for recipe creators, recipe developers, and food bloggers. It offers a simple, efficient way to engage followers, grow email lists, and monetize your recipe audience.

Its key features include:

Set Custom Keywords

Recipe creators can set up keywords that followers can comment on Instagram posts to receive a clickable link to the recipe page. This feature helps drive engagement and increase comment volumes significantly. Keywords can be one word, two words, emojis, @handles, or #hashtags.

Comment For Recipe

Users can create a series of replies in their brand tone, which are automatically cycled through as new comments come in. This keeps interactions personalized and engaging. Grocers List automates the sending of a beautifully formatted direct message to followers who comment with the specified keywords. These DMs can include images, links to the recipe, and options to capture website visits and email addresses.

Shop the Recipe™

Followers can push ingredients from the recipe directly to their Instacart app without leaving the DM. Creators can earn income on every referred order, making it a convenient and monetizable feature.

Email List Growth

Followers can input their email addresses directly within the DM to join the creator’s email list. This feature turns recipe link automation into an efficient email list growth tool, helping creators build a valuable asset.

Read Our Complete Guide to Email Marketing for Recipe Creators

Performance Analytics

Focuses on the performance of Instagram posts rather than keywords, providing creators with relevant insights without any additional setup.

Grocers List offers a streamlined, user-friendly solution for recipe creators to engage with their audience, drive traffic to their websites, and grow their email lists, all while maintaining their brand voice and simplifying the process.

“I should’ve done this months ago”

After switching from ManyChat to Grocers List, Laura Ashley Johnson (@dinnerin321) saw a major transformation: over 3,000 new email subscribers in just 30 days, 70%+ click-through rates on visual DMs, and 30,000+ clicks to her website, all without spending time on manual setup or contact clean-up.

The Grocers List team even imported 100 of her old post DMs to make the transition seamless.

2. LinkDM

LinkDM is an Instagram automation tool built to help creators boost traffic and revenue through smart, automated engagement.

It automatically sends DMs to users who comment on your posts, including sponsored ads, based on specific keywords or all comments. You can also build push-style subscriber lists right inside the Instagram inbox, keeping followers updated on product launches, sales, or new content

The platform offers a free tier with up to 1,000 DMs per month, and a $19/month Pro plan that unlocks inbox automation, ad automations, and support for up to three accounts.

LinkDM doesn’t require your Instagram password, stays compliant with Instagram’s Terms of Service, and offers a clean, no-surprise pricing model. Whether you’re focused on affiliate links, blog traffic, or product drops, LinkDM helps automate your workflow while keeping your audience engaged.

3. InstaChamp by Customers.ai

InstaChamp by Customers.ai is a DM automation tool built for creators, coaches, and brands looking to grow and monetize their audience on Instagram and Facebook.

It automatically replies to comments, Story mentions, reactions, and DMs, helping you stay engaged without constantly being online.

With InstaChamp, you can set up autoresponders that boost engagement, answer customer questions, and guide followers into lead capture pages or sales funnels. It’s designed to grow your audience, increase visibility by encouraging post interaction, and personalize campaigns based on follower behavior.

The platform also includes performance analytics, so you can track engagement and fine-tune your strategy. Whether you’re selling products, collecting leads, or building community, InstaChamp helps automate the process while keeping communication personal and timely.

4. Gatsby.ai

Gatsby is a marketing automation platform built for Instagram creators and brands who want to scale user-generated content and ambassador programs. It helps grow your email and SMS lists with one-click opt-ins directly from Instagram, making list building fast and seamless.

You can automate replies to Story mentions and DMs using custom keywords, images, and call-to-action buttons, especially powerful in the Core Plus plan. Gatsby also tracks the performance of your Stories, Posts, and Reels, so you can double down on what’s working.

What sets Gatsby apart is its robust ambassador program automation. It integrates with tools like Klaviyo, Attentive, Yotpo, and LoyaltyLion to streamline every step — from application and engagement to rewards and performance tracking.

For creators managing UGC and brand partnerships, Gatsby eliminates manual busywork and turns your audience into powerful brand advocates.

5. autoIGDM

AutoIGDM is a Chrome-based tool that automates Instagram DM outreach, making lead generation easier and more scalable for businesses and creators.

It lets you send up to 1,800 personalized messages per month per account, ideal for reaching new audiences without burning hours manually messaging.

The platform includes smart personalization features that insert names and details into your messages, plus human-like automation with delays and typing simulations to help avoid getting flagged by Instagram. Setup is quick: sign up, install the Chrome plugin, and start automating your outreach.

Whether you’re promoting a product, collecting leads, or building relationships, AutoIGDM helps you scale your DMs while keeping interactions warm and organic.

Why Recipe Creators Choose Grocers List

If you’re a recipe creator frustrated by the limitations of ManyChat, these five tools offer more tailored solutions, but Grocers List stands out as the only platform built specifically for recipe creators.

From automated DMs that boost engagement, to one-click Instacart integrations and email capture baked right into Instagram, Grocers List upgrades your entire workflow. It’s the clear choice if you’re serious about growing your audience, driving traffic, and turning followers into subscribers and customers.