AI Providers
AI chatbots and the AI Conversation action run on an AI provider of your choice, using your own API key. The provider bills you directly; these replies do not use Whautomate AI credits.
All four providers use the same chatbot engine, the same contact, booking and class tools, the same custom functions and the same channels (WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram and website live chat). They differ in how they use your documents and what media they understand.
Compare the providers
| OpenAI | Google Gemini | xAI (Grok) | Anthropic (Claude) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge base | Searches your files | Searches your files; choose the embedding model | Searches your files; needs a second, management key | Attaches every file in full to each reply, up to 10 files |
| File types | PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPTX, TXT, HTML | PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPTX, TXT, HTML | PDF, DOC, DOCX, PPTX, TXT, HTML | PDF, TXT, HTML, Markdown |
| Chunk settings | 100 to 4096 tokens | Up to 512 tokens | Automatic | Automatic |
| Voice notes | Transcribed | Transcribed | Not supported | Not supported |
| Images | Understood | Understood | Understood | Understood |
| Web search | Yes, with Search Context Size | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Get a key at | platform.openai.com | aistudio.google.com | console.x.ai | console.anthropic.com |
Which one to choose
- OpenAI: the safe default. Every feature is available, including search context size for web search, and most ready-made AI templates start on OpenAI.
- Google Gemini: high-volume, low-cost support with voice notes and images. Flash models are fast and inexpensive.
- xAI (Grok): if you already use Grok. Plan for the extra management key if you need a knowledge base, and use another provider where customers send voice notes.
- Anthropic (Claude): careful, well-written answers that follow your instructions closely. Best with a small knowledge base, since every file is read on every reply.
You are not locked in. Connect more than one key and choose the AI Provider on each AI Conversation action, for example a low-cost model for first replies and a stronger model for sales chats. Each provider has its own knowledge bases: when you change the provider on an action, choose a knowledge base from the new provider.
Set one up
- Create an API key with the provider.
- Go to Settings > Integrations and click Connect on the provider's card. Paste the key into API Secret Key and click Save.
- Optional: add documents on the Vector Stores/Datasets tab.
- In an AI Conversation action, choose the AI Provider and Model. Providers without a key show no API key and cannot be selected.