If you are comparing Zoko vs AeroChat, you are likely looking for a WhatsApp sales chatbot that can do more than send broadcasts. You want automation that converts chats into orders, reduces manual support, and scales ecommerce sales without hiring more agents.
While both tools operate on WhatsApp, they are built for very different outcomes.
Zoko is primarily a WhatsApp marketing and CRM tool, whereas AeroChat is an AI-first ecommerce automation platform designed to handle sales, support, and post-purchase queries automatically.
This guide breaks down where each platform fits, and which one performs better for Shopify and ecommerce brands.
Quick Comparison: Zoko vs AeroChat
Category | Zoko | AeroChat |
|---|---|---|
Core focus | WhatsApp sales & CRM | AI ecommerce automation |
Best for | WhatsApp-first sales teams | Shopify & ecommerce stores |
AI automation | Limited | Advanced |
Shopify integration | Partial | Native |
Order tracking automation | No | Yes |
Refund & return handling | Manual | Automated |
Omnichannel support | WhatsApp only | WhatsApp + web + Instagram |
Setup complexity | Medium | Low |
Scalability | Agent-dependent | AI-driven |
What Is Zoko?
Zoko is a WhatsApp-centric platform designed to help sales teams manage conversations, run campaigns, and close deals through WhatsApp.
Zoko focuses on:
WhatsApp CRM
Sales pipelines
Broadcast campaigns
Manual agent workflows
It works well for businesses where human agents handle most conversations, especially sales-driven teams that rely heavily on WhatsApp as their primary channel.
However, Zoko is not built to eliminate repetitive ecommerce queries like shipping status or refunds. These are the same pain points that push brands toward automated ecommerce support systems.
What Is AeroChat?
AeroChat is an AI-powered ecommerce chatbot built specifically for Shopify and online stores.
Instead of helping agents reply faster, AeroChat is designed to resolve conversations automatically using live store data.
It automates:
Product questions
Order tracking
Shipping updates
Refund and return explanations
Abandoned checkout recovery
This approach is explained in the Shopify AI chatbot framework, where AI replaces repetitive support workflows entirely.
Key Difference: Sales CRM vs AI Automation
The biggest difference between Zoko and AeroChat is who does the work.
Zoko
Agents manage conversations
Automation supports sales workflows
Volume scales with staff
AeroChat
AI resolves most queries
Agents handle exceptions only
Volume scales without staff
That is why AeroChat is often chosen as a Zoko alternative by ecommerce brands that want fewer conversations, not just better WhatsApp management.
WhatsApp Sales Automation Compared
Lead Qualification
Zoko helps agents track leads and conversations, but qualification is mostly manual.
AeroChat qualifies leads automatically using AI sales assistant workflows that ask questions, recommend products, and send checkout links instantly.
Order Tracking and Post-Purchase Support
Zoko requires agents to respond to “Where is my order?” questions.
AeroChat eliminates these messages using shipping status automation, replying instantly with live Shopify data.
Refunds and Returns
Zoko handles refunds through agents and CRM notes.
AeroChat uses refund request automation to explain policies, timelines, and next steps automatically — reducing disputes and chargebacks.
Omnichannel Capability
Zoko is WhatsApp-only.
AeroChat runs one AI across WhatsApp, website chat, Instagram, and Messenger using an omnichannel support chatbot model.
This matters because customers often:
Discover products on Instagram
Ask questions on WhatsApp
Track orders on the website
AeroChat keeps context across all of them.
Cost and Scalability
Zoko
Pricing scales with agents
Human-dependent workflows
Best for sales teams
AeroChat
Free entry option
AI handles volume spikes
Scales without hiring
This is why AeroChat appears in comparisons of best ecommerce chatbots for cost-efficient growth.
When Zoko Is the Right Choice
Zoko makes sense if:
WhatsApp is your only channel
You rely on sales agents
You run outbound WhatsApp sales
CRM-style tracking is your priority
When AeroChat Is the Better Choice
AeroChat is the better option if:
You run a Shopify or ecommerce store
Order and refund queries dominate support
You want 24/7 replies without staff
You need WhatsApp + web + social automation
You want measurable ROI from AI
Most brands in this category move toward AI customer service platforms rather than WhatsApp-only CRMs.
Final Verdict
Zoko is a strong WhatsApp sales CRM for agent-led teams.
AeroChat is a full ecommerce automation engine that turns WhatsApp into a self-serving sales and support channel.
If your goal is managing WhatsApp conversations, Zoko fits.
If your goal is reducing conversations while increasing sales, AeroChat is the better choice.
That is why AeroChat is increasingly chosen as a Zoko alternative by Shopify brands that want AI to run WhatsApp sales and support end-to-end.