Anjali Pandey
Businesses across Southeast Asia run on WhatsApp.
In Indonesia, people spend close to two hours a day on WhatsApp, nearly as long as they spend on TikTok, and nine in ten use it every month (Digital 2026: Indonesia).
Companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and across the region use WhatsApp to handle customer inquiries, coordinate sales, provide support, and manage day-to-day operations.
But when several employees manage the same WhatsApp number, messages get missed, agents reply to the same customer, and managers struggle to see who owns each conversation.
A WhatsApp team inbox solves this by bringing conversations into one workspace where multiple agents can reply, assign chats, and track pending requests. Depending on the platform, teams can also manage multiple numbers, automate routing, connect their CRM, and handle WhatsApp groups.
We compared five WhatsApp team inbox tools for businesses in Southeast Asia, focusing on multi-agent access, group management, integrations, pricing, and setup requirements.
TL;DR: Best WhatsApp team inbox tools in Southeast Asia
Tool | Best for | WhatsApp groups | Connection method | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Periskope | Sales, support and ops teams managing chats, groups and multiple numbers | Yes | Linked devices | From $25/license/month |
Respond.io | Omnichannel sales and support | No | API; Coexistence available for eligible accounts | From $79/month |
SleekFlow | Social CRM and messaging automation | No | API; Coexistence available for eligible accounts | From $49/month |
Qiscus | Omnichannel customer support | Limited | WhatsApp Business API | Custom pricing |
Omnichat | Retail and e-commerce messaging | No | WhatsApp Business API | Custom pricing |
Quick recommendation: For teams in Southeast Asia looking for a WhatsApp team inbox, Periskope lets you manage chats and groups across existing WhatsApp numbers without switching to the WhatsApp Business API.
What to look for in a WhatsApp team inbox in Southeast Asia
The right inbox should fit how your team already handles customer conversations. Compare these five areas before choosing a platform.
1. Multi-agent access and conversation ownership
Look for individual agent logins, chat assignment, internal notes, and clear conversation ownership. These features help your team coordinate replies and see who is responsible for each customer query.
2. Multiple numbers and WhatsApp group support
Check whether the tool can manage multiple numbers in one workspace. If your sales, support, branches, or field teams work through WhatsApp groups, verify that the platform supports existing group conversations, not only one-to-one chats or groups created through the API.
3. WhatsApp Business API vs. linked devices
API-based tools offer business messaging integrations and automation. Some also support WhatsApp Business App Coexistence, which lets eligible accounts connect an existing app number. Linked-device tools connect to existing WhatsApp accounts through QR linking. The difference matters if you want to retain your current numbers and group conversations.
4. Chat routing, automation, and SLAs
Automatic assignment, escalation alerts, ticket creation, and SLA tracking help teams manage high message volumes. Look for workflows that fit your process, whether that's routing new leads, escalating overdue support requests, or assigning a query from a group message.
5. Integrations, reporting, and data handling
Check for integrations with your CRM and helpdesk, along with reports on response times, unresolved queries, and agent activity. For businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, also ask where conversation data is stored, how it is transferred across borders, and how the provider handles retention and deletion.
Now, let's look at how the five tools compare on features, pricing, and WhatsApp compatibility.
1. Periskope
Periskope is a WhatsApp team inbox for businesses managing conversations across multiple numbers, 1:1 chats and WhatsApp groups. It connects regular WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business App numbers through linked devices, so teams keep the numbers customers already message and skip the WhatsApp Business API entirely.
More than 5,000 companies across 50+ countries run on the platform, including teams across Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East.
Agents work from one shared workspace, assign queries, turn messages into tickets and track what's still open. Periskope also supports WhatsApp calling, with recordings, speaker-attributed transcripts, AI summaries and full call history.
Key features
Shared inbox for chats and groups: Handle 1:1 conversations and existing WhatsApp groups side by side in one workspace. Search across every group at once.
No cap on numbers: Manage every WhatsApp number from one inbox. There's no set limit on how many you connect.
Ticketing with SLAs: Raise a ticket from a group message or a direct chat, set an SLA, and escalate automatically when it breaches.
AI and automation: Flag important messages, auto-assign chats, escalate stuck conversations and hand repetitive queries to an AI agent that takes action.
WhatsApp calling: Call from connected numbers, then review recordings, transcripts and AI summaries.
Analytics and integrations: Track response times and team performance. Connect HubSpot, Freshdesk, Zoho Desk, Google Sheets and Zapier, plus open APIs, webhooks and an MCP server that lets Claude or ChatGPT work directly with your WhatsApp.
Example: A B2B payment provider in Indonesia handles 800+ customer queries a day through Periskope's WhatsApp team inbox. Twenty-five agents work the same client groups from their own logins. The team maintains a turnaround time under 15 minutes, and NPS rose 8 points in three months. (read more)
Pricing: From $25 per license per month on Starter, or $15 with annual billing. Pro is $35 monthly, or $25 annually. A 14-day free trial is available.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Works on existing WhatsApp numbers and groups with no API required | Numbers already running on the WhatsApp Business API cannot connect through linked devices |
Combines chats, groups, ticketing, SLAs, calling and analytics | Teams wanting a broad omnichannel marketing suite may prefer a multi-channel platform |
No set limit on connected numbers | Built for team conversations, not mass 1:1 outbound |
Tickets raised straight from a group message |
Best for: Businesses that run sales, support, or operations through regular WhatsApp numbers and groups and need a shared inbox with calling, ticketing, and team visibility.
Try Periskope
Manage WhatsApp Groups, Chats and Numbers at Scale
2. Respond.io
Respond.io is an omnichannel customer conversation platform for sales and support teams, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. It brings WhatsApp and other channels into one shared inbox, with assignment, workflow automation and team reporting.
Key features
Shared team inbox: Assign conversations and collaborate on replies.
Workflow automation: Automate routing, follow-ups and repetitive tasks.
AI agents: Handle routine inquiries and qualify leads.
Broadcasts and reporting: Run campaigns and measure team performance.
CRM integrations: Connect conversations to your business systems.
Pricing: From $79 per month on Starter. Growth is $159 and Advanced is $279. Billing scales with the number of contacts you message, and WhatsApp messaging charges apply separately. A 7-day free trial is available.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Several messaging channels in one workspace | WhatsApp group conversations aren't available in the inbox |
Automation and reporting suited to growing teams | Coexistence doesn't bring groups, calls or status updates across |
Supports WhatsApp Business App coexistence | WhatsApp messaging fees sit on top of the subscription |
Respond.io suits teams running WhatsApp alongside several other channels with structured sales and support workflows.
3. SleekFlow
SleekFlow pairs a shared messaging inbox with social CRM, marketing automation and AI-powered engagement. It fits businesses connecting conversations to sales, marketing and e-commerce workflows.
Key features
Omnichannel inbox: Manage conversations across supported channels.
AI agents and automation: Automate replies, routing and engagement workflows.
Broadcast campaigns: Send campaigns and manage customer segments.
E-commerce integrations: Connect Shopify, Google Sheets and similar tools.
Analytics: Track conversations, campaigns and team performance.
Pricing: From $49 per month on Essential, with 3 seats and 500 monthly active contacts. Pro is $109 per month with 10 seats. Annual billing saves 20%. SleekFlow runs separate pricing for Singapore and Malaysia, so check your local page. WhatsApp platform and messaging fees are additional.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Connects messaging with marketing and e-commerce | Existing WhatsApp groups don't sync into the inbox |
AI agents, automation and campaign tools together | Pricing scales with monthly active contacts |
Supports WhatsApp Business App coexistence | WhatsApp usage adds cost on top of the plan |
SleekFlow fits retail and e-commerce teams wanting messaging, marketing automation and sales workflows under one roof.
4. Qiscus
Qiscus is an Indonesian omnichannel customer engagement platform built for support teams handling volume. Its agent workspace distributes conversations, coordinates replies and tracks service performance.
Key features
Omnichannel inbox: Pull conversations from supported channels into one workspace.
Agent assignment: Distribute incoming queries across the support team.
WhatsApp Groups: Create and manage groups through the WhatsApp Groups API. Existing groups can't be imported.
Analytics: Monitor engagement and support performance.
Add-on products: Extend into helpdesk and CRM capabilities.
Pricing: Custom pricing. Plans scale with the number of agents and the customers you message each month. WhatsApp messages are charged separately at Meta's rates.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Structured workflows built for support teams | Groups requires an eligible Official Business Account |
Offers group functionality through the WhatsApp Groups API, which most API platforms don't | Groups cap at eight customers, and auto-assignment doesn't work inside them |
Strong local presence in Indonesia | Coexistence accounts can't use the Groups feature |
Qiscus works for support teams needing omnichannel coverage that can meet the eligibility rules for its Groups feature.
5. Omnichat
Omnichat focuses on conversational commerce, connecting messaging to customer service, marketing and sales across WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, LINE and WeChat.
Key features
Shared messaging inbox: Manage conversations across supported channels.
Chat automation: Chatbots, keyword replies and automatic assignment.
Marketing campaigns: Run broadcasts and segment customers.
E-commerce integrations: Shopping history, purchase records and abandoned-cart remarketing on eligible plans.
Conversion reporting: Track campaign performance against sales.
Pricing: Custom pricing, annual subscriptions only. Tiers run from 10,000 contacts with 3 users up to 100,000 contacts with 10 users. WhatsApp Business API and messaging fees are additional.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Links customer messaging to marketing and online sales | Pricing requires a quote and an annual commitment |
Abandoned-cart remarketing and commerce features | Existing WhatsApp groups can't be managed through its integration |
Covers several messaging channels used across Asia | Built around commerce, lighter on internal team workflows |
Omnichat fits retail and e-commerce businesses tying conversations to campaigns and online sales.
Do You Need the WhatsApp Business API for a Team Inbox?
No. Some tools require it, some don't.
There are two routes.
→ Linked devices. The tool connects to a WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App account your team already uses. Your existing number keeps working and group chats come along with it. This is how Periskope connects, and it's the route for teams running WhatsApp for Business without the API.
→ WhatsApp Business API. This opens up business messaging workflows, template broadcasts and deeper integrations. It needs a dedicated number, template approvals and per-message fees, and eligibility rules differ by provider.
WhatsApp's Groups API has started rolling out with real limits attached. Qiscus supports group conversations under eligibility and participant caps. So existing groups can't be brought across. Respond.io, SleekFlow and Omnichat don't bring existing group chats into their inboxes at all.
Three questions settle it:
Do you need to keep the WhatsApp numbers customers already message?
Does your team work inside WhatsApp groups, or only 1:1 chats?
Do you need high-volume automated outbound?
Two yeses on the first pair point to linked devices. A yes on the third points to the API.
Which WhatsApp Team Inbox Should You Choose?
Periskope is the strongest fit if your team runs on existing WhatsApp numbers and groups.
→ Every other tool here is built on the WhatsApp Business API. That means a new number, template approvals and per-message fees before anyone sends a message.
Some, like Respond.io and SleekFlow, also support WhatsApp Business App Coexistence for eligible accounts, letting you connect an existing app number. However, Coexistence doesn't bring over existing group chats, calls, status updates, or all chat history.
Periskope connects any number that can scan a QR code, so sales and support keep the numbers customers already have saved.
→ Groups are the second reason. Only Periskope and Qiscus handle WhatsApp groups. But Qiscus does that through the WhatsApp Groups API. Those groups are created inside the platform and cap at 8 participants, so the groups your customers are already in can't move there.
Periskope works on existing groups as they are, with the same ownership and SLAs as your 1:1 chats.
There's no set limit on connected numbers either. A team running five and a franchise running fifty work the same way.
→ Running WhatsApp across sales and support teams in Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia? Book a demo to see how Periskope brings your WhatsApp chats and groups into one shared team inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best WhatsApp team inbox for businesses in Southeast Asia?
Periskope is the best WhatsApp team inbox for teams in Southeast Asia that run on existing WhatsApp numbers and work inside customer groups. It connects through linked devices, handles groups and 1:1 chats in the same workspace, and sets no limit on connected numbers.
2. Which WhatsApp team inbox tools support existing group chats?
Periskope supports existing WhatsApp groups alongside one-to-one chats. Qiscus offers a separate WhatsApp Groups API feature for creating new groups, with an eight-customer limit. Respond.io, SleekFlow, and Omnichat don't bring existing WhatsApp groups into their inboxes.
3. How much does a WhatsApp team inbox cost in Southeast Asia?
Starting prices vary by provider. Periskope starts at $25 per license per month, Respond.io at $79 per month, and SleekFlow at $49 per month. Qiscus and Omnichat both price by quote. Compare included seats, contact limits and WhatsApp messaging fees before choosing, since those change the total far more than the headline price.
4. How can Indonesian businesses manage WhatsApp with multiple agents?
A shared WhatsApp team inbox lets several agents handle customer conversations from one workspace, with clear ownership and fewer duplicate replies. Periskope supports multiple agents on existing WhatsApp numbers and lets teams manage group conversations alongside one-to-one chats.
