Instagram comment-to-DM tools: single-purpose apps compared in 2026
Updated:
InstantDM is the most complete single-purpose comment-to-DM app. It documents every Instagram feature we track except broadcasts, and it costs a flat $12 a month at any contact count. LinkDM and ReplyRush are the best free starting points, with 1,000 and 1,500 DMs a month.
These apps do one job. If you also need a CRM or payment buttons in the chat, a chatbot platform fits better, and the best Instagram DM automation tools compares those.
How comment-to-DM works
Someone comments a keyword on your post or Reel, and the app sends them a private message through Meta’s official API. The DM usually carries a link or a discount code. Some apps open with a question instead, to start a conversation. Many apps also reply in public under the comment, so other followers see that the offer is real.
Meta allows one private reply per comment. After that, you can keep writing only while the conversation stays inside Instagram’s 24-hour messaging window. The apps differ in what else they trigger on, such as replies to stories, live video comments or new followers. The comment-to-DM explainer covers Meta’s rules in full.
Side by side
| Tool | 1K contacts | 10K contacts | Free plan | Live comments | New followers | AI agent | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 InstantDM |
$12 | $12 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Rated 4.3 out of 528 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
 LinkDM |
Free | $19 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No score |
 ReplyRush |
Free | $25 | Yes | No | Yes | No | Rated 4.5 out of 524 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
 CreatorFlow |
$15 | $30 | Yes | No | Yes | No | Rated 4.0 out of 513 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
 Blotato |
$29 | $499 | No | No | Yes | No | Rated 4.8 out of 5387 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
 FlowGent |
$19 | $19 | No | No | No | Yes | No score |
 SetSmart |
$97 | $717 | No | Yes | No | Yes | Rated 4.7 out of 532 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
 ReplyKaro |
Free | $3 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Rated 4.2 out of 59 reviews (opens in a new tab) |
1. InstantDM
Best for: every Instagram trigger at a flat price
- 1K contacts
- $12
- 10K contacts
- $12
- Free plan
- Yes
- Rating
- Rated 4.3 out of 5
Strong at. $12 a month covers any number of contacts. InstantDM documents triggers for live video comments and story mentions, as well as for new followers. Its AI agent runs on your own OpenAI or Claude key, and a person can take over the chat.
Watch out for. The AI agent needs Trendsetter at $30. It covers Instagram and Facebook only, and the company was founded in 2025.
Full profile of InstantDM InstantDM pricing (opens in a new tab)
2. LinkDM
Best for: a free plan with live video triggers
- 1K contacts
- Free
- 10K contacts
- $19
- Free plan
- Yes
- Rating
- No score
Strong at. The free plan sends 1,000 DMs a month, and Pro at $19 sends 25,000 across three accounts. LinkDM documents live comment triggers and broadcasts on paid plans.
Watch out for. There is no AI agent and no shared inbox. The free plan only works on your last ten posts, and LinkDM’s site has no about page.
3. ReplyRush
Best for: the largest free allowance and a follow gate
- 1K contacts
- Free
- 10K contacts
- $25
- Free plan
- Yes
- Rating
- Rated 4.5 out of 5
Strong at. The free plan sends 1,500 DMs a month. ReplyRush documents a follow-gated DM that asks people to follow you before the link arrives. Boost is $25 for 40,000 DMs.
Watch out for. There is no AI agent. Its legal pages name three different company names, which makes it hard to tell who you are paying.
Full profile of ReplyRush ReplyRush pricing (opens in a new tab)
4. CreatorFlow
Best for: the simplest setup
- 1K contacts
- $15
- 10K contacts
- $30
- Free plan
- Yes
- Rating
- Rated 4.0 out of 5
Strong at. There is little to configure. Pro is $15 a month for 5,000 DMs, and the interface comes in Spanish and Portuguese as well as English. CreatorFlow says it is an approved Meta Tech Provider.
Watch out for. It covers Instagram only. Its pages describe neither story mentions nor public comment replies, and the company was founded in 2025.
Full profile of CreatorFlow CreatorFlow pricing (opens in a new tab)
5. Blotato
Best for: creators who also schedule posts
- 1K contacts
- $29
- 10K contacts
- $499
- Free plan
- No
- Rating
- Rated 4.8 out of 5
Strong at. Blotato bundles DM automation with publishing to nine social platforms on one subscription. It documents a follow gate. Developers also get an API and an MCP server for AI agents. Its Trustpilot score was 4.8 from 387 reviews in October 2026.
Watch out for. Each automation sends one DM with up to three link buttons, with no branching. There is no free plan, and the price jumps from $29 at 1,000 contacts to $499 at 10,000.
Full profile of Blotato Blotato pricing (opens in a new tab)
6. FlowGent
Best for: AI conversations with a person on standby
- 1K contacts
- $19
- 10K contacts
- $19
- Free plan
- No
- Rating
- No score
Strong at. Flowgent’s AI agent answers DMs and hands the chat to a person in a team inbox. Starter at $19 a month runs unlimited comment-to-DM flows without AI. WhatsApp is included.
Watch out for. AI replies start on Hobby at $49 a month. There is no free plan, and Flowgent’s about page returns an error.
Full profile of FlowGent FlowGent pricing (opens in a new tab)
7. SetSmart
Best for: an AI that qualifies leads and books calls
- 1K contacts
- $97
- 10K contacts
- $717
- Free plan
- No
- Rating
- Rated 4.7 out of 5
Strong at. Every SetSmart plan includes its AI setter. It answers comments on posts and Reels, and it also covers live videos and ads. Its Trustpilot score was 4.7 from 32 reviews in October 2026.
Watch out for. It charges by AI message. Light is $25 a month for 250 messages with a hard cap, and Pro is $97 for 1,000. SetSmart states there is no flow builder.
Full profile of SetSmart SetSmart pricing (opens in a new tab)
8. ReplyKaro
Best for: the lowest price, from a very new vendor
- 1K contacts
- Free
- 10K contacts
- $3
- Free plan
- Yes
- Rating
- Rated 4.2 out of 5
Strong at. Starter is $3 a month for 30,000 DMs, and the free plan sends 1,000. An AI agent is included, metered by credits.
Watch out for. ReplyKaro launched in 2026 and is run by one person. The user counts on its own site contradict each other, and it gives no refunds.
Full profile of ReplyKaro ReplyKaro pricing (opens in a new tab)
Which app to choose
You want everything at one price. Choose InstantDM.
You want to start free. Try ReplyRush for the most DMs, or LinkDM for live video triggers.
You want AI to hold the conversation. Look at SetSmart or Flowgent, or read AI agents for Instagram DMs.
You publish content across many networks. Blotato puts posting and DMs in one subscription.
Questions people ask
What is comment-to-DM on Instagram?
It is an automation that sends a private message to anyone who comments a chosen keyword on your post or Reel. The message usually contains a link or a code, and many tools also reply under the comment in public.
Is comment-to-DM allowed by Instagram?
Yes, when the tool uses Meta’s official API. Meta allows one private reply per comment, and further messages only inside the 24-hour messaging window. Every app on this page says it uses the official API.
Which comment-to-DM tool is free?
ReplyRush’s free plan sends 1,500 DMs a month and LinkDM’s sends 1,000. Chatfuel, a chatbot platform rather than a single-purpose app, offers comment autoreply with no stated limit.