Watch Before Buying MsgBubble on AppSumo (Honest Review 2024)
MsgBubble combines live chat, text messaging, CRM, and appointment booking into one platform. In this hands-on review of the AppSumo lifetime deal, I test all key features and reveal important technical issues you should consider before purchasing.
MsgBubble is a new communication platform available as a lifetime deal on AppSumo that combines live chat, text messaging, CRM features, and appointment booking capabilities. In this review, I'll share my hands-on experience with the tool and help you decide if it's worth the investment.
Introduction [00:00]
MsgBubble
00:00 - Intro 00:21 - Plans & Pricing 01:36 - A Rough Start 02:36 - Messaging Setup 03:04 - Messages & Customers 03:57 - Schedule & Calendars 06:05 - Sales 06:42 - Reviews 07:07 - Website 08:40 - Builder 10:30 - Posts 11:02 - SEO Report 12:02 - Widgets 13:34 - Web Chatbot 14:32 - Integration Guide 16:53 - Forms 17:53 - Messages 20:39 - What is it Good For? 22:10 - Conclusion
MsgBubble positions itself as an all-in-one solution for website chat, text messaging, appointment booking, and customer relationship management. The tool also includes additional features like a website builder and review management system.
Plans & Pricing [00:21]
The entry-level plan starts at $49, but the pricing structure is tiered based on features and sub-accounts. For agencies or businesses serving multiple clients, higher tiers are available:
- Tier 2 and 3 include additional sub-accounts
- Tier 4 ($400) offers unlimited customers, unlimited team members, and 15 sub-accounts
- Tier 5 ($599) maintains unlimited features while providing 40 sub-accounts
The pricing, particularly at $599 for the top tier, seems more sustainable for a business offering unlimited services compared to similar tools charging significantly less.
A Rough Start [01:36]
My initial experience with MsgBubble revealed some concerning issues. After installing the chat widget on my website and completing the contact form, I encountered a 404 error message. While the message did come through on the backend, this type of error creates a poor first impression for potential customers.
Messaging Setup [02:36]
One distinguishing feature of MsgBubble is its focus on text messaging capabilities. Users can either:
- Connect their own Twilio account
- Purchase text messaging directly through MsgBubble (additional ongoing cost)
The platform requires business verification, including ID upload, to use their text messaging service. While this adds legitimacy, it might be a concern for some users who prefer to maintain privacy.
Messages & Customers [03:04]
The CRM functionality in MsgBubble provides:
- A comprehensive customer section for contact management
- Deal tracking capabilities
- Kanban workflow view for pipeline management
- Customizable pipeline stages
- Table view with additional status options
Schedule & Calendars [03:57]
The scheduling system offers integration with:
- Google Meet
- Microsoft Teams
However, there are significant limitations:
- Calendar events don't sync with external platforms
- No conflict checking with existing calendars
- No subscribe link for adding to external calendars
- Meeting times must be checked within MsgBubble
The platform does support payment processing through Stripe for appointments, but the fee structure needs clarification. MsgBubble charges 3.4% plus 30 cents per transaction, but it's unclear if this is in addition to or instead of standard Stripe fees.
Sales [06:05]
The sales section provides basic invoicing and estimate functionality:
- Create and send invoices
- Generate estimates
- QuickBooks integration available
- No integration with Xero or FreshBooks
Reviews [06:42]
MsgBubble can aggregate reviews from various platforms:
- Google My Business
- Yelp
- Amazon
- Trustpilot
- Custom review sources
These reviews can then be displayed on your website through their widget system.
Website Builder [07:07]
The included website builder feels dated and limited:
- Basic page building capabilities
- Template options for specific industries
- Clunky interface
- Limited customization options
- Frequent domain connection prompts
- Basic CMS functionality for blog posts
Integration Guide [14:32]
The platform provides various integration options:
- Review collection and display
- Appointment scheduling
- Office check-in systems
- Kiosk functionality
- Form builder with limited styling options
Messages Interface [17:53]
The messaging system shows some limitations:
- Default to text messaging even for web chat responses
- No user device or IP information displayed
- Unusual placement of internal comments
- Issues with message threading and chat continuation
- Basic email integration (Gmail only)
- Business verification required for email functionality
What is it Good For? [20:39]
Despite its issues, MsgBubble might be suitable for businesses that:
- Prioritize text message communication
- Need basic CRM functionality
- Want an all-in-one solution for customer communication
- Don't require advanced chat or support features
Conclusion [22:10]
MsgBubble
After thorough testing, I rate MsgBubble 5.3 out of 10. The platform shows potential but currently has too many technical issues and limitations to fully recommend, especially considering its price point compared to competitors. While it might improve over time, there are currently more stable and feature-rich options available at lower price points.
If you're considering MsgBubble, carefully evaluate whether its specific feature set matches your needs, particularly if text messaging is a priority for your business. Otherwise, you might want to explore alternative solutions that offer more polished implementations of the core features you need.
Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links. As an AppSumo partner, I earn from qualifying purchases.
