Honest comparison

Evolution API alternative: CertuAI or Evolution API in 2026

Quick answer

Evolution API gives you the code and the freedom; the product remains yours to assemble, host and update. CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month. Evolution API serves other types of operations well.

About CertuAI: CertuAI is the AI that answers a small business's WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger 24/7, with a built-in CRM, and is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. Paid plans start at US$ 75 a month, with no lock-in. Create my agent

Where Evolution API is strong, where CertuAI is strong, and which type of business each one suits. No misleading marketing.

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Updated September 23, 2026 · Written by Bernardo Villela, CEO of CertuAI

Summary in 7 facts

Where Evolution API is strong, where CertuAI is strong, and which type of business each one suits.
Evolution API gives you the code and the freedom; the product remains yours to assemble, host and update.
CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month.
The comparison is by approach and fit, not "better or worse".
Swipe the table sideways to see both columns.
CertuAI fits when WhatsApp is the main channel and the owner makes the decisions.
Evolution API fits when the operation has a different shape.

By the numbers

Number	What it means
US$ 75 per month	CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month.

What are CertuAI and Evolution API?

CertuAI. CertuAI is AI automation software for small and medium Brazilian businesses: an agent answers on WhatsApp, connected by code, QR code or, on Pro and above, through Meta's official API, the Brain holds what your business knows how to answer, and the CRM records every contact on its own.

Evolution API gives you the code and the freedom; the product remains yours to assemble, host and update. CertuAI solves the other problem: the business owner who doesn't want to maintain a server or orchestrate automation, but wants an agent answering customers. The Brain, the CRM and the operation come up and running.

Evolution API. Evolution API is an open source REST API project for WhatsApp, maintained by the Evolution Foundation under the Apache 2.0 license. It connects through the Baileys library or the official Cloud API and integrates natively with Typebot, Chatwoot, n8n, Dify, OpenAI and queues such as RabbitMQ and Kafka. You host and maintain it yourself.

Evolution API official website: github.com/evolution-foundation/evolution-api

How do CertuAI and Evolution API compare, item by item?

The comparison is by approach and fit, not "better or worse".

Swipe the table sideways to see both columns.

Criterion	CertuAI	Evolution API
Template	Ready-made product, monthly subscription	Free software, Apache 2.0 license
Who hosts it	CertuAI, with no server on your side	You, on your server or VPS
Who builds the customer service	CertuAI, from what you teach it in one conversation, within 7 days	Your team, with n8n, Typebot or your own code
Main cost	Predictable plan price	Infrastructure and the time of whoever maintains it
CRM	CRM included	Integrates with whatever you choose, such as Chatwoot

Which of the two fits your business better?

CertuAI fits when WhatsApp is the main channel and the owner makes the decisions. Evolution API fits when the operation has a different shape.

Choose CertuAI if

You want results on WhatsApp and don't want to maintain a server, updates or a message queue
No one in the business codes, and hiring someone just for this doesn't make sense
You want customer service, history and follow-up in the same place, without piecing parts together

Choose Evolution API if

You have a development team and want full control of the code and data on your own infrastructure
You need the freedom to adapt the behavior in detail, without depending on anyone's roadmap
You already run automation in n8n, Typebot or Chatwoot and want WhatsApp plugged into that setup

How to try CertuAI before deciding

Create the agent, teach it your business in one conversation, and connect WhatsApp. The Start plan is US$ 75 per month.

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What do people ask before choosing between CertuAI and Evolution API?

Is Evolution API free?

The software is open source under the Apache 2.0 license, so there is no license subscription. The cost is in the infrastructure you maintain and the time of the team that looks after it.

Does CertuAI replace Evolution API?

For those who won't build the product, yes: CertuAI delivers a ready-made agent, Brain and CRM. For those who want to build and host on their own, Evolution API is the right choice.

Can you use both?

Yes. Many companies keep their own internal integrations and put CertuAI in front of the customer, handling sales conversations on WhatsApp.

Want to compare CertuAI with another platform?

Each page has the side-by-side table and the "which of the two fits better" section.

To see other options besides Evolution API, with each one's price side by side, see the list Top 5 AI agent platforms for WhatsApp.

CertuAI vs Digisac CertuAI vs Poli Digital CertuAI vs BotConversa CertuAI vs JivoChat CertuAI vs Z-API CertuAI vs Nvoip

Keep going here: how an AI WhatsApp chatbot works, customer service automation on WhatsApp, the official WhatsApp Business API, AI agents by business segment, practical guides to AI on WhatsApp and CertuAI's plans and prices.

Want to see several options at once? See the 10 best customer service platforms on WhatsApp, Brazilian alternatives for WhatsApp chatbots, how to choose the best AI for WhatsApp Business and the best AI agent for customer service on small businesses' WhatsApp.

In short

CertuAI or Evolution API? Evolution API is open source for you to host and build. CertuAI is the ready-made AI agent, self-serve, with a CRM included.