Compare
Off-the-shelf chatbots vs custom enterprise agents
When a widget is enough - and when you need multi-step agents with tool allowlists and human gates.
Side by side
Decision matrix
| Dimension | Off-the-shelf chatbot | Sanidhyam enterprise agents |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | FAQ deflection with low side effects | Multi-step workflows that touch CRM, docs, or ops systems |
| Autonomy | Reply in chat; limited tools | Plan, tool call, human gate, then write-back |
| Failure mode | Hallucinated answers; weak audit trail | Low-confidence escalation; allowlisted tools |
| Investment | Low monthly SaaS fee | Typically $30k-$75k for a production agent system |
Verdict
When to choose which
Buy a chatbot when the job is FAQ. Build a Sanidhyam agent when the job is an ops workflow that must survive security review.
FAQ
Questions
- Can we start with a chatbot then upgrade?
- Yes. Many clients start with grounded chat, prove deflection, then expand into tool-using agents.