Chatbox versus Chatbot: What is the difference?

Chatbox, chatbot. One letter apart, yet two entirely different things. We understand they are hard to tell apart, certainly when they go hand in hand as well. To settle this confusion once and for all, in this blog we explain what the difference is between a chatbox and a chatbot.

What is a chatbox?

A chatbox, also called a chatroom, is a virtual space where people can talk to each other one to one, or in a group. This can be done anonymously, or under a “nickname”. You can choose for yourself how much information about yourself you want to give away and who you want to start a conversation with.

Open or closed chatbox

A chatbox can be anonymous or closed. An open chatbox is accessible to everyone, while with a closed chatbox you first have to be granted access by the other chatter(s) in order to get in contact. An example of an open chatbox is a live chat on a website. Everyone has access to this chat and you do not have to give away information about yourself. An example of a closed chatbot is Facebook Messenger. Here you first have to become friends or give permission before you can start a conversation with someone.

What is a chatbot?

A chatbot is a contraction of the words “chat” and “robot” and is an automated conversation partner. A chatbot can enter into a conversation with a person and answers their question. This all takes place in the virtual chat space mentioned earlier. Thanks to artificial intelligence, a chatbot can recognise several question and answer variations, which lets the bot respond to people better and better.

For example: Oxxio

A good example of a chatbot is Oxxio's chatbot. This chatbot can be used through the Oxxio app. This is a form of closed chatroom, because you first need an account before you can get in touch. Here you can enter into a chat conversation with the chatbot: Energy Buddy O. You can ask the chatbot for tips on reducing your energy use, but you can also make everyday small talk.

So what is the difference?

When we talk about a chatbox, we are talking about a virtual chat space in general. Conversations between two or more people can take place in this virtual chat space. A chatbot, by contrast, is an automated conversation partner that can hold conversations independently within a virtual chat space. Chatbots are to be found on websites, but also in instant messaging programs such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

Implement a chatbot!

Would you like to know more about our chatbots? Read about it in our whitepaper!