Viber is a popular messaging app that lets businesses connect with customers using chatbot-powered conversations. With SleekFlow’s Viber integration, you can manage conversations, send automated replies, and deliver marketing messages—all in one place.

This article explains how Viber’s chatbot model works, what counts as a conversation, and what message types are supported.
 

Conversation window

Each Viber chatbot comes with a monthly maintenance fee of EUR 100. While creating a chatbot is free, all bots are subject to Viber’s latest commercial model unless they were created before February 5, 2024.

Under the new Viber Commercial Terms, conversations are priced based on session activity. This change has a significant impact on businesses that rely heavily on broadcast messaging.
 

What is a conversation session?

Viber now defines a conversation session as a 24-hour window where messages between your business and the customer are exchanged without additional cost. A session can start in two ways:

• When the customer (business subscriber) sends a message to your business
• When the customer replies to a business-initiated message (sent outside of an active session)

After 24 hours, the session ends automatically. A new session begins only when the user interacts with your business again.
 

Learn more about creating a chatbot on Viber in our Help Center article here.

Starting conversation

On Viber, both you and your customers can initiate conversations. Depending on who starts the interaction, the message flow and cost may differ. There are two types of sessions:

1. User-initiated conversations
   A session starts when a customer sends a message to your Viber channel.
   1. You can respond freely within this 24-hour window.
   2. The 24-hour session resets every time the user sends a new message.
   3. This model supports ongoing, responsive communication as long as the customer remains engaged.
       
2. Business-initiated conversations
   If your business sends a message outside of an active session, it is considered a business-initiated message
   1. These messages incur a fee based on the recipient’s country code.
   2. Learn more about location-based pricing in Viber’s rate card.
   3. If the customer replies, a new 24-hour session begins—and all subsequent messages within that session are free.
       

Welcome message

Viber allows your business to send a one-time welcome message to users as soon as they open the chat with your business—even before they interact with you. This message is free of charge and offers a great opportunity to introduce your business, highlight key features, and encourage users to start engaging.

Use the welcome message to:

• Briefly introduce your business
• Guide users on how to interact with your business on Viber 
• Highlight key features or options available
• Encourage users to subscribe and start engaging
   

Learn more about sending welcome messages in Viber developer documentation.

Supported message types

When using Viber on SleekFlow, you can send a variety of message formats to engage your customers. Below is an overview of the supported message types and file specifications.
 

Text messages

You can send plain text messages directly to your customers.

• Max length: 7,000 characters

Media messages

Unsupported message types

The following message types are not supported on Viber:

• Rich media messages or carousel content
• Contact cards
• Location messages
• Stickers
• Unsupported file types

Learn more about unsupported file formats.