What Are Chatbots?
Chatbots are AI-driven conversational agents that simulate human dialogue to automate tasks, answer questions, and engage users across websites, apps, and messaging platforms.
As soon as we hear the word ‘chatbot’ the next thing that pops up in our minds is ‘customer service’, which is not all that chatbots do. They can do way more than just answer your customers’ queries and keep them happy.
Beyond customer support, chatbots built with a powerful Chatbot Builder can handle bookings, send personalized notifications, capture leads, provide product recommendations, and streamline internal workflows—making them a versatile tool for businesses in 2025.
They work as per your business type and requirements. Their function, dialogue flow, and purpose vary as per the tasks they take care of. For example, a chatbot created by a bank will be different from the one created for an eCommerce website.
We can classify chatbots into two major categories: those that solve customer issues and those that reduce your internal workload. Each category further breaks down into multiple specialized chatbot types.
And that is exactly what we are going to talk about today. In this article, you’ll discover the leading chatbot categories and types you can create in 2025 to automate workflows, boost engagement, and drive conversions. Also, by following the best practices for chatbot making, you can ensure your bots are not only functional but deliver real value to your business and users.
What Are the Three Major Categories of Chatbots in 2025?
The three major categories of chatbots are Button/Menu-based Chatbots, Keywords-based Chatbots, and Contextual Chatbots.
Here are the three major categories of AI-powered chatbots you can deploy in 2025:
Button/Menu-based Chatbots
These are the most straightforward chatbots, guiding users through predefined options via buttons or menus. Ideal for scenarios where step-by-step user input is needed—much like automated phone menus.
Keywords-based Chatbots
Powered by Natural Language Processing (NLP), these bots scan user messages for keywords to deliver relevant answers. While they mimic human-like conversation, they can struggle with overlapping or ambiguous keywords.
Many organizations combine button-based and keyword-based models to let users either type questions directly or select menu options.
Contextual Chatbots
Harnessing AI and Machine Learning, these advanced chatbots built with an AI Chatbot Builder remember past interactions and adapt responses accordingly. They learn user preferences—such as favorite orders or frequently used payment methods—to deliver highly personalized experiences over time.
For instance, a food-ordering bot might recall your go-to meal and address details, then proactively ask, “Would you like to reorder your usual?”—saving you from repetitive questions.
How Do You Find the Chatbot That Best Suits Your Needs in 2025?
You can identify the ideal chatbot by analyzing your users’ needs, testing different interaction models, and matching features to your business goals.
When selecting a chatbot for your website or app, start by understanding your audience’s behavior and preferences. Would they rather click predefined options, or type free-form questions?
Next, align chatbot capabilities with your objectives—whether that’s lead generation, 24/7 support, or appointment scheduling. Some users may value quick button menus, while others expect conversational AI powered by advanced NLP. Understanding what is chatbot automation is also key here. Simply put, chatbot automation refers to the use of AI and pre-defined workflows to automatically handle tasks, respond to user queries, and perform actions without human intervention—saving time and enhancing efficiency.
Finally, run real-world tests before going live. Simple bots often suffice for basic FAQs, but complex workflows may demand enterprise-grade AI with contextual memory and integration capabilities.
What Are the Different Types of Chatbots Available in 2025?
The different types of chatbots include Registration Bots, Customer Support Bots, Appointment Bots, Marketing & Sales Bots, and Entertainment Bots.
Here are five leading chatbot types you can create today using the best AI chatbot builders like Appy Pie:
Registration Bot
Used for events, webinars, and online sign-ups, these bots collect attendee details, confirm registrations, and share venue and timing information.
Create your own webinar registration bot with Chatbot Maker—just plug in your URL and deploy in minutes.
Customer Support Bot
Designed to handle user queries and FAQs around the clock. These bots leverage keyword matching and live-chat escalation to resolve issues rapidly, making them the best chatbot for customer support when it comes to delivering instant assistance and improving customer satisfaction.
Explore Customer Support Chatbots for instant replies, knowledge-base integration, and seamless handoff to human agents when needed.
Appointment Bot
Perfect for healthcare, hospitality, and HR recruitment—these bots display available slots, book appointments, integrate with Google Calendar, and send reminders.
Build a custom Appointment Booking Bot with Appy Pie’s no-code builder to schedule interviews or consultations effortlessly.
Marketing & Sales Bot
These chatbots nurture leads, send personalized offers, gather feedback, and re-engage prospects—driving conversions and boosting ROI.
Use our AI Chatbot Maker to create marketing bots to segment audiences, trigger notifications, and integrate with CRM platforms for real-time analytics.
Entertainment Bot
From quiz and trivia bots to media-delivery and news feeds, entertainment chatbots keep users engaged with interactive content and gamified experiences.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Chatbots in 2025?
Chatbots in 2025 will continue evolving with smarter AI, deeper personalization, and seamless multi-platform integrations.
If you’re ready to build your own intelligent chatbot, try Appy Pie’s AI Agent Builder. Choose from a variety of templates, customize flows, and deploy without writing a single line of code.
Follow this guide to create your ultimate Q and A or service-oriented chatbot, and transform how you engage with customers in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will contextual chatbots improve personalized user experiences in 2025?
Contextual chatbots in 2025 will significantly improve personalized user experiences by understanding past interactions, user preferences, and conversation history. These advanced bots use AI and machine learning to deliver relevant responses, predict user needs, and maintain seamless conversations across different channels—making every interaction more human-like and tailored.
What are the key differences between button-based and AI-powered chatbots in business?
Button-based chatbots rely on predefined menus and options, while AI-powered chatbots use natural language processing to understand and respond to user inputs dynamically. In business, button-based bots are ideal for simple tasks like quick navigation or FAQs, whereas AI chatbots handle complex conversations, offer personalized recommendations, and manage workflows with greater efficiency.
How does ChatGPT's multi-task ability make it suitable for diverse industries in 2025?
ChatGPT's ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously makes it highly adaptable for diverse industries in 2025. From customer support and content generation to technical assistance and data processing, ChatGPT can manage varied conversations and tasks in parallel, improving productivity, customer experience, and operational efficiency across sectors like retail, healthcare, finance, and more.
Why are ethical AI practices like Claude's important for future chatbot trustworthiness?
Ethical AI practices, as demonstrated by Claude, are essential for building trustworthy chatbots in the future. They ensure chatbots respect user privacy, avoid harmful biases, and operate transparently. With growing reliance on AI-driven conversations, ethical guidelines help foster user confidence, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI adoption across industries.
In what ways will voice-enabled chatbots enhance customer engagement across platforms?
Voice-enabled chatbots will enhance customer engagement by making interactions faster, more natural, and accessible across platforms. With advancements in speech recognition and AI, users can interact hands-free, perform tasks with voice commands, and enjoy seamless support on apps, websites, smart devices, and beyond—leading to higher satisfaction and convenience.
