In short
- WhatsApp-only focus: broadcast campaigns, automation flows, conversational commerce
- Native Klaviyo integration syncs profiles and triggers WhatsApp from Klaviyo flows
- Shopify integration powers product cards, abandoned cart, and post-purchase flows
- Used by leading DTC brands across Europe
What is Charles
Charles is a Berlin-based WhatsApp marketing platform purpose-built for ecommerce. Where general messaging platforms add WhatsApp as one channel among many, Charles’ entire product is designed around WhatsApp as a sales channel for DTC brands.
The core flows mirror Klaviyo’s email automations but for WhatsApp: welcome series, abandoned cart, browse abandonment, post-purchase, and broadcast campaigns. Native Klaviyo integration means brands can trigger WhatsApp messages from existing Klaviyo flows without rebuilding their automation logic.
Where Charles fits in 2026
Charles fits Shopify-based DTC brands that have already standardised on Klaviyo for email and want to add WhatsApp as a parallel channel without rebuilding their data stack. The German + Austrian + Swiss market is the platform’s strongest geography.
It is commonly used for WhatsApp campaigns parallel to email, conversational product launches, abandoned-cart recovery in DACH markets where WhatsApp open rates dwarf email.
FAQ about Charles
How much does Charles WhatsApp marketing cost?
Charles is sales-led with no public pricing. Base fees typically fall in the low to mid four-figure range per month, with annual or two-year contracts and a per-conversation markup on top of Meta’s standard WhatsApp fees.
Charles vs Chatarmin, what’s the difference?
Both are European WhatsApp marketing platforms built for ecommerce, with Klaviyo and Shopify integrations. Charles is Berlin-based and targets larger retail and enterprise brands; Chatarmin is Vienna-based, more SMB and mid-market, and passes Meta fees through without markup.
Does Charles integrate with Klaviyo and Shopify?
Yes, Charles has native Klaviyo and Shopify integrations so you can trigger WhatsApp flows from Klaviyo events, sync customer profiles, and track revenue from WhatsApp campaigns back into Shopify.
Does Charles offer a free trial?
Charles does not offer a free plan or self-serve trial. You book a demo, scope your use case, and sign an annual contract before going live.
How to use Charles?
Book a demo at hello-charles.com. Charles onboards you, connects your Klaviyo and Shopify, and provisions your WhatsApp Business API number within 1-2 weeks.
Why choose Charles?
Charles is built specifically for ecommerce brands with deep Klaviyo and Shopify integrations, ideal for DTC teams already running email automations who want to add WhatsApp as a channel.
How does Charles work?
Charles connects your Shopify catalog, customer data, and Klaviyo flows to WhatsApp, letting you run broadcasts, automated journeys, and 1:1 conversational support on the WhatsApp Business API.
Is Charles free?
No, Charles is custom-priced and requires a demo for access.
How to learn Charles?
Charles provides hands-on onboarding and a customer success manager on every plan. Their blog at hello-charles.com/blog covers WhatsApp marketing best practices.
What are Charles alternatives?
Common alternatives include Chatarmin, Tellbacks, WATI, Wonderchat, and Yotpo SMSBump.
What are Charles reviews?
Charles is rated 4.8 on OMR with 84 reviews. See the reviews for detailed feedback.
Does Charles have an API?
Yes, Charles provides APIs and webhooks for integration with Shopify, Klaviyo, and external systems. Documentation is shared during onboarding via hello-charles.com.
Does Charles have AI?
Yes, Charles is positioned as an AI-native conversational marketing platform with brand-safe RAG-based AI for product recommendations, lead qualification, and intent scoring across WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Webchat. The AI uses the brand’s catalog and knowledge base to drive checkout.
Charles pricing
Charles pricing starts at Custom. Plans are organised as Volume-based. See the full Charles pricing page for current tiers and any add-ons.
