Skip to content
AI Tool

Chert Review

Chert provides the infrastructure for teams to send, receive, and automate conversations over iMessage using APIs, enabling trusted communication at scale.

shipped May 19, 2026aifreemium
aicode
Chert — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Chert is a Y Combinator-backed startup, having received $500K in accelerator funding.
2The platform launched on Product Hunt on May 19, 2026, ranking #7 on its launch day.
3Chert claims to achieve up to 10x higher reply rates for outbound outreach compared to cold email.
4It offers real iMessage protocol support, delivering 'blue-bubble' messages with native features like read receipts and typing indicators.

Stork’s verdict on Chert

Chert offers real iMessage blue bubbles for high-trust communication, yet its API-driven setup needs developer resources.

About Chert

Business Model
Subscription SaaS
Funding
Y Combinator
Platforms
Web, API
Target Audience
Businesses looking to automate and enhance communication via iMessage

Leadership

Chert

Investors

Y Combinator

Specs

API Available

Yes, public API

overview

What is Chert?

Chert is an AI communication infrastructure tool developed by Chert that enables businesses and teams to automate conversations over iMessage. It provides a single API for deploying AI agents to send and receive authentic iMessage conversations at scale, leveraging the high engagement and trusted nature of Apple's messaging platform.

features

Key Features of Chert

Chert's core functionality revolves around providing a robust API-driven platform for iMessage automation. It enables businesses to deploy AI agents directly onto the iMessage protocol, facilitating scalable and personalized interactions while maintaining the authenticity of 'blue-bubble' conversations.

  • Real iMessage Protocol Support: Enables verified 'blue-bubble' iMessage conversations at scale, appearing as native iMessage threads with features like read receipts and tapbacks.
  • AI Agent Deployment: Allows businesses to deploy conversational AI agents directly on iMessage for automated interactions such as appointment booking, answering questions, and handling support.
  • API-Driven Platform: Provides a single API for programmatic sending, receiving, routing, and observing iMessage conversations.
  • Automated SMS/RCS Fallback: Automatically routes messages via SMS or RCS for contacts who do not use iMessage, ensuring broad reach.
  • CRM Integrations: Offers direct integrations with popular CRM systems including HubSpot, Salesforce, and GoHighLevel for streamlined workflows.
  • Scalable Infrastructure: Designed to support businesses scaling to hundreds of lines and thousands of messages.
  • Personalized Messaging: Facilitates AI-driven personalized communication at scale.
  • High-Trust Communication: Leverages the trusted nature of iMessage to enhance engagement and reply rates.

use cases

Who Should Use Chert?

Chert is primarily designed for businesses and teams seeking to leverage iMessage for automated, high-engagement communication. Its capabilities are particularly beneficial for sales, customer service, and marketing functions across various industries.

  • B2C Startups and Consumer Apps: For reaching end-users through a trusted and conversational messaging channel like iMessage.
  • Sales Teams (Real Estate, Recruiting, Local Services): Automating lead outreach, conversion, and booking meetings via iMessage, with claims of up to 10x higher reply rates compared to cold email.
  • Customer Service Teams: Deploying AI agents to handle support conversations, answer customer questions, and manage inquiries like a real person.
  • Developers: Utilizing the API for programmatic iMessage communication and integrating AI agents into existing business systems.
  • Go-To-Market (GTM) Teams: Facilitating autonomous, personalized, and conversational lead outreach and conversion through iMessage at scale.

how to use

How to Use Chert

Chert operates as an API-driven platform, requiring integration into existing business systems. Initial setup typically involves consultation with the Chert team to configure the infrastructure for iMessage communication.

  • 1Contact Chert: Initiate contact with the Chert team to discuss specific business needs and gain access to the platform.
  • 2Integrate API: Integrate Chert's API into existing business systems, such as CRM platforms (HubSpot, Salesforce, GoHighLevel) or custom applications.
  • 3Configure AI Agents: Deploy and configure AI agents for specific iMessage use cases, such as automating sales outreach, customer support, or appointment management.
  • 4Monitor and Optimize: Continuously monitor iMessage conversations and AI agent performance, making adjustments to optimize engagement and conversion rates.

pricing

Chert Pricing & Plans

Chert operates on a freemium business model, but specific public pricing details are not disclosed. Interested parties are required to book a call with the Chert team to learn about costs and receive a tailored quote. The company indicates a scalable pricing structure designed to accommodate teams scaling to hundreds of lines and thousands of messages.

  • Freemium Model: Specific details regarding free tier limitations or features are not publicly available.
  • Custom Enterprise Plans: Pricing is determined through direct consultation, designed to scale with organizational needs for high-volume iMessage communication.

Pros

  • +Authentic 'blue-bubble' iMessage delivery, enhancing trust and engagement with native messaging features.
  • +Claims up to 10x higher reply rates for outbound outreach compared to traditional cold email campaigns.
  • +API-driven platform enables scalable and programmatic automation of iMessage conversations.
  • +Strong CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and GoHighLevel streamline workflows and data management.
  • +Automatic SMS/RCS fallback ensures communication with contacts who do not use iMessage.
  • +Backed by Y Combinator, indicating significant investor confidence and potential for growth.

Cons

  • Public pricing details are not available, requiring direct consultation which can be a barrier for initial evaluation.
  • Requires developer setup via API, potentially limiting accessibility for small businesses without technical resources.
  • Limited public user reviews and reception data available as of May 2026, making it harder to assess widespread user satisfaction.
  • Primary focus on iMessage may limit reach to users on other messaging platforms without relying on SMS/RCS fallback, which lacks iMessage's native features.

Similar Tools

Chert vs Competitors

Chert differentiates itself by offering genuine iMessage protocol support, providing 'blue-bubble' delivery that stands apart from standard A2P SMS services. This focus on native iMessage communication aims to deliver higher engagement and trust compared to general messaging platforms or those relying on SMS.

1
Blooio (with n8n)

Blooio provides a REST API for iMessage, enabling users to build and deploy AI-powered iMessage bots, often in conjunction with workflow automation tools like n8n.

Similar to Chert, Blooio directly targets iMessage for AI deployment. While Chert is a unified platform, Blooio often requires integration with a separate workflow automation tool like n8n for full AI functionality, offering a free self-hosted option for n8n and a free trial for Blooio.

2
Loop Message

Loop Message offers iMessage integration with ChatGPT, allowing businesses to set up auto-replies and custom AI conversations directly on iMessage.

Loop Message provides a direct iMessage AI solution like Chert, focusing on ChatGPT integration. Its pricing involves regular outbound text fees and separate OpenAI API costs, differing from Chert's freemium model which likely bundles some usage.

3

Infobip provides a comprehensive AI chatbot builder that supports deployment across various channels, including Apple Messages for Business (iMessage), for customer support and transactional messaging.

Infobip offers a broader omnichannel conversational AI platform compared to Chert's iMessage-specific focus, though it directly supports iMessage. It provides a free trial, aligning with Chert's freemium approach, but caters to a wider range of messaging and communication needs.

4
Conversive

Conversive is a unified conversational AI platform that automates interactions across multiple channels like SMS, WhatsApp, Voice, and RCS, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven intent understanding and compliance.

While Chert focuses specifically on iMessage, Conversive offers a multi-channel approach to conversational AI, including other popular messaging platforms. It targets businesses needing comprehensive AI automation across various communication touchpoints, potentially serving a broader enterprise audience than Chert's initial iMessage niche.

Connect
𝕏
X / Twitter@calcom

AI Reputation Report

Is Chert yours?

ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Claude & Grok answer buyer questions about Chert every day. See whether they name Chert — or send buyers to a rival.