Rocket Agents vs Drift
A detailed comparison of two leading conversational AI platforms for sales teams. Updated for 2024 with the latest features and pricing.
Our Verdict
Drift and Rocket Agents serve different primary use cases. Drift is the market leader for website-based conversational marketing, while Rocket Agents is built for outbound sales automation across multiple channels.
Overview
Rocket Agents and Drift both help sales teams engage with leads, but they approach the problem from different angles. Drift pioneered the conversational marketing category with website chatbots, while Rocket Agents takes a multi-channel AI approach that automates outreach across email, SMS, and voice.
This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right platform for your sales process. We'll look at features, pricing, ideal use cases, and real-world performance data.
The Bottom Line: Drift excels at website chat and inbound lead capture. Rocket Agents is built for outbound sales automation and multi-channel lead conversion. Your choice depends on where your leads come from and how you want to engage them.
Feature Comparison
Conversation Channels
| Feature | Rocket Agents | Drift |
|---|---|---|
Website Chat | ||
Email Outreach Drift has basic email, Rocket Agents has full AI email | ||
SMS/Text Messaging | ||
Voice/Phone AI | ||
LinkedIn Automation |
AI Capabilities
| Feature | Rocket Agents | Drift |
|---|---|---|
AI Chatbot | ||
AI Email Writing | ||
Conversation Intelligence | ||
Lead Scoring AI | ||
Automated Follow-ups | ||
Intent Detection |
Sales Automation
| Feature | Rocket Agents | Drift |
|---|---|---|
Meeting Scheduling | ||
CRM Integration | ||
Lead Routing | ||
Sequence Builder | ||
A/B Testing | ||
Reporting & Analytics |
Inbound vs Outbound
| Feature | Rocket Agents | Drift |
|---|---|---|
Inbound Lead Capture | ||
Outbound Prospecting | ||
Cold Lead Reactivation | ||
Multi-touch Campaigns |
Pricing Comparison
Rocket Agents
- Includes all channels (email, SMS, voice)
- Unlimited AI conversations
- CRM integrations included
- No per-seat pricing
- 7-day free trial available
Drift
- Premium plan required for AI features
- Per-seat pricing for sales reps
- Separate pricing for email add-on
- Enterprise required for advanced features
- Annual contract typically required
Pros & Cons
Rocket Agents
Pros
- True multi-channel automation (email, SMS, voice, chat)
- More affordable than Drift for AI features
- Built specifically for outbound sales automation
- No per-seat pricing—scale without cost increases
- AI handles entire conversations, not just routing
- Strong SMS and phone capabilities
Cons
- Newer platform with smaller customer base
- Website chat not as mature as Drift's
- Fewer enterprise integrations currently
- No dedicated marketing automation features
Drift
Pros
- Pioneer in conversational marketing—mature platform
- Excellent website chat and bot builder
- Strong brand recognition and large customer base
- Extensive integration ecosystem
- Great for inbound lead capture
- Robust reporting and analytics
Cons
- Expensive—AI features require premium plans
- Primarily focused on website chat, limited outbound
- Per-seat pricing gets expensive as teams scale
- No native SMS or voice capabilities
- Requires significant setup and customization
Who Should Choose Each Platform?
Choose Rocket Agents if you...
- Sales teams focused on outbound prospecting
- Companies wanting multi-channel automation
- SMBs looking for affordable AI sales tools
- Teams needing SMS and phone outreach
- Businesses with existing lead lists to work
Choose Drift if you...
- Marketing teams focused on inbound lead capture
- Enterprises with budget for premium tools
- Companies with high website traffic
- B2B SaaS with complex buying cycles
- Teams wanting mature chatbot customization
Common Reasons Teams Switch to Rocket Agents
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Rocket Agents and Drift together?
Yes, some companies use Drift for website chat and Rocket Agents for outbound automation. However, this adds complexity and cost. If you're starting fresh, choose the platform that aligns with your primary strategy (inbound vs. outbound).
Which platform has better AI?
Both platforms use sophisticated AI, but for different purposes. Drift's AI excels at chatbot conversations and lead qualification on websites. Rocket Agents' AI is optimized for personalized outreach across email, SMS, and voice, handling full sales conversations autonomously.
How long does implementation take?
Drift typically requires 2-4 weeks of setup and customization to build effective chatbot flows. Rocket Agents can be operational within a few days since the AI handles conversation logic automatically without extensive playbook building.
Which integrates better with my CRM?
Both integrate with major CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. Drift has more enterprise integrations overall due to its longer market presence. Rocket Agents focuses on core CRM integrations and typically requires less custom integration work.
What's the ROI difference?
ROI depends on your use case. Companies switching to Rocket Agents from Drift for outbound typically see 2-3x increase in booked meetings due to multi-channel capabilities. Companies using Drift for inbound see strong conversion improvements on website traffic. Match the tool to your strategy.
Is Drift or Rocket Agents better for enterprise?
Drift has stronger enterprise credentials with more Fortune 500 customers and enterprise-grade features like SSO, advanced permissions, and dedicated support. Rocket Agents is growing its enterprise capabilities but currently serves more SMB and mid-market companies.
Our Recommendation
Choose Rocket Agents if your strategy is outbound-focused and you need AI to handle email, SMS, and phone outreach automatically. Choose Drift if your primary goal is capturing and qualifying inbound website traffic with sophisticated chatbots.
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