Free Auto DM for Instagram
Elev8or AutoDM is a free Instagram auto DM tool. When someone comments your keyword on a post or reel, they get a direct message within seconds containing your link. The free plan has no contact cap and no credit card requirement, which is where it differs from ManyChat, whose free tier stops at 25 contacts.
What the free plan includes
- Comment to DM automation on posts and reels.
- Story reply triggers.
- Keyword listeners on incoming DMs.
- Follow gate so only followers get the link.
- Email capture before the link is delivered.
- Click and lead tracking on every automation.
What Instagram requires before auto DMs work
- Account type: your Instagram must be a Business or Creator account, not personal.
- Official API: the tool has to run on the Instagram messaging API. Tools that log in as you and click buttons get accounts restricted.
- Interaction first: Instagram only lets you DM someone who interacted with you first, through a comment, a story reply, or a message. Cold DMs to strangers are not allowed.
- One connected page: your Instagram needs to be linked to a Facebook Page so the messaging permission can be granted.
How to set it up in about 4 minutes
- Connect your Instagram Business or Creator account to Elev8or.
- Pick the post, reel, or story you want to automate.
- Set the trigger keyword people will comment, for example "LINK" or "GUIDE".
- Write the DM and attach your link, a follow gate, or an email capture step.
- Turn it on. Every matching comment gets an instant DM and lands in your leads list.
Why most free auto DM tools are not really free
Most tools marketed as free are trials or contact-capped. ManyChat free stops at 25 contacts. InstantDM is a 7 day trial. CreatorFlow caps the free tier at 500 DMs a month and LinkDM at 1,000. Once a reel performs, those caps are reached in a day.
Elev8or AutoDM has a free plan with no contact cap, so a post that outperforms does not put your automation into a paywall at the moment it matters.
Free plan limits across Instagram DM automation tools, verified August 2026
| Tool | Free plan | Card required | Paid from | Comment to DM | Story reply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elev8or AutoDM | Free plan, no contact cap | No | Free tier available | Yes | Yes |
| ManyChat | 25 contacts | No | $17/mo | Yes | Yes |
| ReplyKaro | Free forever, uncapped DMs | No | $3/mo, Rs 99 in India | Yes | Yes |
| ReplyRush | 1,500 DMs/mo | No | About $20/mo | Yes | Yes |
| LinkDM | 1,000 DMs/mo | No | $19/mo | Yes | Yes |
| CreatorFlow | 500 DMs/mo | No | $15/mo | Yes | Yes |
| InstantDM | 7 day trial only | Yes | $9.99/mo | Yes | No |
| Chatfuel | Light plan | No | $49/mo | Yes | Yes |
| Inro | Trial only | Yes | About $14/mo | Yes | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
How to set auto DM for free?
Connect your Instagram Business or Creator account to Elev8or, pick a post, set a trigger keyword, write the DM, and turn it on. The free plan covers comment to DM, story replies, follow gates, and email capture with no credit card.
Is DM automation free?
It can be. Elev8or AutoDM, ReplyKaro, ReplyRush, LinkDM, and CreatorFlow all offer free plans, though most cap monthly DMs. ManyChat free caps at 25 contacts. Compare the caps in the table above before you commit.
Is Manychat for Instagram free?
ManyChat has a free tier limited to 25 contacts. Beyond that it starts at about $17 a month and the price scales with contact count, so a viral reel raises the bill.
How to automate DM in Instagram?
Use a tool built on the official Instagram messaging API. Switch to a Business or Creator account, connect it, set a trigger keyword on a post, and write the DM. Instagram only allows automated DMs to people who interacted with you first.
Will a free auto DM tool get my account banned?
Not if it runs on the official Instagram messaging API and only replies to people who interacted with you first. Tools that log in as you and simulate taps put accounts at risk. Elev8or AutoDM uses the official API.
Turn your comments into leads
Set a keyword, write the DM, and let every comment get an instant reply. Free plan, about 4 minutes to set up.