BotSailor AI vs Custom AI API: The Ultimate Guide for Businesses & Resellers

Ready to elevate your business with the power of AI? Choosing the right tool is the first step! While a custom AI API offers technical freedom, BotSailor AI is a game-changer. A powerful, all-in-one solution that delivers superior functionality and simplicity. This document is your essential guide to understanding why BotSailor AI is the winning choice for both you and your customers.

What is BotSailor AI and Why You Should Use It

BotSailor AI is a comprehensive, integrated AI service that is fully managed within the BotSailor platform. Unlike a custom AI API, which requires you to handle all the backend complexity yourself, BotSailor AI is ready to go out of the box. We handle the infrastructure, model updates, and API key management, so you can focus on growing your business, not managing servers.

Top Reasons to Choose BotSailor AI:

Beyond Words, Comprehensive Multimedia Processing

A custom AI API often limits you to basic text-based interactions. BotSailor AI breaks through this barrier, providing advanced processing for a wide range of media. For example, when a customer sends an image, voice message, or video, BotSailor AI can handle it seamlessly. For example, when the chatbot receives any kind of image, voice message or video, BotSailor AI can detect or interpret that file and then explain it to the recipient. This allows you to create truly dynamic and engaging AI experiences that a self-managed API simply can't match.

The Ultimate Reseller Advantage

For resellers looking to create and sell custom AI packages, BotSailor AI is the only choice. Our platform's "AI token addon" feature allows you to purchase AI tokens and sell them to your customers in packages you create. Custom AI APIs provide no advantage for developing powerful add-on packages, which means you cannot access this profitable income source. Furthermore, custom AI APIs prevent you from creating and selling AI-related custom or add-on packages to your users.

Effortless Management & Simplicity

Managing a custom API means you are responsible for everything from generating and securing keys, monitoring usage, and troubleshooting. With BotSailor AI, that complexity is gone. Our intuitive dashboard puts you in the driver's seat, handling all your AI configurations in one central, user-friendly location.

Optimized Cost-Effectiveness

While a custom API might seem cheaper, the hidden costs of self-management technical labor, maintenance, and security—can quickly add up. BotSailor AI offers a more transparent and predictable cost structure. We've optimized our model usage for peak performance, ensuring you get the most value for every credit without a budget blowout.

Reliability and Dedicated Support 

When your AI goes down, your business can grind to a halt. With a self-managed API, you're on your own. BotSailor AI, however, is a professionally managed platform with a dedicated support team working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure your chatbot is always operational and performing at its peak.

Usage-Based Token Management

BotSailor AI offers a clear and predictable usage model. Your AI token count is based on a monthly cycle that resets on the 1st of each month. Any remaining tokens are added to your remaining balance, ensuring you never lose out on what you've purchased. For example, if a customer buys 10M tokens and uses 2M in the first month, they will have 8M remaining for the next month.

Switching Between BotSailor AI and Your Custom API

BotSailor gives you the flexibility to switch to a self-managed AI API, but it's crucial to understand the implications.

How to Use BotSailor AI (Step-by-Step)

To activate BotSailor AI, follow these steps:

1. Log in to BotSailor: Begin by navigating to the official BotSailor website at botsailor.com. Use your designated reseller account credentials to log in securely. From here you can buy your addon.
   
   
2. Return to the BotSailor Homepage: After successfully logging in, you will be redirected to your dashboard or a similar internal page. To proceed, navigate back to the main BotSailor homepage. 
   
   
3. Navigate to the "Addons" Section: Once on the BotSailor homepage, locate the main navigation menu. Within this menu, you will find a section dedicated to "Pricing." Underneath or within the "Pricing" section, you will then find and be able to navigate to the specific "Addons" section. This area is where you can explore, manage, and potentially purchase additional features and functionalities to enhance your BotSailor experience.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Complete Purchase: Follow the on-screen instructions to securely complete the payment for your chosen AI tokens or subscription plan. Upon successful purchase, your BotSailor account will be credited with the AI tokens, and the fully managed BotSailor AI service will be activated and ready for use with your bot.
   
   

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively activate BotSailor AI, unlocking a new level of intelligent automation and interaction for your bot.

How to Switch from BotSailor AI to Your Own API (Step-by-Step)





Switching to Your Own API - The Manual Route: To switch to your own AI API, you must first cancel your BotSailor AI subscription. Once canceled, the system will allow you to enter your own API credentials. This gives you a more manual approach to managing your AI.

1. Use up your remaining credits: Before you begin, we highly recommend using up any remaining AI tokens and credits. Canceling your subscription will also permanently delete the ability to create new AI token addon packages, remove all remaining AI token addon packages, as well as any purchased AI tokens for the reseller's end-users.
   
   
2. Cancel BotSailor AI Subscription: Navigate to the AI Integration section in your BotSailor dashboard and click the button to cancel your subscription.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Confirm Cancellation: A warning message will appear, confirming that canceling your subscription will remove all your AI tokens, including any reseller addon packages you have created. If you are sure, click Confirm.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Enter Your API Credentials: After cancellation, you can enter your unique API Key and select your Prompt Model (e.g., gpt-4o-mini) from the dropdown menu.
   
   
5. Save Your Changes: Click the Save button to finalize the switch. The BotSailor system will now use your own API for all AI functions.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Reverting to BotSailor AI: You have the flexibility to switch back to BotSailor AI at any time. However, it's important to remember that canceling your subscription removes all tokens and add-on packages. To revert back to BotSailor AI, you simply need to purchase new AI credits.

Tips for Making a Decision

• Assess Your Team's Expertise: If you lack a specialized development team to manage an AI API, BotSailor AI is the perfect low-barrier-to-entry solution.
• Prioritize Advanced Features: If your business needs to process images, audio, or video, BotSailor AI is the only option that offers these integrated features.
• Evaluate All Costs: Don't just compare the per-token price. Factor in development, maintenance, and the value of pre-built features and reseller addons to get a true total cost of ownership.

FAQs

Q: Can I use my own AI API with BotSailor?
A: Yes, you have that option, but you must first cancel your BotSailor AI subscription.

Q: What happens to my AI tokens if I switch from BotSailor AI to a custom API?
A: Canceling your subscription will cause the removal of all remaining AI tokens, including any reseller addon packages you have created.

Q: What is the main benefit of BotSailor AI over a custom API for resellers?
A: Only BotSailor AI allows resellers to purchase AI token addons and create custom packages to sell to their customers. Using a custom API provides no benefit for this.

Q: How does AI token usage work with BotSailor AI?
A: Your AI token count is based on a monthly cycle that resets on the 1st of each month. Any remaining tokens are added to your balance, so they roll over and are not lost.