The RubiConnect Free Trial: Everything You Need to Know
Welcome to RubiConnect — the next-generation enterprise console for RCS Business Messaging (RBM) and WhatsApp Business.
Whether you are designing rich interactive cards, automated conversational flows, AI-powered customer care bots, or full-funnel checkout journeys, the RubiConnect Trial Plan gives you a full sandbox environment to build, test, and experience rich messaging on real devices before launching to production.
1. Choose Your Messaging Channel: RCS or WhatsApp
Your Trial Plan allows you to configure one active Messaging Agent, giving you the flexibility to build on either RCS Business Messaging or WhatsApp Business.
Option A: RCS Business Messaging (Google & Apple Messages)
- What it is: The modern, app-less upgrade to SMS with verified brand badges, rich cards, carousels, and 1-tap action buttons delivered directly inside native messaging apps (Google Messages on Android and Apple Messages on iOS 18+).
- Testing Model: Sandboxed to up to 10 Nominated Test Numbers. Messages are delivered only to devices whitelisted in your console.
- Commercial Model: Managed directly through RubiConnect. Free test credits are included in trial, and monthly credit bundles / prepaid wallet rates apply upon launch.
Option B: WhatsApp Business
- What it is: Interactive WhatsApp messaging featuring Meta-approved templates, image/media headers, quick replies, call-to-action buttons, interactive lists, and WhatsApp Flows.
- Testing Model: No concept of nominated test numbers. Once your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is connected, you can send messages and test flows with any valid WhatsApp mobile number immediately.
- Commercial Model: Direct relationship with Meta. You must have a Meta Business Account with a payment method attached. You pay Meta directly for their per-conversation / template delivery charges, while RubiConnect provides the management platform, flow automation engine, AI agents, and integration connectors.
2. Setting Up WhatsApp in RubiConnect
Connecting WhatsApp to your RubiConnect console is fast and seamless. You can either create a new WhatsApp Business Account or bring one you already have:
1. Meta Embedded Signup (Recommended — 1-Click Setup)
You can set up WhatsApp without leaving the RubiConnect dashboard:
- Navigate to Agent Settings and select WhatsApp as your channel type.
- Click Connect with Facebook / Meta.
- A secure Meta pop-up will guide you through:
- Creating a Brand-New WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and registering a new phone number, OR
- Selecting an Existing WABA & Phone Number already linked to your Meta Business Manager.
- Once completed, RubiConnect automatically provisions your access tokens, registers webhook endpoints, and syncs your phone number in under 60 seconds.
2. Bring Your Own WABA (Manual Credentials)
If your organization prefers to manage tokens manually through the Meta Developer Portal:
- Select Manual Credentials in the WhatsApp setup panel.
- Enter your WABA ID, Phone Number ID, and a permanent System User Access Token.
- Copy your unique RubiConnect Webhook URL and Verify Token into your Meta App configuration.
Meta Billing Requirement: To send WhatsApp messages (templates or live replies), ensure your Meta Business Account has a valid payment method configured in Meta Business Manager. Meta bills you directly for WhatsApp conversation fees.
3. What's Included in Your Trial
Your Trial workspace comes pre-loaded with access to our core toolset and generous sandbox capacity:
- Active Messaging Agent — 1 Agent (RCS or WhatsApp): Configure a complete branded identity on either RCS or WhatsApp.
- WhatsApp WABA Onboarding — Included: Create a new WABA via Embedded Signup or connect an existing one.
- RCS Test Devices — Up to 10 Nominated Numbers: (RCS only) Nominate team devices to receive test RCS messages.
- WhatsApp Testing Scope — Any WhatsApp Number: (WhatsApp only) Message any mobile device without a nomination list.
- Visual Flow Engine — Full Access: Build multi-step decision trees, webhook nodes, delays, and interactive suggestion flows with zero code.
- Template Builder — Full Access: Design Rich Cards, Carousels, Standalone Media, and Meta-compliant WhatsApp templates.
- RubiMagic AI — 50 AI Generations: Generate message blueprints, interactive flow logic, and template copy instantly with built-in AI.
- Cloud Media Storage — 100 MB: Upload hero images, product thumbnails, PDFs, and videos to our high-speed global media CDN.
- Rubi Mini Apps — 1 Active App: Deploy built-in messaging mini apps like Mini Commerce, Table Bookings, Event Ticketing, or Lead Capture.
- Backend Connectors — 1 Active Connector: Connect to Shopify, Stripe, PayPal, Google Calendar, Microsoft Calendar, and others
- Workspace Seats — Single User: Workspace owner access (multi-user team collaboration unlocks on paid plans).
- Credit Card Required? — No: Get started immediately without entering payment details on RubiConnect.
4. What You Can Build & Test in the Sandbox
This is is a list of some of the things you can do with your Trial account
A. Test Rich Conversational Templates
- Standalone Rich Cards: Combine rich imagery, bold titles, descriptive copy, and action buttons into a single sleek bubble.
- Horizontal Carousels: Create scrollable carousels (up to 10 cards) for multi-product showcases, real estate tours, or service menus.
- Suggested Actions: Add 1-tap action buttons such as:
- Open Website / Secure Checkout URL
- Dial Phone Number
- View Map Location / Coordinates
- Copy Promo / Coupon Code
- Open WhatsApp Flow / Mini App
B. Create Drag-and-Drop Automated Flows
- Chain together automated messaging sequences with our visual Flow Designer.
- Add Delay Nodes (e.g., wait 5 minutes before abandoned cart follow-up).
- Add Condition Nodes to route customers based on button taps or keyword replies.
- Connect External Webhooks to fetch dynamic order status or user data from your CRM/ERP.
C. Test our Rubi Apps to embed e-Commerce and Productivity Flows in the Conversations
- Connect your Shopify Store with 1 click, and access your shop inventory from the messaging conversation.
- Pay for purchases directly in the chat, integrating with your chosen payment gateway provider
- Test abandoned cart recovery: when a test checkout is initiated on your store, RubiConnect automatically triggers an interactive WhatsApp or RCS recovery message with product details and 1-tap checkout links.
- Automate meeting and service appointments by connecting to your Calendar systems
D. AI Chat Agents & Knowledge Base
- Train an AI Chatbot by pointing to your URLs and MCP servers
- Test autonomous AI responses that handle customer inquiries with human fallback triggers.
5. How Testing Works: RCS vs. WhatsApp
6. Trial vs. Production Subscriptions
7. Going Live: Upgrading to Production
When your team has validated your flows and templates and is ready to reach customers at scale:
Step 1: Choose Your RubiConnect Subscription
Select the plan (Basic, Advanced, or Premium) that best fits your required agent count, team seats, mini apps, and platform capacity.
Step 2: Channel-Specific Go-Live
For RCS Agents (Carrier Brand Review):
- Mobile carriers and Google require official brand verification before allowing public messaging to unlisted numbers.
- Open the Brand Launch tab, enter your legal company information, and click Submit for Carrier Review.
- Once approved by carrier networks, your agent receives verified checkmarks and can message any mobile user globally.
For WhatsApp Agents (Direct Meta Activation):
- WhatsApp does not require a carrier review.
- As soon as your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is connected and your message templates are approved by Meta, you are immediately live and ready to broadcast. Message delivery fees continue to be billed directly to your Meta payment method.
8. What Happens When the Trial Expires
- 100% Data Preservation: All your agents, flows, blueprints, templates, media, and connected tools remain saved and intact in your workspace.
- Safe Mode: Outbound sandbox messaging and AI generations are paused, but you retain full console access to review your configurations.
- Instant Reactivation: Upgrading to a paid subscription (Basic, Advanced, or Premium) at any time immediately restores full messaging capabilities and unlocks live customer broadcasting.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to nominate test numbers for WhatsApp?
No. Nominated test numbers are only required for RCS. WhatsApp messages can be sent to any valid WhatsApp mobile number right away.
Who do I pay for WhatsApp message delivery?
You pay Meta directly. WhatsApp conversation charges are billed to the credit card or payment method configured in your Meta Business Account. RubiConnect provides the management platform, template tools, flow automation engine, and backend integrations.
Why does RCS require nominated test numbers during the trial?
Global telecom carriers require RCS testing to be strictly sandboxed to nominated numbers until the brand completes the official Carrier Brand Review and verification process.
Do I need to enter credit card details on RubiConnect to start a trial?
No. You can sign up, choose your RCS or WhatsApp agent, design flows, and test messages without entering payment information on RubiConnect.
Can I add team members during the trial?
Trial accounts are single-user workspaces. Multi-user team collaboration and role management (Admin, Member, Viewer) unlock when you upgrade to a paid subscription plan.
What happens to my flows, templates, and settings when I upgrade?
Everything is preserved. All agents, flows, blueprints, templates, uploaded media, and connector settings automatically carry over when you upgrade to a production subscription.