difference between AI agent and chatbot

AI Agent vs Chatbot: 8 Key Differences (2026 Comparison Guide)

AI agents and chatbots differ in 8 critical ways. Chatbots respond to messages one at a time. AI agents plan multi-step tasks, coordinate specialized teams, and produce finished deliverables autonomously. This guide covers every difference with real examples, a side-by-side comparison table, cost breakdowns, and a decision framework to help you choose.