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What is the difference between Manychat applications and just installing Templates

  • January 15, 2026
  • 6 replies
  • 37 views
josip856

Hi,

I recently saw an option to create Manychat application and i got me wondering what is the difference between that and installing a template.
My specific use case is that we are developing an AI DM setter that runs on Manychat with some parts of it being on proprietary servers. Right now, clients download a template and need to do few other things and the bot is set up. My questions is how can i use Manychat applications to help make the installation process be easier.

Best answer by Victor

Hi ​@josip856,

You can send the full contact data from Manychat subscribers by using an External Request action and making a POST request to your server with the data.

Here is an example.

 

Josip@setty.ai

      6 replies

      dannyddowling
      • dannyddowling
      • Up-and-Comer
      • January 15, 2026

      Awesome point would love to hear back from the support team on this

      cata_rendon
      Forum|alt.badge.img+4
      • cata_rendon
      • Manychat Community Moderator
      • January 16, 2026

      Hi  ​@josip856 ​ is my understanding that the difference is in functionality and integration capabilities.

      Templates are pre-built automations that users download and install, they include flows, tags, and user fields but require manual setup steps afterward. They're essentially static content packages.

      Manychat Applications I think are dynamic integrations that connect Manychat with third-party tools through APIs. They can include custom actions, authentication, and real-time data exchange with your proprietary servers.

      Probably for your AI DM setter, applications would be much better because you can reduce manual setup steps for your clients.

      Probably you can check out Manychat Dev Program documentation to get started building your application: https://help.manychat.com/hc/en-us/articles/14281299586972-Dev-Program-Quick-Start

       

      Hope this helps!

      Cheers

      Cata Rendon

      https://www.dominariai.com | www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-rendon-gamboa
        josip856
        • josip856
        • Author
        • Up-and-Comer
        • January 19, 2026

        ​@cata_rendon Thanks for your message. Do you know is it possible to send Full Contact Data through the our app to our backend. I’ve looked online and there is very little resources, and have tried couple of different ways and cant get anything to work

        Josip@setty.ai
        Victor
        Manychat Team Member
        • Victor
        • Manychat Team Member
        • Answer
        • January 19, 2026

        Hi ​@josip856,

        You can send the full contact data from Manychat subscribers by using an External Request action and making a POST request to your server with the data.

        Here is an example.

         

        cata_rendon
        Forum|alt.badge.img+4
        • cata_rendon
        • Manychat Community Moderator
        • January 20, 2026

        Hi ​@josip856 , Yes you can. The example ​@Victor is giving you is correct - just use External Request. The important thing is for your API to be able to store and get the data in you own fields.

        Cheers!

        Cata Rendon

        https://www.dominariai.com | www.linkedin.com/in/catalina-rendon-gamboa
        josip856
        • josip856
        • Author
        • Up-and-Comer
        • February 4, 2026

        Oh okay then. I was aware of that fact. I just wanted to see is it possible to improve experience of my users by creating like a custom application/node that would make the experience more seamless

        Josip@setty.ai
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