> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.meetalto.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.meetalto.ai/using-meet-alto/getting-started/concepts.md).

# Understand the essentials

Understand the terms you will see while setting up and using Meet Alto.

| Term              | What it means                                                                                                                               |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Workspace         | The shared place for a business's settings, connected accounts and work. Check which workspace you are using before making changes.         |
| Connected account | A social account or channel you have authorized Meet Alto to access. Its connection health and provider restrictions affect what it can do. |
| Brand identity    | Information about your business and how it should communicate.                                                                              |
| Knowledge source  | Text, a file or website content that provides facts for AI answers. Adding a source starts processing before it can be used.                |
| Campaign          | A configured workflow for a selected social interaction and audience. A draft is not a launched campaign.                                   |
| Sequence          | Follow-up steps associated with a workflow. Publishing and provider rules determine whether they can run.                                   |
| Agent             | An AI-guided conversation workflow. Its saved configuration, enabled state and audience are separate things to review.                      |
| API               | HTTP requests your own software sends to Meet Alto.                                                                                         |
| MCP               | A connection that lets an AI app discover and use Meet Alto tools.                                                                          |

## Permissions still apply

An API key or MCP connection belongs to one workspace and acts with your current access. Switching workspaces in the dashboard does not move an existing connection to the new workspace.

A tool can require several conditions: permission to use it, the right workspace role, a plan that includes the feature, and access to the selected account or resource. [Learn about connection permissions](/mcp/permissions.md).

## What each plan includes

Meet Alto offers two plans: **Free** and **Pro**. Pro comes in several tiers that differ only in their monthly AI Credits, paid monthly or yearly, and every tier includes the same features. The one-time **Lifetime Deal** (previously called **UNLIMITED** in the plan picker) is no longer sold; workspaces that bought it keep everything it includes.

| Feature                                                                               | Free                | Lifetime Deal | Pro                 |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------- |
| Campaigns and the Inbox                                                               | Included            | Included      | Included            |
| AI replies, AI agents, AI moderation, AI Targeting, Knowledge Sources and AI Feedback | Not included        | Not included  | Included            |
| Sequences                                                                             | Not included        | Not included  | Included            |
| Contacts                                                                              | Not included        | Not included  | Included            |
| AI Credits                                                                            | None                | None          | A monthly allowance |
| Active Contacts                                                                       | A monthly allowance | Unlimited     | Unlimited           |
| Inviting teammates                                                                    | Not included        | Included      | Included            |
| Adding WhatsApp, YouTube and TikTok accounts                                          | Not included        | Included      | Included            |

If a workspace has both the Lifetime Deal and a Pro subscription, it gets Pro's features and AI Credits, with unlimited Active Contacts. Older plans that are no longer offered include the same features as Pro, including unlimited Active Contacts.

Plans also differ in how many accounts you can connect and in their monthly allowances. Check [plans and usage](/using-meet-alto/usage.md) and your workspace's **Billing** page for the current numbers.

## Choose your next step

* [Set up your workspace](/using-meet-alto/getting-started.md).
* [Add knowledge](/using-meet-alto/knowledge/add-knowledge.md).
* [Make an API request](/api/quickstart.md).
* [Connect an AI app](/mcp/quickstart.md).