Whatsapp API Pricing: All You Need to Know in 2025

Wondering how much WhatsApp API really costs? Simple answer is; it depends on your customer’s country, who starts the chat, and the new per-message pricing model that Meta introduced from July 1, 2025.

Key Takeaways

WhatsApp API is not free like WhatsApp Messenger or the Business App.
You now pay Meta’s official per-message rates + BSP (Business Solution Provider) fees.
Prices depend on:

Message category (Marketing, Utility, Authentication)
Who starts the chat (user or business)
Customer’s phone country code (not your business location)

In Pakistan and UAE, service messages and replies within the 24-hour window are free.
BSPs like WeTarseel keep pricing transparent — simple monthly plans + Meta’s exact me

WhatsApp has shifted from “conversation-based” pricing to a per-message system — meaning you now pay only when a template message is delivered.

Let’s break everything down in simple terms so you can clearly understand what you’ll actually pay and how it works.

What is WhatsApp Business API?

Before diving into pricing, it’s important to understand what WhatsApp API actually is.

WhatsApp Messenger → free, personal use only.
WhatsApp Business App → free, for small businesses. Useful for managing chats, but limited to a single phone/device.

WhatsApp Business API vs WhatsApp Apps: Move From One to Other

WhatsApp Business API → paid, designed for medium to large businesses. It allows automation, integration with CRMs, chatbots, multiple agents, and large-scale messaging.

Whatsapp Business API – The Complete Guide

In short:

If you’re a shop owner replying to a handful of customers daily → Business App works.
If you’re an e-commerce brand handling thousands of queries, order updates, and campaigns → you need the API.

And unlike the free apps, the API comes with a pricing model set by Meta (WhatsApp’s parent company). And must be accessed through a Business Solution Provider (BSP).

How WhatsApp API Pricing Works?

Until mid-2025, WhatsApp charged businesses per conversation (a 24-hour chat window).
Now, the pricing has changed — it’s per message, specifically for template messages.

Here’s how it works:

Non-template messages (like normal replies) are free as long as they’re sent within the customer service window (24 hours after a customer messages you).
Template messages — such as marketing broadcasts, OTPs, or order updates — are paid and charged per delivery.
The cost depends on:

The message category (Marketing, Utility, or Authentication)
The country code of the recipient
Your volume tier (businesses sending higher volumes get discounted rates)

Understanding Key Terms

1. Customer Service Window (24 Hours)

A 24-hour window starts when a customer messages your business.
During this time:

You can reply freely without being charged (using non-template messages).
Once the window closes, you can only send template messages (which are paid).

2. Free Entry Point (FEP) Window (72 Hours)

If a user messages you via a Click-to-WhatsApp Ad or a Facebook Page CTA, a Free Entry Point window opens.

During this 72-hour FEP window:

All messages (including template ones) are free if you respond within the first 24 hours.
This helps businesses run campaigns and chat with customers from ads without paying right away.

Message Template Categories

Category	Description	Example
1- Marketing	Promotions, offers, announcements	“Get 10% off today!”
2- Utility	Transactional updates	“Your order has been shipped.”
3- Authentication	Verification or OTP messages	“Your login code is 123456.”

Note: Only template messages can be sent outside the 24-hour customer service window.

WhatsApp API Pricing = Meta Fees + BSP Fees

Now that you understand how Meta charges for WhatsApp conversations, it’s important to know one more thing:
You cannot directly buy the API from Meta.

To use WhatsApp API, every business must go through a Business Solution Provider (BSP).

What is a BSP?

A BSP is a company approved by Meta that gives you access to the WhatsApp API. But it’s not just about access — BSPs also provide:

A dashboard or software to manage chats
Features like multi-agent support, campaigns, and automation
Customer support for setup and usage
Extra tools like CRM integration and analytics

In short: Meta sets the message cost, but the BSP makes the API usable for your business.

Why BSPs Matter

Without a BSP, the WhatsApp API is like an engine with no car around it. BSPs build the car — so you can drive smoothly without worrying about the raw tech.

Some BSPs may add hidden charges or complicated billing.

But providers like WeTarseel keep it simple: no hidden fees, only transparent monthly plans plus Meta’s standard message rates.

WhatsApp API Pricing (Old Conversation-Based Model Overview)

Here’s a quick look at how pricing worked before July 2025 — useful for comparison:

Region / Country	User-Initiated Conversation (UIC)	Business-Initiated Conversation (BIC)
India	~$0.004 – $0.006	~$0.008 – $0.012
USA / Canada	~$0.015 – $0.017	~$0.03 – $0.04
Europe (average)	~$0.05 – $0.06	~$0.09 – $0.11
LATAM (e.g. Brazil)	~$0.01 – $0.02	~$0.03 – $0.05
UAE	Free for service (UIC)	~0.158 AED (marketing) / ~0.084 AED (utility & authentication)
Pakistan	~$0.0142 (UIC)	~$0.0473 (BIC / marketing)

As you can see, costs are much cheaper in emerging markets like India and Pakistan, while the US and Europe are more expensive.

WhatsApp API Pricing in 2025 (Current Per-Message Model)

Now, with the new per-message pricing, Meta’s structure is clearer and simpler:’

Country / Region	Marketing	Utility	Authentication	Service
Pakistan	~$0.0473 USD	Cheaper (approx. $0.01)	Low (approx. $0.01)	Free within 24 hours
UAE	~AED 0.16	~AED 0.084	~AED 0.084	Free within 24 hours

Free benefits for both regions:

1,000 free service conversations each month.
72-hour free window for chats started from Facebook/Instagram ads.

WhatsApp API Pricing in Pakistan

WhatsApp API pricing in Pakistan includes two parts:

1. Meta’s Charges (Per Message)

Marketing → ~$0.0473 per message
Utility → Much cheaper (order updates, confirmations)
Authentication → Low cost (OTPs, verifications)
Service messages → Free if you reply within 24 hours

You also get:

1,000 free service conversations/month
Free 72-hour window for chats from ads (Click-to-WhatsApp campaigns)

2. BSP Fees (Platform Access)

You must connect via a Business Solution Provider (BSP).
For example:

WeTarseel: From $50/month (~PKR 14,000) for up to 5 agents, plus Meta’s charges.
It also offers a team inbox, automation, and local support — with no hidden fees.

How to create a Wetarseel Account

Tip: Your total cost depends on the message type, who starts the chat, and how fast you reply.
If you mostly respond to customer queries, your cost stays very low.

WhatsApp API Pricing in the UAE

In the UAE, pricing follows the same per-message model:

Meta’s Per-Message Charges (as of Oct 2025)

Marketing messages → ~AED 0.16
Utility messages → ~AED 0.084
Authentication messages → ~AED 0.084
Service messages → Free within 24 hours

Free benefits:

1,000 free service conversations/month
72-hour free messaging window from Facebook/Instagram “Click-to-WhatsApp” ads

BSP Fees

WeTarseel → From $50/month (~AED 184)
Wati → From $69/month + Meta message fees

WeTarseel gives UAE businesses an edge with:

Transparent pricing (no hidden fees)
Localized support
Automation, team inbox, and analytics included

So your total cost = BSP plan + all Meta message fees.
Simple, predictable, and easy to scale.

WhatsApp Business API in UAE

How to Estimate Your WhatsApp API Pricing

Every business’s usage is different, so the best way to estimate is:

Count your expected messages per month (marketing, utility, authentication).
Add Meta’s per-message rate for those categories.
Add your BSP plan fee (e.g., WeTarseel $50/month).

Example:
If you send 500 marketing messages in Pakistan + 1,000 utility updates:

Meta cost ≈ (500 × $0.0473) + (1,000 × cheaper utility rate)
Plus BSP fee (e.g., $50/month)

That’s it, if there are no hidden charges like Wetarseel.

How to Reduce Your WhatsApp API Costs

Reply within 24 hours to use the free service window.
Encourage customers to message first through “Click-to-WhatsApp” ads.
Use cheaper templates (utility/authentication) whenever possible.
Monitor volume tiers — high-volume senders get lower rates.

Clear on WhatsApp API Costs?

Now that you know WhatsApp API is not free and comes with Meta’s per-message charges plus BSP fees, the picture is much clearer. The actual cost depends on message type, customer location, and the provider you choose.

What matters is choosing a BSP that keeps things transparent and gives you the right tools. With options like WeTarseel, you don’t just pay for access — you also get features that help you save time, manage conversations better, and grow your business.

In short, WhatsApp API is a paid tool, but with the right partner, like Wetarseel, it becomes a smart investment for lasting customer relationships.