No free plan. The cheapest way in is Pay-as-you-go at Contact for pricing. Consider free alternatives in the messaging & communication category if budget is tight.
WhatsApp charges per conversation (24-hour window) rather than per message. Business-initiated conversations cost $0.01-0.10 depending on country and category (Marketing, Utility, Authentication). User-initiated service conversations are typically cheaper. The first 1,000 service conversations per month are free through Cloud API. Conversation windows reset with each user message.
Businesses can only initiate conversations using pre-approved templates that require 24-48 hour approval. Outside of active 24-hour conversation windows, only template messages are permitted. Interactive components are limited to 3 Quick Reply buttons or 10 List Message items. Business verification and setup can take 2-6 weeks.
Yes, but requires careful implementation. Use EU-based Business Solution Providers (BSPs) for European customers to ensure data processing within EU jurisdictions. Implement proper consent mechanisms, provide clear opt-out options, and sign Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with BSPs. Regular WhatsApp Business app is not GDPR compliant.
Cloud API is hosted by Meta, includes 1,000 free conversations monthly, and requires no infrastructure management. BSPs like Twilio, Infobip, or Vonage add features like unified multi-channel APIs, advanced analytics, and customer support, but charge additional fees beyond Meta's conversation costs. Start with Cloud API unless you need specific BSP features.
Interactive messages send webhook events when users click buttons or select list items. Your system receives the user's choice and can respond accordingly. This enables sophisticated conversation flows: present options via List Messages, process selections through business logic, and continue conversations with appropriate responses. Limited to 3 buttons or 10 list items per message.
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Last verified March 2026