WhatsApp API cost calculator
Estimate your monthly WhatsApp Business API bill from Meta's official per-message rates, effective 1 October 2026 — including service replies, which Meta now charges for.
₹2,646.2
| Category | Messages | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing templates | 2,000 | ₹0.8631 | ₹1,726.2 |
| Utility templates | 3,000 | ₹0.115 | ₹345 |
| Authentication templates | 0 | ₹0.115 | ₹0 |
| Service replies | 5,000 | ₹0.115 | ₹575 |
Per year: about ₹31,754.4. Base rates for India, effective 1 October 2026; excludes taxes. Meta's rate cards.
IotaBot adds ₹0 per message. Meta bills these charges to your own WhatsApp Business account. See the WhatsApp AI chatbot →
WhatsApp API rates for India
| Message category | Rate per delivered message |
|---|---|
| Marketing | ₹0.8631 |
| Utility | ₹0.115 |
| Authentication | ₹0.115 |
| Authentication-international | ₹2.4971 |
| Service (replies in the 24-hour window) | ₹0.115 |
Source: Meta, "Cost per message in INR on the WhatsApp Business Platform, effective 1 October 2026".
What changed on 1 October 2026
- Service messages are charged. Every non-template reply inside the 24-hour window now costs the same as a utility message in that market. They had been free since November 2024.
- Utility templates inside the window are charged too — they had been free since July 2025.
- A payment method is required. Meta stops delivering service messages for WhatsApp Business accounts with no payment method on file.
- The free entry point window is unchanged. Conversations started from Click to WhatsApp ads or a Facebook Page button stay free for the window Meta allows.
How to keep your WhatsApp bill down
- Answer in fewer messages. Each delivered reply is charged now, so one complete answer costs less than three short ones. An AI chatbot trained on your content answers the whole question at once.
- Use the right template category. Order and shipping updates are utility; reserve marketing for promotions.
- Grow through Click to WhatsApp ads, whose free entry point window covers your replies.
- Respect opt-outs. Messages to people who don't want them cost money and hurt your quality rating — IotaBot skips unsubscribed contacts automatically.
More on how WhatsApp charges: WhatsApp API pricing explained. Building it yourself? See the WhatsApp API for developers.
WhatsApp API cost: FAQ
How much does a WhatsApp Business API message cost in India?
From 1 October 2026, Meta charges ₹0.8631 per marketing message, and ₹0.115 per utility, authentication or service message delivered to a user in India. Rates differ by the recipient's country.
Are WhatsApp service messages free?
Not any more. From 1 October 2026, Meta charges for every service message — any non-template reply inside the 24-hour customer service window — at the same rate as utility messages in that market. They had been free since November 2024.
Which WhatsApp messages are still free?
Messages inside the free entry point window: when a customer messages you from a Click to WhatsApp ad or a Facebook Page call-to-action and you reply within 24 hours, Meta charges nothing for your messages in that window. Receiving messages is always free.
Who bills me for WhatsApp messages?
Meta bills its per-message charges to your WhatsApp Business account. Meta stops delivering service messages for accounts with no payment method on file, so add one in Meta's Billing Hub. IotaBot adds no per-message fee on top.
Do volume discounts apply?
For utility and authentication templates, Meta lowers the rate at higher monthly volumes per market. Marketing and service messages have no volume tiers. This calculator uses the base rate, so very high volumes cost a little less than shown.
Why is my authentication rate different?
In some markets Meta charges a higher authentication-international rate when the business sending the code is registered in a different country from the user. Tick the option in the calculator to use it.