How much does WhatsApp Business cost? What does Meta charge?
The WhatsApp Business app is free. With the API, replying to a customer within 24 hours of their message is free; template messages sent outside that window are charged by Meta, depending on the country and category.
Meta's prices change and depend on the country: check Meta's official rate card for your country. The principles, however, are stable:
- Free-form reply within the 24-hour window: no Meta fee.
- Template messages outside the window (campaigns, follow-ups): a per-message fee on Meta's side.
- WhatzAI: a subscription (in FCFA or US dollars), plus template credits for the inbox so you control your spending.
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Updated 17 October 2026. Meta's rules change: if in doubt, check WhatsApp Business's official documentation.