Quick answer
The two parts of WhatsApp API cost
- Meta conversation fees: charged by Meta per conversation, by category and country.
- Provider subscription: what you pay a platform such as ZeniaOne for the inbox, automation and tools.
How Meta charges: conversation categories
Meta prices by the type of conversation, not per message. The main categories are:
- Marketing: promotional messages and offers. The highest rate.
- Utility: order updates, reminders and account notifications you send.
- Authentication: one-time passwords and verification codes.
- Service: your replies to a customer inside the customer-care window, generally free.
Exact rates are set by Meta per country and change over time, so always check current WhatsApp pricing for India when you plan a budget.
Estimating your monthly cost
- 1
Estimate how many marketing, utility and authentication conversations you will start each month.
- 2
Multiply by Meta's current India rate for each category.
- 3
Add your provider subscription.
- 4
Remember that customer-initiated service replies in the 24-hour window are usually free.
ZeniaOne plans start at a fixed monthly price, and Meta's conversation fees are passed through at cost, so your bill is predictable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp Business API free to use?
No. Meta charges conversation-based fees and providers charge a subscription. However, replies to customers inside the 24-hour service window are generally free.
How much does WhatsApp Business API cost in India?
It depends on your conversation mix, since Meta prices Marketing, Utility and Authentication differently, plus your provider subscription. Check current Meta rates for India to budget accurately.
Does WhatsApp charge per message or per conversation?
Meta charges per conversation, not per individual message. A conversation is a 24-hour window of messaging in a given category.