WhatsApp Business API Cost Calculator
The WhatsApp Business API has two costs that confuse almost everyone: the platform (BSP) subscription and Meta's per-message charge. Meta moved from per-conversation to per-message billing on 1 July 2025, and from 1 October 2026 it also charges service replies, so most older cost guides are now out of date. This calculator uses the current per-message model - by category, plus GST - so you see your real monthly cost before you commit.
Meta messages per month
Rates: India, per delivered messagePlatform fee
₹2,500
Meta messages
₹1,841
GST (18%)
₹781
Total / month
₹5,123
Total = BSP platform subscription + (messages x per-message Meta rate, by category) + 18% GST. Meta has billed per delivered message, not per conversation, since 1 July 2025. From 1 October 2026 it also charges service replies (after 1,000free per business number a month) and utility messages sent inside the 24-hour window. Messages to a customer who reached you from a click-to-WhatsApp ad are free for 72 hours. Default rates are Meta's India rate card effective 1 October 2026. Rates change and some BSPs add a markup, so the rate fields are editable; confirm current rates with Meta and your provider.
The two costs explained
1. The BSP platform subscription. Providers like AiSensy, Wati, Interakt and Gallabox charge a monthly fee for the shared inbox, broadcasts, chatbots and automation.
2. Meta's per-message charge. On top of the platform fee, Meta bills per delivered message (since 1 July 2025), billed through your BSP. Rates vary by category: in India, marketing runs about ₹0.86 per message, and utility, authentication and service about ₹0.115 each. From 1 October 2026 your replies to customers are charged after 1,000 free per business number a month, and utility messages are charged even inside the 24-hour window. Rates change, so confirm current pricing and set it in the calculator.
Related reading
- WhatsApp Business API pricing in India
- How to send WhatsApp marketing legally in India
- Best WhatsApp Business API for Indian SMBs
- AiSensy vs Wati vs Interakt
- All WhatsApp Business tools
Frequently asked questions
- How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in India?
- There are two costs: the BSP platform subscription (for example AiSensy from around ₹2,500/mo, Gallabox from ₹2,999/mo, DoubleTick from ₹3,000/mo) and Meta's per-message charges billed through the BSP. Since 1 July 2025 Meta bills per delivered message, not per conversation. Your total is platform fee + (messages x per-message rate, by category) + 18% GST. Use the calculator above with your real message volume.
- What are Meta's WhatsApp per-message charges in India (2026)?
- Per Meta's India rate card effective 1 October 2026: marketing messages about ₹0.86 each, and utility, authentication and service messages about ₹0.115 each. From 1 October 2026, service replies are charged after the first 1,000 free per business number a month, and utility messages are charged even inside the 24-hour service window. Messages to a customer who came from a click-to-WhatsApp ad are free for 72 hours. Rates change, so confirm current pricing with Meta and your BSP.
- Did WhatsApp pricing change from per-conversation to per-message?
- Yes. Meta retired the per-conversation pricing model and moved to per-message billing effective 1 July 2025. You are charged for each delivered template message by category, rather than for a 24-hour conversation window. From 1 October 2026 service replies are charged too, after 1,000 free per business number a month.
- Is the platform fee the only cost?
- No - and this is the most common mistake. The BSP subscription (AiSensy, Wati, Gallabox, Interakt, DoubleTick) is separate from Meta's per-message charges, which are billed on top through the BSP, plus 18% GST. A low platform fee can still mean a high total bill at high message volume, so always budget for both.
- Which WhatsApp Business API provider is cheapest?
- On platform fee, AiSensy (from around ₹2,500/mo) is among the lowest, and it also has a free tier. But the cheapest in practice depends on your message volume, because Meta charges dominate at scale. Compare AiSensy, Wati, Interakt and Gallabox on both platform fee and your expected Meta per-message cost.
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