Meta's per-message rates for India
On the official WhatsApp Business Platform, Meta charges for each delivered template message. Partners such as Wati, Interakt and AiSensy add their plan fee and often a markup.
| Message type | Meta rate per message | With 18% GST |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | ₹0.8631 | ₹1.02 |
| Utility | ₹0.115 | ₹0.14 |
| Authentication | ₹0.115 | ₹0.14 |
| Service (replies) | First 1,000 a month per number free, then charged |
What is free on the official platform
- Messages customers send to you.
- The first 1,000 service messages a month for each business number.
- All messages for 7 days after a customer messages you from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad.
- From 1 October 2026, utility messages inside the 24-hour customer service window are no longer free.
What partners charge on top
| Partner | Plan from | Marketing message |
|---|---|---|
| Wati | ₹2,699 a month | Meta rate plus Wati charge |
| Interakt | ₹2,799 a month | ₹0.949–₹0.970 |
| AiSensy | About ₹1,500 a month | ₹1.09 |
Flat-priced unofficial APIs
Unofficial APIs link your own number and charge per number, not per message: AgaKural ₹1,600 a month, Whapi $29, Green API $12, UltraMsg $39. They do not need templates, but numbers can be banned, so volume is limited by safe sending rather than by price. See how to avoid a WhatsApp ban.
Worked example
A shop sends 3,000 promotional messages and 2,000 order updates a month. Officially that is about 3,000 × ₹0.8631 + 2,000 × ₹0.115 = ₹2,819 in Meta fees, plus a partner plan of ₹1,500–₹2,800 and GST. On AgaKural Starter it is ₹1,600 plus GST. Run your own numbers in the WhatsApp API cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp Business API free in India?
No. Receiving messages and the first 1,000 service replies a month are free, but marketing, utility and authentication messages are charged per message.
Is GST charged on WhatsApp API fees?
Yes, 18% GST applies to Meta charges and to partner and AgaKural plan fees.
What is the cheapest way to send WhatsApp messages in bulk?
For customers who know you, a flat-priced API with pacing is cheapest. For cold audiences, the official platform is safer despite the per-message cost.
Sources
- Meta: WhatsApp Business Platform pricing
- India per-message rates summarised from Meta's INR rate card (DEV Community)
- Interakt pricing
- AiSensy pricing
- Wati pricing
Prices change often; check each provider's page before you decide. Prices exclude GST unless stated.
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