Ask five businesses what they pay for WhatsApp Business API and you may hear five different answers. One quotes a monthly plan, another talks about credits, and a third mentions only the message charges. They are all right, and all describing different parts of the same bill. Understanding those parts is the best way to compare platforms fairly.
If you are weighing WATI against other options, the page on WATI alternative for WhatsApp Business API in India from MetaReach Marketing lays out one such comparison. This guide explains the pieces behind the numbers.
Part One: The Platform Fee
Most providers charge a subscription for the software itself, which covers the inbox, automation, user seats and integrations. The page lists WATI plans from ₹2,999 per month for Growth, ₹6,499 for Pro and ₹18,499 for Business on monthly billing, with lower per-month rates when billed annually. It lists the MetaReach API plan at ₹7,999 for three months. All figures exclude GST and message charges, and they were gathered from public sources on specific dates, so confirm them with each provider.
Part Two: Per-Message Charges
On top of the platform fee, there are charges for the messages you send. Marketing messages cost the most, while utility and authentication messages, such as order updates and OTPs, cost much less. The page notes that Meta will also bill service replies beyond the first 1,000 a month per number from 1 October 2026. It does not give exact rates, so ask for a written quote showing each message category.
Part Three: GST
Eighteen percent GST is normally added to the invoice. It is easy to forget when you compare a plan price against a competitor’s, but it applies to both, so always compare like with like.
Why Plans Are Hard to Compare
- Billing period: a three-month fee and a monthly fee are not directly comparable until you convert them.
- Commitment: annual rates are lower per month, but you are tied in for twelve months.
- Seats and limits: plans differ in users, broadcasts and automation triggers.
- Included extras: chatbot, integrations and onboarding help may or may not be in the price.
A simple spreadsheet with one row per provider avoids most confusion.
A Worked Example
Take the page’s figures for three months. WATI Growth on monthly billing comes to ₹8,997, and about ₹6,597 on the annual rate, which needs a twelve-month commitment. The MetaReach API plan is ₹7,999 for the same three months. Neither number includes message charges or GST. Which is cheaper depends on whether you want annual commitment, how many agents you have and what features you need, not on the headline figure alone.
What Do You Actually Need?
- A shared inbox where several agents answer customers
- Broadcasts and API access for alerts and campaigns
- Automation or chatbots for common questions
- Links to your CRM or store through webhooks
- Other channels such as SMS or voice alongside WhatsApp
The page says WATI is built around a shared inbox and no-code automation, while MetaReach suits teams who mainly need broadcasts and API access, with a team inbox listed as a feature. Check whichever features matter to you in a demo, since plan details can differ.
Moving Between Providers
The page outlines four steps for switching: share your current setup, get a written quote, move your number and test templates before going live. It warns that display names and approved templates may need to be re-submitted, so plan a short changeover period and avoid switching just before a big campaign.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
- What is the total monthly cost for my message mix, including GST?
- Is there a minimum commitment, and what happens at renewal?
- How many agents and automations are included?
- Is there a free trial or demo?
- Who helps with setup and template approvals?
Do Not Forget the Free Window
Meta has historically allowed some free service conversations, and the page notes a change from 1 October 2026 for replies beyond the first 1,000 per month on each number. Rules like this shift often, so read Meta’s current pricing page and ask your provider how changes are passed on to you. A small business with few customer-initiated chats may pay very little in message charges, while a heavy marketing sender will see them dominate the bill.