WhatsApp Business API pricing in India, explained.
How Meta charges for WhatsApp messages in 2026, what changed on 1 October, and exactly what you pay with Sociolync.
Since July 2025 Meta charges WhatsApp Business API messages per delivered message, by category. For India in 2026, Meta's list rates are about ₹0.8631 for marketing and ₹0.115 for utility and authentication messages (before GST). Customer messages are free, and from 1 October 2026 the first 1,000 service replies per number each month are free. With Sociolync you pay ₹0.99 and ₹0.15 respectively, with no Meta account of your own.
How Meta charges, for India.
| Category | Meta list rate (excl. GST) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | ₹0.8631 | Increased from ₹0.7846 on 1 Jan 2026 |
| Utility | ₹0.115 | Charged inside the 24-hour window from 1 Oct 2026 |
| Authentication | ₹0.115 | OTP and login codes |
| Service (replies) | First 1,000 / month free | Then charged from 1 Oct 2026 |
| Customer → business | Free | Inbound messages are never charged |
Meta's India list rates as reported for 2026, per delivered message to Indian numbers. Meta bills Indian businesses in INR from 2026, and rates can change; Meta's own rate card is the authority.
What you pay us.
| WhatsApp message type | Price (excl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Marketing templates Offers, campaigns, new-arrival alerts, re-engagement | ₹0.99 / message |
| Utility templates Order and booking updates, quotation ready, payment reminders | ₹0.15 / message |
| Authentication templates One-time passwords and login codes | ₹0.15 / message |
| Service replies (24-hour window) Your replies after a customer messages you: first 1,000 per number each month free | ₹0.15 / message |
| Messages customers send you Inbound WhatsApp messages, on every plan | Free |
| Facebook Messenger & Instagram DMs Both directions, on every plan | Free |
The difference covers your dedicated number, Meta's billing in your place, delivery logging and support. You never need a Meta Business Manager, a card on file with Meta or a separate Meta invoice.
Estimate a month of WhatsApp.
Enter how many messages of each type you expect to send. Most businesses spend the bulk on marketing campaigns; replies to customers are mostly free.
- Customer messages to you: free
- First 1,000 service replies a month: free
- Replies to Click-to-WhatsApp ads: free while Meta's ad window is open
- Messenger and Instagram: always free
An estimate only. The first 1,000 service replies each month are free. Messenger and Instagram messages are always free. WhatsApp rates follow Meta's rate card and change when Meta changes it.
WhatsApp pricing questions
How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in India?
Meta charges per delivered message by category. With Sociolync you pay ₹0.99 per marketing message and ₹0.15 per utility or authentication message, excluding GST, plus your plan. The first 1,000 service replies each month are free, and messages customers send you are always free.
Is the WhatsApp Business API free?
Partly. Messages customers send to you are free, and the first 1,000 service replies each month per number are free. Template messages that a business sends (marketing, utility, authentication) are charged per message.
What is a marketing, utility and authentication message?
Marketing templates promote something (offers, new arrivals). Utility templates relate to a transaction the customer started (order updates, booking confirmations, payment reminders). Authentication templates carry one-time passwords.
What is the 24-hour customer service window?
When a customer messages you, a 24-hour window opens and you can reply with normal (non-template) messages. Each new customer message resets it. Outside the window you must use an approved template.
Did WhatsApp pricing change in October 2026?
Yes. From 1 October 2026 Meta charges for service replies beyond 1,000 a month per number, and utility templates sent inside an open 24-hour window are charged too. Sociolync's rates already reflect this.
Do Facebook Messenger and Instagram DMs cost extra?
No. Meta doesn't charge for Messenger or Instagram messages, and Sociolync doesn't either. They're unlimited on every plan.
Do I pay Meta directly?
No. Shalom Infotech owns and pays for the WhatsApp Business Account and assigns you a dedicated number. You pay one bill to Shalom, covering your plan and your WhatsApp messages.
Is GST extra?
Yes. Plan prices and WhatsApp message rates exclude 18% GST, which is added to your invoice.
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