# Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform Pricing

> 📋 The information below comes directly from Meta's official documentation.
>
> [🔗 View Meta's WhatsApp Pricing Policy ](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing)

---

## 💬 How Meta Charges for WhatsApp Messages?

Meta doesn't charge you for every single message you send. Instead, they charge for the conversations you have with your customers. A conversation is like a chat that lasts for 24 hours between you and a customer.

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## 📊 Message Categories Defined by Meta

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Message Type</th>
      <th>Purpose</th>
      <th>Best Use Case</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        🔧 <strong>Utility Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        To send requested updates like receipts, order confirmations, or
        reminders
      </td>
      <td>Perfect for transactional communications</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        🔐 <strong>Authentication Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>To send login codes or one-time passwords (OTP) securely</td>
      <td>Essential for secure user verification</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        📢 <strong>Marketing Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        To promote offers, re-engage customers, or send sales announcements
      </td>
      <td>Great for promotional campaigns</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        💬 <strong>Service Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>
        Used when a customer messages you first, and you reply within 24 hours
      </td>
      <td>Free responses to customer inquiries</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

---

## 💰 Pricing for India (as per Meta)

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Message Type</th>
      <th>When to Use</th>
      <th>Price per Message (India)</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>
        🆓 <strong>Service Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>Customer messages you → You reply within 24 hours</td>
      <td>
        <strong>FREE</strong>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        🔧 <strong>Utility Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>You send order updates, payment info</td>
      <td>
        <strong>₹0.115 per message</strong>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        🔐 <strong>Authentication Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>You send login/OTP codes</td>
      <td>
        <strong>₹0.115 per message</strong>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>
        📢 <strong>Marketing Messages</strong>
      </td>
      <td>You send promotions/offers</td>
      <td>
        <strong>₹0.8631 per message</strong>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

> ⚠️ **Note:** These are pre-tax rates, and only apply to template messages sent via the WhatsApp Business Platform.

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## ⏰ What's the 24-Hour Customer Service Window?

- **When a customer messages you first**, you get a 24-hour window to send them free-form messages (this is called a **Service conversation**).

- **Replies in this window are 100% free**.

- **After 24 hours**, if you need to send a message again, you must use a paid template (Utility, Authentication, or Marketing).

---

## ⚡ Important Points

> 🔑 **Key Information:**
>
> - **Only template messages are charged**. Free-form replies within a 24-hour window are free.
> - **A template is a pre-approved message format** (like: "Hi {{name}}, your order has been shipped!").
> - **Prices vary by country**, but above rates apply for businesses sending messages to Indian numbers.
> - **Meta may offer volume discounts** at high message counts.