What is WhatsApp Cloud API
WhatsApp Cloud API represents the cloud-hosted iteration of the WhatsApp API, also recognized as the WhatsApp Business Platform. Unlike the previous On-premises API, which was hosted on Business Solutions Provider (BSP) servers or a company's private server, the Cloud API is now situated on Meta's cloud servers.
Acknowledging the limitation of the On-premises API, such as time-consuming application processes, delayed API updates for businesses, and associated high costs, Meta decided to introduce the WhatsApp Cloud API. This cloud-based alternative aims to provide a swifter and more cost-effective avenue for businesses to access the WhatsApp API.
Key Features of WhatsApp Cloud API:
Facilitates businesses and developers in tailoring WhatsApp experiences, enabling quick and easy customer responses, thus reducing onboarding time.
Offers a budget-friendly hosting solution.
Provides immediate access to new WhatsApp features upon releases
WhatsApp Cloud API Pricing
WhatsApp Cloud API charges are based on conversation. WhatsApp's conversation-based pricing is categorized into two segments: business-initiated conversations and user-initiated conversations, also known as service conversations.
Service conversations are initiated by customers, and businesses are billed for user-initiated conversation fees when responding within the 24-hour messaging window.
Business-initiated conversations, occurring outside the 24-hour messaging window, require businesses to employ a message template to commence the conversation.
WhatsApp extends a monthly allocation of 1,000 free conversations to businesses, applicable to both service conversations and business-initiated conversations. However, effective June 1, 2023, this free allocation will be limited exclusively to service conversations.