WhatsApp Business API for growing businesses.
Chatbox AI gives you the official WhatsApp Business API with everything built on top: broadcasts, a no-code AI chatbot, automation, catalogue and a shared team inbox. Connect your number in under 2 minutes.
- No credit card needed
- Setup in 5 mins
- Official WhatsApp API
- WhatsApp open rate
- 98%
- Businesses on Chatbox AI
- 210,000+
- Countries served
- 68+
- To connect your number
- <2 min
Meta offers WhatsApp to businesses in two ways: the free WhatsApp Business App for a single phone, and the WhatsApp Business API, today delivered as Meta's Cloud API, for businesses that need to reach thousands of customers, work as a team and connect WhatsApp to their other systems.
The API has no interface of its own. Chatbox AI is an official WhatsApp Business API platform that adds the interface and the tools: a shared inbox, bulk campaigns, chatbots, automation, commerce and analytics, used by 210,000+ businesses across 68+ countries.
WhatsApp Business App
vs WhatsApp Business API
Both are made by Meta. The right one depends on how many customers you talk to and how many people on your team reply.
| Capability | WhatsApp Business App | WhatsApp Business API (Chatbox AI) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Sole proprietors and very small shops | Growing SMBs, D2C brands and enterprises |
| Cost | Free app | Platform plan (Chatbox AI from ₹999/month) + Meta per-message charges |
| Team access | One phone plus a few linked devices, no chat assignment | Unlimited agents in a shared inbox with routing and notes |
| Broadcasts | Broadcast lists of up to 256 contacts who saved your number | Any opted-in contact, scaling through Meta tiers of 1K, 10K, 100K and unlimited per day |
| Automation | Greeting, away message and quick replies | No-code AI chatbots, keyword triggers, drip sequences and event-based messages |
| Integrations | None | Shopify, Razorpay, CRMs, REST API and webhooks |
| Rich messages | Text, media and catalogue | Approved templates with media, buttons, lists, catalogues and payment links |
| Analytics | Basic message statistics | Delivery, read, click, agent and revenue reports |
| Verified badge | Available through a paid Meta Verified subscription | Eligible to apply for the verified badge after Meta business verification |
Based on Meta's publicly documented features. Last reviewed: .
What you can do with
the WhatsApp Business API
Everything below runs on your one official WhatsApp number, inside one Chatbox AI dashboard.
Shared inbox + AI
Answer every customer from one number
Route chats to the right agent, let the AI chatbot handle common questions around the clock, and hand complex conversations to humans with the full history attached.
- Multi-agent Team Inbox on web, Android and iOS
- AI intent routing to the right flow or team
- Private notes, labels and collision detection
Marketing + commerce
Turn ads and broadcasts into orders
Send Click-to-WhatsApp ad traffic straight into a chat, run personalised broadcasts to opted-in customers, and close the sale with a catalogue and payment link, without leaving WhatsApp.
- Click-to-WhatsApp ads from Instagram and Facebook
- Bulk broadcasts with buttons and offer codes
- Catalogue, cart and Razorpay or UPI payment links
Every product and feature
How to get WhatsApp
Business API access
Chatbox AI walks you through Meta's embedded signup. Connecting your number takes under 2 minutes; business verification can take longer.
- 1
Start your Chatbox AI trial
Sign up for a 7-day free trial, no credit card needed. Chatbox AI is the provider that connects you to Meta's official WhatsApp Cloud API.
- 2
Connect your Meta business portfolio
Log in with Facebook through Meta's embedded signup and pick or create your business portfolio (formerly Business Manager) and WhatsApp Business Account.
- 3
Add and verify your phone number
Use a number that can receive an OTP by SMS or call. If it is already on the WhatsApp app, delete that account first or migrate it; then verify with the code.
- 4
Set your display name and profile
Choose a display name that matches your brand, and add your logo, description, address and website. Meta reviews the display name.
- 5
Verify your business
Complete Meta business verification with your registered business details (for example GST or incorporation documents in India) to unlock higher messaging limits.
- 6
Create templates and go live
Submit your first message templates for approval, import opted-in contacts and launch your first broadcast, chatbot or inbox, most teams go live the same day.
WhatsApp Business API
pricing explained
You pay two things: your Chatbox AI plan, and Meta's charges for the messages you send. Meta bills by message category and destination country.
Marketing
₹0.58/ message
Promotions, offers, launches and re-engagement
e.g. Festive sale, back-in-stock alert, abandoned-cart nudge
Utility
₹0.14/ message
Updates about an existing order or account
e.g. Order confirmation, shipping update, payment receipt
Authentication
₹0.12/ message
One-time passwords and login verification
e.g. Login OTP, account recovery code
Service
Free
Replies inside the 24-hour window after a customer messages you
e.g. Answering a product question, support replies
Chatbox AI plans
Starter ₹999/month (1,000 conversations, 2 agents), Growth ₹2,999/month (10,000 conversations, 10 agents, automation and catalogue) or Scale (custom, unlimited). Every plan includes a 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
Meta rates shown are approximate India rates as published on our pricing page and are billed separately from your subscription. Meta revises rates periodically. Last reviewed: .
Verified badge
How to get the WhatsApp green tick
The verified badge next to your business name tells customers they are talking to the real brand. Businesses on the WhatsApp Business API can apply for it through their provider once the basics are in place:
- Your business must complete Meta business verification.
- The display name must match your brand and follow WhatsApp's display name rules.
- Meta looks for notability, for example coverage in independent news sources, and decides at its discretion.
- Two-step verification should be enabled on the number.
Chatbox AI helps you complete business verification, set up your profile and submit the request. Approval is decided by Meta and is not guaranteed: but a complete, verified profile builds trust with or without the badge.
Built for every team
that talks to customers
From D2C brands confirming COD orders to clinics sending appointment reminders, the WhatsApp Business API fits any business that talks to customers every day.
- E-commerce
- Fintech
- EdTech
- Healthcare
- Logistics
- Travel
- Real estate
- Retail
- Restaurants
- Automobile
- Salons & spas
- Events & webinars
By team and goal
- WhatsApp for marketingBroadcasts, launches and re-engagement with 98% open rates.Learn more
- WhatsApp for salesQualify leads and follow up automatically until they buy.Learn more
- WhatsApp for customer supportA shared inbox and AI chatbot for faster resolution.Learn more
- WhatsApp for lead generationCapture leads from ads, QR codes and your website.Learn more
WhatsApp Business API
FAQs
Straight answers about access, pricing, limits and the green tick.
No. The API itself has no app to download; you access it through a provider. With Chatbox AI you pay a platform plan from ₹999/month, plus Meta's per-message charges for marketing, utility and authentication templates. Replies to customers inside the 24-hour service window are free.
Is the WhatsApp Business API free? No. The API itself has no app to download; you access it through a provider. With Chatbox AI you pay a platform plan from ₹999/month, plus Meta's per-message charges for marketing, utility and authentication templates. Replies to customers inside the 24-hour service window are free.
What is the difference between the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API? The Business App is a free phone app for very small businesses, limited to a few devices and broadcast lists of 256 people. The API supports unlimited agents, bulk broadcasts to any opted-in contact, chatbots, integrations and analytics, but needs a provider such as Chatbox AI to use it.
How do I get WhatsApp Business API access in India? Sign up with an official provider like Chatbox AI, connect your Meta business portfolio through embedded signup, verify a phone number by OTP, set your display name and complete business verification with your registered business details. Connecting a number takes under 2 minutes.
Can I use my existing WhatsApp number for the API? Yes. A number already on the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app can be moved to the API, but it can then no longer be used in the regular app at the same time. Chatbox AI guides you through the migration during onboarding.
How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in India? Meta charges by message category. Approximate India rates are ₹0.58 per marketing message, ₹0.14 per utility message and ₹0.12 per authentication message, while service replies are free. Chatbox AI plans are ₹999/month (Starter), ₹2,999/month (Growth) or custom (Scale).
How many messages can I send with the WhatsApp Business API? Meta sets a daily messaging limit on business-initiated messages: 1K, 10K, 100K or unlimited unique customers per 24 hours. Limits increase automatically as you send good-quality messages and complete business verification.
How do I get the green tick on WhatsApp? Complete Meta business verification, then apply for the verified badge through your provider. Meta reviews notability, usually evidenced by coverage in independent news sources, and approves at its discretion. Chatbox AI helps you prepare and submit the request.
Is Chatbox AI an official WhatsApp Business API provider? Yes. Chatbox AI is built on Meta's official WhatsApp Cloud API, so messages go through WhatsApp's approved business infrastructure with end-to-end encryption, and your number stays compliant with WhatsApp's Business and Commerce policies.
Do customers need to opt in before I message them? Yes. WhatsApp requires customers to opt in before you send business-initiated messages. You can collect opt-ins through website widgets, checkout checkboxes, QR codes, Click-to-WhatsApp ads or when customers message you first.
Keep exploring
Your next 10,000 customers are already on WhatsApp.
Broadcast, automate, sell and support on the official WhatsApp Cloud API. Join 210,000+ businesses getting up to 98% open rates, and go live in under 2 minutes.
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