WhatsApp Business API pricing in India confuses a lot of businesses — because there are multiple layers of cost that aren't always clearly explained. This guide breaks down every cost you'll actually pay, in INR, with real examples.
The Two Cost Layers
- Meta's per-message fees — paid to Meta for every outbound template message you send
- Platform fee — paid to your BSP (like Tenreply, WATI, AiSensy) for the software, inbox, and automation features
Some providers also add a markup on Meta's rates — meaning you pay more per message than Meta's published rates. Always check this.
Meta's Per-Message Rates for India (2025)
| Category | Rate per message | Free tier |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | ~₹0.78 | None |
| Utility | ~₹0.12 | Free inside open service window |
| Authentication | ~₹0.12 | None |
| Service (inbound reply) | Free | Free (first 1,000/mo) |
Platform Fees (India, 2026)
| Platform | Starter plan | Agents | Markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenreply | ₹1,999/mo | Unlimited | Transparent |
| AiSensy | ₹999/mo | Limited | Adds markup |
| Interakt | ₹2,499/mo | Unlimited | Adds markup |
| WATI | $39/mo (~₹3,300) + per seat | 5 seats | ~20% markup |
Real Monthly Bill Examples
Small D2C Brand: 2,000 marketing broadcasts/month
- Meta fee: 2,000 × ₹0.78 = ₹1,560
- Platform fee: ₹1,999
- Total: ~₹3,559/month
Growing Team: 15,000 broadcasts + support inbox
- Meta fee (marketing): 10,000 × ₹0.78 = ₹7,800
- Meta fee (utility — order updates): 5,000 × ₹0.12 = ₹600
- Platform fee (Growth plan): ₹3,999
- Total: ~₹12,399/month
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Per-agent seat fees — WATI charges per seat, adding ₹1,500–₹3,000 per agent over the base plan
- Message markups — platforms adding 15–25% on Meta's rates can double costs at scale
- Onboarding fees — some providers charge ₹2,000–₹10,000 for setup
Use the WhatsApp API Pricing Calculator to calculate your Meta fees. Then add your platform fee on top. See Tenreply's INR pricing →