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The WhatsApp Business API lets you run broadcasts, automated follow-ups, OTPs, and a shared team inbox on the official Meta Cloud API. Here's what it costs, how pricing works in 2026, and how to get connected through ECODrIx Connect.
The free WhatsApp Business app is for manual chats from one phone. The WhatsApp Business API is for automation, team inboxes, broadcasts, and CRM integration. If you want to send templates at scale or connect WhatsApp to a CRM, you need the API.
Use a phone number not currently active on any WhatsApp app. You'll also need a Facebook/Meta Business account; business verification with Meta improves limits and is required for the green tick.
The Cloud API is accessed through a provider. ECODrIx Connect onboards your number to the official Meta WhatsApp Cloud API, handles credentials and webhooks, and links messaging into ERIX CRM — no Twilio-style middleware needed.
Complete Meta Business verification, then submit the Official Business Account (green tick) request. Approval depends on brand notability and is decided by Meta — a provider can submit it but cannot guarantee it.
Business-initiated messages use pre-approved templates in marketing, utility, and authentication categories. Submit templates for approval, then send broadcasts, reminders, and OTPs from ERIX.
Once approved, connect ERIX-FLOW to automate follow-ups and ERIX CRM for a shared inbox. Start with a small send volume to build a healthy quality rating before scaling.
Since 2025, Meta charges per message rather than per conversation. Your total cost has three layers:
Category-based per message. India: ~₹1.09 marketing, ~₹0.145 utility/auth, service replies free.
Your provider's monthly fee. ECODrIx plans start at ₹2,999/month.
CRM, automation, shared inbox, and lead-gen — included in ECODrIx, often extra elsewhere.
The API has no license fee, but since 2025 Meta charges per message by category. In India that's roughly ₹1.09 per marketing message and ₹0.145 per utility/authentication message, with service replies free. You also pay your provider's platform fee. ECODrIx Connect passes Meta's per-message charges through at India rates.
Your total is three layers: Meta's per-message charges (category-based), your provider/platform fee, and the tooling on top (CRM, automation, inbox). ECODrIx bundles the platform and tooling from ₹2,999/month, so you compare total cost rather than messaging alone.
Connecting a number to the Cloud API is usually quick — often within a day once your Meta Business account is ready. Business verification and the green tick review by Meta can take longer and are decided by Meta, not the provider.
You can start sending with limited tiers before full verification, but Meta Business verification raises your messaging limits and is required to apply for the green tick (Official Business Account).
You can use a number only if it isn't active on the WhatsApp consumer or Business app. If it is, you must first delete that WhatsApp account for the number, then onboard it to the API.