With over 3 Billion monthly global users, WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging platforms in today’s world. And it’s obvious that you can reach your customers much more easily and effortlessly through WhatsApp!
What are you waiting for, then??
Okay – Got stuck in choosing between the WhatsApp business app and WhatsApp Business API? Don’t worry, we got you covered!
In this doc, we'll see a comparison between the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API.
Comparison - WhatsApp Business App Vs WhatsApp API
WhatsApp Business can be used based on your own required may it be for commercial or for marketing or even for support, but choosing the right one can play a major role!
The first and foremost difference is based on whether your business is either small or large. The features and capabilities for small and large will differ significantly. Other differences could be based on the number of customers, the number of employees, service type, and so on.
WhatsApp Business App:
WhatsApp Business APP is built for all small business owners. This is basically free to download and use. The app makes it easy to personally connect with your customers, highlight your products and services, and answer their questions throughout their shopping experience.
WhatsApp has various features that help it to sustain itself as a top messaging application. With a WhatsApp Business account created with WhatsApp Business App, you can:
- Send broadcast to 256 people,
- Set up auto-replies for welcome & away messages
- Share documents, location, etc.,
- Operate WhatsApp Business Account on 5 devices (1 Mobile + 4 PCs)
Example:
Let us take the example of a small scale bakery or a cake shop! They create a WhatsApp Business account using the Business App to reach more customers.
Here's how the Business App helps:
- It helps in creating a business profile with helpful information for customers including address, business description, email address, and website.
- It lets the business show the catalogue that will showcase all the products and services offered.
- Quick replies help in saving and reusing the messages that are frequently sent so the answers to common questions can be sent in no time.
- It helps in organizing contacts or chats with the help of labels so that they can be easily found again.
- It lets you set an away message or other automated messages when you are unable to answer.
- It also allows you to create a greeting message to introduce your customers to your business.
WhatsApp Business API
WhatsApp Business API is built basically for medium and large businesses and powers the communication with customers all over the world, and connect with them on WhatsApp in a simple, secure, and reliable way.
- Business Profile: Similar to the App, with details like address, business description, email address, and website.
- Tags and Attributes: Advanced contact management for nurturing leads, providing support, and segmenting broadcasts. Example of tag: “New lead”.
- Multi-agent support: Multiple team members can handle chats from a single dashboard, making it ideal for customer support, sales, or marketing teams.
- Automated support: Helps in sending customers the information they are expecting where they want to receive it. Respond to questions and provide support.
- Communication at scale: Designed for larger companies that receive a large volume of messages, which can no longer be handled by the Business App.
- Bulk Messaging: The API allows bulk broadcasts to unlimited contacts (with opt-in), including personalized template messages approved by WhatsApp.
- Third-party integration: The API can integrate with CRM systems, eCommerce platforms, or marketing automation tools like AiSensy to capture and sync customer data. It also enables advanced automation such as abandoned cart reminders.
Wrapping It Up: Choose Based on Your Needs
So basically the WhatsApp Business APP and WhatsApp Business API has their own features and are used for different use cases. The one more major difference is that the Business API requires approval from WhatsApp before you launch them.
Want to get WhatsApp Business API? Apply for Free WhatsApp API with AiSensy & boost your sales 3x from day 1!
Related Resources
How to do WhatsApp Marketing with AiSensyWhatsApp Business API: Complete Guide14 WhatsApp Marketing Strategies for your businessWhatsApp Vs Email MarketingWhatsApp Vs SMS Marketing
FAQs
While WhatsApp Business is tailored for small businesses & individual owners, WhatsApp Business API is built for medium to large businesses with large message volumes.
If you want to use WhatsApp on multiple devices, send WhatsApp broadcasts to unlimited users in one go, automate a WhatsApp chatbot, and send clickable buttons with messages, then choose WhatsApp Business API.
No, WhatsApp Business API isn't free. You need to pay WhatsApp conversation charges as well as platform charges when using a BSP like AiSensy.
As of July 1, 2025, Meta has updated its pricing model from a 24-hour conversation-based system to a per-message pricing structure. This means businesses are billed per template message delivered (utility, authentication, marketing, etc.), with rates varying by country, message type, and volume tiers.
For the latest rates, check our guide New WhatsApp API Pricing Explained.
The WhatsApp Business API offers advanced features for larger businesses, including:
- Broadcast messages to unlimited opted-in users
- Multiple agents managing chats from a single dashboard
- Third-party CRM and e-commerce integrations to capture and sync customer data
- Tags, attributes, and segmentation for targeted broadcasts and lead nurturing
- Messages with clickable buttons
- Verified Blue tick
- Chatbot integration to automate support
Historically, once you moved your number to the API, the App became inactive because the number was registered for API use. More recently, Meta and BSPs like AiSensy support a "coexistence" mode, allowing the same phone number to run both the WhatsApp Business App and the API simultaneously. Talk to our team to understand the best path for you.
Both the WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API use end-to-end encryption, keeping messages private and secure.
However, the API provides enhanced security for larger operations, including GDPR compliance, secure API integrations, and message templates that help prevent spam.
To delete your WhatsApp Business App before applying for the API:
1. Open WhatsApp
2. Tap More Options (three dots) > Settings > Account > Delete My Account
3. Enter your phone number in full international format and tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT
4. Select a reason from the dropdown
5. Tap DELETE MY ACCOUNT
Yes, the WhatsApp Business API is excellent for marketing: you can send bulk promotional messages, notifications, and personalized templates (with user opt-in) to unlimited contacts. All marketing messages must be pre-approved by WhatsApp.
The Business App, by contrast, limits broadcasts to 256 contacts and lacks advanced marketing automation.
Absolutely! With a BSP like AiSensy, you can leverage a no-code platform so even non-technical users can launch automated, large-scale WhatsApp campaigns in minutes.
Yes, a verified Meta Business Manager (formerly Facebook Business Manager) account is required. Verification ensures compliance with Meta's policies and lets you manage API permissions, messaging, and integrations. Partnering with a BSP like AiSensy can streamline the verification process.
You need a business website, a Facebook Business Manager account, and a fresh phone number not previously linked to any WhatsApp account.
If you wish to apply on your existing number, you can either delete your WhatsApp account or ask the AiSensy team about coexistence so both WhatsApp Business App and API remain active on the same number.