Hi there,
We’re sharing an important update regarding WhatsApp Business API pricing, following the latest per-message pricing changes announced by Meta.
The revised WhatsApp per message pricing will be effective starting January 1, 2026, and will be reflected across the AiSensy platform from the same date.
What are WhatsApp Conversation Credits (WCC)?
WhatsApp Conversation Credits are consumed whenever a business delivers template messages such as Marketing, Utility, or Authentication messages via the AiSensy platform.
WhatsApp conversation credit deduction depends on the message category and the recipient’s country, and is charged strictly based on Meta’s pricing rules.
WhatsApp Business API Pricing Update
Meta has announced updated pricing for WhatsApp messages across different categories. These changes impact Marketing, Utility, Authentication, and Service messages and apply on a per-message basis.
Updated Pricing for India (Per Message delivered)
- Marketing messages: ₹1.09
- Utility messages: ₹0.145
- Authentication messages: ₹0.145
- Service messages: Free (as per existing rules)
Service messages will continue to remain free of charge, provided they are sent within the active customer service window.
Important: WhatsApp Conversation Credits are deducted only when a message is successfully delivered to the user.
Understanding the Customer Service Window
When a user sends a message to your business, a 24-hour customer service window begins. Every new message from the user refreshes this window.
During this active window:
- You can send free-form messages at no cost
- Service messages remain free
- Utility messages sent within this window are not charged
⚠️ Utility messages sent outside the active customer service window will be charged as per the applicable utility message pricing for the recipient’s country.
Country-wise WhatsApp Pricing
WhatsApp message pricing varies by country.
For the complete country-wise pricing list, please refer to the document linked below:
https://e.aisensy.com/updated-pricing-1jan
What This Means for AiSensy Users
- The updated WhatsApp message pricing will be reflected on the AiSensy dashboard starting January 1, 2026.
- Charges will be applied automatically based on the message category and the recipient's country.
- No changes are being made to service message pricing, which will continue to remain free within the customer service window.
FAQs
Service and utility messages sent within an active 24-hour customer service window are free. However, once that window expires, you’ll be charged per message based on the template category.
A customer service window is a 24-hour window that starts when a user messages you. Within this window, you can send free-form replies and utility messages without being charged.
Businesses can reduce WhatsApp API costs by strategically using the 24-hour customer service window. Encourage users to initiate conversations (for example, via Click to WhatsApp ads, website chat buttons, or QR codes), so you can reply with free-form messages and utility templates at no cost within the window. Additionally, reserve paid marketing templates for high-intent campaigns, avoid unnecessary follow-ups outside the service window, and segment users carefully to ensure templates are sent only to relevant audiences.
Start by counting how many template messages you send per month in each category (Marketing, Utility sent outside the 24-hour service window, and Authentication). Then multiply each count by the per-message rate for your users’ country and add them up. Remember: free-form replies are free, and Utility templates sent within an active 24-hour customer service window are also free—so don’t include those in your paid estimate.