WhatsApp API cost calculator for India
Last updated: 2026-10-30 · By Akash Saxena, Product Manager, ChatDesq · Rates for India, excl. GST · Made by ChatDesq
Your monthly WhatsApp Business API cost = messages in each category × that category's rate, plus any platform fee. Meta charges per delivered message. In India, Meta's list rate is ₹0.8631 for a marketing message and ₹0.115 for a utility, authentication or service message. ChatDesq has a ₹0 platform fee, forever: you pay only per message, ₹1.036 per marketing message and ₹0.138 for the other categories. GST at 18% is extra.
What rates does this calculator use?
These are the India rates per delivered message, as of 2026-10-30, excluding GST.
| Category | Used for | Meta's list rate | ChatDesq price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Offers, launches, cart reminders | ₹0.8631 | ₹1.036 |
| Utility | Order, shipping, COD confirmation | ₹0.115 | ₹0.138 |
| Authentication | One-time passwords (OTP) | ₹0.115 | ₹0.138 |
| Service | Replies in the 24-hour window; first 1,000 per number per month free | ₹0.115 | ₹0.138 |
| Platform fee | Monthly subscription | — | ₹0 |
Sources: Meta, WhatsApp Business Platform pricing (categories, free tier, free entry points) and ChatDesq pricing. Meta lowers utility and authentication rates in volume tiers at high monthly volume; this calculator uses the standard list rate.
Worked example
A brand sends 10,000 marketing and 20,000 utility messages a month. Meta's charge: 10,000 × ₹0.8631 + 20,000 × ₹0.115 = ₹10,931. On ChatDesq: 10,000 × ₹1.036 + 20,000 × ₹0.138 + ₹0 platform fee = ₹13,120 excl. GST (₹15,481.60 incl. 18% GST).
Which messages are free?
- The first 1,000 service messages per business phone number each month.
- All messages in a free entry point window: when a customer messages you from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad and you reply, Meta opens a free window of up to 7 days. Leave these out of your counts.
- Messages customers send to you.
Calculate your monthly cost
| Line | Billable messages | Meta | ChatDesq |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 10,000 | ₹8,631.00 | ₹10,360.00 |
| Utility | 20,000 | ₹2,300.00 | ₹2,760.00 |
| Authentication | 0 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 |
| Service (after free tier) | 0 | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 |
| Platform fee | — | — | ₹0.00 |
| Total excl. GST | ₹10,931.00 | ₹13,120.00 |
Rates as of 2026-10-30, excl. GST, for messages to Indian (+91) numbers. Meta's rates change on its published calendar, and your price on ChatDesq follows them. Volume-tier discounts on utility and authentication are not modelled. This is an estimate, not a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How is WhatsApp Business API cost calculated in India?
Multiply the number of delivered messages in each category (marketing, utility, authentication, service) by its per-message rate, then add any monthly platform fee. Meta's India list rate is ₹0.8631 per marketing message and ₹0.115 per utility, authentication or service message, excluding GST.
What does ChatDesq charge per message?
ChatDesq has a ₹0 platform fee, forever; you pay only per message. In India it charges ₹1.036 per marketing message and ₹0.138 per utility, authentication or service message (service after 1,000 free per number per month), excluding GST.
Are any WhatsApp messages free?
Yes. Each business phone number gets 1,000 free service messages a month, and messages in a free entry point window (after a customer messages you from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad and you reply) are free for up to 7 days.
Want to compare named platforms? See WhatsApp Business API pricing in India (2026), with AiSensy, WATI and Interakt rates from their own pricing pages.
