For growing South African businesses, picking the wrong option can cost months of avoidable friction — switching from the free app to the API isn't a simple upgrade, since phone numbers and message templates often need reconfiguring. Meta gives every API account 1,000 free service conversations a month before per-conversation charges apply.
Source: Meta — WhatsApp Business Platform
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run WhatsApp Business API from my phone like the free app?
No — the API is not phone-based; it must be integrated into a CRM, chatbot platform, or other business software, typically via an approved third-party provider.
How many free conversations does the WhatsApp Business API include each month?
Meta provides 1,000 free service conversations per month per account before additional conversation-based charges apply.
Is switching from the free app to the API a simple upgrade?
Not usually — migrating a business number, message templates and contact data to the API often requires a structured migration process rather than a one-click switch.