Updated on November 5, 2025
WhatsApp API Pricing India - Complete Rate Guide (2025)
Planning to send WhatsApp messages to customers in India? This comprehensive guide breaks down Meta's per-template message pricing for India, helping you accurately forecast your messaging costs.
What's Inside This Guide
Learn how per-template message pricing works
Marketing, Utility, and Authentication rates
See how costs add up for different use cases
Common questions about WhatsApp pricing in India
Understanding Meta's Per-Template Message Pricing for India
Effective July 1, 2025, Meta transitioned from a conversation-based pricing model to a per-template message pricing model for the WhatsApp Business Platform. This means businesses are charged for each template message delivered to recipients in India, with rates varying based on the message category.
Key Point: Meta charges per template message delivered, not per conversation. The rate depends on the message category (Marketing, Utility, or Authentication) and the recipient's country code. India has some of the most competitive rates globally.
How Per-Template Message Pricing Works
When you send a template message to a user in India:
- You create and send a pre-approved template message (required for business-initiated messages)
- Meta charges you based on the message category and India's rate card
- Rates are typically lowest for Authentication messages, moderate for Utility, and highest for Marketing
- Free Utility Messages: Utility template messages sent within a 24-hour customer service window (after a customer initiates contact) are free of charge
WhatsApp API Pricing Rates for India
Below are Meta's per-template message rates for India. These rates are set by Meta and are subject to change. All rates are in Indian Rupees (INR). For a complete worldwide rate card covering all countries, see our WhatsApp API pricing worldwide rate card.
| Message Category | Price per Template Message (INR) | Approx. USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | ₹0.1150 | ~$0.0014 |
| Utility | ₹0.1150 | ~$0.0014 |
| Marketing | ₹0.7846 | ~$0.0095 |
| Service | Free (within 24h window) | $0.00 |
Note: Rates may vary based on volume tiers and are subject to change by Meta. For the most current and accurate rates, please refer to the official Meta WhatsApp Platform Pricing page.
Understanding Message Categories
One-time passwords (OTPs) for login verification, account recovery, and transaction confirmations. Typically the lowest-priced category.
Transactional updates like order confirmations, shipping alerts, appointment reminders. Free when sent within 24-hour customer service window.
Promotional content, offers, product announcements. Generally the highest-priced category.
Customer support responses within 24 hours of user-initiated contact. Always free of charge.
Real-World Cost Examples for India
Let's see how these rates translate to real costs for different messaging scenarios:
Scenario: 10,000 OTP messages/month
10,000 × ₹0.1150 = ₹1,150/month
(~$14 USD/month)Scenario: 5,000 utility messages/month
5,000 × ₹0.1150 = ₹575/month
(~$7 USD/month)Scenario: 50,000 marketing messages/month
50,000 × ₹0.7846 = ₹39,230/month
(~$473 USD/month)With SendZen, you get:
- ✓ No per-message markup on Meta's rates
- ✓ Predictable platform fees
- ✓ Generous message quotas included
- ✓ Transparent pricing
Why India's Ultra-Competitive Rates Are a Game-Changer
With over 500 million WhatsApp users—the largest user base globally—India offers unparalleled scale at some of the world's lowest messaging rates. At ₹0.1150 for Authentication and Utility, and ₹0.7846 for Marketing messages, India's pricing structure enables businesses to reach massive audiences cost-effectively, making it an ideal market for scaling WhatsApp operations.
WhatsApp Users
Largest user base globally
Per Utility/Auth Message
One of the lowest rates worldwide
More Affordable
Compared to many Western markets
Massive Scale at Minimal Cost
Send millions of OTPs and authentication messages without worrying about costs. At ₹0.1150 per Authentication message, you can reach 1 million users for approximately ₹115,000 (~$1,386)—a fraction of what it costs in other markets.
Budget-Friendly Transactional Messaging
Deliver order confirmations, shipping updates, and appointment reminders cost-effectively. The low rates make it feasible to send transactional messages for every customer interaction, improving engagement without breaking the budget.
Affordable Marketing Campaigns
Run large-scale marketing campaigns targeting millions of Indian consumers. At ₹0.7846 per marketing message, you can execute ambitious campaigns cost-effectively. For example, reaching 100,000 customers costs approximately ₹78,460 (~$945).
Scalable Engagement Strategies
Build comprehensive customer engagement programs that scale with your business. India's competitive rates allow you to experiment, iterate, and scale your WhatsApp strategies without cost constraints holding you back.
The India Advantage: India's combination of massive user base and ultra-low rates creates a unique opportunity for businesses. Whether you're a startup testing WhatsApp engagement or an enterprise running nationwide campaigns, India's pricing structure removes cost barriers and enables true scale. This makes India not just a market to enter, but a strategic testing ground for WhatsApp strategies that can later be adapted to other markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about WhatsApp API pricing in India? We have answers.
Ready to Start Sending to India?
Get started with SendZen today and take advantage of India's competitive WhatsApp API rates. No per-message markup, transparent pricing, and generous message quotas included.
With over a decade of experience in the CPaaS and conversational messaging industry, Milan is an expert in WhatsApp Business API and specialises in helping businesses navigate complex pricing models and build scalable, cost-effective customer communication strategies.