The Messaging API Bandwidth
Should Have Become
Start free. All channels included. Paid plans from $25/mo. 1,000 users x 100 WhatsApp messages = $5 with Zavu vs ~$50+ with Bandwidth.*
*WhatsApp within 24h window. SMS from $0.0044, Email from $0.0001.
Why We Built Zavu
For more than a decade, Bandwidth was the default choice for developers who needed to send messages, verify users, or build communication flows. It was powerful, flexible, and the only truly global CPaaS that startups could rely on.
But then something changed. Pricing exploded. The product surface became massive and complex. Developers who once loved Bandwidth started saying the same thing:
"Bandwidth is great... but it's too expensive, too fragmented, and too much for what we actually need."
Startups, SaaS companies, and AI teams were paying high fees on WhatsApp, SMS, and email. Platform fees. Conversation fees. Hidden costs. Unpredictable monthly bills.
We asked a simple question: Why isn't there a modern messaging API designed for developers in 2025? So we built one.
Why Teams Switch to Zavu
Real reasons engineering teams migrate after years of using Bandwidth.
WhatsApp 24h = No Extra Fees
WhatsApp messages within 24h window are free from Meta. With Zavu, messages are included in your plan. Bandwidth charges conversation fees on every interaction.
Included in Plan, Not Per-Message
Messages included in your plan. Free Plan starts at 2,000 msgs/mo. Paid plans from $25/mo with up to 1M messages.
One API for All Channels
No more juggling Bandwidth's multiple APIs. One SDK, one webhook format, all channels unified.
Built for Modern Stacks
SDKs for Python and JavaScript, MCP servers for AI agents, and a clean REST API. First-class support for Vercel, Convex, and serverless architectures.
AI Agent Native
Purpose-built for AI applications with intelligent routing, template management, and real-time webhooks for agent frameworks.
Global Channel Coverage
WhatsApp, SMS, and Email — the channels that matter most. Optimized for LatAm, EMEA, India, and WhatsApp-first markets.
Feature Comparison
An objective look at how Zavu compares to Bandwidth.
| Feature | Bandwidth | Zavu |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per message + conversation fees | From $0/mo |
| Channel Pricing | Platform fees + carrier | Transparent rates |
| API Integration | Multiple APIs | Single unified API |
| AI Agent Support | Limited | Built-in with MCP servers |
| Modern Stack Support | Enterprise-focused | Vercel, Convex, Bun, serverless |
| Time to First Message | Hours to days | 15 minutes |
Pricing Comparison: The Real Numbers
Zavu includes messages in your plan. Bandwidth charges per message + conversation fees. For WhatsApp within 24h, there are no extra channel fees with Zavu.
Zavu: Messages Included in Plan
Pay per user, not per message
Bandwidth charges conversation fees plus per-message charges. Zavu includes messages in your plan. Free Plan: 2,000 msgs/mo. Paid plans from $25/mo with higher limits.
1,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h)
10,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h)
* WhatsApp within 24h conversation window only. SMS from $0.0044, Email from $0.0001.
24-Hour Window = No Extra Cost
Meta doesn't charge, we don't charge
When a user messages you first, you have 24 hours to reply freely. Meta charges nothing for these service conversations. With Zavu, messages are included in your plan. With Bandwidth, you pay conversation fees on every interaction.
Example: AI chatbot with 1,000 users sending 100 messages each (100,000 messages/month):
| Use Case | Zavu | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|
1,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h) 100,000 messages within conversation window | $5 1,000 msgs included in plan | ~$50+ Conversation fees + per-message charges |
10,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h) 1,000,000 messages within conversation window | $50 10,000 msgs included in plan | ~$500+ Conversation fees + per-message charges |
1,000 users via SMS SMS channel (any volume) | $5 + SMS cost Plan fee + SMS rate | Platform + SMS cost Platform fee + carrier rate |
* Prices for WhatsApp within 24h conversation window only. SMS from $0.0044, Email from $0.0001.
Honest Comparison: When to Choose What
We believe in transparency. Here's when each platform makes sense.
Choose Zavu if you...
- Build AI agents, chatbots, or conversational apps
- Have most traffic within 24h conversation windows
- Want simple, predictable pricing
- Need to ship fast without enterprise overhead
- Focus on WhatsApp-first markets (LatAm, EMEA, India)
- Want transparent channel pricing
- Prefer modern developer experience
Consider Bandwidth if you...
- Need voice calling and video capabilities
- Require Bandwidth Verify for authentication
- Already have deep Bandwidth integrations
- Need the full CPaaS ecosystem
- Work with enterprises that mandate Bandwidth
- Need phone number provisioning at scale
Platform Cost at Scale
Assuming 100 messages per user within WhatsApp 24h window.
Monthly Active Users
10,000
(1M msgs/month)
Conversations + per-msg fees
Hobby plan
Monthly Active Users
100,000
(10M msgs/month)
Conversations + per-msg fees
Standard plan
Monthly Active Users
1,000,000
(100M msgs/month)
Conversations + per-msg fees
Growth plan
* WhatsApp within 24h window: Zavu = included in plan, Bandwidth = conversation fees + per-message charges. SMS from $0.0044, Email from $0.0001.
What You Get with Zavu
Included
No Hidden Costs
Our Promise to Developers
We won't overwhelm you with dashboards.
We won't create unnecessary products.
We won't hide margins in your traffic.
We won't punish you for growing.
Zavu exists for one reason: to make messaging infrastructure simple, affordable, and unified — for developers building the next generation of software.
Ready to Simplify Your Messaging?
Join developers who switched from Bandwidth to Zavu. Start sending messages in 15 minutes.