The Messaging API Twilio
Should Have Become
$0.001 per user/month — not per message. 1,000 users x 100 WhatsApp messages = $5 with Zavu vs ~$50+ with Twilio.*
*WhatsApp within 24h window. SMS and Email have additional carrier costs (passed through at cost, no markup).
Why We Built Zavu
For more than a decade, Twilio 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 Twilio started saying the same thing:
"Twilio 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 markups 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 Twilio.
WhatsApp 24h = No Extra Fees
WhatsApp messages within 24h window are free from Meta. With Zavu, you only pay the MAU fee. Twilio charges conversation fees on every interaction.
Per-MAU, Not Per-Message
Pay $0.001 per Monthly Active User. 1,000 users x 100 WhatsApp messages (24h window) = $5 with Zavu vs ~$50+ with Twilio.
One API for All Channels
No more juggling Twilio'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 Twilio.
| Feature | Twilio | Zavu |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per message + conversation fees | $0.001 per MAU |
| SMS/WhatsApp/Email Markup | 2-10x provider cost | Zero markup (at cost) |
| 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 charges per user ($0.001/MAU). Twilio charges per message + conversation fees. For WhatsApp within 24h, there are no extra channel fees with Zavu.
Zavu: $0.001 per User, Unlimited Messages
Pay per user, not per message
Twilio charges conversation fees plus per-message charges. Zavu charges $0.001 per Monthly Active User — regardless of how many messages they send. More messages = same price.
1,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h)
10,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h)
* WhatsApp within 24h conversation window only. SMS and Email: MAU fee + carrier cost (no markup).
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, you only pay the MAU fee. With Twilio, 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 | Twilio |
|---|---|---|
1,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h) 100,000 messages within conversation window | $5 1,000 MAU x $0.001 (no extra fees) | ~$50+ Conversation fees + per-message charges |
10,000 users x 100 msgs (WhatsApp 24h) 1,000,000 messages within conversation window | $50 10,000 MAU x $0.001 (no extra fees) | ~$500+ Conversation fees + per-message charges |
1,000 users via SMS SMS channel (any volume) | $5 + SMS cost MAU fee + carrier rate (no markup) | Platform + SMS cost Platform fee + carrier rate + markup |
* Prices for WhatsApp within 24h conversation window only. SMS and Email have additional carrier/provider costs (Zavu passes through at cost with no markup, Twilio adds platform fees and markups).
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 zero markup on channel costs
- Prefer modern developer experience
Consider Twilio if you...
- Need voice calling and video capabilities
- Require Twilio Verify for authentication
- Already have deep Twilio integrations
- Need the full CPaaS ecosystem
- Work with enterprises that mandate Twilio
- 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
10k x $0.001
Monthly Active Users
100,000
(10M msgs/month)
Conversations + per-msg fees
100k x $0.001
Monthly Active Users
1,000,000
(100M msgs/month)
Conversations + per-msg fees
1M x $0.001
* WhatsApp within 24h window: Zavu = MAU fee only, Twilio = conversation fees + per-message charges. SMS/Email: both have additional carrier costs (Zavu passes through at cost, no markup).
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 Twilio to Zavu. Start sending messages in 15 minutes.