WhatsApp API
Without the Complexity
Send WhatsApp messages at scale. Rich media, interactive buttons, AI-powered responses. Start in minutes, not weeks.
No credit card required. Connect your WhatsApp Business account in under 5 minutes.
What is the WhatsApp API
The WhatsApp API (officially WhatsApp Business Platform) lets apps send and receive WhatsApp messages programmatically. You connect through an official Business Solution Provider like Zavu, get a verified business number, send template messages to start conversations, then free-form messages within a 24h customer service window. Pricing is per conversation (free for the first 1,000/mo, then by category and country). Zavu adds AI agents, multi-channel fallback and SDKs in 5 languages on top.
Simple Integration
Send your first WhatsApp message in minutes.
import Zavudev from '@zavudev/sdk';
const zavu = new Zavu('YOUR_API_KEY');
// Send a text message
const message = await zavu.messages.send({
to: '+1234567890',
channel: 'whatsapp',
text: 'Hello from Zavu!'
});
// Send an image with caption
const imageMessage = await zavu.messages.send({
to: '+1234567890',
channel: 'whatsapp',
messageType: 'image',
content: {
mediaUrl: 'https://example.com/product.jpg'
},
text: 'Check out our new product!'
});
// Send interactive buttons
const buttonMessage = await zavu.messages.send({
to: '+1234567890',
channel: 'whatsapp',
messageType: 'buttons',
text: 'How can we help you today?',
content: {
buttons: [
{ id: 'sales', title: 'Sales' },
{ id: 'support', title: 'Support' },
{ id: 'info', title: 'More Info' }
]
}
});How to get the WhatsApp API in 5 steps
Total time: 5 minutes for the Zavu setup, 1-3 business days for Meta verification.
- 1
Create your Zavu account
Sign up at dashboard.zavu.dev and verify your email. No credit card needed.
- 2
Connect WhatsApp Business
Click Connect WhatsApp and complete Meta's embedded signup with your Business Manager. We're an official Solution Provider, so the flow takes minutes.
- 3
Verify your business with Meta
Upload tax ID and proof of address. Meta typically approves in 1-3 business days.
- 4
Get your API key
Copy the live API key from Settings → API Keys. Use the test key during integration.
- 5
Send your first message
Run a one-line curl or use a Zavu SDK (Node, Python, Ruby, Go, Java) to send a WhatsApp message in production.
Supported Message Types
Send rich, engaging content to your customers.
Text
Simple text messages with links and formatting
Image
Photos and graphics with captions
Video
Video content up to 16MB
Document
PDFs, spreadsheets, and other files
Audio
Voice messages and audio files
Location
Share locations and addresses
Contacts
Share contact cards
Interactive
Buttons, lists, and quick replies
Why Use WhatsApp API
Rich Messages
Send text, images, videos, documents, and interactive buttons.
Instant Delivery
Messages delivered in real-time with read receipts.
Global Reach
Reach 2+ billion WhatsApp users worldwide.
End-to-End Encryption
Messages are encrypted and secure by default.
Two-Way Conversations
Receive and respond to customer messages.
Media Support
Share images, videos, audio, and documents.
WhatsApp API pricing — transparent, no markup
You pay Meta's conversation fee + Zavu's platform fee. We never markup Meta.
| Conversation type | Meta fee (Mexico) | Zavu fee |
|---|---|---|
| Service (user-initiated, 24h window) | Free | Included in plan |
| Utility (transactional template) | $0.0357 USD / ~$0.65 MXN | Included in plan |
| Authentication (OTP template) | $0.0317 USD / ~$0.58 MXN | Included in plan |
| Marketing template | $0.0436 USD / ~$0.80 MXN | Included in plan |
Mexico template rates updated 2026. Free service conversations (1,000/mo) included by Meta. Zavu plans start at $0/mo with 2,000 messages.
Use Cases
Customer Support
Provide instant support with rich media and quick replies.
Order Updates
Send shipping notifications with tracking links and images.
Appointment Reminders
Reduce no-shows with interactive confirmation buttons.
Marketing Campaigns
Send promotional messages with product catalogs.
Zavu vs Twilio vs 360dialog vs Brevo
Quick comparison of the most popular WhatsApp API providers.
| Feature | Zavu | Twilio | 360dialog | Brevo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time | 5 min | Days | Days | Hours |
| AI agents built-in | Yes | No | No | No |
| Free messages/mo | 2,000 | 0 | 0 | 300 emails only |
| Multi-channel fallback | Yes (SMS, Email) | Manual | WhatsApp only | Manual |
| SDKs | Node, Python, Ruby, Go, Java | All major | REST only | Node, Python, PHP |
| Markup on Meta fees | None | Yes | Flat hosting fee | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Meta approval to use the WhatsApp API?
You need a Meta Business account, but Zavu handles the technical integration. We're an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider, so you can start sending messages in minutes, not weeks.
What's the difference between session and template messages?
Session messages are free-form messages you can send within 24 hours of the customer's last message. Template messages are pre-approved messages you can send anytime to initiate conversations.
How much does it cost?
Start free with 2,000 messages/mo. Paid plans from $25/mo with up to 1M messages. WhatsApp replies within 24h are included in your plan at no extra cost. Template messages are billed by Meta based on country and category — we don't markup.
Can I send marketing messages?
Yes! You can send marketing messages using approved templates. Customers must opt-in first, and you need to follow Meta's commerce and business messaging policies.
How do I handle incoming messages?
Set up a webhook URL and we'll forward all incoming messages in real-time. You can also use our built-in AI agents to automatically respond to customer messages.
Start Sending WhatsApp Messages Today
Connect your WhatsApp Business account in minutes. No approval delays, no complex setup.