WhatsApp API pricing — 2026
WhatsApp API costs depend on two things: Meta's per-conversation fee (which Zavu never marks up) and Zavu's platform fee. Below is the exact breakdown.
Meta charges per conversation (24-hour window between you and the customer) by category and country. Zavu adds a flat platform fee, with a free plan that includes 2,000 messages per month.
Zavu plans
All plans include WhatsApp API, SMS, Email, AI agents and SDKs.
Meta WhatsApp API conversation fees (Mexico)
Updated for 2026. Zavu passes these through with zero markup.
| Category | Meta fee (USD) | Meta fee (MXN) | Zavu markup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service (user-initiated, 24h window) | Free first 1,000/mo, then varies | — | 0% |
| Utility (transactional template) | $0.0357 | ~$0.65 | 0% |
| Authentication (OTP template) | $0.0317 | ~$0.58 | 0% |
| Marketing template | $0.0436 | ~$0.80 | 0% |
Conversation = 24-hour window from the first message sent or received. All messages within that window are billed once.
Example: e-commerce sending 5,000 conversations/month
Imagine a Mexico e-commerce store sending order updates (utility) and reactivation campaigns (marketing) to its customers.
- 3,500 utility conversations × $0.0357 = $124.95
- 1,500 marketing conversations × $0.0436 = $65.40
- Zavu Pro plan = $25.00 (covers up to 10,000 messages)
Total: $215.35/mo USD. Twilio or similar providers would add ~30% markup on Meta's fees.
WhatsApp API pricing FAQ
Does Zavu mark up Meta's WhatsApp API fees?
No. We pass through Meta's per-conversation fee at cost. Our revenue comes only from the Zavu platform plan.
How is a WhatsApp conversation defined?
Meta counts a 24-hour window from the first message between you and the customer. All messages inside that window are part of one conversation and billed once.
Are the first 1,000 conversations free?
Yes, Meta gives 1,000 free service (user-initiated) conversations per month per WhatsApp Business Account. Template-initiated conversations are billed from message #1.
What payment methods does Zavu accept?
Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), USD wire transfer and OXXO for Mexican customers.
Start with $0 and 2,000 messages
No credit card required. Upgrade only when you outgrow the free tier.