How to choose a WhatsApp API provider: ten questions to ask before you sign.

Every provider connects you to the same WhatsApp Business API, so the difference is price structure, tools, support and trust. These ten questions show those differences quickly.

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The short answer

Ask each provider for a written answer to these ten questions, then compare them side by side. The three that matter most for most businesses are whether Meta fees carry a markup, how the platform fee grows as your team grows, and who helps you when a template is rejected.

The ten questions

Question	Why it matters	What Unecast does
1. Is there a markup on Meta fees?	Meta fees are the largest part of the bill for campaign senders.	Passed through at zero markup
2. How does the platform fee grow?	Per-seat, per-contact and flat plans scale very differently.	Plans from $29 a month, with extra numbers and seats priced on the plan page
3. Can I pay in my currency?	Currency affects budgeting and tax paperwork.	USD, with Sri Lankan rupee billing available
4. Is the provider verified by Meta?	Verification affects trust and support routes.	Meta Tech Provider and BSP
5. Who does onboarding?	Business verification and templates delay many launches.	Guided onboarding is optional and quoted to your project
6. How is AI priced?	Per-reply AI charges can exceed the platform fee.	$0.002, $0.006 or $0.015 per reply
7. Can I add SMS, OTP and voice?	One vendor means one bill and one inbox.	SMS, OTP SMS and a cloud call center on one platform
8. Who owns my data and contacts?	You should be able to export and leave.	Ask for export terms in writing
9. When is support available?	A rejected template at 10 AM in your time zone needs a fast answer.	Hotline and email, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Sri Lanka time
10. What does it cost at my volume?	List prices hide extras.	Use our calculator or ask for a quote

How to compare quickly

Write down your monthly messages by type: marketing, utility, authentication and AI replies.
Ask each provider to price that exact mix, in writing.
Add the cost of your second agent and second number.
Check what happens to your number and data if you leave.

You can see how several providers price this in our provider fee comparison, and read what each tool does in the comparison hub.

Red flags

Prices shown only after a sales call, with no range.
Meta fees bundled into one rate with no breakdown.
The provider keeps control of your WhatsApp number.
No named person for template and verification help.
A free plan that is really a short trial with no price stated afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a BSP and a Tech Provider?

Both are Meta-approved ways to offer the WhatsApp Business Platform to other businesses. Ask a provider which status it holds and how that affects your onboarding and support.

Do providers charge more than Meta?

Meta sets message fees. Providers charge a platform fee, and some add a markup on message fees. Ask for the answer in writing.

How long does it take to go live?

It depends mainly on business verification and template approval. With help, many businesses are live in about a week.

Can I switch provider later?

Often yes, but the process depends on the number and the provider. Ask about migration terms before you sign.

Is the cheapest provider the best?

Not always. Compare total cost at your own volume, including AI replies, extra seats and support.

Keep reading

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