The following tables explain the differences between features across the 3 different WhatsApp providers.
Provider Features
Provider Features | 360dialog | Twilio | MessageBird |
How long does the signup process take | 10-15 minutes | 2-4 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
Facebook Business Manager ID verification | Not necessary* (Starting September 13, 2021) | Required | Required |
Number porting from other providers** | Possible | Not possible | Not possible |
Message template fees | No additional fees | $0.005 for every template message | $0.005 for every template message |
Session message fees | $15 flat monthly fee | $0.005 for every message sent and received | $0.005 for every message sent and received |
Is registering your own number allowed? | Yes | No | Yes |
Supported template types | All | Only allows for a text-based body and interactive buttons | Allows for a text-based body, interactive buttons, and a header with an image or a document. |
*Conditions: Without completing Business Verification you'll have access to:
Unlimited customer-initiated conversations (24-hour messaging windows)
Ability to send template messages/notifications to 50 unique customers in a rolling 24-hour period
Ability to register up to two (2) phone numbers, which can both be assigned to 1 WABA or split between 2 WABAs
**More about migrating numbers: How to connect your existing WhatsApp Business API number to Intercom
Features in Intercom (click to enlarge)
Pricing
The Octopods WhatsApp plan costs $99/month per number. There is no limit on messaging volume or number of users†. See www.octopods.io/pricing for more details
Additionally, each provider will charge their own fee, as follows:
WhatsApp provider - Twilio
You'll need to purchase a Twilio phone number, which costs about $1 per month (depending on region).
WhatsApp application fee: Free of charge
Messaging fee: You'll pay for every message sent or received. The fee is about $0.005 per message. If you send and receive 10,000 messages per month, the cost will be $50 per month.
Template messaging fee: WhatsApp templates don’t have additional charges (starting February 1st, 2022). But Twilio charges a per message fee for all countries: $0.005 per message.
The WhatsApp fees varies by country. Please refer to the official pricing: official WhatsApp pricing.
WhatsApp provider - 360dialog
You must apply using your own number.
WhatsApp application fee: Free of charge
Messaging fee: You'll pay a fixed rate of US$15 per month (paid upfront)
Template messaging fee: WhatsApp templates don’t have additional charges (starting February 1st, 2022).
Instead businesses are charged per conversation. Each conversation includes all messages delivered in a 24 hour session.
For more information, please refer to the official WhatsApp pricing.
WhatsApp provider - MessageBird
You can apply using your own number, or purchase a MessageBird phone number for about $1 per month (depending on region).
WhatsApp application fee: Free of charge
Messaging fee: You'll pay for every message sent or received. The fee is about $0.005 per message. If you send and receive 10,000 messages per month, the cost will be $50 per month.
Template messaging fee: WhatsApp templates don’t have additional charges (starting February 1st, 2022). But MessageBird charges a per message fee for all countries: $0.005 per message.
The WhatsApp messaging fee varies by country. Please refer to the official pricing: official WhatsApp pricing.
†Unlimited messaging is subject to our fair use policy. If you expect to send more than 50,000 messages per month, or if you require high frequency access to our API, please talk to us for custom pricing.