WhatsApp messaging costs in India changed fundamentally on 1 July 2025, when Meta moved from per-conversation to per-message billing. A lot of pricing content online still describes the old model. This guide reflects how billing works in 2026, using Sendvise's published Customer Messaging Rates for India — the rates you actually pay on the platform. Meta's base rates and provider service rates may differ and are subject to change.
The four message categories — Sendvise Customer Messaging Rates (India)
Marketing (₹0.98/message): promotions, offers, product launches, re-engagement — anything persuasive.
Utility (₹0.17/message): order confirmations, shipping updates, payment reminders — transactional follow-ups to an existing interaction.
Authentication (₹0.17/message): OTPs and login codes.
Service (free): your replies within the 24-hour customer service window that opens when a customer messages you.
Meta sets base rates per country; each provider then sets its own customer rate per category. The numbers above are Sendvise's published rates — shown before every campaign, identical on every plan. When comparing providers, always ask for their per-message rates in writing; small per-message differences compound at volume.
The 24-hour service window
When a customer messages you, a 24-hour window opens in which you can reply freely — no template needed, no charge. Every new customer message resets the clock. Outside that window, you must use a pre-approved template and pay the category rate. Smart teams design flows that get customers to reply, keeping conversations inside the free window.