WhatsApp Business messages to go paid starting October 1: India prices
WhatsApp Business messages will become paid from October 1. Meta is ending free service messages and introducing per-message charges for businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform. The change will affect businesses in India and other markets, with Meta saying service messages will be charged at the same rates as utility and authentication messages in each market. The social media giant has also warned businesses without a payment method on file by September 30 that it will stop delivering service messages once the charges take effect.
The company said: “For any Solution Provider or directly-integrated businesses that does not have a payment method on file by September 30, 2026, Meta will stop delivering service messages as of when they become charged on October 1, 2026.” The change means businesses will have to pay even for certain responses sent within WhatsApp’s 24-hour customer service window.
