What are the differences between WhatsApp Cloud API and classic WhatsApp API?
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2024 4:36 am
The main difference between the WhatsApp Cloud API and the conventional WhatsApp API is at the server level. As we mentioned above, one of them has the server through a BSP and the other directly on the Meta server, which makes it more stable and easier to install, as well as making it more accessible to different companies. Although this difference does not directly affect end users, it affects the companies that implement them in multiple ways. The main difference for these companies is the speed at which they can access the API, since by belonging to the WhatsApp cloud API they can obtain it much faster, while updates are also fantuan database obtained faster and more securely.
One of the main advantages and differences compared to the classic API is that the cloud API is hosted by Meta, which allows enterprises and BSPs to get the API for free, quickly and securely. This allows the API to be deployed faster and security updates arrive more easily.
On the other hand, in the case of conventional API, BSPs are responsible for updating and maintaining the clients' API connection, they are responsible for the corresponding updates, which can cause delays and problems because Meta is not the direct administrator.
Additionally, there is a very important question regarding the pricing of both API modalities, mainly because in conventional API, third parties handle the requests and hosting, which makes the service more expensive.
WhatsApp Cloud API Pricing
The price of the WhatsApp Cloud API can vary depending on how you choose to deploy it. If you get it through a BSP (Business Solution Provider), it will most likely include additional costs specific to the BSP.
If you get the WhatsApp Cloud API directly from Meta, you will only have to pay for WhatsApp conversations. It is also important to note that the prices are divided into two parts and depend on how you convert WhatsApp conversations, the first being business-initiated conversations and the second being customer-initiated conversations.
Service conversations are those initiated by customers. Businesses are billed for user-initiated conversations when they respond to messages within the 24-hour messaging window.
Business-initiated conversations are those that are started outside of the 24-hour messaging window. Businesses must use a message template to initiate such a conversation.
One of the main advantages and differences compared to the classic API is that the cloud API is hosted by Meta, which allows enterprises and BSPs to get the API for free, quickly and securely. This allows the API to be deployed faster and security updates arrive more easily.
On the other hand, in the case of conventional API, BSPs are responsible for updating and maintaining the clients' API connection, they are responsible for the corresponding updates, which can cause delays and problems because Meta is not the direct administrator.
Additionally, there is a very important question regarding the pricing of both API modalities, mainly because in conventional API, third parties handle the requests and hosting, which makes the service more expensive.
WhatsApp Cloud API Pricing
The price of the WhatsApp Cloud API can vary depending on how you choose to deploy it. If you get it through a BSP (Business Solution Provider), it will most likely include additional costs specific to the BSP.
If you get the WhatsApp Cloud API directly from Meta, you will only have to pay for WhatsApp conversations. It is also important to note that the prices are divided into two parts and depend on how you convert WhatsApp conversations, the first being business-initiated conversations and the second being customer-initiated conversations.
Service conversations are those initiated by customers. Businesses are billed for user-initiated conversations when they respond to messages within the 24-hour messaging window.
Business-initiated conversations are those that are started outside of the 24-hour messaging window. Businesses must use a message template to initiate such a conversation.