WhatsApp Business rules are set to change starting October 1. Companies will be charged around 14 paise for some messages, but this won't affect ordinary users. Learn which messages will be paid and what will change.
WhatsApp Business will charge 14 paise per message
Apart from chatting with friends and family, many companies and businesses also use WhatsApp to connect with customers, provide order information, and send delivery updates. Now Meta is going to make a big change in this Business Messaging system. From 1 October 2026, companies will have to pay around 14 paise per message to send some messages on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Under this, charges will also be levied on some messages that can currently be sent for free within the stipulated time, although this will not directly affect common WhatsApp users. So let us know what will change from 1 October and to whom it will be applicable.
What will change from October 1?
From October 1, 2026, companies will have to pay around 14 paise per message for some messages. Currently, businesses can send certain types of reply and utility messages free of charge within a 24-hour period after a customer messages them on the WhatsApp Business Platform. These include messages like order confirmation and delivery updates. This system will change from October 1. Now, utility messages sent within this 24-hour period will also be charged; however, the first 1,000 service messages per month will remain free on every business phone number for customer service responses. Additional messages sent after this limit will be charged.
Who will be charged 14 paise?
This new charge isn't for the general public. Companies, banks, online shopping platforms, and large startups that use the WhatsApp Business Platform will pay Meta for messages sent to their customers. Messages like Order Status, Delivery Updates, and OTPs are part of this Business Messaging system. Customers won't have to pay to receive these messages or send messages to businesses.
How much is the charge for Utility Message?
In India, Meta charges ₹0.115 (11.5 paise) per delivered message for Utility Messages. After adding 18 percent GST, the price comes down to approximately 14 paise per message. Marketing messages, such as sale announcements and promotional offers, cost approximately ₹0.8631 per message. Authentication messages, which include OTPs, also cost ₹0.115 per message, plus GST.
What will be the impact on common WhatsApp users?
If you use regular WhatsApp, there will be no changes for you. There will be no charges for sending messages to friends or family. Similarly, customers will not be charged for chatting with a business account. Additionally, the current 72-hour free window for messages from Click-to-WhatsApp ads or Call-to-Action Buttons on Facebook Pages will continue. Businesses will not be required to pay Meta's messaging charges during this period.
