Meta's new WhatsApp Business charge in India applies only to businesses that use the WhatsApp Business Platform, which is also called the API. It began on October 1, 2026.
The regular WhatsApp app and the free WhatsApp Business app used by small shop owners are not affected. Meta made the change to end free service messages on the platform. Businesses now pay for each message that is delivered.
Companies that use the platform directly, or through a solution provider, will feel the change. Each business phone number gets 1,000 free service messages every month. After that, Meta charges Rs. 0.115 per delivered message, before GST. That is around 14 paise.
The same rate applies to utility and authentication messages. Utility messages include order confirmations and delivery updates. Until now, businesses could send such messages for free within 24 hours of a customer's message. This is no longer the case. Marketing messages cost more.
A simple example shows how it works. A company that sends 2,000 service messages in a month will get 1,000 free and pay for the other 1,000.
Meta has also set a deadline for payment details. A business without a payment method on file may not be able to send service messages once the charges start.
Also read: WhatsApp Business: 7 Features That Can Help Business Owners
Ordinary users do not pay anything. Chats with friends and family, group messages, and shared photos stay free. Small business owners who use the WhatsApp Business app on their phones can also carry on as before.
The change matters most for large firms that use WhatsApp for customer support, order updates and automated replies.
These companies will now have to plan for a new cost on top of their existing message charges. Some may pass on part of the cost, or send fewer messages, to keep expenses in check.
Anyone who gets updates from a brand on WhatsApp will not see a change in the app itself.