WhatsApp Blasting: Cost, Benefits & Difference Between WhatsApp Business vs API

WhatsApp Blasting is one of the most effective digital marketing strategies in 2025. It allows businesses to send bulk messages—such as promotions, reminders, or product updates—to thousands of customers instantly. With open rates above 95%, WhatsApp remains the best platform for direct communication.

But before you start, it’s important to understand the cost, limitations, and the key difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API.

What Is WhatsApp Blasting?

WhatsApp blasting refers to sending bulk messages to a list of contacts. It’s commonly used for:

• Promotional campaigns
• Product launches
• Payment reminders
• Customer re-engagement

It can be done using:

• WhatsApp Business App (Non official and automated system)
• WhatsApp Business API (official and automated system)

Cost Explanation

1. Using WhatsApp Business App

• You may use third-party blasting tools, costing around RM50–RM300/month
• Pros: Low cost, easy to use
• Cons: Risk of number being banned, limited automation, and no official support

2. Using WhatsApp Business API

• Official Meta-approved solution (e.g. via providers like 360dialog, WATI, ChatsHero)
• Cost includes:
• Monthly subscription: RM300–RM600 (depending on provider)
• Message cost: Meta charges per conversation, e.g.
• Marketing messages: around USD 0.086 per message (≈ RM0.36) (according to Meta)
• Marketing messages: around round USD 0.014 per message (≈ RM0.36) (according to Meta)
• Pros: Safe, scalable, high deliverability, verified green tick, automation-ready
• Cons: Higher upfront cost, cost per messages

Conversation Category	Purpose	Estimated Cost (per 24h session)
● Marketing	Promotions, offers, campaigns	~USD 0.086 (≈ RM0.36)
● Utility / Service	Notifications, order updates, OTP	~USD 0.014 (≈ RM0.059)
● Authentication	OTP / verification	~USD 0.015 (≈ RM0.06)
● Customer Service (User-initiated)	When user sends you a message	~USD 0.014 (≈ RM0.059)

Example: Cost Breakdown for 5,000 Messages

Method	Estimated Cost	Result
Business App + Tool	RM100 – RM300/month	High ban risk
Business API (Official)	RM400 (subscription) + RM1750 (marketing message cost) = RM2150	High deliverability, automation, safe, analytics

WhatsApp Business vs WhatsApp API

Feature	WhatsApp Business App	WhatsApp Business API
Blast Limit	Limited (≈256 contacts per list)	Unlimited, but requires fees
Cost	No charge by cost per message	Charge by cost per message
Risk	High (ban risk)	Safe (Meta-approved)

Common Mistakes Businesses Make with WhatsApp Blasting

• Sending long paragraphs → People don’t read
'
• No CTA → No lead/action
• Spamming without segmentation → Leads to ban or block \

Will WhatsApp API get banned?

Not completely immune — but much safer than WhatsApp Business App. Even with official WhatsApp API, your number can still be restricted or banned if Meta detects abuse or if users report spam.

What are the restrictions of WhatsApp API

1. Tiered messaging / unique-user limits

• Your business account is placed in a “tier” based on quality, history, etc. For example: Tier 1 might allow messaging up to ~1,000 unique users in a 24-hour rolling period; higher tiers go to 10,000 or 100,000 unique users.
• The limit is about unique users you initiate a conversation with, not necessarily total messages.
• The “24-hour window” rule: If a user initiates a chat, for the next 24 hours you can freely reply (within the “customer care window”). Outside of that you often need a pre-approved message template to start or resume the conversation.

2. Rate limits (speed / volume)

• The limit is about unique users you initiate a conversation with, not necessarily total messages.
• TThere are “pair rate limits” meaning you can’t send too many messages to one user too fast (for example one message every ~6 seconds to a specific user) in some cases. .

3. Message-template / proactive message restrictions

• If you’re sending a message that the user did not initiate (i.e., you proactively reach out), you usually must use a pre-approved template message. You can’t just send any arbitrary promotional message.
• Some content categories are restricted or have stricter rules (e.g., promotional vs. transactional) and you must follow their commerce / content policies.

4. User opt-in, consent & quality rating

• If you’re sending a message that the user did not initiate (i.e., you proactively reach out), you usually must use a pre-approved template message. You can’t just send any arbitrary promotional message.
• WhatsApp monitors “quality signals” (block/reply rates, complaint rates, user feedback). If your quality rating is “Low”, you’ll get stricter limits or your account may be restricted.

5. Account verification, business identity & restricted categories

• You must verify your business account (provide correct business details, display name matches brand, etc.). If that setup is incomplete or seems inconsistent, the account may be restricted.
• Some business categories or geographies are restricted (due to sanctions or policy). For example certain countries may not be supported.

6. Functional limitations of the API

• Some features you might expect in the consumer WhatsApp app are not available via the Business/API channel. For example: you cannot join a WhatsApp group with a Business API number, cannot make voice/video calls from the API, cannot just “forward” messages arbitrarily through the API in the way a normal user might.

Benefits of WhatsApp Blasting

• 95%+ open rate
• Personalized messages
• Real-time delivery
• Automation with chatbots
• Boost engagement and sales

Conclusion