WAnee vs the free WhatsApp Business app
The free app works well when you can reply to every message yourself. Here's when it's enough, and when an AI front desk on the API is worth it.
The WhatsApp Business app is Meta's free app for small businesses: a business profile, catalogue, quick replies, greeting and away messages, and labels, used by a person on a phone. WAnee runs on the WhatsApp Business API instead, so it can answer every customer from your information, book into Google Calendar, send reminders and hand chats to a team, at any hour.
- The app is free; WAnee is a paid plan, plus Meta's message charges.
- The app's automation is fixed messages; WAnee answers each question and books.
- WAnee uses a dedicated number, so your existing app number stays as it is.
Sources: WhatsApp Business app; Meta: WhatsApp Business Platform pricing. Checked 9 October 2026.
WAnee and WhatsApp Business app, row by row
| Feature | WAnee | WhatsApp Business app |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Starter ₹1,499/month (+ GST), plus message charges | Free app |
| Who replies | WAnee, from your prices, hours and FAQs; your team when needed | You or your staff, by hand |
| Automation | Answers each question, books, reminds and follows up | Greeting message, away message and quick replies |
| Appointment booking | Built in, with Google Calendar | No built-in booking |
| Reminders | Appointment and renewal reminders, sent automatically | Sent by hand |
| Customer records | A CRM that fills itself with history, bookings and tags | Labels and chat history on the phone |
| Team | Starter 2 staff per location, Pro 5 per location, Enterprise sized to you | Built for a person on a phone, with linked devices |
| Instagram DMs (beta) on Pro and Enterprise | Separate app | |
| Number | A dedicated number on the WhatsApp Business API | Your existing number |
| Setup | Guided setup, done with you; Meta approval can take a few days | Download and go |
Facts checked on 9 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp.
Which one suits you
Choose the free app if…
You can personally reply to every message, quickly. You get a handful of chats a day. You'd rather not pay for software yet.
Choose WAnee if…
Messages arrive while you're busy, or after hours. Bookings and reminders take up your day. More than one person handles chats. You want to know who your customers are and what they asked.
Before you decide
WAnee uses a dedicated number on the WhatsApp Business API, so your current number can stay on the app. You could also move your current number off the app and onto WAnee. We help you set it up.
Yes, Meta offers the WhatsApp Business app for free.
On the WhatsApp Business API, Meta charges per template message by category and country. WAnee bills those from a prepaid wallet, based on Meta's pricing, and the plan covers the front desk.
Yes. Keep your personal or existing business number on the app, and use a dedicated number for WAnee.
How we compare: competitor details come only from their own public pages, read on 9 October 2026. If a page didn't say something, we wrote "not stated" instead of guessing. Prices and plans change, so check their site before you decide, and tell us on WhatsApp if anything here is out of date.
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