Whatsapp ecosystem comparison

WhatsApp Ecosystem Comparison

This section describes the differences and setting options between different versions of WhatsApp application. See the comparison table of all possible features and options of each WhatsApp versions at the bottom of the section.

WhatsApp

The simpliest version of WhatsApp application, which is aimed for personal use only.

WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business is used by small companies which to use a single profile by more people. It has also a different logo then "basic" WhatsApp application.

It allows to set sending of Quick Replies, Greeting and Away messages etc.

WhatsApp Business API

WhatsApp Business API is aimed to meeting requirements of larger companies that need to deal with large volume of messages.

The API supports unlimited number of users and devices. Besides Quick Replies, Greeting and Away messages it allows to send notifications to the clients as the Template Messages which can be used in many different situations (use cases).

WhatsApp Ecosystem Comparison Table

WHATSAPP	WHATSAPP BUSINESS APP	WHATSAPP BUSINESS API
Best for personal use by individuals in one-on-one and group messages	Best for local businesses for one-on-one and group messages with templates and indication it’s a business chat	Best for automation of processes via API. Mainly for central support and call centers at medium to large companies
Used by individual users. iOS and Android Apps	Used by individual users. iOS and Android Apps	Used by call centers or automated systems. No real mobile interface
Account made using a mobile phone number	Account made using a mobile or landline phone number	Account made by applying for a WhatsApp partner
App is free to use	App is free to use	Messages sent via API are charged per message template or session, some free based on reply pattern
App can exchange text messages, audio clips, multimedia, location, files and documents with a 100MB limit	App can exchange text messages, audio clips, multimedia, location, files and documents with a 100MB limit	API can send messages through session and template messaging. Template messaging must first be approved by WhatsApp
App can make voice and video calls	App can make voice and video calls	No calling capabilities
App can broadcast any content to a maximum of 256 contacts	App can broadcast any content to a maximum of 256 contacts	API broadcasts are not limited
App has no automation or quick replies	App automation includes greeting messages, away messages, and quick replies	Automation is achieved through API
App contacts are retrieved from phone contacts	App contacts are retrieved from phone contacts and can be labeled	Contacts are achieved through API

WHATSAPP

PROS	CONS
Friendly for users, install app and you are ready	Account can only be used by one user on one device (two devices/numbers with TeleMessage)
Free messaging	Message forwarding can only be done five times. No message automation.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS APP

PROS	CONS
Friendly for users, install app and you are ready. Can install in parallel to WhatsApp App (requires a 2nd number you can get from TeleMessage)	Account can only be used by one user on one device (two devices/numbers with TeleMessage)
Free messaging. Basic automation. Allows installation of a 2nd WhatsApp on a single phone.	Limited automation. Chats displayed as chats with a business.

WHATSAPP BUSINESS API

PROS	CONS
Can connect to WhatsApp Business Solution or into CRM via integations. Automated API messages.	Best utilized using APIs. Account creation requires approval.
Can support an unlimited number of users and devices.	Messages must be responded to within 24 hours, otherwise paid.