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