# WhatsApp Business API pricing: the real cost | Kemeny Studio

> The WhatsApp Business API is free to access. Under Meta's current model you pay per template message by category and country, and from October 1, 2026 service replies inside the customer service window are billed as well (after 1,000 free per phone number per month), as are utility templates sent inside an open window; the real cost adds the platform or custom build and monthly operations.

Three cost layers: (1) Meta's per-message template fees (marketing, utility, authentication; service replies inside the customer service window are free until September 30, 2026 and billed at the market's utility rate from October 1, 2026 after 1,000 free per phone number per month; utility templates inside an open window are billed from the same date; see https://kemenystudio.com/whatsapp-service-message-pricing; rates vary by country, see Meta's official rate card), billed separately from any platform. (2) Platform or build: SaaS subscriptions run $50-$500 USD/mo in the market; a custom agent in the LatAm market runs $20,000-$80,000 USD on a fixed quote. (3) Operations: $2,000-$8,000 USD/mo in the market; included in SaaS subscriptions. Decide on cost per resolved conversation, not tool price. Spanish: https://kemenystudio.com/es/whatsapp-business-api-precio

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