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WhatsApp for Business Pricing in Singapore [2025]
WhatsApp initially grew in popularity as a means of bypassing cellular charges - anyone, anywhere, could message and call via the internet. Now, WhatsApp Business has become an essential communication tool for Singapore businesses looking to connect with customers locally and internationally. It’s easy, it’s intuitive, and it now offers a range of personalisation and sales options for businesses, too. But understanding the pricing options, especially with WhatsApp's shifting pricing model in 2025, might not be straightforward.
This guide breaks down all WhatsApp Business pricing tiers available in Singapore, from the free app to the enterprise-level API platform. We'll also look at upcoming pricing changes and cost-saving strategies, and compare WhatsApp with alternative messaging platforms.
For Singapore businesses managing international subscriptions including tools like WhatsApp, choosing the right payment method is just as important as selecting the correct plan. We'll explore how Wise Business Card can help you avoid unnecessary foreign transaction fees when paying for your subscription.
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WhatsApp Business pricing overview
WhatsApp offers two distinct tiers for Singapore businesses designed for different operational needs and scales. The main differences between the tiers are the scale of operations they support, the level of automation and integration available, and their pricing models - from free for basic needs, to usage-based fees for advanced, enterprise-grade functionality.
Here's a quick breakdown of the WhatsApp Business pricing model for Singapore businesses in 2025:
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business App | Free | Small businesses with basic messaging needs |
| WhatsApp Business API | Usage-based (varies) | Medium to large businesses with higher messaging volumes and a need for more customisation |
*Details accurate as of 12th May 2025
WhatsApp Business app features (free tier)
The free WhatsApp Business app offers essential tools for small business communication. Crucially, with no message fees, it’s suitable for all message volumes provided they are fairly straightforward interactions:
- Business profile customisation with hours, address, and product catalogues
- Basic automation with greeting messages and away responses
- Labels to organise customer conversations
- Quick replies for frequently asked questions
- Ads that Click to WhatsApp
- WhatsApp Flow setup to customise specific customer pathways
- Basic statistics on message delivery and open rates
Is the WhatsApp Business App right for my business?
This free tier is perfect for micro-businesses and solopreneurs who:
- Handle a manageable volume of customer inquiries
- Need basic messaging tools
- Don't require access from multiple devices simultaneously
- Want to test WhatsApp as a customer communication channel
The limitations become apparent when you need to scale your customer messaging, add more nuanced interaction types, or require team collaboration.
WhatsApp Business Platform
For medium to large businesses requiring advanced features and integration capabilities, the WhatsApp Business Platform offers a powerful solution with usage-based pricing.
It’s great for those needing to manage high message volumes, marketing and transactional messaging at scale, automation, or integrations with CRM and other business systems. Features like chatbots, detailed analytics, multi-agent support, and unlimited device access are all possible.
Current pricing model (until June 2025)
WhatsApp Business Platform currently uses a conversation-based pricing model, with costs varying by conversation type:¹
- Marketing conversations: USD 0.0732 per conversation
- Utility conversations: USD 0.0157 per conversation
- Authentication conversations: USD 0.0425 per conversation
- Service conversations: Free (up to 1,000)
Upcoming changes (from July 2025)
Meta has announced significant changes to the WhatsApp Business Platform pricing:
- Shift from conversation-based to template message-based pricing
- Each template message will cost the same as a conversation currently costs
- Utility templates delivered within a 24-hour customer service window will be free
- Service conversations will become completely free with no cap on the number
Is WhatsApp Business Platform right for my business?
The API solution is ideal for:
- Larger businesses with high messaging volumes
- Companies needing to integrate WhatsApp into their existing CRM or customer service platforms
- Businesses requiring advanced automation and team collaboration features
- Enterprises that need detailed analytics and reporting
What is the pricing currency for WhatsApp Business in Singapore?
WhatsApp Business pricing for Singapore is typically listed in US dollars (USD). Paying for international SaaS subscriptions like WhatsApp Business using your corporate bank credit card can result in hidden costs, such as:
- Exchange rate markup: Traditional banks often add a 3-5% markup on the exchange rate
- Foreign transaction fees: Credit cards typically charge 2-3.5% on international payments
But there is a solution. Using a Wise Business Card to manage your international subscriptions allows you to pay in USD without incurring these additional costs. Wise Business offers you the real mid-market rate (the same one you see on Google), a multi-currency business card that works in 150+ countries with minimal fees, local account details in 8+ currencies, and ability to hold up to 40+ currencies in a single account - including USD for your WhatsApp subscription.
All of this translates to monthly savings that you can put back into growing your business.
➡️ Learn more about Wise Business
How much do WhatsApp Business add-ons cost?
As a pay-per-use platform, WhatsApp Business pricing allows everyone to get exactly what they need out of their services. But, beyond the base platform costs, businesses there are a few potential additional expenses:
Business Solution Provider (BSP) fees
To access the WhatsApp Business Platform, most Singapore businesses typically partner with Meta-approved Business Solution Providers such as SleekFlow or Respond.io, as direct integration requires significant technical resources. These providers often add a service markup to Meta’s base rates - commonly ranging from 0% to 27%, depending on the features and support included.
BSPs offer:
- Implementation support
- Integration with existing business systems
- Additional features and analytics
- Local support services
Infrastructure costs
Depending on your integration needs, you may incur additional costs for:
- API hosting infrastructure
- Development and maintenance
- Custom integration with existing business systems
How to save on your WhatsApp Business bill next month
To maximise value and minimise expenses, Singapore businesses should consider:
Responding within the 24-hour window: You can avoid opening new billable conversations by ensuring you respond promptly to customers.
Use free entry points: Not all customer conversations start with the same billing rules. When customers reach you through specific entry points, you get extended free conversation windows. By directing marketing efforts to drive customer inquiries through these channels, you can triple your free response time and significantly reduce billable conversation initiations.:
- WhatsApp Ads click-throughs: Conversations initiated via WhatsApp Ads provide a 72-hour free window instead of the standard 24 hours
- Facebook Page CTA buttons: When customers use the "Message Us" button on your Facebook business page, you also get the extended 72-hour free window
- Instagram profile links: Similar to Facebook, these entry points extend your free conversation period
Strategic template usage: Plan your template messages carefully, as multiple templates of the same category in an open conversation won't incur additional charges. Create versatile templates that can be repurposed across different scenarios to reduce the total number of templates needed. A well-designed template strategy can significantly reduce costs.
Conduct message audits: Regularly review your messaging patterns to identify opportunities for optimisation, especially before the 2025 pricing change.
- Conversation analysis: Identify which conversation types (marketing, utility, service) make up the bulk of your messaging volume
- Template effectiveness: Track which templates generate the highest response and conversion rates
- Usage patterns: Note days/times when conversation volumes peak to ensure adequate staffing for prompt responses
- Conversion tracking: Measure which conversations lead to sales or desired outcomes to focus resources where they generate returns
Avoid foreign transaction fees: When paying for WhatsApp Business Platform services in USD, use a Wise Business multi-currency card to get the true mid-market exchange rate with no exchange rate markups, and no foreign transaction fees charged.
➡️Learn more about Wise Business
WhatsApp vs. LINE vs. Telegram - price comparison
WhatsApp Business isn’t the only messaging solution out there. Competitors like LINE and Telegram offer similar services and will no doubt be on your radar. While LINE only offers a basic free plan to Singapore businesses, Telegram is a worthy competitor to WhatsApp’s offerings. Here’s a breakdown of the main differences between the two.
| Platform | Free Tier | Paid Plans |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business | WhatsApp Business App with unlimited basic messaging plus various customisation and template tools | API: USD 0.0157-0.0732/msg¹ |
| Telegram | Unlimited basic messaging on a free personal plan | Telegram Business is included in Telegram Premium: USD 4.99/month or USD 35.99/year |
*Details accurate as of 12 May 2025
WhatsApp vs. Telegram
Telegram offers a free base API without direct charges for sending or receiving messages, making it initially appealing for small operations. More sophisticated options are available, such as build-your-own Telegram to serve customers and bots - but these come at an additional cost.³ Businesses may find Telegram’s pricing less accessible, as it’s only explicitly visible via the app.
WhatsApp's pricing superiority (and transparency) for scalable operations in Singapore quickly becomes clear, despite its initial complexity. Competitors like Telegram serve niche use cases but lack the combination of market penetration and flexible pricing required for most commercial applications in the Singaporean market.
Businesses might choose Telegram for its flexible automation, easy setup, and ability to build large public channels or communities, making it ideal for tech-savvy audiences and rapid broadcasting.
In contrast, WhatsApp Business is favoured for its strong market presence, verified profiles, compliance features, and secure, trackable customer interactions - especially valuable for regulated industries and businesses needing CRM integration.
WhatsApp Business pricing FAQs
Does WhatsApp Business have a free trial for paid plans?
While WhatsApp Business Platform does not offer a free plan directly, many WhatsApp Business API providers do. Ultimately, the best service will always come directly from WhatsApp, which means trialling the features properly and paying the (minimal) usage fees is usually worth it.
Can I mix different WhatsApp Business plans within my organisation?
No, you'll need to choose a single tier for your business. However, you can start with the free app and later upgrade to the Platform if your business needs evolve. Your existing business profile and conversation history will transfer when upgrading.
Does WhatsApp Business have mobile apps?
Yes, WhatsApp Business offers fully-featured mobile apps for both Android and iOS devices. The Platform also supports desktop access for team members, allowing for seamless communication across platforms.
Are there any implementation or onboarding costs?
For the free app there are no additional implementation costs. However, when implementing the WhatsApp Business Platform APIs, expect onboarding costs from your Business Solution Provider that may include integration services, training, and setup fees.
Can WhatsApp Business integrate with other business software?
WhatsApp Business Platform offers extensive integration capabilities with CRM systems, helpdesk software, and marketing automation tools. Many Singapore businesses integrate WhatsApp with platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, or local solutions through their Business Solution Provider's interfaces.
Conclusion
The beauty of WhatsApp Business lies in its flexibility. The free app will often be enough for businesses running small-scale messaging strategies. The need to upgrade to the WhatsApp Business Platform will only emerge when more complex management of many simultaneous customer service conversations (with multiple agents) is necessary.
The upcoming shift from conversation-based to template message-based pricing in July 2025 will significantly impact businesses with high messaging volumes. Singapore businesses should take a look at their current usage patterns and prepare strategies to optimise costs under the new model.
For businesses paying for WhatsApp subscriptions in USD, using Wise Business Card can help minimise costs by avoiding hidden exchange rate markups and foreign transaction fees - ensuring you don't pay more than necessary for this important business communication tool.
| 💡Whether you're paying for overseas business transactions such as your SaaS subscriptions or travel expenses, the Wise Business Card lets you spend online or in-store in 40+ currencies and 150+ countries. With transparent pricing and no foreign transaction fees, Wise ensures there are no hidden fees eating into your profits. |
|---|
- Get your first Wise Business card for free when you open a Wise Business account.
- Always get the mid-market rate with transparent conversion fees starting from 0.26%.
- Give your team their own corporate debit cards to keep expense management clean.
- Approve payments, set spending limits, and freeze your card if you've lost it.
- Say goodbye to monthly fees and foreign transaction fees.
- Enjoy 2 free withdrawals of up to 350 SGD per month per account.
➡️Get your Wise Business Card today
Sources:
Sources checked on May 12th 2025
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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