What is the difference between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API?

The app is managed on a phone, with 4 linked devices at most. The API connects the number to software, where the whole team replies and campaigns go out with Meta-approved templates.

Which is better, WhatsApp Business or the API?

It depends on your team: the app is enough for one or two people, the API is needed as soon as you must know who replies, write to many customers or use an AI agent. Coexistence lets you keep both.

Is the WhatsApp Business API free?

No. Meta charges for its messages (delivered templates and, since 1 October 2026, service messages beyond 1,000 per month per number), and the tool connected to the number charges its subscription. The app itself is free.

Can I use the app and the API at the same time?

Yes, with Meta’s coexistence: the same number stays in the app and connects to software such as WYP.chat. You must open the app at least once every 14 days.

Do I need a new number to move to the API?

No. With coexistence, the number stays in the app. Without it, a number already used in the app has to be removed from it first.

What do you lose with coexistence?

Broadcast lists are turned off, groups are not synced, and disappearing messages, view-once messages and live location are switched off in one-to-one chats.

Guide WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business app, API or coexistence: which should you choose?

Neither is simply “better”: the WhatsApp Business app suits one or two people, the WhatsApp Business API suits a team, campaigns or an AI agent, and coexistence lets you keep the app on your phone while your whole team replies through the API, on the same number. The app is free. The API is not: Meta charges for its messages, and the tool connected to the number, such as WYP.chat, adds its own subscription.

WYP.chat editorial team

Published on 16 October 2026 Updated on 16 October 2026 6 min read

Three ways to use WhatsApp in a business

The WhatsApp Business app: A phone app with channels, catalogue, status updates and calls. You can link up to 4 devices to it (computer, tablet, another phone), so 5 in total.
The WhatsApp Business API: Meta’s access that connects a number to software such as WYP.chat. The number is no longer managed in the app. The “WhatsApp Business API” guide explains what it is.
Coexistence: The same number works in both the app and the software. You keep the app on your phone, and your team replies from the software.

The comparison, line by line

Each line points to its source (Source column, numbers from the list at the bottom of the page). “WYP.chat” marks a feature of our tool, not a Meta rule.

	App	API (with a tool)	Coexistence (app + API)	Source
Price	Free app	Meta charges for each delivered template, by category and the customer’s country, and, since 1 October 2026, for service messages beyond 1,000 per month per number. The tool adds its subscription	Free from the app; API messages follow Meta’s rules	1, 2, 6
Devices or users	1 phone + 4 linked devices	Depends on the tool connected; unlimited with WYP.chat	App: same limit. WYP.chat: unlimited users	2, 3, WYP.chat
Who replied	The message goes out in the business’s name	The person’s name in WYP.chat	The person’s name in WYP.chat; phone replies signed “WhatsApp Business app”	WYP.chat
Assignment	No owner per conversation	One owner per conversation in WYP.chat	One owner per conversation in WYP.chat	WYP.chat
Shared history	On the phone, with linked devices	In the tool, from the connection onwards	Last 6 months of one-to-one chats imported, then kept in sync	2, 3
Campaigns and broadcast lists	Broadcast lists (not available on linked devices)	Campaigns with Meta-approved templates	Lists turned off; campaigns with templates	1, 2, 3, 5
24-hour window	Does not apply to app messages	Free text only after a customer message or call, for 24 hours	API only; a customer who writes just before you connect does not open a window	2, 4
Meta-approved templates	Not concerned	Required outside the window	Required outside the window, for the API	2, 4, 5
WYP.chat AI agent	No	Yes, in WYP.chat	Yes; it stays quiet when you reply from the phone	WYP.chat
Channels	Yes	Not supported	Stay in the app	2
Catalogue	Yes	Sending products from a catalogue linked to the number	Catalogue managed in the app	2, 4
Voice and video calls	Yes	Meta’s separate Calling API; not in WYP.chat	Stay in the app	2, 4
Groups	Yes	Meta’s separate Groups API; not in WYP.chat	Stay in the app, not synced	2, 4

Sources: see the list at the bottom of the page, checked on 16 October 2026. The Channels, Catalogue, Calls and Groups rows of the Coexistence column follow Meta’s coexistence table.

Which route for which situation?

Answer in order. The first question you answer yes to gives you the route.

Are you on your own or a pair, and it does not matter who replies? The app is enough, and it is free.
Are there up to 5 of you, each on your own device? Link devices to the app: 1 phone and 4 linked devices. Keep the 14-day rule in mind (see the “multiple users” guide).
Do you need to know who replies, hand a conversation to a colleague, or are you more than 5? The API, with a shared inbox.
Do you want to write to many customers, or have an AI agent? The API: campaigns need Meta-approved templates.
Do you want to keep the app (channels, catalogue, status updates, calls, groups) and work as a team? Coexistence.

Meta also offers a subscription, Meta Verified, which takes the app to 10 devices, according to the app’s App Store listing. It changes neither conversation assignment nor the rest of the table.

What each route costs

App: Free. Messages sent from the app are not charged.
API: Not free. Meta charges for each approved template delivered, by its category (Marketing, Utility, Authentication) and the customer’s country. You pay Meta directly, with no margin added by WYP.chat. The software connected to the number charges its own subscription on top.
Coexistence: Both at once: free from the app, Meta’s rules from the API. WYP.chat charges nothing extra for coexistence.

The WYP.chat free plan covers 1 number and 50 conversations a month, with unlimited users. The Solo plan costs €29 per month excl. VAT.

The limits of the API, plainly

Outside the 24-hour window, only Meta-approved templates can go out. The window opens with each customer message or call, and resets to 24 hours with each one.
Templates are charged for every message delivered. Meta also caps how many different customers you can contact outside the window in 24 hours.
App tools (channels, catalogue, calls, groups) do not go through the API: with coexistence, they stay in the app.
In coexistence, throughput is fixed at 20 messages per second.
WYP.chat is still waiting for Meta’s approval as a provider. Until then, our team connects the number with you.

How to do it in WYP.chat

Help centre articles that walk through each setting, screen by screen.

Sources

Meta, Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform: developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/pricing
Meta, Onboard WhatsApp Business app users (coexistence): developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/embedded-signup/onboarding-business-app-users/
WhatsApp Help Center, About linked devices on the WhatsApp Business app: faq.whatsapp.com/647349420360876
Meta, Service messages (customer service window): developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/messages/send-messages
Meta, Template fundamentals: developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/templates/overview
App Store, WhatsApp Business listing: apps.apple.com/us/app/whatsapp-business/id1386412985
Meta, Messaging Limits: developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/messaging-limits

Pages checked on 16 October 2026.