# 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.

Key points

- App: free, 1 phone and 4 linked devices at most, no owner per conversation.
- API: the tool connected to the number sets how many users you have. Outside the [24-hour window](https://wyp.chat/en/glossary#fenetre-24h) you need Meta-[approved templates](https://wyp.chat/en/glossary#modele), and Meta charges for its messages.
- [Coexistence](https://wyp.chat/en/glossary#coexistence): app and API on the same number. Open the app at least every 14 days, otherwise Meta detaches the number.
- You do not have to choose: start with the app, then add your team later without changing number.

## 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.

- [What the WhatsApp Business API is](https://wyp.chat/en/channels/whatsapp-business-api)
- [WhatsApp coexistence in detail](https://wyp.chat/en/features/whatsapp-coexistence)

## 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](https://wyp.chat/en/glossary#message-service) 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.

1. Are you on your own or a pair, and it does not matter who replies? The app is enough, and it is free.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. Do you want to write to many customers, or have an AI agent? The API: campaigns need Meta-approved templates.
5. Do you want to keep the app (channels, catalogue, status updates, calls, groups) and work as a team? Coexistence.

- [WhatsApp Business for several people: devices and the 14-day rule](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-business-multiple-users)
- [Coexistence: what you keep, what changes](https://wyp.chat/en/features/whatsapp-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.

- [WhatsApp Business message pricing by country](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-message-pricing)
- [WYP.chat pricing](https://wyp.chat/en/pricing)

## 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.

- [The 24-hour window](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-24-hour-window)
- [Meta-approved templates](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-message-templates)
- [Meta’s sending limits](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-messaging-limits)

## How to do it in WYP.chat

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

- [Keep the WhatsApp Business app with WYP.chat](https://wyp.chat/en/help/coexistence)
- [Connect your WhatsApp Business number](https://wyp.chat/en/help/connecter-whatsapp)
- [What you pay Meta on WhatsApp](https://wyp.chat/en/help/prix-messages-whatsapp)

## Sources

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

Pages checked on 16 October 2026.

## Frequently asked questions

### 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.

## Read next

- [WhatsApp coexistence: keep the Business app and let your team reply from WYP.chat](https://wyp.chat/en/features/whatsapp-coexistence)
- [How do you use WhatsApp Business with multiple users without sharing a phone?](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-business-multiple-users)
- [WhatsApp Business message pricing by country in 2026](https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-message-pricing)

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Source: https://wyp.chat/en/guides/whatsapp-business-app-vs-api · Updated on 16 October 2026