Alternatives
10 best Gupshup alternatives in India (2026): WhatsApp API providers and ready panels, with fees
Gupshup charges Meta's fees plus a fixed per-message fee. Ten alternatives, from other API providers to ready panels and white-label, with each vendor's published fees, checked 1 Nov 2026.
By Broadchat teamPublished Updated 13 min read
In short
Gupshup alternatives fall into three groups. Developers comparing API fees should look at Meta's Cloud API used directly (no vendor fee), 360dialog (€49 per number a month, no markup on Meta fees), Twilio (US$0.005 on each message plus Meta's fee), and enterprise CPaaS such as Infobip, Bird and Kaleyra. Businesses that want a ready inbox should look at Interakt, AiSensy or Getgabs. Agencies that want to resell under their own brand should compare Broadchat, AiSensy and Getgabs.
What to compare
- Do you want an API to build on, or a finished panel your team logs into every day?
- Platform fee model: per message, per number per month, per seat or per client account.
- Whether Meta's charges are passed through at cost or resold at the vendor's own price.
- Whether inbound messages and failed messages carry a platform fee as well as outbound ones.
- Partner programme: ISV tools, white-label panel or referral only.
- Support level and response times for production incidents, and who you call at 2 a.m.
- Extra capabilities you need, such as WhatsApp calling, SMS or RCS fallback, or many countries.
The alternatives
1. Broadchat
WebsiteBest for: Agencies and SaaS companies that want a finished, branded panel instead of building on raw APIs
A white-label WhatsApp Business API platform on Meta's Cloud API, sold through partners. Clients get campaigns (scheduled, repeating, API-triggered), a shared inbox, a visual chatbot builder with AI steps, CRM, WhatsApp Flows and ecommerce. Developers get a per-channel access token and a Graph-compatible proxy API. Partners brand the panel, set client plans and per-country markups, and collect client payments through their own gateway.
Strengths
- Finished panel for clients, so you do not build an inbox, campaign tool or chatbot builder
- Partner API to create customers and top up wallets; sub-agencies on the Enterprise tier
- Graph-compatible proxy API with template sends billed to the channel wallet
- Coexistence: a number can stay on the WhatsApp Business app
Watch out for
- Not a Meta Business Solution Provider and not an SMS, RCS or voice CPaaS
- Prices are quoted on request, not published; no self-serve sign-up for a single business
- Instagram and Messenger still rolling out
Pricing: Not published. Partners pay a cost price per client account per billing cycle, quoted on request; clients prepay Meta's message charges at rates the partner sets.
2. Meta Cloud API (direct)
WebsiteBest for: Engineering teams that want no middle layer and will build and run every screen themselves
Meta's own hosted WhatsApp Business Platform. You create a Meta developer app, connect a WhatsApp Business account in your business portfolio, generate a system-user access token and call the API. Meta charges only per delivered message, by category and the recipient's country code, and the first 1,000 service messages per number per month are free.
Strengths
- No vendor fee; only Meta's per-message charges
- Every Cloud API feature on the day Meta ships it
- Full control over data, webhooks and integrations
Watch out for
- No inbox, campaign tool or chatbot builder: you build them
- You run webhooks, hosting, retries and token security yourself
- A payment method must be on the account, or Meta stops delivering once the free tier is used
Pricing: No platform fee. Meta's per-delivered-message charges by category and country, paid to Meta; development and hosting costs are yours.
3. 360dialog
WebsiteBest for: ISVs and high-volume senders that prefer a flat fee per number with no markup on Meta
A Meta Business Solution Provider selling WhatsApp API access per number per month, with "no markup on Meta fees, no hidden costs". Scale is aimed at high throughput, and a Partner Platform lets software companies onboard their own clients with a base fee plus a fee per channel.
Strengths
- "No markup on Meta fees", stated on its pricing page
- Flat fee per number, so cost does not grow with volume
- Partner Platform for ISVs with falling per-channel fees
Watch out for
- Priced in euros
- Free trial or sandbox: Not stated on the pricing page
- Regular plan is API access, not a campaign and CRM suite
Pricing: Per number per month: Regular €49, Premium €99, Scale €500. Partner Platform: Starter €250 + €49 per channel, Growth €500 + €25, Premium €1,000 + €15.
4. Twilio
WebsiteBest for: Product teams building WhatsApp into their own apps alongside SMS and voice, in many countries
A cloud communications API platform with WhatsApp as one channel next to SMS, voice and email. WhatsApp is pay as you go: Twilio's own fee on every inbound and outbound message, Meta's template fee passed through, and a small fee on failed messages. Free trial with no card.
Strengths
- Pay as you go, no subscription; volume discounts through sales
- One API style for WhatsApp, SMS and voice
- Free to start, no credit card required
Watch out for
- Twilio's fee applies to inbound as well as outbound messages
- Separate US$0.001 fee on each failed message
- No campaign screen or team inbox in the base API
Pricing: Twilio fee US$0.005 on each inbound or outbound WhatsApp message, plus Meta's template fee passed through; US$0.001 on each failed message.
5. Infobip
WebsiteBest for: Large enterprises that want WhatsApp inside an omnichannel CPaaS contract
A global communications platform and a long-standing WhatsApp Business Solution Provider. WhatsApp is charged per message by category, with a pay-as-you-go calculator and custom pricing for larger accounts. It is used for omnichannel journeys where WhatsApp is the main channel or a fallback to SMS and other channels.
Strengths
- WhatsApp as primary or failover channel in one platform
- Custom pricing for large volumes
- Pay-as-you-go calculator on its site
Watch out for
- No numeric prices shown on its WhatsApp pricing page when we checked
- Getting a firm price needs the calculator or a sales conversation
- Built for enterprise projects rather than small teams
Pricing: Per message by category; exact rates Not stated on the page we read (calculator or sales quote).
6. Bird
WebsiteBest for: Teams that want pay-as-you-go WhatsApp next to email and SMS in one marketing platform
Formerly MessageBird, Bird sells messaging, email and marketing tools with WhatsApp billed pay as you go by destination, plus plans with benefits. Its WhatsApp rate page lists US rates; India rates were not on the version we read.
Strengths
- Pay as you go, no subscription needed for WhatsApp
- WhatsApp, SMS and email in one product
- Machine-readable pricing pages
Watch out for
- India WhatsApp rates: Not stated on the page we read
- USD pricing
- Less India-specific support material than local vendors
Pricing: Pay as you go, priced by destination and message category. India rate: Not stated on the page read on 1 Nov 2026.
7. Kaleyra (Tata Communications)
WebsiteBest for: Banks, insurers and large Indian enterprises that want WhatsApp with SMS and voice from one telecom-grade vendor
Kaleyra is now part of Tata Communications, and kaleyra.com redirects to its CPaaS page. WhatsApp is offered alongside SMS, voice and other channels for enterprise customers. Pricing is not published; the site invites you to schedule a conversation.
Strengths
- WhatsApp, SMS and voice from one enterprise vendor
- Backed by Tata Communications
- Suits regulated sectors that prefer large vendors
Watch out for
- No published WhatsApp prices
- Free trial: Not stated
- Sales-led onboarding; not aimed at small businesses
Pricing: Not stated on its site (checked 1 Nov 2026); quote via sales.
8. Interakt
WebsiteBest for: Businesses that signed up for an API but really need a ready inbox with unlimited agents
A ready WhatsApp and Instagram engagement platform with unlimited agents on every plan and published India message prices per plan. It also offers ISV APIs for building on Meta's APIs "without managing the backend" and an ISV white-label track.
Strengths
- Ready inbox, campaigns and bots; unlimited agents
- ISV white-label and ISV APIs described on its partner page
- "No Markup Charges" on the Enterprise plan
Watch out for
- Growth-plan marketing price about 11% above Meta's (our arithmetic)
- AI Agents (₹3,000 a month) is an add-on
- Not a general CPaaS: no SMS or voice API
Pricing: Growth ₹2,799/month, Advanced ₹3,799/month (plus taxes); yearly ₹2,239 and ₹3,039 a month; Enterprise on request.
9. AiSensy
WebsiteBest for: Small businesses that want a free panel, and agencies wanting a white-label version
A ready WhatsApp marketing platform with a Free Forever plan, prepaid billing and paid chatbot and AI agent add-ons. Its partner page offers the platform under your brand name with custom domain, logo and pricing, and a 20% recurring affiliate commission.
Strengths
- Free Forever plan
- White-label: custom domain, logo and pricing
- India message prices published
Watch out for
- Listed message prices about 26% above Meta's India rates (our arithmetic)
- Chatbot and AI agent builders are paid add-ons
- Core plan prices not shown on the page on 1 Nov 2026
Pricing: Core plans Not stated. Chatbot Builder ₹2,500/month, AI Agent Builder ₹1,350/month, Indian virtual number ₹2,000/year plus GST.
10. Getgabs
WebsiteBest for: Small businesses and resellers that want a ready panel with Meta's rates passed through
A ready WhatsApp panel with INR plans priced by broadcast volume, agents and API speed. It shows Meta's India rates with "No Markup Charges" and offers a white-label reseller panel at 25%, 50% or 75% off its pricing.
Strengths
- From ₹699 a month
- 0% markup on Meta's charges, stated with the rates
- White-label reseller panel
Watch out for
- API limited to 20 calls a minute on Basic (360 on Pro)
- Not a CPaaS: WhatsApp-focused, no SMS or voice API
- Free trial: Not stated on the pricing page
Pricing: Basic ₹699/month (₹6,990/year), Plus ₹1,499 (₹14,990/year), Pro ₹4,499 (₹44,990/year).
Information about Meta Cloud API (direct), 360dialog, Twilio, Infobip, Bird, Kaleyra (Tata Communications), Interakt, AiSensy, Getgabs comes from its public website and documentation, checked on . Products and prices change; check the linked sources before you decide. Meta Cloud API (direct), 360dialog, Twilio, Infobip, Bird, Kaleyra (Tata Communications), Interakt, AiSensy, Getgabs is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify the product.
The best Gupshup alternatives depend on what you use Gupshup for. Developers comparing API fees should look at Meta's Cloud API used directly (no vendor fee), 360dialog (€49 per number a month, no markup on Meta fees) and Twilio (pay as you go). Enterprises wanting WhatsApp with SMS and voice should look at Infobip, Bird and Kaleyra (Tata Communications). Businesses that need a ready inbox rather than an API should look at Interakt, AiSensy and Getgabs. Agencies that want a branded panel to resell should compare Broadchat, AiSensy and Getgabs. We build Broadchat; every other fact here is from the vendor's own website, checked on 1 Nov 2026.
How Gupshup charges today
Gupshup's partner page describes a "Fixed Gupshup per message fee - as low as $0.001" with no subscription and no volume commitment, on top of Meta's charges. Its homepage now leads with AI agents for sales, marketing and support, voice AI agents for phone and WhatsApp calls, and campaign tools across WhatsApp, RCS, SMS and voice. The old public pricing page (gupshup.ai/pricing) returned "not found" when we checked on 1 Nov 2026, so prices for its AI and campaign products go through sales. The partner page also lists "3,500+ ISV Partners" and two Meta Business Solution Provider connections, Gupshup's own and One Direct's, which it acquired in 2022.
Gupshup alternatives compared: fees at a glance
All figures are from each vendor's own pages on 1 Nov 2026, excluding GST. Meta's charges apply on every option: Meta's India rate card effective 1 Oct 2026 is ₹0.8631 per marketing message and ₹0.115 per utility or authentication message (excl. GST). "Computed" means our arithmetic, not the vendor's claim.
| Platform | Starting price | Free trial | Markup on Meta rates | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gupshup (for reference) | No subscription; fixed fee from US$0.001 each message | Not stated | Meta's charges plus Gupshup's fee | ISVs and enterprises, AI agents |
| Broadchat | Not published; quoted per client account | Through your partner | Set by the partner | Agencies reselling a ready panel |
| Meta Cloud API (direct) | No platform fee | Not applicable | None (you pay Meta) | Teams that build everything |
| 360dialog | €49 per number a month | Not stated | "No markup on Meta fees" | High volume on few numbers |
| Twilio | Pay as you go; US$0.005 each inbound or outbound message | Free to start, no card | Meta's template fee passed through, plus Twilio fee | Multi-channel developers |
| Infobip | Per message; calculator or quote | Not stated | Not stated | Enterprise omnichannel |
| Bird | Pay as you go by destination | Not stated | Not stated for India | WhatsApp with email and SMS |
| Kaleyra (Tata Communications) | Not stated; quote via sales | Not stated | Not stated | Large Indian enterprises |
| Interakt | ₹2,799/month | Yes; length not stated | About 11% marketing on Growth (computed); none on Enterprise | Ready inbox, unlimited agents |
| AiSensy | Free Forever plan | Free plan | About 26% (computed) | Free ready panel, white-label |
| Getgabs | ₹699/month | Not stated | 0% (stated) | Low-cost ready panel, reseller |
Group 1: API providers, for developers and ISVs
If your team writes code against the API and has its own front end, the fee model decides your margin at scale. There are three models on this list:
- Per message (Gupshup, Twilio, Infobip, Bird). Cost rises with volume. Check whether inbound messages are charged: Twilio says its fee applies to both inbound and outbound, plus US$0.001 on each failed message.
- Per number per month (360dialog). Cost is flat however much you send, which favours high volume on few numbers.
- No vendor at all (Meta's Cloud API). Meta charges only per delivered message, but you run hosting, webhooks, retries and token security, and you need your own payment method on the WhatsApp account.
Since Meta retired the On-Premises API, every option here sends through Meta's Cloud API, so delivery behaviour is the same everywhere. What differs is fees, support, tooling and how fast new Meta features reach you. For background, see Cloud API vs On-Premises.
A worked example: 50,000 order updates a month
Arjun is CTO of a Pune logistics SaaS that sends about 50,000 utility templates a month (pickup and delivery updates) from one number, with around 10,000 customer replies. Here is the vendor fee on each API option at list prices; Meta's charge is the same everywhere: 50,000 × ₹0.115 = ₹5,750 on Meta's India rate card effective 1 Oct 2026, excl. GST.
| Option | Vendor fee per month (illustrative) | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Cloud API direct | None | You pay only Meta, plus your own hosting and engineering time |
| Gupshup | From about US$50 | 50,000 outbound × the "as low as" US$0.001 fee; more if inbound or a higher rate applies to you |
| 360dialog Regular | €49 | Flat per number, whatever the volume |
| Twilio | About US$300 | 60,000 inbound plus outbound × US$0.005 |
| Infobip, Bird, Kaleyra | Not stated | Ask for a quote on the same volumes |
At this volume, Gupshup's per-message fee and 360dialog's flat fee land close together, and above roughly 50,000-55,000 messages a month (depending on the euro-dollar rate) the flat fee becomes cheaper. Twilio costs more on WhatsApp alone but may still win if you also send SMS and voice through it. These are illustrative calculations from list prices; negotiated rates, failed-message fees and exchange rates change the result.
Group 2: enterprise CPaaS, for WhatsApp plus SMS and voice
Some Gupshup customers use it because one contract covers WhatsApp, SMS, RCS and voice. If that is you, compare like with like: Infobip (WhatsApp as a primary or fallback channel in omnichannel journeys, custom pricing), Bird (WhatsApp with email and SMS, pay as you go by destination) and Kaleyra, now part of Tata Communications (WhatsApp, SMS and voice for large enterprises). None of these three published India WhatsApp prices on the pages we read, so ask each for a quote on the same message mix, the same countries and the same support level, and include failed-message and inbound fees in the comparison.
Group 3: ready panels, for businesses that do not want an API
A common story: Priya, who runs Rangoli Home, a home-decor store in Jaipur, signs up with an API provider and finds a developer console where she expected an inbox. If what you need is campaigns, a shared inbox and a chatbot builder, an API provider is the wrong layer. Ready panels sell the finished product:
- Interakt: unlimited agents, published plans from ₹2,799 a month and published per-message prices.
- AiSensy: a Free Forever plan with paid chatbot and AI agent add-ons.
- Getgabs: plans from ₹699 a month with Meta's rates passed through at 0% markup.
Ready panels usually resell Meta's messages at their own price. On listed India prices, AiSensy is about 26% above Meta and Interakt Growth about 11% on marketing, by our arithmetic; Getgabs states no markup. Compare the total of subscription plus messages, not either alone. Our guide on reducing WhatsApp API costs shows where the money goes.
Group 4: agencies and ISVs that want their own brand
Gupshup's ISV programme suits software companies that embed WhatsApp in their own product and build their own screens. If you would rather sell a finished product under your brand without writing one, look at white-label panels:
- Broadchat: your logo, colours and domain with automatic SSL; client plans, billing cycles and coupons; a % or flat markup over Meta's base rate per country; client payments through your own Razorpay, Stripe, UPI or bank account; a Partner API; sub-agencies on the Enterprise tier. Prices are quoted per client account. See the white-label programme.
- AiSensy: "AiSensy platform under your brand name" with custom domain, logo and pricing.
- Getgabs: white-label reseller dashboard at 25%, 50% or 75% off.
- Interakt: ISV white-label ("Your brand. Your pricing. Your customers.") and ISV APIs.
- 360dialog: Partner Platform from €250 a month plus a per-channel fee, for ISVs that build their own interface.
For how these models compare, read how to choose a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider in India and Broadchat vs Gupshup.
How to choose
| If you… | Shortlist | Deciding question |
|---|---|---|
| Have engineers and want the lowest fee | Meta Cloud API direct, 360dialog | Is your team ready to run webhooks and token security around the clock? |
| Send high volume from few numbers | 360dialog | Where is your break-even between a flat and a per-message fee? |
| Need WhatsApp plus SMS and voice | Twilio, Infobip, Bird, Kaleyra | Are inbound and failed messages charged? |
| Need a ready inbox | Interakt, AiSensy, Getgabs | Total of subscription plus messages at your volume |
| Resell to clients under your brand | Broadchat, AiSensy, Getgabs, Interakt ISV | Who owns the client billing, domain and support? |
| Need AI and voice agents | Stay on Gupshup, or compare Gallabox | Per-minute voice charges and contract length |
Switching from Gupshup
- Your number is yours. The number and WhatsApp Business account sit in your Meta business portfolio; the new provider connects it, and approved templates stay with the account. See how to move a WhatsApp number to a new provider.
- Plan for new credentials. Expect a new webhook URL, new access tokens and new template-send endpoints. Update every service that calls the old API.
- Run in parallel briefly. Point a test number at the new provider, send real templates for a few days, check delivery receipts, then move live traffic.
- Check your billing setup. Going direct to Meta, or to a provider without a credit line, means adding your own payment method on the WhatsApp account.
- For the basics of accounts, numbers and templates, see what the WhatsApp Business API is and WhatsApp API pricing explained.
Sources
- Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform — Meta for Developers, checked 1 November 2026
- Cloud API get started — Meta for Developers, checked 1 November 2026
- Gupshup ISV partner program — Gupshup, checked 1 November 2026
- Gupshup home page — Gupshup, checked 1 November 2026
- 360dialog pricing — 360dialog, checked 1 November 2026
- Twilio WhatsApp pricing — Twilio, checked 1 November 2026
- Infobip WhatsApp pricing — Infobip, checked 1 November 2026
- Bird pricing — Bird, checked 1 November 2026
- Bird WhatsApp pricing — Bird, checked 1 November 2026
- Kaleyra CPaaS — Tata Communications, checked 1 November 2026
- Interakt pricing — Interakt, checked 1 November 2026
- Interakt partner program — Interakt, checked 1 November 2026
- AiSensy pricing — AiSensy, checked 1 November 2026
- AiSensy partner program — AiSensy, checked 1 November 2026
- Getgabs pricing — Getgabs, checked 1 November 2026
- Getgabs partner program — Getgabs, checked 1 November 2026
Broadchat team · Product and partner success team
The people who build and support Broadchat, the white-label WhatsApp Business API platform. We write from what we see while onboarding partners and their clients on the official WhatsApp Cloud API, and we check every article against Meta's current documentation.
Last updated:
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Gupshup alternative?
On vendor fees alone, Meta's Cloud API used directly is cheapest because there is no vendor fee, but you build and run everything yourself. Among providers, 360dialog charges a flat €49 per number a month with no markup on Meta fees, which beats a per-message fee at high volume. Meta's message charges apply on every option.
How much does Gupshup charge for WhatsApp?
Gupshup's partner page states a fixed Gupshup fee on each message "as low as $0.001", with no subscription or volume commitment, on top of Meta's charges. Its older public pricing page returned not found on 1 Nov 2026, and prices for its AI agent products are given through sales.
Which Gupshup alternatives pass Meta's fees through at cost?
360dialog states "no markup on Meta fees", Getgabs states 0% markup, Twilio passes Meta's template fee through on top of its own fee, and going direct to Meta means paying Meta yourself. Interakt states no markup on its Enterprise plan only.
Is there a Gupshup alternative with a ready inbox?
Yes. Interakt, AiSensy and Getgabs sell ready panels with a shared inbox, campaigns and chatbots, and Broadchat sells one through partners under their brand. API providers such as 360dialog, Twilio and Meta's Cloud API expect you to build or buy the inbox separately.
Which Gupshup alternative is best for an ISV or SaaS company?
If you build your own interface, compare 360dialog's Partner Platform (from €250 a month plus a per-channel fee) and Interakt's ISV APIs. If you want to resell a finished product under your brand, compare white-label panels such as Broadchat, AiSensy and Getgabs.
Does Twilio charge for incoming WhatsApp messages?
Yes. Twilio's WhatsApp pricing page states its fee of US$0.005 applies to each inbound and each outbound message, plus Meta's template fee passed through, and a US$0.001 fee on messages with a failed status.
Will I lose my WhatsApp number if I leave Gupshup?
No. The number and its WhatsApp Business account belong to your Meta business portfolio, so a new provider can connect them and approved templates stay with the account. Plan for new webhooks, new access tokens and a short test period before moving live traffic.
Is Broadchat a Gupshup replacement for developers?
Partly. Broadchat offers a per-channel access token, a Graph-compatible proxy API and API-triggered campaigns, but it is a white-label panel sold through partners, not a CPaaS with SMS, RCS or voice, and it is not a Meta Business Solution Provider. Developers who only need raw API access may prefer 360dialog or Meta's Cloud API directly.