WhatsApp AI chatbot for business: costs and how it works (madsalt.tech)

Meta has introduced a new pricing structure for WhatsApp AI chatbots effective October 1, 2026, which significantly impacts how businesses use automated communication on the platform. The first 1,000 replies per month are free for businesses, with additional messages charged at varying rates depending on the country and message type. For example, a business in Portugal pays approximately USD 0.0171 per reply after the free tier, which can lead to hefty costs compared to the low operational expenses of AI models, where generating a single reply can cost as little as USD 0.0002. This discrepancy means that businesses must carefully evaluate their usage and choose the right AI model to minimize costs. The shift in Meta's payment model highlights the increasing importance of integrating efficient AI solutions in customer service while also presenting challenges regarding costs. Businesses must manage their message types effectively—particularly avoiding unnecessary charges for marketing messages—and ensure they leverage AI's capabilities without overspending. The introduction of AI chatbots, designed to integrate with Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform, allows companies to streamline customer interactions, lead scoring, and knowledge base management but necessitates ongoing oversight and optimization to keep usage and expenses in check.