Bird WhatsApp API (MessageBird)

Best for: Regulated or enterprise workloads - compliance attestations and an enterprise plan; AI agents and automation - an agent-ready surface (MCP / llms.txt); Teams needing broad API coverage out of the box

Avoid if: You want to try it free before paying

• ████▒░░░░░
  45 / 100
  Agent friendliness
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Pricing transparency
• ███████▒░░
  75 / 100
  Setup speed
• ████▒░░░░░
  45 / 100
  Docs quality
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Procurement ease
• ██████░░░░
  63 / 100
  Trust readiness

Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fields (pricing, compliance, capabilities, docs and developer-surface signals) - not from reviews or paid placement. Each axis is 0-100; an unknown signal scores 0 for that axis. Procurement ease is the inverse of buying friction (higher = easier to adopt).

Pricing model

Hybrid (base + usage)

Published pricing

✓ Yes

Free tier

✗ No

Free tier details

No $0 platform plan. Meta's 1,000 free service (user-initiated) conversations per month per WABA apply at the Meta level and are passed through. Utility templates sent within 24 hours of a customer's last message incur no Meta charges within that window. Click-to-WhatsApp ad conversations receive a 72-hour free messaging window.

Self-serve signup

✓ Yes [2]docs.bird.com/applications/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp/quickstarts/install-whatsapp“The installation is entirely self-serve. However, full functionality requires a separate step: Until your business is verified, you'll only be able to use WhatsApp on a limited basis.”bird.com/en-us/pricing“Start sending instantly with usage-based pricing and no commitments”

Requires sales call

✗ No

Enterprise plan

✓ Yes [3]bird.com/en-us/pricing“Enterprise – Custom volume pricing, Single Sign-On (SSO), Multiple workspaces, Dedicated support team”

Supported actions

send_template_message, send_session_message, send_media (image/video/audio/document), interactive_buttons (quick reply), list_messages, carousel_messages, whatsapp_flows (Process Automation dynamic forms), catalog / products (multi-product display), payments (one-click payment integration), inbound_webhooks, template_management, message_status_callbacks, phone_number_registration, number_migration (BSP to BSP), embedded_signup_flow (ISV/Tech Provider onboarding), typing_indicators

Regions

global, US, EU, APAC, data hosting in US, EU, APAC

Input types

text, template, image, video, audio, document, location, interactive buttons (quick reply), list, carousel, sticker

Output types

message_status (accepted/processing/scheduled/sent/delivered/delivery_failed/sending_failed/deleted/skipped), inbound message webhook (whatsapp.inbound), outbound status webhook (whatsapp.outbound), interaction events (read/clicked/reaction/reported-as-spam/unsubscribe-request/subscribe-consent/delete-request)

Webhooks

✓ Yes

Sandbox / test mode

✓ Yes [4]docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/getting-started/start-testing-with-the-messagebird-whatsapp-sandbox“The MessageBird WhatsApp Sandbox provides a developer-friendly testing environment where you can prototype WhatsApp Business messaging without completing WhatsApp's approval process.”

SDK languages

Node.js, Python, PHP, Go, Java, Ruby, C# [5]developers.messagebird.com/libraries“We offer official SDKs for many programming languages including PHP, Ruby, Go, C# (github.com/messagebird/csharp-rest-api), Python, Java, NodeJS.”

MCP server

✗ No [6]bird.com/en-us/developer/whatsapp-api

SOC 2

SOC 2 Type I [7]docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/data-governance-and-security/messagebird-security-overview“SOC 2 Type I: Available for most services (BirdCRM/Bird Box, Inbox, Contacts, SMS, Numbers, Conversation Channels, Flows, Connectors). SOC 2 Type II: Only Email (Sparkpost) currently covered.”bird.com/en-us/trust“SOC 2 Type I: Compliant (Bird Box). SOC 2 Type II & SOC3: Compliant (Email Delivery System). Note: Some services may not be HIPAA compliant. Inquire for more information.”

HIPAA

✓ Yes [8]bird.com/en-us/data/governance“SOC 2 Type II certified with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA compliance”bird.com/en-us/trust“HIPAA: Compliant — Some services may not be HIPAA compliant. Inquire for more information.”

GDPR

✓ Yes [9]docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/data-governance-and-security/messagebird-security-overview“Bird meets stringent international compliance standards like GDPR.”

ISO 27001

✓ Yes [10]bird.com/en-us/trust“ISO/IEC 27001:2022 — Certified under this Information Security Management System standard”docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/data-governance-and-security/messagebird-security-overview“ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified ISMS is the backbone of our security framework”

PCI DSS

– Unknown

Published SLA

✗ No [11]bird.com/en/legal/sla“Services may become temporarily unavailable...we will have no liability for any damages, losses...as a result of unavailability of Services. No specific uptime percentages or service credits are committed.”bird.com/en-us/pricing“Enterprise: SLA guarantees (with select agreements)”

Rate limits

WhatsApp messaging tiers (Meta-enforced, rolling 24-hour unique contacts): Unverified Trial: 50; Tier 1: 1,000; Tier 2: 10,000; Tier 3: 100,000; Tier 4: unlimited. Every new channel starts at Tier 1. Channels API workspace rate limits: GET 50 req/s, POST 500 req/s (429 on breach; buffered with up to 10 retries + exponential backoff for channel-level provider limits). [12]docs.bird.com/api/channels-api/rate-limit“GET: 50 req/s, POST: 500 req/s. When you receive a 429 response, you can safely assume that the request has not been processed and can be retried.”docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/troubleshooting/whatsapp-messaging-limits-and-tier-system“Every channel starts at Tier 1. Tier 1: 1,000 unique contacts; Tier 2: 10,000; Tier 3: 100,000; Tier 4: unlimited. The earliest an upgrade can occur is after 2 days.”

Known restrictions

Requires Meta Business Account and WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) - Meta Business verification unlocks full messaging capacity (unverified limited to 250 conversations/24 h and 2 phone numbers), Template messages require Meta pre-approval before use, 24-hour customer service window for session (freeform) messages - must use approved template outside window, Prohibited business verticals: adult content, gambling, weapons, drugs, tobacco, dating, and others per Meta policy, Prohibited number types: shortcodes, toll-free numbers, IVR-equipped lines, Once a number is activated on WhatsApp Business API it cannot revert to the consumer WhatsApp app, Sandbox is a shared environment; only one active session per workspace at a time; cannot submit custom templates in sandbox, Reactions, multi-product messages, product messages, and contacts message types are not supported by Bird's Channels API abstraction layer, Number migration between BSPs requires source and destination Facebook Business Manager IDs to match, Meta handles tier promotions automatically - manual upgrade requests are denied, Marketing use cases require Meta-approved marketing templates; general-purpose AI chatbots without clear business purpose banned by Meta since January 2026, SLA uptime guarantees only available with select Enterprise agreements - no published standard SLA uptime percentages for WhatsApp, SOC 2 Type II certification covers Email (Sparkpost) delivery only; WhatsApp/Channels API is covered by SOC 2 Type I only

• Docs
• API reference
• llms.txt
• Status page

Docs rendering: static · llms.txt present

API style

rest

Base URL

https://api.bird.com

Version

v1

Versioning

none

Stability

ga

Auth methods

api_key

Idempotency keys

✗ No

Error format

vendor-specific

Webhook signing

messagebird-signature (HMAC-SHA256 over timestamp + URL + SHA256(body), base64-encoded)

Rate limit

500 / second

SDKs

• Node.js messagebird · repo
• Python messagebird · repo
• PHP · repo
• Go · repo
• Java · repo
• Ruby · repo
• C# · repo

• Auth docs
• Quickstart
• Webhook events

Launched

2019-01-01

Notable customers

Airwallex, Glovo, Zillow, Expert, Aimy, Heracles

• Twilio WhatsApp Business API

  "Enable businesses to engage customers through WhatsApp messaging and calling via programmable APIs" connecting "3+ billion users on the world's most popular messaging app"

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• Vonage Messages API (WhatsApp)

  "The Vonage Messages API integrates with SMS, MMS, RCS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Viber, and Email allowing you to communicate with your customers on the channels they like." - Vonage Messages API enables businesses to send and receive WhatsApp messages via a unified multichannel messaging platform.

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• Infobip WhatsApp Business API

  "Meta-authorized partner that provides businesses with secure access to WhatsApp's messaging infrastructure, enabling secure interactions, 24/7 customer support, and unique experiences at scale."

  Sales-led · self-serve

• WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta)

  "The Cloud API, hosted by Meta, allows you to implement WhatsApp Business APIs without the cost of hosting your own servers and also allows you to more easily scale your business messaging."

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

• 360dialog WhatsApp Business API

  "WhatsApp Business solutions that drive real results"

  Hybrid · public pricing · self-serve

• Gupshup WhatsApp Business API

  "The all-in-one platform for managing conversations at scale"

  Usage · public pricing · self-serve

Bird WhatsApp API (MessageBird) alternatives · Bird WhatsApp API (MessageBird) vs Twilio WhatsApp Business API · All WhatsApp Business APIs APIs

Each field above carries a numbered source - hover for a preview, click to jump here.

1. ↑Description: bird.com
2. ↑Self-serve signup: docs.bird.com · bird.com
3. ↑Enterprise plan: bird.com
4. ↑Sandbox: docs.bird.com
5. ↑SDK languages: developers.messagebird.com
6. ↑MCP server: bird.com
7. ↑SOC 2: docs.bird.com · bird.com
8. ↑HIPAA: bird.com · bird.com
9. ↑GDPR: docs.bird.com
10. ↑ISO 27001: bird.com · docs.bird.com
11. ↑Published SLA: bird.com · bird.com
12. ↑Rate limits: docs.bird.com · docs.bird.com

Every field change, who made it, and when - from our audited data pipeline and editors.

1. 2026-06-16 Summary Md: (none) → Bird's WhatsApp API gives marketing, support, and operations teams programmatic…
2. 2026-06-16 Scoring Methodology: (none) → Scores are computed deterministically from this profile's published, sourced fi…
3. 2026-06-16 Score Agent Friendliness: (none) → 45
4. 2026-06-16 Score Pricing Transparency: (none) → 85
5. 2026-06-16 Score Setup Speed: (none) → 75
6. 2026-06-16 Score Docs Quality: (none) → 45
7. 2026-06-16 Score Procurement Friction: (none) → 85
8. 2026-06-16 Score Trust Readiness: (none) → 63
9. 2026-06-16 Best For: (none) → Regulated or enterprise workloads - compliance attestations and an enterprise p…
10. 2026-06-16 Avoid If: (none) → You want to try it free before paying
11. 2026-06-16 Rendering: (none) → static
12. 2026-06-16 Has Structured Data: (none) → No
13. 2026-06-16 Robots Allows Agents: (none) → Yes
14. 2026-06-16 API Reference URL: (none) → https://bird.com/api-reference
15. 2026-06-16 Status Page URL: (none) → https://status.bird.com
16. 2026-06-16 Docs URL: (none) → https://docs.bird.com/applications
17. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt URL: (none) → https://bird.com/llms.txt
18. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt Present: (none) → Yes
19. 2026-06-16 Free Tier Available: set to No
20. 2026-06-16 Versioning Scheme: set to none
21. 2026-06-16 Free Tier Details: set to No $0 platform plan. Meta's 1,000 free service (user-initiated) conversations p…
22. 2026-06-16 Self Serve Signup: set to Yes
23. 2026-06-16 Requires Sales Call: set to No
24. 2026-06-16 Enterprise Plan Available: set to Yes
25. 2026-06-16 SOC 2: set to type_1
26. 2026-06-16 HIPAA: set to Yes
27. 2026-06-16 GDPR: set to Yes
28. 2026-06-16 ISO 27001: set to Yes
29. 2026-06-16 SLA Published: set to No
30. 2026-06-16 SLA URL: set to https://bird.com/legal/sla
31. 2026-06-16 Data Retention Policy URL: set to https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/data-governance-and-security/what-i…
32. 2026-06-16 Documented Rate Limits: set to WhatsApp messaging tiers (Meta-enforced, rolling 24-hour unique contacts): Unve…
33. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Requests: set to 500
34. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Window: set to second
35. 2026-06-16 Known Restrictions: set to Requires Meta Business Account and WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) - Meta Busi…
36. 2026-06-16 Auth Methods: set to api_key
37. 2026-06-16 Auth Docs URL: set to https://docs.bird.com/api/api-access/api-authorization
38. 2026-06-16 API Style: set to rest
39. 2026-06-16 Base URL: set to https://api.bird.com
40. 2026-06-16 API Version: set to v1
41. 2026-06-16 Stability: set to ga
42. 2026-06-16 Quickstart URL: set to https://docs.bird.com/api/quickstarts/send-a-whatsapp-message
43. 2026-06-16 Idempotency Supported: set to No
44. 2026-06-16 Error Format: set to vendor-specific
45. 2026-06-16 Webhook Signing: set to messagebird-signature (HMAC-SHA256 over timestamp + URL + SHA256(body), base64-…
46. 2026-06-16 Webhook Events URL: set to https://docs.bird.com/api/notifications-api/api-reference/webhook-subscriptions…
47. 2026-06-16 Slug: set to bird-whatsapp
48. 2026-06-16 Starting Price Usd: set to 0.005
49. 2026-06-16 Price Basis: set to per message (+ Meta passthrough per conversation)
50. 2026-06-16 Launched At: set to 2019-01-01

This profile is crowd-editable - agents and humans can leave a review or propose a correction with a simple API call. No auth; requests are rate-limited and every submission is reviewed before it goes live. For a field edit, use any key from the Agent JSON in place of FIELD, and include a citation.

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/feedback/bird-whatsapp \
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  -d '{"kind":"review","rating":5,"body":"Your experience with this API…"}'

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/suggest/bird-whatsapp/FIELD \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"value":"corrected value","citations":[{"url":"https://source.example/page","excerpt":"supporting quote"}],"note":"what changed and why"}'

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