Twilio WhatsApp Business API

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

• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Agent friendliness
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Pricing transparency
• ███████▒░░
  75 / 100
  Setup speed
• ███████░░░
  70 / 100
  Docs quality
• ████████▒░
  85 / 100
  Procurement ease
• ████████░░
  80 / 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

Usage-based [2]twilio.com/en-us/whatsapp/pricing“Twilio charges $0.005, inbound or outbound per message. Meta charges per template message based on category (utility, authentication, marketing).”twilio.com/en-us/pricing“Starts at $0.005 to send or receive a WhatsApp message. Prices vary by use case.”

Published pricing

✓ Yes [3]twilio.com/en-us/whatsapp/pricing“Twilio's per-message fee for WhatsApp is $0.005, inbound or outbound. Failed message processing fee: $0.001 per message.”

Free tier

✗ No

Free tier details

No recurring $0 platform plan. Twilio offers a time-limited free trial (no credit card required) with $15 in trial credits. Meta's 1,000 free service conversations/month allowance was eliminated when Meta moved to per-template-message pricing on July 1, 2025.

Self-serve signup

✓ Yes

Requires sales call

✗ No

Enterprise plan

✓ Yes

Supported actions

send_template_message, send_session_message, send_media, interactive_buttons, list_messages, whatsapp_flows, inbound_webhooks, template_management, message_status_callbacks, phone_number_registration, catalog_products, typing_indicators, location_messages, carousel_messages, call_to_action_messages, quick_reply_buttons, whatsapp_business_calling, senders_api_programmatic_registration, marketing_messages_api, utility_direct_send [4]twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/message-features“Formatting message text, messages including location information, card messages with images, text, and/or buttons, list messages, call-to-action messages, messages with quick reply buttons, product catalogs, carousels, flows”twilio.com/en-us/blog/products/launches/launch-whatsapp-faster-with-twilio--senders-api-ga--plus-typing-“Typing indicators — notifies customers that a response is being prepared.”

Regions

global (all countries where WhatsApp is available), Crimea excluded [5]help.twilio.com/articles/360051177134-What-countries-can-I-reach-with-the-Twilio-API-for-WhatsApp“Twilio's API for WhatsApp allows you to reach just about every country in the world. Businesses and end users in Crimea are forbidden from communicating with the WhatsApp Business API.”

Input types

text, template, image, audio, document, interactive buttons, list messages, location, carousel, whatsapp_flows, quick reply buttons, call-to-action messages, catalog / products

Output types

message_status (queued/sent/delivered/failed), inbound message webhook, delivery receipts / status callbacks, typing indicators, WhatsApp Business Calling events

Webhooks

✓ Yes

Sandbox / test mode

✓ Yes [6]twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/sandbox“Twilio provides the Sandbox with a shared phone number (+14155238886)”twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/sandbox“The Twilio WhatsApp Sandbox is a pre-configured environment in the Twilio Console for testing WhatsApp messaging functionality. It's a shared testing space that doesn't require a WhatsApp Business Account or registered sender to use.”

SDK languages

Node.js, Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, C#, Go [7]twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/quickstart“Supported SDK languages: Python, Node.js, PHP, C# (.NET Framework), Java, Go, Ruby, curl”

MCP server

✓ Yes [8]github.com/twilio-labs/mcp“a monorepo for the Model Context Protocol server that exposes all of Twilio APIs”twilio.com/en-us/blog/introducing-twilio-alpha-mcp-server“today, we're equally excited to introduce the Twilio Alpha MCP server”

SOC 2

SOC 2 Type II [9]twilio.com/en-us/security“SOC 2, Type II (comprehensive audit); SOC 2, Type I (controls testing)”

HIPAA

✓ Yes [10]twilio.com/en-us/security“HIPAA — Eligible products & services available with BAA”

GDPR

✓ Yes [11]twilio.com/en-us/security“Binding Corporate Rules implemented”twilio.com/en-us/legal/privacy“Twilio Inc. and our subsidiary Stytch Inc. comply with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-U.S. DPF), the UK Extension to the EU-U.S. DPF, and the Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework.”

ISO 27001

✓ Yes [12]twilio.com/en-us/security“ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified; ISO/IEC 27017:2015 certified; ISO/IEC 27018:2019 certified”

PCI DSS

✓ Yes [13]twilio.com/en-us/security“PCI DSS Level 1; PCI DSS Level 4”

Published SLA

✗ No [14]twilio.com/en-us/legal/service-level-agreement/twilio-apis“Standard Services APIs: 99.95% monthly availability threshold; Enterprise Tier: 99.99% monthly availability for Twilio Enterprise Edition”twilio.com/en-us/legal/service-level-agreement“SLA documents listed: Twilio APIs Service Level Agreement, Twilio Flex Critical Scenarios Service Level Agreement, Twilio Segment Data Ingestion API Service Level Agreement. WhatsApp messaging does not have its own SLA listed on this page.”

Rate limits

Meta messaging tiers (portfolio-level, business-initiated conversations per 24-hour period): Tier 0: 250 unique users; Tier 1: 1,000; Tier 2: 10,000; Tier 3: 100,000; Tier 4: unlimited. Twilio default throughput: 80 messages per second (MPS) per sender; can be increased up to 400 MPS by request. WhatsApp sandbox limited to 1 message per 3 seconds. Twilio has no ability to change a sender's messaging tier - controlled entirely by Meta. [15]twilio.com/en-us/blog/scaling-whatsapp-business-platform-part-1“Tier 0: 250 unique users per 24 hours; Tier 1: 1,000; Tier 2: 10,000; Tier 3: 100,000; Tier 4: Unlimited capacity.”twilio.com/en-us/changelog/80-mps-default-throughput-upgrade-for-twilio-whatsapp-text-and-media“80 MPS (messages per second) by default per WhatsApp sender for all outbound traffic”twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/sandbox“The Sandbox number can only send one message every three seconds.”

Known restrictions

Requires Meta Business Manager account association, Unverified Meta Business Manager accounts limited to 2 phone numbers per manager; verified up to 20; Official Business Accounts up to 1,000, Opt-in (explicit user consent) mandatory before sending messages; violations risk account suspension, Business-initiated messages outside 24-hour customer service window require pre-approved templates, Template pre-approval required for notifications outside the customer service window, 24-hour customer service window (user-initiated) required for free-form messages, Meta messaging tiers controlled by Meta, not Twilio, Crimea region excluded from messaging, WhatsApp Flows not suitable for HIPAA Eligible Service or PCI data, Sandbox restricted to 3 pre-approved templates; limited to one message per 3 seconds; shared phone number, Sandbox sandbox users must opt in by texting a join code; sessions expire after 3 days, Sandbox geographic restrictions (e.g. Brazil, Indonesia may be temporarily restricted), Meta moved from conversation-based to per-template-message pricing on July 1, 2025; Twilio passes Meta fees through at cost [16]twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/api“WhatsApp requires that your application implement explicit user opt-ins to deliver messages over WhatsApp. Failing to obtain consent may result in account suspension.”twilio.com/en-us/changelog/meta-is-updating-whatsapp-pricing-on-july-1--2025“Twilio will continue to pass through Meta's updated charges without adding any additional fees.”

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

Docs rendering: static · markdown variants served · llms.txt present

API style

rest

Base URL

https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01

Version

2010-04-01

Versioning

url

Stability

ga

Auth methods

basic

Idempotency keys

✗ No

Error format

vendor-specific

Webhook signing

X-Twilio-Signature (HMAC-SHA1)

Rate limit

80 / second

SDKs

• Node.js twilio · repo
• Python twilio · repo
• Java com.twilio.sdk:twilio · repo
• Ruby twilio-ruby · repo
• PHP twilio/sdk · repo
• C# Twilio · repo
• Go github.com/twilio/twilio-go · repo

• Auth docs
• Quickstart
• MCP server
• Webhook events
• Deprecation policy

Launched

2018-08-01

GA

2020-10-21

Notable customers

Magalu, inDrive, QVC Italy, HubSpot, International Rescue Committee, Deliveroo, Hays, SnapTravel

• Bird WhatsApp API (MessageBird)

  "Engage customers worldwide with WhatsApp API" - Bird connects marketing, service, and operations teams with customers on the world's most popular messaging app through rich message templates, interactive elements, product catalogs, and one-click payments via a unified API platform.

  Hybrid · 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

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

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

1. ↑Description: twilio.com
2. ↑Pricing model: twilio.com · twilio.com
3. ↑Published pricing: twilio.com
4. ↑Supported actions: twilio.com · twilio.com
5. ↑Regions: help.twilio.com
6. ↑Sandbox: twilio.com · twilio.com
7. ↑SDK languages: twilio.com
8. ↑MCP server: github.com · twilio.com
9. ↑SOC 2: twilio.com
10. ↑HIPAA: twilio.com
11. ↑GDPR: twilio.com · twilio.com
12. ↑ISO 27001: twilio.com
13. ↑PCI DSS: twilio.com
14. ↑Published SLA: twilio.com · twilio.com
15. ↑Rate limits: twilio.com · twilio.com · twilio.com
16. ↑Known restrictions: twilio.com · twilio.com

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

1. 2026-06-16 Summary Md: (none) → Twilio WhatsApp Business API lets developers send and receive messages on Whats…
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) → 85
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) → 70
7. 2026-06-16 Score Procurement Friction: (none) → 85
8. 2026-06-16 Score Trust Readiness: (none) → 80
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 Markdown Docs URL: (none) → https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/whatsapp.md
12. 2026-06-16 Docs URL: (none) → https://www.twilio.com/docs
13. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt Present: (none) → Yes
14. 2026-06-16 Llms Txt URL: (none) → https://www.twilio.com/llms.txt
15. 2026-06-16 Rendering: (none) → static
16. 2026-06-16 Has Structured Data: (none) → Yes
17. 2026-06-16 Robots Allows Agents: (none) → Yes
18. 2026-06-16 API Reference URL: (none) → https://www.twilio.com/en-us/products
19. 2026-06-16 Status Page URL: (none) → https://status.twilio.com
20. 2026-06-16 Changelog URL: (none) → https://www.twilio.com/changelog
21. 2026-06-16 Markdown Docs Served: (none) → Yes
22. 2026-06-16 Requires Sales Call: set to No
23. 2026-06-16 Enterprise Plan Available: set to Yes
24. 2026-06-16 SOC 2: set to type_2
25. 2026-06-16 HIPAA: set to Yes
26. 2026-06-16 GDPR: set to Yes
27. 2026-06-16 ISO 27001: set to Yes
28. 2026-06-16 PCI DSS: set to Yes
29. 2026-06-16 SLA Published: set to No
30. 2026-06-16 SLA URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/en-us/legal/service-level-agreement/twilio-apis
31. 2026-06-16 Data Retention Policy URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/en-us/privacy
32. 2026-06-16 Documented Rate Limits: set to Meta messaging tiers (portfolio-level, business-initiated conversations per 24-…
33. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Requests: set to 80
34. 2026-06-16 Rate Limit Window: set to second
35. 2026-06-16 Known Restrictions: set to Requires Meta Business Manager account association, Unverified Meta Business Ma…
36. 2026-06-16 Auth Methods: set to basic
37. 2026-06-16 Auth Docs URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/docs/usage/requests-to-twilio
38. 2026-06-16 API Style: set to rest
39. 2026-06-16 Base URL: set to https://api.twilio.com/2010-04-01
40. 2026-06-16 API Version: set to 2010-04-01
41. 2026-06-16 Versioning Scheme: set to url
42. 2026-06-16 Stability: set to ga
43. 2026-06-16 Deprecation Policy URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/en-us/changelog
44. 2026-06-16 MCP URL: set to https://mcp.twilio.com/docs
45. 2026-06-16 Quickstart URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/docs/whatsapp/quickstart/node
46. 2026-06-16 Idempotency Supported: set to No
47. 2026-06-16 Error Format: set to vendor-specific
48. 2026-06-16 Webhook Signing: set to X-Twilio-Signature (HMAC-SHA1)
49. 2026-06-16 Webhook Events URL: set to https://www.twilio.com/docs/usage/webhooks/messaging-webhooks
50. 2026-06-16 Requires Verification: set to Yes

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/twilio-whatsapp \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"kind":"review","rating":5,"body":"Your experience with this API…"}'

curl -X POST https://apio.sh/api/suggest/twilio-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"}'

All the ways to contribute →