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Zapster supports two types of WhatsApp connection. Each has upsides and limitations. Here is what you need to know to choose.

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Comparison

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When to use unofficial

  • You want to test quickly with a personal or test number.
  • You need to send to WhatsApp groups.
  • You do not want an extra per-message cost.
  • You are building an MVP or a proof of concept.
  • The send volume is moderate (hundreds per day, not thousands).

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When to use WABA

  • You need maximum stability and cannot risk the number.
  • Compliance and governance are requirements (larger companies, healthcare, finance).
  • You want to use message templates approved by Meta.
  • The volume is high and you need delivery guarantees.
  • You want to avoid any ban risk.

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About cost

Unofficial instances have no per-message cost beyond your Zapster plan. WABA instances follow the Meta pricing table, which charges per conversation (not per message). The price varies by:
  • Category: marketing is more expensive than utility, which is more expensive than authentication.
  • Recipient’s country: each country has a different price band.
  • Who starts: if the customer starts the conversation, the first 24h window can be free.
Zapster does not add any cost on top of what Meta charges. You pay your Zapster plan + Meta’s cost directly on your account.

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Can I have both types in the same account?

Yes. You can have official and unofficial instances in the same Zapster account, each with its own webhooks and settings. The API works the same way for both types.

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Migration between types

Right now it is not possible to convert an unofficial instance into a WABA one, or the other way around. This capability is in development. When it is available, the migration will be seamless. Your webhooks, integrations, and settings will keep working without any code changes. For now, if you need to switch the connection type, create a new instance and update the instance ID in your integration.

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Next steps