https://sleekflow.io/blog/whatsapp-cloud-api
Table of contents
In May 2022, Meta announced the new cloud-hosted version of WhatsApp Business API. The release of WhatsApp Cloud API to all businesses means enterprises now have two ways to send and receive messages at scale, either by working with one of WhatsApp Business Solution Providers (BSPs) or accessing the API service directly from Meta.
WhatsApp Cloud API offers similar features to the WhatsApp Business API (also known as on-premise API). It is designed for medium and large businesses to:
Soon, the Cloud API will provide the same key features as the on-premise API, including sticker pack management and user change notifications.
The hosting type is the main difference between WhatsApp Cloud API and on-premise API. Previously, businesses could only use a BSP that provided on-premise API (e.g., 360dialog, Twilio) to get WhatsApp API. Now, BSPs can choose to offer the WhatsApp Cloud API hosted by Meta. Companies can get it from a BSP that provides WhatsApp Cloud API (e.g., SleekFlow) or build their own business messaging tools with in-house developer resources.
Some good-to-know back-end differences that do not affect the user experience:
| WhatsApp Cloud API | WhatsApp Business API/On-Premise API | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Meta | BSP’s server |
| How to get the API | Go through a BSP that provides Cloud API (e.g.: SleekFlow) OR; Directly access the Cloud API on Meta for Developers | Go through a BSP that provides on-premise API (e.g.: 360dialog, Twilio) |
| Maintenance | Software upgrades and new features are developed by Meta and will be automatically available to businesses on the Cloud API. | BSP will perform API software upgrades periodically. New features performed by Meta may take a while to become available to all businesses. |
| API Protocol | Graph API | On-Premises REST API |
| Throughput of messages per second (MPS) | 80 MPS by default; 500 MPS by request | 250 MPS |
So which one should you get? Meta recommended that most businesses use the Cloud API for easy implementation and maintenance.
There are two ways to sign up for the Meta WhatsApp Cloud API, through the Embedded Signup provided by any WhatsApp BSP or by setting up an account on Meta for Developers.
| Embedded Signup through BSP | Meta for Developers | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Register an account on the BSP platform | Create a Meta App |
| Developer resources | ✗ | ✓ |
| Steps | Connect to Facebook Business Manager; Create WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABA); Verify phone number | Set up developer assets and platform access; Send a test message; Configure a webhook; Receive a test message; Create WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABA); Verify phone number |
| Onboarding Session | A single flow | Multiple fragmented workflows |
| Onboarding time | Less than 5 minutes | Hours |
If you sign up through WhatsApp BSP’s website, you can get on board with a streamlined signup process. There are only 3-5 steps, and you do not have to leave the site.
You can start messaging customers immediately and reach up to 250 unique contacts in a 24-hour period. Upon verifying your Facebook Business Manager account, you can increase your messaging limit and send up to 100,000 messages daily.