WhatsApp has long expanded beyond personal use and is now a valued communication channel for businesses. A 2020 study showed that 75% of respondents would prefer to communicate with companies the same way they do with friends and family—via messaging apps. At the same time, two billion people worldwide use WhatsApp, with 70% of them using it daily.
Despite these numbers, many businesses remain skeptical about using WhatsApp for professional purposes and are unaware of the different versions available. In this article, you will learn about the differences between WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, and the WhatsApp Business Platform—and which version is best suited for your business.
(In all cases, your customers continue to use the regular WhatsApp app.)
1. WhatsApp
The standard version of WhatsApp is designed for personal users and offers basic features such as chats, group chats, and calls. Some small businesses use this app to communicate with customers—a practice that WhatsApp does not recommend.
Use in Business
The personal app is not suitable for business purposes. It lacks essential features like automated responses or the ability to create a professional business profile. Additionally, using it for business carries privacy risks and is not GDPR-compliant.
Advantages:
Free and easily accessible
Simple to use
Disadvantages:
No business-specific features
Risk of data protection issues
Unprofessional appearance
2. WhatsApp Business
The WhatsApp Business app is specifically designed for small businesses that want to communicate professionally with their customers. It is available for free download on Android and iOS and offers useful tools to facilitate customer interactions.
Features:
Business profile: Store essential information such as address, business hours, website, and email.
Catalogs: Display products and services in an organized way.
Automated messages: Welcome and away messages save time.
Statistics: Simple analysis of customer interactions, such as delivered and read messages.
Who is it for?
This app is ideal for small businesses with manageable communication needs that do not require complex integrations or automation.
Advantages:
Free to use
Easy to set up
Improved customer communication
Disadvantages:
No option for multiple users simultaneously
Limited scalability
No integration with CRM systems
or other software
3. WhatsApp Business Platform
The WhatsApp Business Platform is a scalable solution that businesses can integrate into their existing IT systems. It is particularly suitable for larger companies or businesses with high communication volumes.
Features:
Multi-user access: Multiple employees can communicate with customers via WhatsApp simultaneously.
Automation: Integration of chatbots, AI-powered solutions, and automated processes such as order processing or appointment scheduling.
Integration: Connects with CRM, ERP, or support systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zendesk.
Data protection: GDPR-compliant usage, as data is stored with certified hosting partners.
Who is it for?
The platform is ideal for medium-sized and large enterprises looking for professional and scalable customer communication solutions.
Advantages:
Efficient, automated processes
Scalable for high communication volumes
Customization options
Disadvantages:
Implementation requires technical expertise or external support—both of which McomTech provides.
Meta’s New Pricing Model: Your Advantage with Us
Meta significantly adjusted the pricing structure for the WhatsApp Business Platform in 2024. The new prices, effective in August, October, and November 2024, are based on message type: Service conversations will be free from November 1, 2024, to encourage businesses to use WhatsApp as a customer service channel.
Utility conversations have been reduced in price since August 1, 2024, positioning WhatsApp as a cost-effective alternative to other communication channels and encouraging businesses to handle end-to-end processes such as order status updates or appointment confirmations directly via WhatsApp.
Your Advantage with Us
When using the WhatsApp Business Platform with McomTech, you benefit from clear and transparent pricing. Unlike many providers, we do not add any extra fees on top of Meta’s official costs. This means you only pay Meta’s official prices, and any additional costs are limited to using our platform. This allows you to maintain full control over your expenses and use WhatsApp as an efficient communication channel—without hidden fees.
Interested?
Contact us now for a non-binding consultation.