Skip to main content

Understanding your WhatsApp API Charges

When you do WhatsApp marketing on Spur, you pay to two entities, one is your API tool provider (Spur) and the other is Meta.

Updated over a week ago

Two-Part Payment Structure

Payment to Spur
Your monthly subscription for using Spur's platform, automations, and features.

Payment to Meta
WhatsApp messaging charges that go directly to Meta (Facebook) for sending messages through their WhatsApp Business API.

How Meta Charges Work

Per-Template Pricing
Meta charges you through your Spur wallet for each WhatsApp template sent through their API. Rates vary by message type and recipient country.

Message Categories

  • Marketing Messages: Promotional content, offers, announcements

  • Utility Messages: Account updates, order confirmations, shipping notifications

  • Service Messages: Customer support conversations

  • Authentication Messages: OTP codes, verification messages

Geographic Pricing


Different countries have different messaging rates. India typically has lower rates than US/Europe.

Your Wallet System

Prepaid Model
You must maintain a positive wallet balance to send WhatsApp messages. No balance = no message delivery.

Shared Wallet Across Numbers
Your wallet balance is tied to your Spur workspace. If you have multiple WhatsApp numbers connected (like 3 different business numbers), all messaging charges from all numbers deduct from the same shared wallet balance.

Automatic Deductions
Each sent message automatically deducts the appropriate charge from your wallet based on:

  • Message type (marketing/utility/service)

  • Recipient's country

  • Current rate card

Rate Card Access
Click "View Rate Card" in your wallet section to see current per-message pricing for all countries and message types.

Wallet Management

Recharge Options

  • Manual: Add funds when needed via preset amounts or custom values

  • Auto Topup: Automatically recharge when balance drops below set threshold

Transaction Tracking

Every WhatsApp message charge appears in your transaction history with:

  • Date and time of message

  • Message type and recipient country

  • Exact charge amount

Why Two Separate Payments?

Spur Subscription
Covers platform access, automation tools, customer support, and software features.

Meta API Charges
Meta requires direct payment for using their WhatsApp infrastructure. Spur cannot include these costs in subscription pricing due to:

  • Variable usage per customer

  • Different messaging volumes

  • Geographic rate differences

  • Meta's direct billing requirements

Cost Optimization Tips

Message Type Strategy

  • Use utility messages for transactional updates (lower cost)

  • Reserve marketing messages for high-value promotions

  • Leverage service messages for customer support

Geographic Considerations

  • India rates are typically lowest

  • International messaging costs more

  • Check rate card before global campaigns

Volume Planning

  • Monitor daily usage patterns

  • Set appropriate auto-topup thresholds

  • Use transaction history to forecast needs

Common Billing Questions

Why separate charges?
Meta requires direct payment for API usage. Spur handles the technical integration but cannot bundle these costs.

When are charges deducted?
Immediately when messages are successfully delivered through WhatsApp.

What if wallet runs empty?
Message delivery stops until wallet is recharged. Enable auto-topup to prevent interruptions.

Can I get refunds?
Wallet credits are non-refundable as they represent pre-payment to Meta for messaging services.


Understanding this dual payment structure helps you budget effectively and optimize your WhatsApp messaging costs while using Spur's automation features.

Related: How to Migrate to Walllet if you're an old customer and are still paying Meta directly for messaging.

Did this answer your question?