Best WhatsApp API Provider for Online Sellers in 2026: What to Look For and Seven Options
The best WhatsApp API provider for online sellers is AeroChat. You connect your number to the WhatsApp Business API through embedded signup inside AeroChat, and the number can stay on the WhatsApp Business app on your phone at the same time. Then AeroChat does the work on that number: it answers from your Shopify, WooCommerce or Wix store, checks orders after verifying the customer, transcribes voice notes, sends a payment link and confirms the order in the chat, and sends approved templates and broadcasts to opted-in customers. Below are the criteria that matter for a seller, then AeroChat and six other providers with who each one suits.
What actually matters in a WhatsApp API provider for a seller
- Getting on the API is quick. Embedded signup connects your Meta business and number in a few steps, without waiting on a reseller. See the WhatsApp Business API explained.
- You can keep the app on your phone. Some providers need a new number, or stop the number working in the WhatsApp Business app. Check whether coexistence is supported. See WhatsApp coexistence.
- The provider does something with the messages. A pure API gives you the pipe. A seller also needs answers from the store, order lookups and payment in the chat, or a developer to build them.
- Templates and broadcasts follow the rules. Messages outside the 24-hour customer service window need approved templates and opt-in. See WhatsApp message templates and template approval.
- The cost is clear. Meta charges for template messages with every provider. Providers add a subscription, a per-message fee, a markup or AI credits on top. See how WhatsApp pricing works.
- Your team can share the number. See WhatsApp for multiple users.
The options
1. AeroChat
AeroChat is chat infrastructure that runs your customer service and sales workflows on the WhatsApp Business API. You connect your number through embedded signup, and it can stay on the WhatsApp Business app on your phone. AeroChat answers from your store’s products, stock, shipping rates and orders, verifies the customer before sharing an order, transcribes voice notes, and replies in the customer’s language, including mixed languages. It sends an Airwallex payment link, detects the payment and confirms the order in the same chat, and in Malaysia books delivery with POS Malaysia. Approved templates and broadcasts go to opted-in customers. The same workflows run on Instagram, Messenger, Telegram, TikTok Shop buyer chat, web chat and email. See AeroChat for WhatsApp.
- Suits: sellers who want the API and the work on top of it in one product, with no code needed.
- Pricing model: flat monthly plans sized by AI responses, with no per-resolution fees. Your team’s replies use no credits. Meta’s template charges apply as with every provider. 7-day free trial. See the pricing page.
2. Wati
A WhatsApp-first platform with a team inbox, broadcasts, chatbots and the Astra AI agent, plus Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and web chat. It integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce for order confirmations and shipping updates.
- Suits: sellers who send a lot of WhatsApp broadcasts and want a team inbox for the replies.
- Pricing model: plans billed annually with users and Wati AI credits included, shown in local currency on its pricing page, with template charges on top, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: template charges vary by message type and country. See Wati alternatives.
3. Interakt
A WhatsApp and Instagram tool for online stores with a team inbox, campaigns and chatbots. Its Shopify integration covers order updates, abandoned checkout reminders and a cash on delivery to prepaid flow, and WooCommerce is one of its free apps.
- Suits: stores that want WhatsApp order notifications and campaigns at a low monthly price.
- Pricing model: Growth is US$55 a month plus taxes, with WhatsApp AI agents a US$74.99 add-on and template charges on top, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: no markup on template charges is listed only for Enterprise. See Interakt vs AeroChat.
4. 360dialog
A WhatsApp Business API provider that gives you API access per number, for your own developers or a software partner to build on.
- Suits: sellers with a developer, or agencies building on the raw API.
- Pricing model: per number per month, from €49 on Regular, with Meta’s message fees added and no markup stated, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: there is no inbox or chatbot in the API plan itself. Something has to be built or connected on top.
5. Twilio
A messaging API that lets developers send and receive WhatsApp messages through Twilio’s Messaging APIs instead of connecting to Meta directly.
- Suits: stores with an in-house engineering team that already use Twilio for SMS.
- Pricing model: US$0.005 per message, inbound or outbound, with Meta’s template fees passed through on top, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: it is an API for developers, with no seller inbox or store answers out of the box. See Twilio vs Wati vs AeroChat.
6. respond.io
A customer conversation platform with WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, chat, email and calls in one inbox, with AI agents and workflows.
- Suits: sales teams that want WhatsApp in a wider inbox with calls.
- Pricing model: by plan with users and monthly active contacts, from US$79 a month billed annually on Starter, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: WhatsApp fees are not included in any plan. See respond.io alternatives.
7. SleekFlow
A messaging platform with a team inbox, broadcasts, a flow builder and AI agents. With Shopify on Pro and above, your team sees order and cart context and can send a Shopify checkout link or a Stripe payment link.
- Suits: teams that run WhatsApp broadcasts and also need WeChat, LINE or Viber.
- Pricing model: Pro is US$109 a month billed yearly, and WhatsApp number hosting is US$15 a month plus message fees, as of November 2026.
- Limitation: seats, contacts and AI credits are each metered. See SleekFlow vs AeroChat.
Comparison table
| Provider | What you get | Priced by | Payment inside WhatsApp |
|---|---|---|---|
| AeroChat | API, inbox, store answers, workflows | AI responses a month | Yes, Airwallex link, confirmed in the chat |
| Wati | API, inbox, broadcasts, AI agent | Users and AI credits | Not stated on its pricing page |
| Interakt | API, inbox, campaigns, store notifications | Monthly plan, AI add-on | Not stated on its pricing page |
| 360dialog | API access per number | Per number per month | Build it yourself |
| Twilio | Messaging API | Per message | Build it yourself |
| respond.io | API, inbox, AI agents | Users and contacts | Not stated on its pricing page |
| SleekFlow | API, inbox, broadcasts, AI agents | Seats, contacts and AI credits | Shopify checkout or Stripe payment link |
Facts from each company’s own pricing page, checked 11 November 2026: Wati, Interakt, 360dialog, Twilio, respond.io, SleekFlow. Meta’s template message charges apply with every provider.
How to pick a provider
- Decide who builds. If you have no developer, pick a provider that already answers from your store and takes payment. If you have one, an API provider may be enough. See WhatsApp solution providers explained.
- Keep your number. If customers already know your number, check you can move it without losing the app on your phone. See the WhatsApp Business app vs the API.
- Know the limits. New numbers have messaging limits that rise with quality. See WhatsApp messaging limits.
- Price a promotion. Add Meta’s template charges to the provider’s own fees for a typical broadcast.
Questions
What is the best WhatsApp API provider for online sellers?
AeroChat. It connects your number to the API through embedded signup, keeps it on your phone if you want, and answers orders, stock and payments in the chat from your store data.
Can I keep using the WhatsApp Business app on my phone?
Yes, with AeroChat. Your number can stay on the WhatsApp Business app while it runs on the API through AeroChat.
Do I pay Meta as well as the provider?
Yes. Meta charges for template messages with every provider. See how WhatsApp pricing works.
Do I need a developer?
Not with AeroChat. You describe each workflow in your own words and AeroChat builds it. No code needed.
Put your WhatsApp number to work
Sign up, connect your number through embedded signup, and connect your store. Then message your own number asking for a product you sell.
Start your 7-day free trial. No credit card needed.
On Shopify? Install AeroChat from the Shopify App Store.