The short answer
Building a WhatsApp bot starts at $200 for menus and answers, around $350 for orders or bookings with a database, and about $600 with payments and an admin panel. Running it costs a small server (usually $5–10 a month) plus Meta's charges for messages your business starts. Replies to customers within 24 hours of their message are free.
Build price by type
| Type | What it does | Example | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple bot | Menu, FAQ, request form | A salon answering “prices, address, free times” | from $200 | 3–5 days |
| Business bot | Orders or bookings, database, notifications | A clinic booking appointments with reminders | from $350 | 5–8 days |
| Bot + admin panel | Payments, web admin, WhatsApp and Telegram | A shop with a catalog and online payment | from $600 | 8–14 days |
Setting up the Meta business account, the phone number and the first message templates is part of the work.
Monthly running costs
| Bot | Server | Meta charges |
|---|---|---|
| Answers questions customers send | $5–10 | None — replies within 24 hours are free |
| Bookings with reminders the day before | $5–10 | One utility template per reminder |
| Order updates: confirmed, shipped, delivered | $5–10 | Utility templates — free if sent while the customer's 24-hour window is open |
| Promotions to subscribers | $5–10 | One marketing template per message — the most expensive category |
Template rates depend on the customer's country, so I calculate them for your countries and volumes before we start.
What Meta charges for, in plain words
When a customer writes to you, a 24-hour customer service window opens, and your replies in it are free. To start a conversation yourself, or to write after the window has closed, you send a template that Meta has approved, and Meta charges per delivered template. Conversations that start from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad or a Facebook Page button get a free 72-hour window. The full explanation is in WhatsApp Business API pricing.
Is a WhatsApp bot free?
The WhatsApp Business app is free and has greetings, away messages and quick replies — enough for a few chats a day. A real bot that takes orders or bookings needs the WhatsApp Business Platform. Avoid tools that automate the regular WhatsApp app or WhatsApp Web: they break WhatsApp's terms, and the number can be banned.
What changes the build price
- Scenarios — every flow (order, booking, cancellation, question) is designed and tested.
- Catalog — a few items in a list, or a full product catalog.
- Payments — a payment link or a full checkout.
- Integrations — CRM, Google Sheets, your website or booking system.
- Languages and AI answers to free-text questions.
How to keep running costs low
- Let customers start the conversation — a link or QR code that opens the chat — so replies are free.
- Send order updates while the customer's window is still open.
- Use reminders where they prevent real losses, such as no-shows, and keep promotions rare and relevant.
- Use a Telegram bot for your own team — it costs nothing to run.
Questions
How much does a WhatsApp chatbot cost per month?
A server for $5–10 plus Meta's charges for template messages your business starts. Replies within 24 hours of a customer's message are free.
Is a WhatsApp bot free?
The WhatsApp Business app with auto-replies is free. A real bot needs the WhatsApp Business Platform, where replies are free and business-initiated templates are paid.
How long does Meta's approval take?
Business verification and template approval usually take from a few hours to a few days; I prepare everything so it goes through the first time.
Can I use my existing number?
Usually yes — I check how the number is used today before we start.
How long does it take to build a WhatsApp bot?
3–5 days for a simple bot, 5–8 days for orders or bookings, 8–14 days with payments and an admin panel, plus the Meta setup.