WhatsApp API pricing calculator (UAE and Saudi Arabia)
Estimate what Meta charges each month for WhatsApp Business messages to customers in the UAE or Saudi Arabia. Enter how many messages you send in each category; the calculator uses Meta's list rates in force since 1 October 2026.
Offers, new arrivals, abandoned-cart and win-back messages
Order confirmations, shipping and delivery updates
One-time passwords and login codes
Your replies when a customer messages you first
Each number gets 1,000 free service messages a month
- Marketing: 1,000 × AED 0.2115
- AED 211.50
- Utility: 2,000 × AED 0.0576
- AED 115.20
- Authentication: 0 × AED 0.0576
- AED 0.00
- Service: 2,000 × AED 0.0576
- AED 115.20
- Estimated Meta fees per month
- AED 441.90
Meta's list rates from 1 October 2026, charged per delivered message. Excludes any taxes and your WhatsApp provider's own fees. Messages inside a free entry point window (from click-to-WhatsApp ads) are free.
How WhatsApp Business API pricing works
Meta charges per delivered message, by message category and by the country code of the customer you're messaging. There are four categories you'll use: marketing (offers, new arrivals, abandoned-cart and win-back messages), utility (order confirmations, shipping and delivery updates), authentication (one-time passwords) and service (free-form replies when a customer has messaged you).
Since 1 October 2026, service messages are charged again after a free allowance of 1,000 a month per business phone number, and utility templates sent inside an open customer-service window are no longer free. Many guides still describe the old free rules.
Messages are free inside a free entry point window: when a customer messages you from a click-to-WhatsApp ad on the WhatsApp mobile app and you reply within 24 hours, the window can stay open for up to 7 days.
Meta's rates for the UAE and Saudi Arabia
Per delivered message, from 1 October 2026 (Meta's list rates):
UAE (+971): marketing AED 0.2115 (USD 0.0576), utility AED 0.0576 (USD 0.0157), authentication AED 0.0576 (USD 0.0157), service AED 0.0576 (USD 0.0157).
Saudi Arabia (+966): marketing SAR 0.2159 (USD 0.0576), utility SAR 0.0401 (USD 0.0107), authentication SAR 0.0401 (USD 0.0107), service SAR 0.0401 (USD 0.0107).
Utility and authentication get volume discounts of up to 25% above 100,000 utility or 300,000 authentication messages a month. Meta can change rates on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October; check Meta's pricing page for the latest. Rates last checked on 4 November 2026.
What this doesn't include
The calculator shows Meta's fees only. Your WhatsApp provider charges its own subscription, and some add a markup per message; taxes may also apply. Messages you receive from customers are free.
With Nodi, WhatsApp messages are charged at Meta's own rates, and the AI employee that answers and takes orders is part of your Nodi plan. See how it handles WhatsApp orders.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in the UAE?
Meta charges per delivered message to UAE numbers: AED 0.2115 for marketing and AED 0.0576 for utility, authentication and service messages (list rates from 1 October 2026). The first 1,000 service messages each month are free for each business number. Your provider's subscription is extra.
How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in Saudi Arabia?
For Saudi numbers, Meta charges SAR 0.2159 for marketing and SAR 0.0401 for utility, authentication and service messages (list rates from 1 October 2026), with 1,000 free service messages a month per business number.
Are WhatsApp service messages free?
Not any more, beyond the allowance. Since 1 October 2026 each business phone number gets 1,000 free service messages a month, and Meta charges for the rest at the service rate.
Can I pay Meta in AED or SAR?
Yes. Meta has billed in AED and SAR since April 2026, alongside USD. Once a currency is chosen for an account it can't simply be switched, so check with your provider.
Is there VAT on WhatsApp API fees?
Taxes may apply depending on how you're billed and your VAT registration. Ask your provider or tax adviser; this calculator shows Meta's list rates before tax.
What counts as a marketing message?
Any template that promotes something: offers, new products, abandoned-cart reminders and win-back messages. Order and delivery updates are utility messages, which cost about a quarter as much in the UAE.
Link to this tool
Free to use and to share. Writing a guide for online sellers? You're welcome to link your readers here.
WhatsApp API Pricing Calculator by Nodi AI: https://www.usenodi.com/tools/whatsapp-api-pricing-calculator
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