> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.1msg.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.1msg.io/docs/billing/tariffs-and-payments.md).

# Tariffs and payments

What you pay money for and how it is paid for

### What are the costs?  <a href="#what-are-the-costs" id="what-are-the-costs"></a>

Using the 1msg service, you pay for a monthly or annual subscription and open dialogs with clients.

### **What do we not charge for?**

We do not charge you for connecting your number to the WhatsApp Business API and obtaining the green checkmark.

### Subscription  <a href="#subscription" id="subscription"></a>

The price of a channel with a phone number connected to the WhatsApp Business API is $39 per month or $30 per month for a one-time annual payment.

### Dialog fees <a href="#dialog-fees" id="dialog-fees"></a>

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important: starting October 1, 2026, the pricing terms for messages will change**, including the pricing for service messages. Please review the new terms at the link below:

\
[❗️ Important changes to message billing from Meta starting October 1, 2026](/docs/billing/important-changes-to-message-billing-from-meta-starting-october-1-2026.md)
{% endhint %}

Meta bills **per delivered message**, not per 24-hour conversation session.

When a customer messages you, a **24-hour customer service window** opens. Inside that window you can reply with free-form (non-template) text. The window itself does not make all templates free — pricing depends on the message type and template category.

**What is free right now**

* **Service messages** — free-form replies inside the 24-hour window after the customer messages you.
* **Utility templates** — when delivered **inside** an open 24-hour window.

**What is paid**

* **Marketing** templates — always paid, including inside the window;
* **Authentication** templates — always paid;
* **Utility** templates — paid when sent **outside** the 24-hour window.

Rates depend on the template category and the recipient’s country. See the rate card below (last update **01.07.2026**):

{% file src="/files/weI7ogyo51t00tM9g07X" %}

Changes effective from October 1, 2026

{% file src="/files/LDr5a0Mkuc7l67mbQ90H" %}

#### **Billing procedure**

Channel access to WABA works on a subscription basis. You can subscribe in your [1msg.io account](https://my.1msg.io/). Your card is charged according to the plan you chose. With monthly billing, the next subscription charge is one month after the first payment.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**What if the payment has failed?**

If we cannot charge the subscription, access to WABA for that number is suspended. You also cannot connect a new number until payment succeeds.

We recommend keeping a balance topped up so message fees are deducted from the balance first. That helps avoid stopping the channel if there is a problem with the subscription charge.
{% endhint %}

#### **Payment for dialog messages**

When you send paid outgoing messages, we add up their cost. Each day, your balance is charged for messages delivered the previous day. We recommend topping up the balance so fees are taken from the balance first, and only then from the card. This reduces the risk of the account stopping if payment fails.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Please note:** failure to pay these charges may result in termination of your account with all channels, even if the subscription itself is paid.
{% endhint %}

### Outgoing (business-initiated) message categories

Outgoing templates are divided into **Marketing**, **Utility**, and **Authentication**.

* **Marketing.** Promotions, offers, information, or calls-to-action (CTAs). Anything that does not fit Utility or Authentication is treated as Marketing. These messages are **always paid**.
* **Utility.** Transactional updates tied to a customer request or action: order status, delivery, payment, subscription status, and similar. They should include concrete details (order number, status, etc.). **Free inside** the 24-hour window; **paid outside** it.
* **Authentication.** One-time codes (account confirmation, recovery, MFA, etc.). These messages are **always paid**.

#### **Service messages**

**Service messages** are free-form replies (no template) after the customer has written to you and the 24-hour window is open. They are **free** and are not billed.

If you send a **paid** template inside that window (for example Marketing or Authentication), **each delivered** message is charged at the rate for that category and the recipient’s country.

#### **Note the important points:**

* Meta checks that template content matches the selected category. If it does not (e.g. Authentication selected but marketing content sent), the template may be rejected (`rejected`).
* When creating templates with variables, you must add examples.
* To review template categories, use [WhatsApp Manager](https://business.facebook.com/wa/manage/message-templates) or your **1msg** account: [Channels](https://my.1msg.io/channels) → select a channel → **Templates** tab.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/oRFlPIfSV1Te1UpyuEbn/blobs/YhqO24VUJwm9GDJtKEeH/image.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>WhatsApp Manager — Templates page</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Several message categories in one conversation

You can send different categories in the same thread. Billing is **per delivered message**, not “one fee per opened 24-hour session category”.

Example:

1. You send a **Marketing** template — paid.
2. The customer replies — the 24-hour window opens.
3. You reply with free-form text — **free** (service message).
4. You send a **Utility** template inside the window — **free**.
5. You send another **Marketing** template inside the same window — **paid** again.

Another template of the same paid category is also billed separately: each delivered paid message is charged on its own.

[**See Meta’s explanation for details and examples (PDF)**](https://go.facebookinc.com/rs/267-PVB-941/images/WhatsApp-Business-Platform-Pricing-Explainer.pdf)

### Free entry point conversations

These open when a user comes from Facebook Ads, clicks **Click to WhatsApp**, or uses a Call-to-Action button on a Facebook Page.

* The free entry point window lasts **72 hours** (instead of the usual 24).
* During those 3 days you can use templates from different categories **without additional charge** for those messages under the free entry point rules.

#### Deleting a number and cancelling a subscription <a href="#deleting-a-number-and-cancelling-a-subscription" id="deleting-a-number-and-cancelling-a-subscription"></a>

In this case we keep the fee for the full month. The number is removed from the WhatsApp Business API and can be used again in regular WhatsApp, WhatsApp Web, or the WhatsApp Business app.

If you had **paid message charges** during the billing period, you can delete the number only **30 days after** the last such charge is deducted. There is also a fee equal to one monthly subscription — this covers Meta charges for the number that we still have to pay after you cancel the subscription and delete the number.