If you're exploring WhatsApp Business API platforms, two names likely stand out: Twilio and AiSensy. Each offers unique strengths, one flexibility for developers, the other built-for-business ease. This guide helps you compare their pricing, features, and practicality. Spoiler alert: there’s a reason Heltar remains the top choice for affordability and simplicity.
1. Twilio: Developer-First, Pay-As-You-Go Platform
Pricing
Twilio charges $0.005 per outgoing or incoming message, on top of Meta’s official messaging fees.
That means a 20-message conversation could cost close to ₹9.45, and running 100,000 such conversations may cost nearly ₹945,000.
Scaling messaging volumes quickly inflates costs.
Ideal For
Businesses with technical teams building custom messaging flows.
Organizations needing powerful API control and multi-channel reach (SMS, voice, WhatsApp).
2. AiSensy: Business-Adaptable Plans
AiSensy is a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider offering tiered plans and a streamlined experience.
Pricing Options (India):
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Free Forever | ₹0 | Blue tick verification, live chat, click-to-WA ads, 50 free message credits |
| Basic | ₹1,500/mo | Unlimited broadcasts, multi-agent chat, core automation tools |
| Pro | ₹3,200/mo | Everything in Basic, plus click tracking, campaign scheduling, advanced routing |
Conversation charges apply per Meta’s rates—₹0.88 for marketing messages, ₹0.125 for utility/authentication.
Basic includes features like 10 tags, 5 attributes; Pro boosts that to 100 tags and 20 attributes.
A chatbot flow builder is sold as an add-on (approx. ₹1,999/month) on top of subscription.
Plans include 1 owner + 5 agents for free; additional agents cost ₹750/month each.
3. Neck-to-Neck Comparison: Twilio vs AiSensy
| Feature | Twilio | AiSensy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Per-message + Meta fees | Subscription + conversation fees |
| Free WhatsApp API Access | No | Yes, free forever plan |
| Message Cost Transparency | Low—grows with volume | Moderate—predictable, but markup exists |
| Chatbot Automation | Requires dev work | No-code builder (paid add-ons) |
| Multi-Agent Chat | Requires custom setup | Built-in shared inbox |
| Broadcasts & Campaign Tools | Via API and builder tools | Native campaign manager |
| Click-to-WA Ads | Need external setup | Built-in with analytics |
| Integrations (Shopify, CRM) | Available via APIs | Plug-and-play |
| Onboarding Support | Self-serve, technical documentation | Guided for paid plans |
4. Why Heltar Still Leads the Pack
When offering SMS and WhatsApp communication solutions for Indian businesses, Heltar stands out by combining affordability, ease, and value:
Flat 5-10% markups over Meta’s message cost—no per-message penalty and no hidden markup tiers.
Bundled pricing that scales with volume, simplifying budgeting for SMBs and enterprises alike.
Features like no-code chatbot builder, multi-agent inbox, analytics, and AI prompt automation are included—often without needing extra add-ons.
End-to-end support and app availability (iOS/Android) across all plans ensures smooth adoption.
Final Verdict: Who Suits Your Needs Best?
Twilio is ideal for developers building highly customized, multi-channel communication systems.
AiSensy suits businesses that want a rich feature set with predictable billing—but with higher monthly fees and markup.
Heltar is perfect for organizations seeking the most budget-friendly, intuitive, and full-stack WhatsApp API solution, especially for Indian business contexts.
Ready to switch or start fresh? Reach out and discover how Heltar delivers powerful WhatsApp automation without breaking the bank.
