The best Whautomate alternative for an Indian business that mainly needs WhatsApp is RichAutomate: plans start at ₹499 a month GST-inclusive with ₹0 setup, against Whautomate's entry plan of ₹2,499 a month plus 18% GST. Whautomate still makes sense if you need its bookings module or one inbox for Instagram, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram, so this guide shows where each tool wins and what a typical month really costs.
All Whautomate figures below come from its public pricing page as checked on 30 October 2026, in INR before GST. RichAutomate figures come from our own WhatsApp API pricing page. Prices change, so check both pages before you sign up.
What Whautomate costs in 2026
Whautomate sells one core product called Engage (the multi-channel inbox, chatbots and campaigns) in three sizes, and three add-on modules on top: CRM Suite, Bookings and Sales. Bookings and Sales both need CRM Suite first. Buying Engage with all three modules is called Complete.
| Size | Engage (per month) | Complete (per month) | Active contacts | Team users | Template messages / month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plus | ₹2,499 | ₹4,999 | 5,000 | 3 | 10,000 |
| Scale | ₹4,999 | ₹9,999 | 20,000 | 10 | 40,000 |
| Supreme | ₹10,999 | ₹19,999 | 40,000 | 25 | 5,00,000 |
A few details matter when you compare it with anything else:
- GST is extra. The listed prices are before 18% GST, so Plus Engage is about ₹2,949 a month once tax is added.
- Each module is priced per size. CRM Suite, Bookings and Sales each cost ₹1,299 a month on Plus, ₹2,599 on Scale and ₹4,999 on Supreme.
- Yearly billing is 10 months for 12. Plus Engage is ₹24,990 a year instead of ₹29,988.
- Meta charges pass through at 0% markup. You pay Meta's published per-message rates on top of the plan.
- Caps apply. Each size limits active contacts and template messages, so a growing list can push you up a tier.
- Trial: 7 days free, no card needed.
What RichAutomate costs in 2026
RichAutomate is WhatsApp-first. You can stay on pay-as-you-go with ₹0 setup and no monthly floor, or pick a plan. On Client Pay, Meta bills you directly at its own rates and RichAutomate adds a flat ₹0.10 per message. Plan prices are GST-inclusive.
| Plan | Price / month (GST incl.) | Monthly credits | WhatsApp numbers | Team members | Key extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | ₹0 | - | 1 | - | Meta rate + ₹0.10/msg |
| Starter | ₹499 | 499 | 1 | 2 | Broadcasts, keyword auto-reply, template builder |
| Pro | ₹899 | 999 | 2 | 5 | Flow builder, drip, developer API, lead pipeline CRM, Google Sheets sync |
| White-label | ₹1,199 | 1,399 | 3+ | Unlimited | Your brand, up to 10 reseller sub-accounts |
Plan credits land in your wallet and pay your per-message fees, so the plan fee is not an extra charge on top of messaging. Extra numbers are ₹399 a month and extra seats ₹199 a month. Every account gets a 14-day free trial with 100 credits.
Whautomate vs RichAutomate: side by side
| Factor | Whautomate | RichAutomate |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest paid plan | ₹2,499/mo + GST (Plus Engage) | ₹499/mo GST incl. (Starter); ₹0 on pay-as-you-go |
| Meta message charges | Meta rates, 0% markup | Meta bills you direct + ₹0.10/msg |
| Channels | WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, live chat; email on prepaid credits | WhatsApp only |
| Chatbots | Unlimited chatbots on every plan | Keyword auto-reply on Starter; visual flow builder and Meta native flows from Pro |
| CRM | CRM Suite add-on, from ₹1,299/mo | Lead pipeline CRM included from Pro |
| Appointment bookings | Bookings add-on (needs CRM Suite) | No booking calendar; reminders sent as utility templates via API or Sheets |
| White-label / reseller | Not listed on pricing page | ₹1,199/mo, up to 10 sub-accounts |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14 days + 100 credits |
A real month: a clinic sending 5,000 WhatsApp messages
Take a clinic with three front-desk staff that sends 2,000 marketing messages (offers, health-camp invites) and 3,000 utility messages (appointment reminders, reports ready) a month. Meta's India rates are about ₹0.8631 per marketing message and ₹0.115 per utility message, so Meta's share is roughly ₹1,726 + ₹345 = ₹2,071 on either platform. Replies to customers inside the 24-hour service window carry no Meta charge on either.
Get the India 2026 WhatsApp BSP price comparison
Wati vs AiSensy vs Interakt vs RichAutomate: Meta rates, platform fees and hidden costs, side by side. We send it to your WhatsApp in a minute.
| Cost line | Whautomate Plus Engage | Whautomate Plus Complete | RichAutomate Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform fee (incl. GST) | ≈ ₹2,949 | ≈ ₹5,899 | ₹899 |
| Per-message fee | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹500, paid from the 999 plan credits |
| Meta charges (5,000 msgs) | ≈ ₹2,071 | ≈ ₹2,071 | ≈ ₹2,071 |
| Total per month | ≈ ₹5,020 | ≈ ₹7,970 | ≈ ₹2,970 |
Meta's own invoice can carry GST as well; that applies equally to both tools. Run your own volumes through the WhatsApp API cost calculator before you decide.
Want the WhatsApp side without the multi-channel bill? Start a 14-day RichAutomate trial with 100 free credits, no setup fee. Start free trial or compare all plans.
Which one should you pick?
When Whautomate is the better pick
Be honest about the fit before you switch. Whautomate is likely the stronger choice if:
- You run a salon, spa, studio or clinic that books slots online. Its Bookings module includes group classes, a booking page and automatic WhatsApp reminders in one product.
- Your customers message you on Instagram, Messenger, TikTok or Telegram as much as WhatsApp. RichAutomate does not offer those channels.
- You want unlimited chatbots on the entry plan and are comfortable with the ₹2,499 starting price.
When RichAutomate is the better pick
- WhatsApp is your main channel. You get the official Meta Cloud API, a shared inbox, broadcasts and template tools from ₹499, or ₹0 a month on pay-as-you-go.
- You want CRM and automation without stacking modules. The flow builder, drip sequences and lead pipeline CRM are all inside Pro at ₹899.
- You need to connect your own systems. The developer API and webhooks, Shopify, WooCommerce, Zoho and Google Sheets sync come with Pro.
- You are an agency. The ₹1,199 White-label plan carries your brand with up to 10 client sub-accounts.
- Your list is growing fast. You pay per message sent, so a bigger audience does not force a plan upgrade.
If you are still comparing CRMs more broadly, see our best WhatsApp CRM in India roundup, the WhatsApp API guide for salons and spas, or the SleekFlow alternative comparison if you are weighing other multi-channel inboxes.
Switching from Whautomate to RichAutomate
Moving a WhatsApp number between providers takes a few steps, and your number stays yours throughout:
- Export contacts and opt-in records from Whautomate as CSV. Keep the opt-in source, because you will need it if Meta or a customer asks.
- List your approved templates. Templates belong to your WhatsApp Business Account, but copy the text so you can re-submit any that do not carry over.
- Disconnect the number from Whautomate, then connect it to RichAutomate through Meta's Embedded Signup. Your display name, quality rating and messaging limit stay with the number.
- Rebuild your top two or three chatbot flows in the visual flow builder first, then the rest.
- Move booking reminders to utility templates triggered from your calendar, sheet or practice software through the API.
Selling in Singapore as well as India? RichAutomate also bills non-India numbers in USD; see WhatsApp API pricing for Singapore.
Not sure which plan fits your volume? Book a 20-minute walkthrough and we will price your real message mix. Book a demo or start the 14-day trial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Whautomate alternative in India?
RichAutomate starts at ₹499 a month GST-inclusive (Starter) and also offers pay-as-you-go with ₹0 setup and no monthly floor, where Meta bills you directly and RichAutomate adds ₹0.10 per message. Whautomate Plus Engage starts at ₹2,499 a month plus 18% GST.
How much does Whautomate cost per month?
As of October 2026 Whautomate Engage costs ₹2,499 (Plus), ₹4,999 (Scale) or ₹10,999 (Supreme) a month before GST. The Complete bundle with CRM Suite, Bookings and Sales costs ₹4,999, ₹9,999 or ₹19,999 a month. Meta message charges are extra at 0% markup.
Does RichAutomate support Instagram and Messenger like Whautomate?
No. RichAutomate is WhatsApp-only, built on the official Meta Cloud API. If you need one inbox for Instagram, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram, Whautomate covers more channels.
Can I move my WhatsApp number from Whautomate to RichAutomate?
Yes. Export your contacts and opt-in records, disconnect the number from Whautomate, then connect it to RichAutomate through Meta Embedded Signup. The number, display name, quality rating and messaging limit stay with your WhatsApp Business Account.
Are customer replies free on both platforms?
Yes, on Meta pricing. Replies you send inside the 24-hour customer service window carry no Meta charge. Marketing and utility templates are charged by Meta per message on both tools; RichAutomate adds a flat ₹0.10 per message on Client Pay.