SonarWhatsApp Business API providers in South Africa, compared
Every provider sends through Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform, and Meta charges the same per message whichever you pick. What differs is what each adds on top: a monthly plan, a markup on every message, the currency you're billed in, and the help you get.
We make Sonar, so read this knowing that. Every figure comes from each provider's own pricing page, linked below, checked 17 October 2026.
The providers side by side
Two example months, each with the cheapest plan that covers it, plus Meta's own charges, for messages to South African numbers. The lowest total in each column is highlighted.
| Provider | Cheapest plan with broadcasts | Added per marketing message | Billed in | Small club or shop1,000 marketing, 200 updates | Growing retailer4,000 marketing, 1,000 updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonar (us) | Starter, R349 a month | Nothing within your plan | Rand | R1,003 | R2,996 |
| 360dialog | Premium, $119 a month (≈ R1,956*) | Nothing | US dollars | ≈ R2,610* | ≈ R4,603* |
| AiSensy | Basic, $45 a month (≈ R740*) | ≈ R0.12* | US dollars | ≈ R1,515* | ≈ R3,878* |
| Gallabox | Basic (billed quarterly), $150 a month (≈ R2,465*) | ≈ R0.09* | US dollars | ≈ R3,217* | ≈ R5,510* |
| Infobip | None: you pay per message | ≈ R0.21* | US dollars | ≈ R872* | ≈ R3,529* |
| respond.io | Growth, $199 a month (≈ R3,270*) | Nothing | US dollars | ≈ R3,924* | ≈ R7,561* |
| Twilio | None: you pay per message. It's an API: you build or buy the screens to send and chat | ≈ R0.08* | US dollars | ≈ R753* | ≈ R3,058* |
| Wati | Growth, $69 a month (≈ R1,134*) | ≈ R0.37* | US dollars | ≈ R2,186* | ≈ R5,399* |
* Converted from US dollars at today's rate. Monthly prices; Gallabox bills quarterly or yearly. Click a provider for the full comparison, including where it's the better choice.
Also used in South Africa but without published prices: Clickatell (its WhatsApp packages are priced by its sales team). And the free WhatsApp Business app, which works for chatting from a phone but has limits on broadcasts and team access: see WhatsApp Business app vs Sonar.
How to choose
- Count the whole month, not the plan price. A cheap plan with a markup on every message can cost more than a dearer plan with messages included, once you send a few thousand.
- Check the currency. Plans billed in US dollars move with the rand, and your bank may add a foreign transaction fee. Meta's own charges are billed in US dollars whichever provider you choose.
- Check who answers when something goes wrong, and in which time zone. Connecting a number, template rejections and Meta's billing are where most businesses need a hand.
- Check consent tools. POPIA expects you to prove each person agreed to marketing. Opt-in buttons, automatic STOP handling and a consent record save you building that yourself. See POPIA and WhatsApp marketing.
- Check what's included, such as team members, numbers, AI replies and integrations, rather than add-ons you'll need later.
- Moving is possible. Your number and contacts aren't locked to a provider. If you switch to Sonar, we'll move you over for free.
What Meta charges
Meta charges per message, by type, for the country of the person you message: about R0.62 for a marketing message and nothing for replies until you pass 1,000 a month. Messages customers send you are free. The full rate card and a calculator are on WhatsApp pricing in South Africa.
Questions
Do I need a provider at all?
To send broadcasts to customers who haven't saved your number, use templates, share an inbox with a team or automate replies, yes: you need the WhatsApp Business Platform, through a provider or by building on Meta's API yourself. For chatting one to one from a phone, the free WhatsApp Business app may be enough.
Is one provider "more official" than another?
Every provider here uses Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform, so messages are delivered the same way. Avoid tools that send through a normal WhatsApp account or WhatsApp Web: Meta bans numbers that do.
Can I keep my number if I change provider?
Yes. A number can be disconnected from one provider and connected to another. Templates are submitted again for the new account, and past chats stay in the old tool.
Sources
- AiSensy pricing in US dollars
- AiSensy country rates from 1 October 2026
- Wati pricing
- Wati rate card for Growth and Pro, 1 October 2026
- respond.io pricing
- Twilio WhatsApp pricing (current as of September 2026)
- Infobip pricing
- Infobip WhatsApp pricing
- 360dialog pricing
- 360dialog price calculator
- Gallabox pricing
- Gallabox WhatsApp rate card
- Meta: WhatsApp Business Platform pricing
More guides
- WhatsApp pricing in South Africa
- POPIA and WhatsApp marketing
- Event invites with one-tap RSVPs
- AI Agent and Copilot: a WhatsApp chatbot in your voice
- Use Sonar with the WhatsApp Business app
- Import your contacts
- Order and booking updates from your other systems
- Connect a client's WhatsApp number
- Switching to Sonar
- WhatsApp RSVPs for events
- Competitions and prize draws
Need a hand choosing?
Tell us what you send and to how many people: email support@whats-hub.co.za or chat to us on WhatsApp.