What changed in WhatsApp pricing on 1 October 2026?

From 1 October 2026, replies to customers are free only up to a limit. Each number gets 1,000 free service messages a month, then replies are charged at the utility rate.

• Without a payment method on your WhatsApp account, Meta stops delivering replies once the free 1,000 are used.
• Unused free messages don't roll over. After 1,000, a reply costs the utility rate for the customer's country: ₹0.115 in India.
• Utility templates sent inside an open 24-hour window are charged too. They were free before.
• Marketing rates rise in the UAE (AED 0.1832 to AED 0.2115) and Saudi Arabia (SAR 0.1877 to SAR 0.2159). India stays at ₹0.8631.
• Chats from a click-to-WhatsApp ad stay free. Since 28 September 2026 that free window lasts up to 7 days, up from 72 hours.