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Meta and accounts

What is the WhatsApp Cloud API?

The WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta's hosted version of the WhatsApp Business Platform. Meta runs the servers, businesses or their software providers call a Graph API to send and receive messages, and there is no hosting fee. It replaced the self-hosted On-Premises API, which Meta retired in October 2025.

Updated 29 Aug 2026 · 1 min read

On this page
  1. Why it matters
  2. In VGraple CRM
  3. Related terms

META AND ACCOUNTS

WhatsApp Cloud API

The WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta's hosted version of the WhatsApp Business Platform. Meta runs the servers, businesses or their software providers call a Graph API to send and receive messages, and there is no hosting fee. It replaced the self-hosted On-Premises API, which Meta retired in October 2025.

on premises apiwabawebhookdelivery protection

WhatsApp Cloud API in one line

Why it matters

The Cloud API removed the infrastructure cost that once justified BSP markups: sending a message costs exactly Meta's published per-message rate and nothing else. It also delivers features first (Flows, carousel templates, MM Lite, usernames), enforces messaging limits and pacing centrally, and returns the error codes (131049, 132015 and the rest) that every good tool has to handle.

In VGraple CRM

Every WhatsApp feature in VGraple CRM runs on the Cloud API through your own WABA: template sends, media, interactive messages, Flows, catalog messages, payments links and the webhook that feeds the inbox. The delivery engine paces sends below Meta's limits and maps each API error to a plain-language state on the broadcast report.

On-Premises API, WABA, Webhook, Tech Provider.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Cloud API free?
Hosting is free. Meta charges per message delivered by template category (marketing, utility, authentication) and nothing for replies inside the 24-hour customer service window.
Is the Cloud API the same as the WhatsApp Business app?
No. The app is a phone application for one person. The Cloud API is a server interface for software, with templates, limits and webhooks. Coexistence lets one number use both.
What is the throughput of the Cloud API?
Meta's default is 80 messages per second per number, upgradable to 1,000 for high-volume accounts; practical safe sending is much lower and depends on your tier and quality rating.

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