Pricing
Simple pricing, no surprises
WhatsApp’s own pricing can look complicated. We keep it simple: pick a plan, get a bundle of messages included each month, and only pay for the extras — all shown in Rands.
Choose your plan
One predictable monthly fee
Everything you need to run WhatsApp like a pro, plus a bundle of messages included. After that, you only pay for the messages you send.
Starter
For small businesses getting started on WhatsApp.
R99/month
Get started- Datagroup portal to manage all your features in one place
- WhatsApp automations & workflows
- Live dashboard & usage reporting
- Message template management
- Setup help & ongoing support
Included free every month
- 10 marketing messages free
- 50 utility messages free
Pro
For growing businesses ready to put AI to work.
R249/month
Get startedEverything in Starter, plus:
- AI-powered replies
Included free every month
- 50 marketing messages free
- 200 utility messages free
- 100 AI-powered replies free, then R0.20 each
Custom
For bespoke use cases where our team designs the solution with you.
Let’s talk
Let’s talkEverything in Pro, plus:
- Advanced AI integrations with your systems & data
- Rich interactive messaging — WhatsApp Flows & carousels
- Product catalogues & in-chat customer journeys
- Bespoke automations designed around your use case
- Hands-on consulting from the Datagroup team
Scoped and priced around exactly what you need.
Beyond your included messages
The three kinds of WhatsApp messages
Once you’ve used your plan’s included messages, you simply pay per message. Meta sorts every business message into one of three buckets — each has its own rules for when you can send it and whether it costs anything.
Grow & re-engage
Marketing messages
Promotions, specials, new-product launches, and friendly “we miss you” nudges to customers who’ve opted in.
R0.83 / message
Keep customers informed
Utility messages
Updates tied to something the customer did — order confirmations, payment receipts, booking reminders, delivery updates.
R0.17 / message
Answer & help
Service messages
Your normal back-and-forth replies when a customer messages you with a question or needs a hand.
Free
| Message type | When you can send it | Is it billable? | Your price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Any time — to opted-in contacts, using a pre-approved template. | Always billed | R0.83 / msg |
| Utility | Any time — using a pre-approved template. | Free inside the 24-hour service window, otherwise billed | R0.17 / msg |
| Service | Only within 24 hours of the customer’s last message. | Always free | Free |
AI-powered replies (Pro plan)
Your AI assistant answers customers in their own words, around the clock. Pro includes 100 AI replies a month free; after that they’re just R0.20 each. AI replies happen inside the 24-hour service window, so Meta doesn’t charge for them — this small fee simply covers the AI doing the work.
What’s the “24-hour service window”?
When a customer messages you, a 24-hour window opens. Inside it, you can chat freely — your service replies are always free, and even utility updates (like an order confirmation) cost nothing. Once 24 hours pass with no new message from them, the window closes, and reaching out again uses a billable marketing or utility template.
A real month, worked out
What a busy month on the Pro plan looks like
Say you’re on the Pro plan and have a bumper month — going over your included messages in all three categories. Here’s exactly what’s covered and what you’d pay on top.
| Message type | You send | Included free | Billed extra | Rate | Extra cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 200 | 50 | 150 | R0.83 | R124.50 |
| Utility | 350 | 200 | 150 | R0.17 | R25.50 |
| AI replies | 250 | 100 | 150 | R0.20 | R30.00 |
| Service | Any number | All free | — | Free | R0.00 |
Pro plan: R249.00
Extra messages: R180.00
Total this month
R429.00
Just an example — your actual usage will differ. Service replies are always free, and included messages reset each month (they don’t roll over).
Done properly, on the official platform
Datagroup is an approved Meta Tech Partner. We connect your business to WhatsApp through Meta’s official platform and play by the rules — because responsible messaging is what keeps WhatsApp working for everyone, and keeps your number in good standing.
- Connected through Meta’s official WhatsApp Cloud API — no grey-market workarounds.
- We only message people who’ve opted in, and we make opting out easy.
- We follow Meta’s WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy and code of conduct.
- Responsible, no-spam messaging keeps your number’s quality rating — and your customers’ trust — healthy.
See how we handle your data in our Privacy Policy.
Not sure which plan fits?
Tell us roughly how many customers you message and we’ll point you to the right plan — and what it would cost you each month. No obligation.
Chat to us on WhatsApp