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Help Center
WhatsApp Business app, Cloud API, or both
WhatsApp Business app, Cloud API, or both
Compare the WhatsApp Business app, the Cloud API, and using both together: what each is good for, who it suits, and its limits.
Three ways to use WhatsApp for your business
Your business number can live in the WhatsApp Business app, in Replyk through the Cloud API, or in both at the same time. Here is what each one means, in plain words.
WhatsApp Business appThe free app on your phone. You answer every message yourself.Pick it if you are starting out and reply to every chat personally.Nothing to connect in ReplykSee the detailsBusiness app + ReplykOne number that works in the app and in Replyk at the same time.Pick it if you already use the app and want the Agent to help you.In Replyk, choose: Use your WhatsApp Business appSee the detailsWhatsApp Cloud APIYour number runs fully in Replyk, with no app on a phone.Pick it if you want a dedicated number, a team, or high volume.In Replyk, choose: Add a new numberSee the details
Compare them at a glance
WhatsApp Business appBusiness app + ReplykWhatsApp Cloud API
Can the AI Agent reply for you?
WhatsApp Business appNo
Business app + ReplykYes
WhatsApp Cloud APIYes
Can you keep using WhatsApp on your phone?
WhatsApp Business appYes
Business app + ReplykYes
WhatsApp Cloud APINoThe number leaves the app
Can your team reply from Replyk, on the web or the mobile app?
WhatsApp Business appNo
Business app + ReplykYes
WhatsApp Cloud APIYes
Do you keep your current number?
WhatsApp Business appYes
Business app + ReplykYes
WhatsApp Cloud APIPartlyOnly after removing it from the app
Do you keep your old chats?
WhatsApp Business appYesOn your phone
Business app + ReplykYesThe last 6 months are copied into Replyk
WhatsApp Cloud APINoYou start with an empty inbox
Are orders, follow-ups and reminders handled for you?
WhatsApp Business appNo
Business app + ReplykYes
WhatsApp Cloud APIYes
Good for large campaigns?
WhatsApp Business appNoBroadcast lists only reach people who saved your number
Business app + ReplykPartlyUp to 20 messages per second
WhatsApp Cloud APIYes80 messages per second, can be raised
Works without keeping a phone active?
WhatsApp Business appNoEverything runs on your phone
Business app + ReplykPartlyOpen the app at least every 14 days
WhatsApp Cloud APIYes
Free to send messages?
WhatsApp Business appYes
Business app + ReplykPartlyFree from the app. Messages sent by Replyk follow Meta's pricing
WhatsApp Cloud APIPartlyMessages follow Meta's pricing
WhatsApp Business app
Phone onlyThe free app from WhatsApp. Everything happens on your phone, and nothing is connected to Replyk.
WhatsApp Business appYou reply to every message
Your numberLives only on your phone
ReplykNot connected
Advantages
- Free, and ready in minutes
- Simple built-in tools: catalog, labels, quick replies, greeting and away messages
- Everything stays on your phone, the way you already know it
Best for
- You are just starting and get a few chats a day
- You want to answer every customer personally
- You do not need orders or follow-ups handled for you
Limits
- No AI Agent: a person has to type every reply
- Chats wait whenever you are busy, offline or asleep
- Broadcast lists only reach people who saved your number
- No automatic orders, follow-ups or reminders
Business app + Replyk
Both togetherConnect the number you already use in the WhatsApp Business app, and keep using it.
WhatsApp Business appYou keep replying from your phone
Your numberOne number, the same chats in both places
ReplykThe Agent and your team reply here
How using both together works
- 1A customer writes to your usual number
- 2The message appears on your phone and in Replyk at the same time
- 3The Agent replies from Replyk, and its reply shows in your app too
- 4If you reply from your phone, it shows in Replyk and the Agent steps back for 30 minutes on that chat
Advantages
- Keep chatting from your phone exactly as you do today
- Your last 6 months of chats and your saved contacts are imported
- Keep your number: nothing changes for your customers
- The Agent replies alongside you, and pauses for 30 minutes on a chat you answer from your phone
- Messages you send from the app stay free
Best for
- You already sell on WhatsApp Business, with customers and chat history on that number
- You want to answer some customers yourself, from your phone
- A solo seller or a small team
- Trying the Agent without changing how you work
Limits
- Needs WhatsApp Business app 2.24.17 or newer.
- Sending is capped at 20 messages per second, which slows very large campaigns
- Open the app on your phone at least every 14 days, or the connection stops
- Disappearing messages, view once and live location are turned off in 1:1 chats, and broadcast lists become read-only
- Group chats stay on your phone and are not shown in Replyk
- WhatsApp for Windows and Wear OS are unlinked. Other linked devices can be linked again
- Chats are imported once, within 24 hours of connecting. Photos and files older than 14 days arrive without the file
WhatsApp Cloud API
Replyk onlyRegister a number that runs entirely in Replyk, built for volume and teams.
WhatsApp appNot used for this number
Your numberRuns on Meta's Cloud API
ReplykThe Agent and your team reply here
Advantages
- Sends up to 80 messages per second, and Meta can raise it
- No phone to keep charged, online or opened
- Your whole team answers from the Replyk inbox and mobile app
- A clean, dedicated number for sales and order confirmations
Best for
- A new number just for sales or order confirmations
- High volume: ad campaigns, many chats a day, large template sends
- A team of several people working from Replyk
- A number you do not need on a phone
Limits
- The number can no longer be used in the WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app
- Old chats and contacts are not imported
- The number must receive a verification code by SMS or phone call
- A number already on WhatsApp has to be removed from the app first
Good to know
- You can start with the Business app on its own and connect it to Replyk whenever you are ready. Your last 6 months of chats come with it.
- Replies you send from the WhatsApp Business app do not open or extend the 24-hour window. Only a customer's message does.
- If the chat import did not finish within 24 hours, disconnect the number and connect it again to retry.
- To stop using both together, open the WhatsApp Business app and go to Settings → Account → Business Platform.
- Still unsure? Using both together changes nothing on your phone, and you can move the number fully to Replyk later.
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