# Wati alternatives: an inbox, or WhatsApp in your own product

The right alternative to Wati depends on who answers your customers. If your team answers by hand in a shared inbox, look at another ready-made product such as Kapso. If WhatsApp is a feature of your own software, an API gateway such as Nodium carries the messages to your code, from a free plan.

## Why teams look for an alternative

- They need the API and webhooks from the first plan: on Wati Growth, the API is capped at 10,000 calls a month and webhooks are not included.
- They pay per number rather than per seat: Wati counts users, with extra users from €39 a month.
- They are building WhatsApp into their own product, not running a support desk.

## The alternatives

|  | What it is | Entry price | Fits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nodium | API gateway: REST API, signed webhooks, SDK, CLI | Free (Build), then €19 a month | Developers and SaaS publishers |
| Kapso | API with a team inbox and AI agents | Free plan, then $25 a month | Teams that want an inbox and an API in one product |
| Meta Cloud API, direct | Meta's API with no provider | No provider fee | Teams that build everything themselves |

Wati itself starts at €59 a month billed yearly (Growth), with 3 users and €29 a month for each extra number.

## Wati and Nodium side by side

Who each one is for, prices, users and API limits: [Nodium vs Wati](https://nodium.io/en/compare/wati).

## Moving to Nodium

- Nodium does not replace an inbox: the replies come from your own application, by API.
- Connect the number through Meta's signup window, from the console or a [hosted connect link](https://nodium.io/en/features/embedded-signup). The number belongs to its owner: ask Wati how to release it.
- Receive every message on your webhook and answer with `POST /messages`. See [how to add WhatsApp to a SaaS](https://nodium.io/en/guides/add-whatsapp-to-your-saas).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is there a free alternative to Wati?

Nodium's Build plan is free with no time limit: 3,000 messages a month and 1 number, with the API and webhooks. Kapso also has a free plan. Meta's fees apply in every case.

### Does Nodium have a shared inbox like Wati?

No. Nodium's console shows conversations so you can check what your code sends and receives; it is not a helpdesk.

## Sources

- [Wati — Pricing](https://www.wati.io/pricing/)
- [Kapso — Pricing](https://kapso.com/pricing)
- [Nodium — Pricing](https://nodium.io/en/pricing)

Updated 2026-11-11 · https://nodium.io/en/alternatives/wati