> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs-next.gallabox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message Credits

> How WhatsApp per-message pricing works: template categories, rates, and reducing costs.

> **Who can use this?**
>
> * Billing information is available to all plans.
> * Only **Account Owners** and **Admins** can view detailed pricing.
> * Roles: Owners and Admins

<Info>
  WhatsApp charges **per message**: template messages are charged individually based on their category. Understanding the available template categories helps you control your messaging costs.
</Info>

## How WhatsApp Pricing Works

WhatsApp's pricing model has two components:

* **Gallabox subscription fee** — your monthly plan fee (Basic, Essential, or Advanced)
* **Meta's per-message charges** — fees charged by Meta (WhatsApp's parent company) for each billable message, billed by Gallabox

The Meta per-message charges are **not included** in your Gallabox plan fee — they're billed separately based on your usage.

## Template Categories & Pricing

WhatsApp templates use three categories. Each category has a different per-message price:

| Category           | Description                    | Example                                                      | Price range               |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------- |
| **Marketing**      | Promotional content            | Offers, discounts, product announcements                     | ₹0.30 – ₹2.50 per message |
| **Utility**        | Transactional, non-promotional | Order confirmations, delivery updates, appointment reminders | ₹0.20 – ₹0.80 per message |
| **Authentication** | One-time passwords, PINs       | Login codes, payment OTPs, account verification              | ₹0.10 – ₹0.40 per message |

<Info>
  The prices above are indicative ranges for India. Meta sets these rates and revises them periodically — always check [Meta's WhatsApp pricing page](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing/) or your Gallabox billing dashboard for the current rates in your market.
</Info>

This page covers pricing only — for what each category means and how a template is assigned to one, see [WhatsApp Templates](/whatsapp/templates/overview).

## Template Messages and Free-Form Replies

### Free-form replies

Free-form replies are not template messages. Follow WhatsApp's messaging rules when replying to a customer.

### Template messages (charged per category)

When you send a template message, use a pre-approved WhatsApp template. Template messages are charged based on their category.

**Example:** You send a promotional offer → must use Marketing template → charged per message

[Learn more about WhatsApp templates →](/whatsapp/templates/overview)

## Reducing Message Costs

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose template categories wisely">
    * Use **Utility** templates for confirmations and updates (cheaper than Marketing)
    * Use **Authentication** templates for OTPs (cheapest category)
    * Reserve **Marketing** for genuinely promotional content
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use sequences and broadcasts efficiently">
    * Review the template category used by each sequence or broadcast message
    * Use the appropriate category for the message's purpose
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Checking Your Current Rates

WhatsApp pricing varies by country and changes periodically. To check current rates:

<Steps>
  <Step title="1. Go to Settings → Billing → WhatsApp Pricing" />

  <Step title="2. Select your target country" />

  <Step title="3. View the per-message rate for each category" />
</Steps>

**Note:** Meta updates WhatsApp Business API pricing periodically. Gallabox reflects the current rates — check the Billing page for the latest information.

## Message Credit Wallet

Meta's per-message charges are paid from your **message credit wallet** — a prepaid balance in your Gallabox account.

### Checking your balance

Your current balance appears on the **Message Credits** screen, along with your full transaction history. Gallabox alerts you when the balance runs low so messages don't fail mid-campaign.

### Topping up

* Recharge any amount from **₹100 / $5** up to **₹1,00,000 / $2,000** per top-up
* Pay with the card on your subscription billing or via Razorpay
* **18% GST** applies to INR top-ups
* Free credits may be added to your wallet during your trial or onboarding

### How credits are deducted

* Credits are deducted for each **outbound template (business-initiated) message**, once the send is confirmed
* The amount depends on the **template category** and the **destination country**
* Each message is charged only once
* No credits are deducted for sandbox messages or for channels billed directly by Meta or a tech partner
* Outgoing WhatsApp **calls** also deduct from the same wallet

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why am I charged for a message I thought was free?">
    You were likely charged because:

    1. **You sent a template** — templates are charged per message by category
    2. **The template category has a different rate** — check whether it is Marketing, Utility, or Authentication
    3. **Meta's pricing changed** — check the Billing page for current rates

    Check the template category and the current rate in your billing information.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I send messages without paying WhatsApp fees?">
    There is no way to send a business-initiated template message on WhatsApp without the applicable per-message fee. Template messages are charged by their Marketing, Utility, or Authentication category.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do images and media cost more than text messages?">
    No — media does not change the template category rate. Template messages are charged per message based on their category — check current rates in **Settings → Billing → WhatsApp Pricing**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>