The 3 WhatsApp products
WhatsApp offers three distinct products. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right setup path for DrusyAI.
The standard WhatsApp consumer app for personal messaging. Not designed for business use and does not support integrations.
Best for
- Personal conversations
- Friends and family
- Non-business messaging
WhatsApp Business
A free mobile app designed for small businesses to communicate with customers. Offers a business profile but limited automation.
Best for
- Small owner-operated businesses
- Product catalog usage
- Manual replies
WhatsApp Business Platform
The API-based product from Meta for sending and receiving WhatsApp messages at scale. This is the product that powers DrusyAI WhatsApp integration.
Best for
- Automated support
- AI Assistant workflows
- Team inboxes
- Scalable customer messaging
How this maps to DrusyAI
DrusyAI supports two WhatsApp providers, and both use WhatsApp Business Platform under the hood. You pick between them under channel type when you create a channel, alongside Web for website chat. More channel types are on the way.
Meta WhatsApp Cloud
RecommendedConnect WhatsApp directly through Meta. Best for most DrusyAI customers who want the simplest long-term setup path.
Requires
- Registered phone number
- Meta Business Portfolio
- Meta Business verification
- WhatsApp Business Account
- Meta Developer app
Twilio WhatsApp
AlternativeConnect WhatsApp through Twilio. Choose this path if you already run WhatsApp messaging on Twilio, or prefer Twilio to manage sender registration and billing.
Requires
- Upgraded Twilio account
- Meta Business Portfolio
- WhatsApp sender registration
- Funded Twilio balance
Which option should I use?
Choose the product that matches your use case.
I only need personal messaging
Use WhatsApp
I run a small business from one phone
Use WhatsApp Business
I want DrusyAI, automation, and a team inbox
Use Meta WhatsApp Cloud
I already use Twilio for WhatsApp
Use Twilio WhatsApp