Is the WhatsApp Business API free?

Not entirely. Messages from customers are free, and so are replies inside the 24-hour customer service window, but Meta charges for template messages you send, by category and country (Meta's pricing page, checked October 2026). Providers may add their own fee.

Does Telegram charge for bots?

No. Creating a bot is free and bots message their users at no cost. Only optional fast mass broadcasts above about 30 messages a second cost 0.1 Stars per message.

Can GramForge build a WhatsApp bot?

No. GramForge builds bots for Telegram only (as of October 2026).

WhatsApp vs Telegram for business: which is better for a bot?

Facts about other products checked on October 16, 2026 on their official pages

Short answer: choose WhatsApp if most of your customers already write to you there and you are ready for Meta's setup and per-message fees for messages you start. Choose Telegram if you want a full bot with menus, bookings, payments and a channel quickly, with no approval steps or message fees. GramForge builds bots for Telegram only, so the GramForge column shows what you get on Telegram with GramForge.

GramForge	WhatsApp Business Platform
Getting started
Create a bot in BotFather for free, or in one tap where available; GramForge builds it from your description in about a minute.	Through the WhatsApp Business Platform, directly or via a provider, with a business phone number for the bot.
Message fees
None: bots message their users at no cost. Only very fast mass broadcasts above Telegram's free limit cost Stars.	Meta charges per delivered template message; the rate depends on the category (marketing, utility, authentication) and the customer's country. Messages from customers are free.
Replying to customers
Any time after the customer has started the bot.	Free-form replies only within an open 24-hour customer service window; outside it, only templates.
Writing first
Only to people who have started the bot: reminders, follow-ups and regular messages.	Template messages to customers who agreed to receive them, charged per message.
Bookings, orders, payments
Built in: bookings with reminders, catalog and cart, Telegram Stars for digital goods, cards for physical goods and services (Starter and up).	Through your provider or your own development.
Your customers' app
Customers need Telegram.	Customers need WhatsApp. If most of them already use it, this is WhatsApp's biggest advantage.
With GramForge
Free plan for one bot; paid plans from $23 a month billed yearly.	Not supported: GramForge doesn't build WhatsApp bots.

Where WhatsApp is stronger

Customers who already message you on WhatsApp don't need another app.
Your existing WhatsApp chats and contacts stay where they are.
Many CRM and helpdesk tools connect to WhatsApp through official providers.

Where Telegram is stronger

No message fees and no templates: the bot can reply whenever the customer writes.
A bot, a channel for news and payments in Telegram Stars live in one app.
Setup takes minutes: no business verification or phone number for the bot.

Can you use both?

Yes. Many businesses keep WhatsApp for existing customers and add a Telegram bot for bookings, orders and a channel. Put the bot's link in your WhatsApp profile and status so customers can book any time. GramForge covers the Telegram side; for WhatsApp you need a separate provider.

Questions and answers

Is the WhatsApp Business API free?: Not entirely. Messages from customers are free, and so are replies inside the 24-hour customer service window, but Meta charges for template messages you send, by category and country (Meta's pricing page, checked October 2026). Providers may add their own fee.
Does Telegram charge for bots?: No. Creating a bot is free and bots message their users at no cost. Only optional fast mass broadcasts above about 30 messages a second cost 0.1 Stars per message.
Can GramForge build a WhatsApp bot?: No. GramForge builds bots for Telegram only (as of October 2026).

Sources

Prices are list prices in US dollars before tax. Products and prices change, so check the official pages before you decide. Product names belong to their owners.

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