WhatsApp OTP message price 2026 — in EGP and SAR, and whether it beats SMS
The short answer
A WhatsApp verification code (OTP) is priced under the Authentication category and charged per message, not per conversation. The figures above are not from Meta's published table — they are what we actually paid on verification messages that ran through this platform, read from the billing log.
In Egypt it is cheaper than an SMS and reaches more people, because the code lands in an app people have open. And you do not need your own WhatsApp number: the shared number sends your first code in your store's name within minutes of signing up.
What you pay a month — at your volume
| Codes a month | Egypt | Saudi Arabia | UAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $3.60 | $10.70 | $15.70 |
| 5,000 | $18.00 | $53.50 | $78.50 |
| 20,000 | $72.00 | $214.00 | $314.00 |
| 100,000 | $360.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,570.00 |
The starting rate before volume tiers, in dollars because Meta bills in dollars everywhere; conversion to your currency follows your bank's rate on the day. The platform subscription is separate — here.
Why WhatsApp rather than SMS
The difference that does not show in the price: an SMS is sent and hoped to arrive; a WhatsApp message is sent with a delivery and read report. And a customer who never got the code does not ask for another — they close the page. The full comparison, with figures.
How to send your first code in minutes
- Sign up and pick the shared number
No Meta account, no verification, no waiting. The code arrives in your store's name.
- Take the API key
One call sends the code and one verifies it — or a webhook into your system.
- Watch the cost live
Every code with its cost and delivery state in the dashboard — no surprise invoice at month end.
Frequently asked
Do I need my own WhatsApp number to send OTP?
No. The shared number sends the verification code in your store's name within minutes of signing up, with no Meta account and no verification. Anyone who wants their own number connects it later with no code change.
Is an OTP message cheaper than SMS in Egypt?
In Egypt, yes: about 0.20 EGP on WhatsApp against what SMS is usually listed at. More important than the price is delivery — the code lands in an app people have open, not in an ignored SMS inbox. The full comparison.
Does the price fall with volume?
Yes — authentication is one of the categories Meta gives monthly volume tiers on, counted across all your account's numbers. The figures here are the starting rate; anyone sending tens of thousands a month pays less.
Are any free?
A verification message is paid from the first one — the thousand-free allowance starting October 2026 covers customer-service replies, not verification codes. Details.
How do I integrate it in my site or app?
One API call to send the code and one to verify it, or a webhook. Authentication templates are pre-approved, so there is no review to wait for. Docs are in the dashboard with ready examples.
Read next
Send your first verification code today — without a WhatsApp number
The shared number is ready in minutes, at the measured rate above. OTP service page · Shared number.