WhatsApp Business Alternative: 6 Best WhatsApp Alternatives for Business

As one of the most widely used communication tools in the world, WhatsApp connects over 2 billion users globally and offers a range of business messaging features. But despite its reach and capabilities, it might not be the right fit for every business. Whether you're running into limitations with the WhatsApp Business App or API, or you're ready to expand beyond a single channel, this guide will help you choose the best WhatsApp alternative to meet your business needs.

Why Look Beyond WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp for business is a powerful tool, but it comes with some limitations that may affect your ability to scale conversations and connect with your audience effectively.

• Messaging Window: Businesses must respond within 24 hours. If they don’t, they can only use pre-approved templates to restart conversations.

• Message Template Approval: Business-initiated messages require a message template, which must be approved by Meta. This approval process can delay communication and limit businesses from starting a new conversation freely.

• Messaging Fees: WhatsApp charges per message based on message category. The more you chat, the more the cost adds up.

• Audience Mismatch: Your customers may not use WhatsApp as their primary messaging app, especially in certain regions.

If you're running into these roadblocks or want to expand your reach, it's time to explore alternative messaging channels. Here's a look at the best WhatsApp alternatives available for your business.

TL;DR: Best WhatsApp Alternatives for Business

Best WhatsApp Alternative for Business: 6 Channels to Consider

Now, let's take a look at some popular WhatsApp alternatives for your business along with their features, benefits and limitations. The list includes Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Viber, Instagram, LINE and WeChat.

1. Facebook Messenger for Business

Facebook Messenger has 947 million monthly active users in 2025. It’s especially popular in Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Northern Europe and Latin America, with high reach in the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand and more according to Statista.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• Has a 24-hour messaging window (but extendable with Human Agent Tags)

• No template approvals needed unless using tags

• Business-initiated messages allowed using message tags or broadcasts

• No messaging fees

Small businesses can chat via Meta Business Suite and access features like saved replies. Larger businesses can connect the Messenger API to a platform like respond.io and reach customers via web chat, QR codes and more. Once a user starts the conversation, businesses can send broadcasts and view read receipts.

Best for: Businesses targeting Southeast Asia, Latin America or Europe that want cost-effective and flexible messaging.

We’ve shown you what Facebook Messenger entails; if this channel is what your business is looking for, sign up for a Facebook account and set up your Facebook Page today.

2. Telegram for Business

Telegram now boasts over 950 million monthly active users as of 2025. It sees strong adoption across Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and MENA, especially in India, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil and Egypt.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• No messaging window

• No template approval required

• Business-initiated messages are allowed for existing chats and through broadcasts

• No messaging fees

Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram doesn’t have a business app. You need to create a business account with a Telegram bot and connect it to a messaging inbox like respond.io as it doesn’t have an interface.

While you can’t import contacts to message them first, users can start chats through links, QR codes or web chat. Telegram also supports auto replies and bulk messaging — ideal for sales and support workflows.

Best for: Companies needing flexible messaging and broadcasts across Asia, Eastern Europe and MENA without messaging limits or fees.

Want to start using Telegram for business? Create a Telegram bot to get started.

3. Viber Bot

Viber has over 820 million active users and remains popular in Central & Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• Has a 24-hour messaging window

• No template approvals

• Business-initiated messages are charged

Businesses can use the Viber app for light messaging or connect the Viber Chatbot API to a platform like respond.io. While contact import isn’t supported, users can reach out through QR codes, links and Viber ads.

Viber bots are subject to a €100 monthly maintenance fee. Business-initiated messages are allowed and billed according to Viber’s commercial messaging rates. However, messages sent within 24 hours of a user message are free.

Best for: Brands serving Central & Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia.

Interested in using Viber to boost your business? Learn how to create a Viber Chatbot account here.

4. Instagram Direct for Business

Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users in 2025, with its largest audiences in India, the US, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Japan and the UK. It’s especially effective for businesses targeting customers across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, MENA and Western Europe.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• Has a 24-hour messaging window (extendable to 7 days with Human Agent Tag)

• No template approval process

• Business-initiated messages via 1:1 chat & broadcast are not allowed

• No messaging fees

Businesses can send messages through the Instagram Message Inbox, Meta Business Suite and Instagram Direct Message API connected to a platform like respond.io. You can reply to DMs, view read receipts and set auto replies directly using the app, Meta Business Suite or the API.

However, API users can’t send the first message and customers must initiate the conversation. To overcome this, you can encourage users to message you via click-to-chat ads, QR codes or web chat.

Once the conversation starts, you can automate responses and manage inquiries efficiently using respond.io. While Instagram enforces a 24-hour messaging window, the Human Agent Tag allows you to extend it to 7 days for ongoing support.

Best for: Businesses with a strong visual brand targeting customers in Asia-Pacific, the Americas or MENA.

And that’s everything you need to know about using Instagram Direct Messages for Business. Want to start using Instagram for your business? Sign up for a business account today.

5. LINE Official Accounts

LINE dominates markets like Japan, Thailand and Taiwan, making it an essential messaging app for businesses targeting those regions.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• 7-day messaging window, but replies are allowed anytime if added as a friend

• No template approvals needed

• Business-initiated 1:1 messages are only allowed if the customer has added the business as a friend, but broadcasts can be sent regardless

• Charges are plan-based, not per message

LINE has one type of business account and that is LINE Official Account. It’s free to create but comes with several pricing plans. Businesses can chat with customers via the LINE Official Account Manager chat console or on a messaging platform connected to the account via an API.

Businesses can’t import contacts, but can encourage customers to reach out via QR codes, links and ads. You can also verify your LINE Official Account so that customers can find your business via in-app search. Once customers message you, you can send auto replies and broadcasts for marketing, sales and support purposes.

If a user does not add your business as a friend, LINE allows you to respond for up to 7 days from their last message. However, if they add your account as a friend, you can continue messaging them without time limits. Read receipts are supported on both platforms, but you need to apply for this feature if you’re using an API.

Best for: Businesses targeting Japan, Thailand or Taiwan that want to combine flexible messaging, loyalty campaigns and broadcast marketing in one channel.

Want to get started with a LINE Official Account? Here’s a guide to help you with your account creation.

6. WeChat Business

WeChat is China’s most popular messaging app with over 1.3 billion monthly active users as of 2025. It’s the go-to platform for any business looking to operate in China or reach Chinese customers abroad.

How it compares to WhatsApp:

• 48-hour messaging window (max 5 messages per session)

• No template approvals

• No business-initiated 1:1 messages are allowed, but they can be sent via broadcasts.

• No per-message fees, but $99/year verification required

Businesses can choose between Subscription Accounts and Service Accounts and manage messaging through the platform or via API integration. Signing up for a WeChat Official Account is free, but you have to pay USD99 annually for verification.

The WeChat Official Account Platform is for small businesses and has basic messaging features. The API supports third-party integration and advanced automation to handle a high volume of messages.

With the WeChat Official Account Platform, you get features like WeChat Pay, Mini Programs, broadcasts and auto replies, but it doesn’t support read receipts, group chat and has a 48-hour messaging window.

WeChat Official Account API doesn’t allow businesses to send the first message, but you can prompt customers to reach out. Be sure to reply within 48 hours. Unfortunately, broadcasts are not supported here.

Best for: Businesses entering the Chinese market or targeting Chinese-speaking customers globally with messaging and commerce features.

If you’re thinking of expanding your business to China, then you should sign up for a WeChat Official Account.

These six instant messaging channels are great alternatives to WhatsApp. But if you’re looking for a way to communicate with your customers across all the messaging channels they use, try omnichannel messaging.

Consolidating All Apps in One Place with Respond.io

With so many messaging channels to handle, it’s hard to keep track of all conversations. You need an omnichannel messaging inbox like respond.io to integrate all your messaging channels into a centralized platform. From WhatsApp and Messenger to Telegram, LINE and more — respond.io lets you manage all customer conversations in one place.

Once you've consolidated your channels, you can:

• Capture potential customers by encouraging them to start a conversation via website widget, QR codes, ads and more.

• Leverage AI to respond to high volumes of conversations quickly and intelligently and to qualify leads.

• Automatically route conversations to human agents whenever needed.

• Make calls via Whatsapp calls or VoIP to speed up the selling process.

• Send promotional broadcasts to reengage with existing contacts.

• Integrate CRMs like HubSpot and Salesforce with your favorite messaging channels for seamless sales and support workflows.

• Monitor team and conversation performance via reports and dashboards.

With respond.io, you’ll have the flexibility to engage customers wherever they are and the tools to do it at scale.

We hope this article gives you a better understanding of each WhatsApp Business alternative we’ve listed. Want to learn more about how these messaging apps can elevate your business? Sign up for our free trial.