Differences between WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

In this article you'll find the main differences between WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business Platform (API), highlighting some of their advantages so that you can understand which one is best suited to your needs.

WhatsApp Messenger

With over two billion users in more than 180 countries, WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging channel in the world, ideal for keeping in touch via messages, audio or video calls, and even creating and integrating communities.

Suitable for personal use and free of charge, the application is restricted to a single user, who can be registered on a maximum of two devices, for example when the account is linked to the mobile phone and computer simultaneously.

Currently, it is also possible to share your screen in video calls, make appointments, share links to scheduled meetings and book events.

You can find out more about how to start using WhatsApp Messenger at https://faq.whatsapp.com/497209988909970/ .

WhatsApp Business App

Aimed more at small businesses that want to improve communication with their customers, this is the perfect free tool for reaching countless consumers. Available for Android and iPhone, you can interact with your customers in a more dynamic and automated way, through integrations with other platforms and personalised content.

With a visual base identical to that of WhatsApp Messenger, in addition to all the features you already know, you can access a business profile, where you can see relevant information such as the name, description, address, opening hours and even the business website and email address. You can also connect your Facebook page or Instagram profile to your WhatsApp business profile.

On the other hand, you can create different tags for organising messages and conversations to make them easier to access and use various tools to respond more quickly to messages sent by your customers.

Automatic replies can be included in shortcuts, along with multimedia files such as images and videos. However, this option will only be available for a maximum of 50 saved replies.

With WhatsApp Business, you'll have access to various performance evaluation metrics such as: insights into growth and reach over the last 30 days, characteristics of the accounts reached, such as region and number of channel followers, as well as poll results and reactions to messages.

For more information on how to register for WhatsApp Business, go to https://faq.whatsapp.com/1344487902959714/ .

However, you should bear in mind that in order to combine the use of WhatsApp Messenger with WhatsApp Business you will need two separate telephone contacts, since as they are two different applications, it will not be possible to use the same number in both applications at the same time. However, you can transfer your account from one application to the other.

If you would like more information on how to transfer data from one account to another, please visit https://faq.whatsapp.com/3059780464322392/ .

WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

This tool, suitable for medium and large businesses, offers numerous business advantages, such as efficient and simplified management of large volumes of chats.

To use the WhatsApp Business Platform, you must first have a WhatsApp Business account.

Unlike the WhatsApp Business app, the WhatsApp Business Platform allows you to accompany your customers at every stage of their buying journey, encouraging and maintaining a relationship of trust with them. Through the API, you can increase your sales and engagement, improving the customer experience by monitoring them throughout all stages of the funnel.

Developed to extend communication, connecting companies and customers, it allows you to reach your customers on the platform where they already are. Maximising results and creating personalised communications with appealing CTAs and media files are some of the advantages of using it.

In addition, the platform integrates WhatsApp Flows, a tool for generating leads and creating personalised offers and recommendations, according to the needs of each client. With WhatsApp Flows you can:

• Send notifications and reminders, such as orders and shipping updates;

• Send promotions, identifying up-sell opportunities and cases of abandoned carts, in order to maximise return on investment (ROI);

• Assist sales and improve customer service by implementing automations, routing conversations and integrating with back-end systems such as automation platforms and CRM services;

• Reinforce confirmations about processes such as authentication, one-time passwords, confirmation of accounts and users;

• Resort to personalisation, making conversations more engaging and enjoyable.

Unlike the other two tools mentioned above (WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business), using the WhatsApp Business Platform is paid for and requires integration with another platform, such as Closum.

Updated on: 15/07/2025