Upcoming pricing updates for Meta Business Agent, service and utility messages
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
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This page explains upcoming pricing updates for the Meta Business Platform. To understand how we currently charge, please see Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform.
This pricing explainer encompasss the pricing updates highlighted on this page: Meta Business Agent pricing guide (PDF)
Non-template messages can only be sent in an open 24-hour customer service window, which opens and resets with each user message. Thus non-template messages can only be used to respond - not reach out - to users
Message categories for non-template messages
Until July 1, 2026: All non-template message responses to users were service messages (
category: service).With the launch of Meta Business Agent on July 1, 2026: Non-template messages can be one of two categories -- Service (existing category) or Meta Business Agent (new category).
- Meta Business Agent messages – Powered by the Meta Business Agent Platform. This is a new message category on our platform.
- Service messages – Can be powered by a person, like a customer service representative, or by a 3rd-party AI solution. This is an existing message category on our platform. Any non-template message that is not powered by Meta Business Agent is a service message.
How Meta charges across message types
Meta charges for messages from businesses to WhatsApp users only, and only when the message is delivered (vs. sent). Meta charges based on the category of the message, per below:
Template messages
- Marketing, utility, authentication - Meta charges on a per-message basis, aligned to industry standards. Rates by market and message category vary.
Non-template messages
- Service - Meta charges on a per-message basis, aligned to industry standards. Rates by market and message category vary.
- Meta Business Agent - Meta charges on a per-message basis, with one token-based charge that encompasses both AI agent processing (token consumption) and message delivery. Charging for token consumption aligns to industry standards.
Note: Businesses that use a third-party AI solution typically incur separate charges for AI usage from the AI provider and message delivery from the messaging solution provider.
Upcoming pricing updates
In H2’2026, Meta will introduce these pricing updates as part of continued efforts to ensure pricing reflects the value these messages deliver to businesses:
- Effective August 1, 2026 - Meta will charge on a per-token basis for Meta Business Agent messages. Meta will apply one charge that encompasses both token consumption and message delivery.
- Effective October 1, 2026 - Meta will charge on a per-message basis for all service messages, consistent with how Meta charges for template messages. These messages have not been charged since November 1, 2024.
- Effective October 1, 2026 - Meta will charge on a per-message basis for utility messages sent in response to users (within an open 24-hour customer service window). These messages have not been charged since July 1, 2025.
The following table summarizes how Meta charges (or will charge) by message category.
| Message category | Marketing | Utility | Authentication | Service | Meta Business Agent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business objective | Reach out to a user | Reach out to a user | Reach out to a user | Respond to a user | Respond to a user |
Message type | Template1 | Template1 | Template1 | Non-template | Non-template |
When it can be sent | At any time | At any time | At any time | In an open CSW2 | In an open CSW2 |
Who powers the message | Business triggers delivery | Business triggers delivery | Business triggers delivery | Person or 3rd-party AI | Meta Business Agent Platform |
Does Meta charge? | Yes | Yes | Yes | As of Oct. 1, 2026 | As of Aug. 1, 2026 |
How does Meta charge? | Per message | Per message | Per message | Per message | Per token |
Does Meta charge for AI usage? | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a - 3rd-party AI charges the business | Yes - one token-based charge |
Does Meta charge for message delivery? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Is this message free in the 72-hour FEP3? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
- Template messages are categorized per our template category guidelines
- Within the 24-hour customer service window, which opens and resets with each user message
- Within the 72-hour free entry point window, during which any marketing, utility, authentication or service message is not charged
Rates
Meta Business Agent messages
- Charge for: Delivered message.
- Meter: Per message, based on one per-token charge that encompasses AI agent processing (token consumption) and message delivery.
- Rate: One global rate of $2.00 USD per 1 million (M) tokens. One message typically consumes 20,000–25,000 tokens, which translates to approximately 4–5 cents (USD) per message.
- Cost per message: Varies with complexity. Simple responses consume fewer tokens and cost less; complex responses consume more tokens and cost more.
The following table shows example interactions and their estimated cost.
| Type of interaction | Example user message | Messages to the user | Tokens consumed | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Simple inquiry | “At what time do you open?” | 4 | ~80,000 (~20,000/message) | ~16–20 cents |
Complex interaction | “I’m stuck on step 3 of this assembly—can you walk me through it?” | 10 | ~250,000 (~25,000/message) | ~40–50 cents |
Service messages
- Charge for: Delivered message.
- Meter: Per message.
- Rate: By market, rates for service messages will be the same as the rates for utility and authentication messages. See the current rate cards and volume tiers.
- Cost per message: Fixed, per published rates.
- Volume tiers: None. Meta will not offer volume tiers for service messages. Meta continues to offer volume tiers for utility and authentication messages.
- Frequency of updates: Consistent with the pricing calendar, Meta may update rates up to quarterly. Meta will announce and publish the rates that take effect October 1, 2026, including rates for service messages, by September 1, 2026.
Pricing example
Below is an example of an interaction between a business and a user. It starts with the business reaching out with a marketing template, using Meta Business Agent to respond to user questions, escalating to a customer service rep, and ultimately sending an order confirmation, all within one hour.
- As of July 1, 2026: Meta charges only for 1 marketing template message.
- As of August 1, 2026: Meta charges for 3 messages (1 marketing, 2 Meta Business Agent).
- As of October 1, 2026: Meta will charge for each message the business sends – 5 messages thus 5 charges (1 marketing, 2 Meta Business Agent, 1 service, 1 utility).
| Sender | Message content | Message type | Message category | Charge as of August 1, 2026 | Charge as of October 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business | Cart abandonment reminder | Template | Marketing | 1 marketing charge | 1 marketing charge |
User | “Do you have this in a Small?” | — | — | Opens 24-hour CSW¹ | — |
Business | Meta agentic response to user’s question | Non-template | Meta Business Agent | 1 Meta Business Agent charge | 1 Meta Business Agent charge |
User | “Do you have this in white?” | — | — | — | — |
Business | Meta agentic response to user’s question | Non-template | Meta Business Agent | 1 Meta Business Agent charge | 1 Meta Business Agent charge |
User | “I’m ready to check-out, but my card is expired” | — | — | — | — |
Meta Business Agent hands off to customer service rep | — | — | |||
Business | Customer service rep responds to user’s question | Non-template | Service | No charge | 1 service charge |
Business | Order confirmation | Template | Utility | No charge | 1 utility charge |
Total charges | 3 charges | 5 charges |
Cost comparison: Service vs. Meta Business Agent messages
The following table compares the expected cost to send 1,000 AI-powered messages in response to users in Brazil. Estimates for third-party AI solutions are based on publicly available information and benchmarks. Message delivery costs are based on the current rate for utility and authentication messages to users in Brazil.
| Message category | Service | Service | Meta Business Agent |
|---|---|---|---|
Model complexity | Lower complexity | Higher complexity | Higher complexity |
AI agent cost | ~2 cents / mssg | ~9 cents / mssg | ~4–5 cents / mssg |
Message delivery1 | 0.68 cents / mssg | 0.68 cents / mssg | |
Total per message | ~2 – 3 cents | ~9 – 10 cents | ~4 – 5 cents |
Total for 1,000 messages | ~$27 | ~$97 | ~$40 – $50 |
- The 0.68 USD cent message delivery rate is based on the current rate for utility and authentication messages to users in Brazil.
Important notes
- Any non-template message is charged as of October 1, 2026. If the message is powered by Meta Business Agent, it incurs the charge of a Meta Business Agent message. If it is not powered by Meta Business Agent, it incurs the charge of a service message.
- Only one charge applies per message. A message to a user—template or non-template—has only one category and is charged only for that category. A non-template message is charged either as a Meta Business Agent message or as a service message, never both. This one-charge rule also applies to non-template messages with promotional content: Meta does not additionally apply a marketing template charge.
- Not every Meta Business Agent message costs the same. You pay proportionally to the value delivered: quick answers cost less, and rich, multi-turn problem-solving costs more.
- The 72-hour free entry point window is unchanged for message delivery. Messages sent within the 72-hour free entry point window, from Click to WhatsApp Ads or Facebook call-to-action buttons, remain free for message delivery. Meta Business Agent messages are still charged for token usage as of August 1, 2026.
Billing for Meta Business Agent messages
As of August 1, 2026 at 12pm PT – Meta will begin to charge for Meta Business Agent messages delivered via our API. Meta Business Agent messages will not be delivered if a credit line is not attached to your Business Agent account.
Setting up a payment method
Consistent with industry norms, Meta will charge all businesses for Meta Business Agent, including those that access the WhatsApp Business Platform today supported by a Solution Provider(s). Billing for Meta Business Agent will be via monthly invoicing – via a credit line with Meta – with support for credit cards as a payment method in September (target).
For businesses that already have a credit line with Meta, for use across our ads or messaging products
You can add your Meta Business Agent account to this credit line via Billing Hub. Once attached, your credit line will be reflected as a payment method for your Meta Business Agent account in the Accounts tab.
- First, navigate to ‘Credit lines’ in the side panel.
- Click the ‘Set up now’ button in the modal for ‘Use monthly invoicing for Business Agent.’
- Accept payment and invoicing terms to add your Business Agent account to your existing credit line.
For businesses that do not yet have a credit line with Meta
You can apply for a credit line via Billing Hub. This is subject to review and approval by Meta.
- First, click the ‘Get started’ button in the ‘Switch to monthly invoicing’ banner.
- Follow the prompts on upcoming screens. On the ‘Select accounts’ screen, ensure your Business Agent account remains selected.
- Once approved, your credit line will appear in Billing Hub.
Selecting a currency for your Business Agent account
As of July 1, 2026 we have 16 currencies enabled on the WhatsApp Business Platform. You can create your Meta Business Agent account in one of these currencies, as outlined below. If you choose a non-USD Business Agent account, Meta will invoice you in that currency. To determine charges in that currency, Meta will apply a daily exchange rate (FX) per the date each message was delivered to our global USD rate.
This is outlined in the table below:
| Your business' Sold-To country in Billing Hub | Currency of your Business Agent account | Currency in which Meta invoices you | Rate Meta charges |
|---|---|---|---|
Any, except India or Brazil1 | USD | USD | Global USD rate |
Any, except India or Brazil1 | Other 13 currencies2 | Per MBA account's currency | Global USD rate × daily FX4 |
India only | INR | INR | Global USD rate × daily FX4 |
Brazil only | BRL3 | BRL3 | Global USD rate × daily FX4 |
- Businesses whose Sold-To country in Billing Hub is India and Brazil can only choose respective local currencies of those markets
- AED, ARS, AUD, CLP, COP, EUR, GBP, IDR, MXN, MYR, PEN, SAR, SGD
- Not yet available
- Exchange rate (FX) on the day each message was delivered
Technical implementation
Service messages and Meta Business Agent messages use different analytics and webhook category values.
Service messages
Service messages are an existing message category on the platform (
category: service). You can use the Pricing Analytics API to understand how many service messages you have delivered. The category and charge for service messages are also included in message delivery webhooks.Analytics
Query the
<PRICING_CATEGORY> value of SERVICE to understand the count of service messages for a given timeframe.{
"start": <START_TIMESTAMP>,
"end": <END_TIMESTAMP>,
"phone_number": "<BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER>",
"country": "<COUNTRY_CODE>",
"pricing_type": "REGULAR",
"pricing_category": "SERVICE",
"volume": <VOLUME>,
"cost": <COST>
}
Webhooks
The webhooks reflect the
<PRICING_CATEGORY> as service. Billable messages have type set to regular in the pricing object of status messages webhooks."pricing": {
"billable": true,
"pricing_model": "PMP",
"type": "regular",
"category": "service"
}
Meta Business Agent messages
Analytics and webhook details for Meta Business Agent messages are forthcoming and will be published before charging takes effect on August 1, 2026.