Maytapi
Unofficial WhatsApp API for developers and businesses
Connect your existing WhatsApp number with a QR code and control it through a REST API. Send and receive every message type, run groups and channels, and pay one flat price per number instead of per message.
What is an unofficial WhatsApp API?
An unofficial WhatsApp API connects to WhatsApp the same way WhatsApp Web does: your number is linked as a device, and an API sends and receives messages through that session. It is not run or approved by Meta, so there is no Business verification, no template review and no per-message billing. You keep using WhatsApp on your phone at the same time.
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linked device
How it connects
You scan a QR code once. Maytapi keeps the session online in an isolated container and exposes it as REST endpoints and webhooks.
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/sendMessage
What you can do
Text, media, buttons, lists, polls, location and contacts; groups, channels, communities, stories and the product catalog.
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no approval
What you skip
No Meta Business Manager, no display-name review, no template queue, no 24-hour conversation window.
Unofficial WhatsApp API vs the official Cloud API
Both send messages from a business number. They differ in who approves you, what you pay and what you can reach.
| Unofficial API (Maytapi) | Official Cloud API (Meta) | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started | Scan a QR code, about 10 minutes | Meta Business account, display-name review, number registration |
| Your phone | Keeps working; the API is a linked device | The number moves to the API; WhatsApp Messenger can no longer use it |
| Pricing | Flat price per number, unlimited messages | Per delivered template message; since October 2026 only 1,000 free service messages per number each month |
| Templates | Not needed; send free-form messages | Required outside the 24-hour customer service window |
| Groups | Create, manage and message any group | Groups API with up to 8 participants, for Official Business Accounts |
| Channels and stories | Post to channels, publish stories | Not available |
| Green tick and official support | No | Yes, through Meta and its partners |
Cloud API details from Meta's developer documentation, checked October 2026.
When to choose each
Choose the unofficial API when
- ✓You want to automate the number your customers already message
- ✓You need groups, channels, communities or stories
- ✓Message volume is high and per-message fees would add up
- ✓You want to go live today, without an approval process
Choose the official API when
- ✓You need the green verified badge or a compliance sign-off from Meta
- ✓You run large opt-in marketing campaigns with approved templates
- ✓You want Click-to-WhatsApp ads tied to your number
- ✓Your legal team requires an API operated by Meta
Is an unofficial WhatsApp API safe?
WhatsApp restricts numbers that behave like spam, with or without an API. The risk comes from sending patterns, number age and how recipients react, so it is manageable. Maytapi's Safe Mode warms up new numbers gradually, the dashboard shows queue and delivery status, and our ban-prevention guide explains the three kinds of restriction and how to handle each.
Read the ban-prevention guide →- ✓Safe Mode warm-up for new numbers
- ✓Queue, delivery and read status for every message
- ✓Each number runs in its own isolated session
- ✓Support in six languages when something looks wrong
Everything the unofficial WhatsApp API covers
Every endpoint is open on every paid plan; nothing is sold as an add-on.
- Interactive Button and list messages
- Group API Create and manage groups
- Channel API Channel posts and reads
- Story API Post and read stories
- Community API Communities and sub-groups
- Webhook Real-time event delivery
- Media messages Images, video, GIFs, documents
- Product catalog Products, collections, orders
One flat price per number
Flat pricing per number — no conversation window fees, no platform fees, no per-message charges. Your bill follows the number of connected numbers.
Last updated:
We offer discounted pricing from ten numbers up — get in touch.
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Sandbox
free forever
Free WhatsApp API plan, fully functional with limits
$0
Start free- Messages to up to 5 different numbers
- All endpoints available for testing
- No card required
- Technical support
- Tools and integrations
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Most popular
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Developer
unlimited
Professional use and scalable solutions
$24 / number / moBilled annually. $29 / number / mo if billed monthly.
1 number → $24 / mo
Try 3 days free- Unlimited sending and receiving, media included
- Unlimited API access: groups, channels, products, webhooks
- No extra fees, no per-message charges
- Number warm-up tools
- Google Sheets, Google Contacts and Make integrations
- Profile photo and number check APIs
- Priority support
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10+ numbers
volume discounts
Agencies, SaaS and multiple numbers
Custom / volume pricing
Talk to us- Discounted pricing from ten numbers up
- Multi-agent platform
- Custom terms based on volume
- Priority technical call
Prices are in USD. Taxes such as VAT are added at checkout and depend on your country.
Unofficial WhatsApp API FAQ
Ask our support team anything over WhatsApp. Average response time is under 24 hours.
Help center →Is an unofficial WhatsApp API legal?
Using software to send messages from your own WhatsApp account is not illegal. WhatsApp's terms do not endorse unofficial clients, which is why sending behaviour matters: send messages people expect, at a natural pace, and the number stays healthy.
Will my number be banned?
Numbers are restricted when they look like spam, and that can happen with or without an API. Warm up new numbers with Safe Mode, avoid sending identical messages to people who never contacted you, and follow the ban-prevention guide.
Do I need a WhatsApp Business account?
No. Both the regular WhatsApp app and the WhatsApp Business app work. You pair the number with a QR code and keep using it on your phone.
How is it different from the WhatsApp Business API?
The WhatsApp Business (Cloud) API is run by Meta: it needs approval, uses templates outside a 24-hour window and charges per message. The unofficial API uses your existing number as a linked device, sends free-form messages and costs a flat price per number.
Can I message groups and channels?
Yes. You can create groups, add and remove participants, read group events, post to channels and publish stories on every paid plan.
What happens if my phone goes offline?
The API keeps working as a linked device even when the phone is off. WhatsApp may ask you to open the app on the phone from time to time to keep linked devices active.
How much does it cost?
From $24 per number per month billed annually, or $29 billed monthly. There are no per-message fees, and the 3-day trial needs no card.
Other comparisons
Get your key, send your first message in ten minutes
No approval, no templates, no card. Every endpoint is open for three days.