A WhatsApp automation bot for replies, templates and broadcasts.
The bot answers inbound WhatsApp messages with AI, reads voice notes and photos, sends broadcast campaigns from approved templates, honors STOP requests, and hands off to your team when asked.
WhatsApp starts on Growth ($129/mo, 35,000 AI replies). Pro is $349/mo. Meta bills WhatsApp message fees separately.
The short answer
What does the Instant Reply WhatsApp bot automate?
It replies to inbound WhatsApp messages with AI from your saved prices and policies, reads voice notes and photos, and hands the chat to a person on request. It also sends broadcast campaigns from approved templates and honors STOP requests. It runs on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform and needs Growth ($129/mo) or Pro.
Last verified
Key facts
- WhatsApp needs Growth ($129/mo) or Pro ($349/mo).
- 2 included on Growth, 5 included on Pro; +$19/mo per extra number.
- Campaign Reach: 25,000 contacts a month on Growth, unlimited on Pro.
- STOP and unsubscribe messages mark a contact as opted out.
- Runs on the official WhatsApp Business Platform, not WhatsApp Web.
Verified capabilities
What the WhatsApp bot automates today
Checked against the product source code and plan data on October 2, 2026. The last row lists what it does not do.
| Capability | How it works today | Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic replies | The AI answers inbound WhatsApp messages from your saved facts. Choose Approval, AI can hand off, or Full auto. | Growth and Pro |
| Voice notes and photos | Voice notes are transcribed and photos described before the reply. | Growth and Pro |
| Broadcast campaigns | Pick an approved template and an audience from your contacts, see a preflight check of cost and reach, then send now or schedule. Campaign Reach: Growth 25,000 contacts a month, Pro unlimited. | Growth and Pro |
| Imported contact lists | Uploading a list needs a tick on "I have their permission". The tick, the user and the time are stored on the campaign. Import size caps depend on the plan. | Growth and Pro |
| Opt-out handling | Messages like STOP or unsubscribe are detected and the contact is marked opted out; Meta's own opt-out preference events are processed too. Queued follow-ups skip opted-out contacts. | All WhatsApp plans |
| Journeys and event triggers | The WhatsApp campaigns area has Journeys and Event triggers for multi-step sequences. Pro lists Journeys with five trigger types. | Pro |
| Human handoff | A customer who asks for a person stops the AI in that thread and a ticket opens. | All plans |
| Unofficial automation | It does not automate the consumer WhatsApp app, scrape WhatsApp Web or use gray-market numbers. It runs on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. | Not available |
Best fit
Use the bot for replies and planned outreach on one number.
It automates answers and approved broadcasts, with a person kept in reach.
Best fit
Businesses that get repeat WhatsApp questions and also send template broadcasts to customers who opted in.
Check first
Number eligibility with Meta, and whether you need to keep the WhatsApp Business app on the same number (coexistence mode).
Not a fit
Bulk messaging to people who never opted in, or tools that drive the consumer WhatsApp app.
How it works
How It Works
Connect a WhatsApp number
Sign in to Meta and pick an eligible number. Meta controls eligibility, verification and timing.
Save facts and approve templates
Add prices and policies to the AI Brain. Write message templates and wait for Meta to approve them.
Let it reply and send
The AI replies to inbound messages. Broadcasts go out from approved templates to your audience, and a person can take over any thread.
Why teams choose it
What the bot automates
Inbound replies and planned outreach, with consent tracked.
Replies from your facts
The AI answers from the AI Brain and reads voice notes and photos.
Broadcasts with a preflight
Choose an approved template and audience and see cost and reach before you send or schedule.
Consent on record
Imported lists need a permission tick that is stored with the campaign, and STOP requests mark contacts as opted out.
A person in reach
Request a handoff or switch the AI off on one thread.
Best fit
Perfect for teams that move fast in DMs.
Price questions at any hour
Scenario
A prospect voice-notes a question overnight. The bot transcribes it and answers from your saved prices.
Outcome
A planned offer
Scenario
You send an approved template to customers who opted in, with a preflight of cost and reach first. Replies land in the same inbox.
Outcome
A STOP reply
Scenario
A customer replies STOP. The contact is marked opted out and queued follow-ups skip them.
Outcome
The difference
Why Switch?
Without Instant Reply
With Instant Reply
FAQ
Common Questions
What is a WhatsApp bot?
A WhatsApp bot is software that replies to WhatsApp messages automatically through the WhatsApp Business Platform. Older bots follow keyword rules. Instant Reply's bot writes each reply with AI from your saved facts and can hand the chat to a person.
How do I get a WhatsApp bot number?
Connect a WhatsApp Business number through Meta's Embedded Signup. Growth ($129/mo) includes 2 included, Pro ($349/mo) includes 5 included, and extra numbers are $19/mo each. Meta decides number eligibility and timing. Our WhatsApp bot numbers guide covers the options.
Are WhatsApp bots free?
The WhatsApp Business app has limited automatic messages at no charge. Bots on the Business Platform have two costs: the software plan (Instant Reply WhatsApp starts at $129/mo on Growth) and Meta's per-message fees, which Meta bills to your Meta account. See our guide to Meta's WhatsApp pricing for current categories.
Can I send a broadcast to thousands of contacts?
Yes, on Growth and Pro, up to your Campaign Reach (Growth 25,000 contacts a month, Pro unlimited). You send an approved template to an audience from your contacts. Imported lists need a "I have their permission" tick, and opted-out contacts are skipped. Meta's template fees apply.
Do WhatsApp bots handle STOP requests?
Yes. Messages such as STOP or unsubscribe mark the contact as opted out, and Meta's opt-out preference events are processed. Queued follow-ups skip opted-out contacts. Marketing templates should still carry opt-out wording; the template composer flags missing wording.
Can the bot understand voice notes?
Yes. It transcribes WhatsApp voice notes and uses the transcript as context. Test your language and audio quality before turning on Full auto.
Which plan do I need?
WhatsApp needs Growth or Pro. Starter ($59/mo) covers Instagram and Messenger only. The 7-day trial needs no card.
Related reading
- WhatsApp bot numbersWhich number to use for a WhatsApp bot, and what to check with Meta.
- Meta WhatsApp pricing explainedMessage categories and what Meta bills.
- WhatsApp AI chatbotHow the AI replies, with reply modes and Shopify lookups.
- WhatsApp STOP and START keywords toolOpt-out and opt-in keywords by language.
Related features
Features that work with this one
Each page below covers the next step in the same workflow, with its own plan limits and a list of what it does not do.
Next
WhatsApp AI chatbot
Handle routine WhatsApp questions automatically.
Next
WhatsApp Business API
Embedded Signup, templates, signed webhooks and delivery tracking.
Next
Follow-up automation
Up to 3 timed nudges inside the 24-hour window (Growth and Pro).
Next
AI reply drafts
Draft replies fast and keep humans in control.
Ready when you are
Automate WhatsApp replies you can check.
Start the 7-day trial, connect a number, and read the first replies in Approval mode.
An interactive read-only demo, and plan limits in plain English.