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Platform comparison · 2026

Best WhatsApp Business API platforms in the Gulf (2026)

WhatsApp platforms for businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf, compared on company and support, Arabic, AI replies, price, team size and WhatsApp fees.

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Checked . Written by Otobiz, one of the platforms compared. Every other platform's facts come from its own public pages and are cited.

The shortlist.

Otobiz first, then the other platforms, each with the business it may suit.

  • Otobiz

    Best for businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia that want AI replies on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Telegram from one inbox, from a UAE company, with no per-user fees.

    See Otobiz pricing

  • Wati

    May suit WhatsApp-first teams of up to 3 on a low entry plan, with TikTok and WhatsApp calling in the inbox.

    Otobiz vs Wati

  • respond.io

    May suit teams that need WeChat, LINE, Viber, email and SMS in the same inbox.

  • SleekFlow

    May suit teams that want prices in AED.

  • Gupshup

    May suit teams with developers who want WhatsApp as a per-message API.

  • AiSensy

    May suit WhatsApp-only broadcasting on the smallest budget, including a free plan.

    Otobiz vs AiSensy

  • Manychat

    May suit creators and Instagram-first brands automating comments and DMs on a small budget.

  • Gallabox

    May suit teams that want AED pricing, a Dubai office and AI voice on calls.

Every platform, on the same questions.

Answered from each company's own pages, in the currency it showed a UAE visitor. The numbers link to the source.

WhatsApp Business API platforms compared for Gulf businesses
UAE company and supportOtobizA UAE company: InferioGPT Technologies L.L.C-FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE. Support by WhatsApp chat and email, with priority support on Scale.[4,1]WatiOperated by Clare.ai Limited. Its contact and about pages list no office address. Email support 24 hours a day, 5 days a week on Growth; email and chat 24/7 from Pro.[9,8,6]respond.ioHeadquartered in Kuala Lumpur, with a stated presence in the Middle East. Live support 24 hours a day, 5 days a week, and AI support 24/7.[12,11]SleekFlowOffice in DIFC, Dubai. Human chat support weekdays 9 AM to 6 PM (GMT+4) from Premium; AI chat support 24/7.[15,14]GupshupDubai is one of its 12 global offices. Support terms are not stated on its pricing page.[18,17]AiSensyBuilt in India by AiSensy Communications Private Limited. Support hours are not listed on its pricing page.[22,21]ManychatPrice set by billing country, tax excluded. Priority support on Business and Advanced; email support on Essential and Pro.[24]GallaboxDubai company Gallabox Technology Consulting LLC, on Sheikh Zayed Road. Support response within 48 hours on Basic and Essential, 24 hours on Advanced.[27,26]
ArabicOtobizWebsite in Arabic. AI replies follow the language and script the customer writes in, Arabic included. The app is in English.[3]WatiWebsite and pricing page in Arabic.[7]respond.ioWebsite in Arabic. AI can translate replies into the customer's language.[11]SleekFlowHelp center in Arabic. Arabic is not among its main website languages.[16,14]GupshupNot stated on the pages checked.[17,19]AiSensyArabic is one of its website languages.[22]ManychatNot stated on its pricing page.[24]GallaboxNot stated on the pages checked.[26,27]
AI repliesOtobizIncluded in Pro and above, never sold as an add-on. Replies use your business information and keep their sources.[1,3]WatiAstra AI agents from Pro, as an add-on priced separately. Every plan includes monthly AI Copilot credits.[6]respond.ioAI Agents from Growth, with AI usage included under a fair use policy.[11]SleekFlowAI agents included from Pro.[14]GupshupAI agents and an AI co-pilot for human agents, with no public price.[19,17]AiSensyWhatsApp AI Agent Builder is an add-on, from US$50/month for 1,000 AI messages.[21]ManychatManychat AI from Pro.[24]GallaboxAI credits on every plan (500 a month on Basic). AI agents on WhatsApp and Instagram from Essential.[26]
Published priceOtobizGrowth from US$149/month per branch billed yearly (US$199 billed quarterly). Pro, with AI replies, from US$299/month billed yearly.[1]WatiGrowth from US$59/month billed yearly (US$69 billed monthly). Pro from US$119/month and Business from US$279/month billed yearly.[6]respond.ioStarter from US$79/month billed yearly (US$99 billed monthly). Growth from US$159/month billed yearly.[11]SleekFlowPro from AED 399/month billed yearly. Premium from AED 999/month billed yearly.[14]GupshupNo monthly plan published. The self-serve WhatsApp API costs US$0.001 per message; enterprise pricing is through sales.[17]AiSensyFree Forever plan. Basic from US$45/month and Pro from US$99/month billed monthly, 10% less billed yearly.[21]ManychatFree plan. Essential from US$14/month, Pro US$29 and Business US$69 billed yearly, then a fee per extra active contact.[24]GallaboxBasic from AED 549/month and Essential from AED 1,214/month, billed quarterly.[26]
Team membersOtobizUnlimited team members on every plan, with no per-user fees and no limit on stored contacts.[1]WatiGrowth includes 3 users and takes no more. Pro and Business include 5, then US$39 or US$89 per extra user each month.[6]respond.io5 users on Starter and 10 on Growth, then US$12 to US$24 per extra user each month billed yearly. Growth includes 1,000 monthly active contacts.[11]SleekFlow10 user accounts included. Pro starts with 500 monthly active contacts, Premium with 1,000.[14]GupshupNot stated on its pricing page.[17]AiSensyUnlimited users under a fair use policy of up to 200 agents.[21]Manychat1 to 10 users by plan: 3 on Pro, 5 on Business, 10 on Advanced. Shared team inbox from Business.[24]Gallabox3 users on Basic (hard cap), 6 on Essential, 10 on Advanced; extra users AED 60 or AED 80 a month.[26]
WhatsApp Business app on the same numberOtobizYes. Scan a QR code from the WhatsApp Business app when you connect. The app keeps working on your phone, and your contacts and up to six months of one-to-one chats are copied in.[5]WatiSupported through coexistence, enabled on request through Wati support. Up to 6 months of one-to-one chats can sync.[10]respond.ioSupported where Meta approves the account on age and messaging quality. Contact and message history do not sync.[13]SleekFlowSupported from its Channels page in selected countries, importing contacts and up to 6 months of chats.[16]GupshupDocumented for its WhatsApp API, with contact and chat history sync events.[20]AiSensySupported, enabled for you by AiSensy support; not self-serve yet.[23]ManychatCoexistence with the WhatsApp Business app is offered. Chat history does not transfer.[25]GallaboxSupported on all plans once Gallabox support enables it for your account.[28]
WhatsApp message feesOtobizMeta bills WhatsApp fees to your own WhatsApp Business Account. Each message you send uses one Otobiz credit (US$0.05), and plans include 2,500 to 8,500 credits per branch each month.[1]WatiCharged on top of the plan, per Wati's own rate card for marketing, utility and authentication messages.[6]respond.ioNot in the subscription. You top up WhatsApp credit in respond.io, which states it adds no usage markup.[11]SleekFlowPer SleekFlow's rate card, plus a WhatsApp number hosting fee of AED 55/month.[14]GupshupMeta's fee billed at actuals, plus US$0.001 per template or session message.[17]AiSensyPrepaid WhatsApp conversation credits, recharged separately at per-country rates.[21]ManychatNot stated on its pricing page.[24]GallaboxBilled separately at Gallabox's conversation pricing; its Enterprise plan lists a discounted markup.[26]
Channels in one inboxOtobizWhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Telegram, in one shared inbox from Growth.Website chat, Soon[2]WatiWhatsApp messages and calling, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and a website widget.[6]respond.ioWhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Viber, email, SMS, website chat and calls.[11]SleekFlowWhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, WeChat, LINE, Viber, SMS and website live chat.[14]GupshupWhatsApp on the self-serve plan.[17]AiSensyWhatsApp. Click-to-WhatsApp ads run on Facebook and Instagram.[21,22]ManychatInstagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, TikTok, Telegram, SMS and email; 2 or 3 of them on Essential and Pro.[24]GallaboxWhatsApp, Instagram and a website widget, one of each included; phone from Advanced.[26]
Trial and setupOtobiz7-day free trial on every self-serve plan. A card is required and nothing is charged when you start. You connect the WhatsApp Business Account your business owns.[1,2]Wati7-day free trial. No setup fees, and free dedicated onboarding with an annual plan.[6]respond.io7-day trial of Growth with no credit card, broadcasts excluded.[11]SleekFlow7-day Pro trial with no credit card, and free group onboarding on Pro.[14]GupshupSelf-serve sign-up for the WhatsApp API. No trial terms stated.[17]AiSensyFree Forever plan to set up the WhatsApp Business API and apply for the blue tick.[21]ManychatFree plan, and a 14-day trial of Essential or Pro.[24]GallaboxFree trial with 500 AI credits and no credit card.[26]

What about developer platforms?

Twilio sells WhatsApp as an API with a US$0.005 handling fee per message on top of Meta's fees.[29] Infobip lists WhatsApp among its programmable channel APIs, beside SMS, voice and email.[30]

They suit companies with developers building their own messaging. A business that wants its team answering WhatsApp with AI replies on day one chooses a ready platform from the table above.

Choosing a WhatsApp platform in the Gulf

Straight answers to what businesses ask before they switch.

What is the best WhatsApp Business API platform in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?

For a business in the UAE or Saudi Arabia that wants AI replies on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger and Telegram, with the whole team on one plan, Otobiz. It is a UAE company, includes AI replies in its plans and has no per-user fees. Otobiz wrote this page, so the table puts every platform on the same questions and cites each answer.

Do WhatsApp Business API platforms add fees to Meta's charges?

Meta charges for some WhatsApp messages on every platform. What differs is how that charge reaches you, and whether the platform adds its own. Meta bills WhatsApp fees to your own WhatsApp Business Account. Each message you send uses one Otobiz credit (US$0.05), and plans include 2,500 to 8,500 credits per branch each month. The table shows how each platform handles it.

Does Otobiz include AI replies or sell them as an add-on?

Included in Pro and above, never sold as an add-on. Replies use your business information and keep their sources.

Does Otobiz support Arabic?

Website in Arabic. AI replies follow the language and script the customer writes in, Arabic included. The app is in English.

Who wrote this comparison?

Otobiz wrote it, and Otobiz is one of the platforms compared. Every fact about another platform comes from that platform's own public pages, read on September 25, 2026, and each one is cited.

Sources

Every fact about another company comes from its own public pages, read on , in the currency it showed a UAE visitor. Otobiz facts come from Otobiz's own pages. Prices and plans change, so check each source before you buy.

  1. [1] Otobiz pricing
  2. [2] Otobiz channels
  3. [3] Otobiz AI replies
  4. [4] About Otobiz
  5. [5] Otobiz WhatsApp Business API
  6. [6] Wati pricing (Middle East price list served to a UAE visitor)
  7. [7] Wati pricing in Arabic
  8. [8] Wati contact page
  9. [9] Wati about page
  10. [10] Wati help: WhatsApp Coexistence
  11. [11] respond.io pricing
  12. [12] About respond.io
  13. [13] respond.io help: WhatsApp Coexistence
  14. [14] SleekFlow pricing (AED, as served to a UAE visitor)
  15. [15] SleekFlow contact page
  16. [16] SleekFlow help: WhatsApp Coexistence
  17. [17] Gupshup WhatsApp API self-serve pricing
  18. [18] About Gupshup
  19. [19] Gupshup home page
  20. [20] Gupshup docs: coexistence events
  21. [21] AiSensy pricing in US dollars
  22. [22] AiSensy home page
  23. [23] AiSensy help: WhatsApp co-existence
  24. [24] Manychat pricing
  25. [25] Manychat help: connecting WhatsApp
  26. [26] Gallabox pricing (AED shown)
  27. [27] Gallabox contact page
  28. [28] Gallabox docs: WhatsApp Coexistence
  29. [29] Twilio WhatsApp pricing
  30. [30] Infobip WhatsApp Business

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