The 3 Categories of WhatsApp Solutions
Most Indian businesses think all WhatsApp solutions are the same. They're not. There are three fundamentally different categories, and buying the wrong one is like buying a bicycle when you need a truck. Category 1: Broadcast platforms send bulk messages to lists — great for announcements, terrible for conversations. Category 2: Flow builders automate structured sequences — great for ecommerce, limited for complex queries. Category 3: Full AI systems handle real two-way conversations — they understand context, answer questions, and integrate with your CRM.
Decision Framework: 5 Questions to Find Your Fit
- Do you need 2-way AI conversations or just broadcasts? If you only send offers and updates, a broadcast platform is enough. If customers reply with questions, you need AI.
- Do you have a CRM or need one built? If you already use Zoho/HubSpot, a flow builder might integrate. If you have no CRM, a full AI system with built-in CRM is better.
- Do you want SaaS monthly fees or one-time ownership? SaaS platforms charge forever. Custom systems have higher upfront cost but no monthly vendor lock-in.
- How many messages/day do you send? Under 50/day: broadcast. 50–200/day: flow builder. 200+/day or complex queries: AI system.
- Do you need Hindi + English AI? Most SaaS platforms are English-only. If your customers speak Hindi, you need a system built for India.
Top Options per Category with Pricing
Broadcast Platforms
- AiSensy: ₹999–₹4,999/month. Best for: sending bulk offers, festival announcements, and newsletters to existing customer lists.
- Interakt: ₹2,756+/month. Best for: ecommerce order updates and basic broadcast campaigns.
Flow Builders
- Wati: ₹2,999–₹7,499/month. Best for: structured ecommerce flows — order confirmation, shipping updates, COD verification.
- Gupshup: Custom pricing. Best for: enterprises needing custom flow logic and API-heavy integrations.
Full AI Systems
- Orbixel Custom: ₹15,000–₹41,999 one-time + ₹3,000–₹8,000/month. Best for: businesses needing real AI conversations, lead qualification, appointment booking, and CRM integration without per-seat SaaS fees.
Total Cost of Ownership: 3-Year Comparison
Let's look at 3-year costs for a 5-user team sending 200 messages/day. AiSensy Growth at ₹2,999/month: ₹1,07,964 over 3 years. Wati at ₹5,999/month: ₹2,15,964 over 3 years. Orbixel custom at ₹41,999 setup + ₹5,500/month: ₹2,39,999 over 3 years. At first glance, Orbixel seems more expensive. But here's what the SaaS numbers hide: AiSensy and Wati prices increase as you add users and message volume. Orbixel's monthly cost is flat. At 10 users and 500 messages/day, AiSensy becomes ₹5,999/month and Wati becomes ₹9,999/month — while Orbixel stays at ₹5,500/month. The break-even happens in year 2 for growing teams.
Migration Path: Moving from Any Platform to Orbixel
Migrating is simpler than most businesses think. Step 1: Export your contact lists and message templates from your current platform. Step 2: Orbixel applies for WhatsApp Business API on your number (or a new number if you prefer). Step 3: We rebuild your key flows and add AI capabilities. Step 4: Parallel run for 7 days to ensure continuity. Step 5: Full cutover with team training. Most migrations complete in 10–14 days with zero message downtime.
Which Solution Should You Choose?
If you only need to send announcements to existing customers, choose AiSensy or Interakt. If you run an ecommerce store and need structured order flows, choose Wati. If you need real conversations, lead qualification, appointment booking, and a CRM that tracks every interaction — choose Orbixel. The wrong choice isn't cheaper — it's just delayed regret.
Mohit Malpani
Founder, Orbixel Labs