
What's great
Wati is a game-changer for anyone serious about WhatsApp automation and customer engagement at scale. As someone deeply invested in AI and automation workflows, I was genuinely impressed by how elegantly Wati handles complex multi-channel communication.
What stands out:
The automation engine is phenomenal—I've set up sophisticated workflows that would typically require custom backend work, and Wati's no-code approach lets you move at startup speed. The API integrations are incredibly well-designed; connecting it to our CRM and other tools was seamless.
The WhatsApp broadcast feature is industry-leading, especially for businesses in India and emerging markets. Being able to segment audiences and trigger personalized broadcasts through automation adds serious value.
The UI is intuitive without sacrificing power—rare combination. Support team has been responsive whenever I've had questions.
Highly recommended for founders, agencies, and any team looking to scale customer engagement without adding engineering overhead.
What needs improvement
More granular analytics on campaign performance and user engagement would elevate the platform further. A native AI-powered insights dashboard that auto-suggests optimization opportunities based on engagement patterns would be a game-changer for data-driven teams.
vs Alternatives
I evaluated several WhatsApp business automation platforms (MessageBird, Twilio, Freshchat) and Wati stood out for its perfect balance of power and simplicity. While competitors like Twilio offer raw API flexibility, they require significant engineering resources. Conversely, platforms like Freshchat feel over-engineered for pure WhatsApp use cases. Wati hits the sweet spot: sophisticated automation without requiring developers, transparent pricing that scales with usage, and an exceptionally intuitive interface. The WhatsApp broadcast features combined with AI-powered automation capabilities are unmatched in this price range. For any team looking to leverage WhatsApp at scale without building custom infrastructure, Wati is the obvious choice.
Is there native Shopify integration and what’s supported?
Wati doesn't have a native Shopify app yet, but don't let that deter you. You can integrate Shopify with Wati using Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat), which enables workflows like sending order notifications, abandoned cart reminders, and delivery updates via WhatsApp. Additionally, Wati supports direct integrations with major platforms: native CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce), e-commerce solutions (WooCommerce, BigCommerce), and popular communication tools. The API-first approach means if you need a direct Shopify integration, it's entirely feasible to build one using their REST APIs. For most use cases, the Zapier/Make integration works seamlessly and provides good automation capabilities without custom development.
How transparent is billing and are there extra fees?
Wati's pricing model is refreshingly transparent. They use a conversation-based pricing structure which scales with your usage—you pay for what you actually use rather than fixed per-seat costs. There are no hidden fees; the pricing page clearly breaks down message costs across different message types (text, media, templates). The free tier is generous enough to test the platform, and the pricing remains competitive compared to alternatives. I appreciate how they're upfront about WhatsApp message costs, which are determined by Meta but clearly communicated.
What API endpoints exist for custom workflows?
Wati provides comprehensive REST API endpoints that cover the core functionality. Key endpoints include: Messages (send, receive, update), Contacts (create, update, retrieve), Conversations, Templates, and Campaigns. The API is well-documented and supports webhook integrations for real-time events. You can build sophisticated automation workflows using their APIs to sync with CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and custom applications. The developer experience is solid—they provide clear documentation, SDKs for popular languages, and an active support team. This makes it straightforward to integrate Wati into existing tech stacks or build on top of their platform.

