Billing & Credits

Waflow uses a credit-based system for WhatsApp messaging. This guide explains how credits work, how to purchase them, and how to manage your billing effectively.

Understanding the Credit System

Credits are the currency used in Waflow for sending WhatsApp messages. Each message type consumes a specific number of credits based on the conversation category and recipient location.

How Credits Work

When you send a message through Waflow:

1. Credits are deducted from your balance
2. The amount depends on message type and destination
3. Failed messages do not consume credits
4. Credits are restored if delivery fails

Message Categories

WhatsApp classifies conversations into four categories, each with different credit costs:

Note: WhatsApp determines the conversation category based on your message template. Choosing the right category can significantly reduce costs.

Conversation-Based Pricing

WhatsApp uses conversation-based pricing:

• A conversation is a 24-hour window
• All messages within that window count as one conversation
• You pay per conversation, not per message
• Different entry points have different costs

Conversation Entry Points:

Pricing Structure

Credit Costs by Region

Costs vary by recipient location:

Tip: Check the full pricing table in your dashboard under Settings > Billing > Pricing for accurate costs by country.

Credit Packages

Purchase credits in packages:

Volume Discounts:

• 5,000+ credits: 20% discount
• 25,000+ credits: 36% discount
• 100,000+ credits: 52% discount

Usage Tracking

Monitor your credit consumption in real-time.

Dashboard Overview

The billing dashboard shows:

• Current credit balance
• Credits used this period
• Remaining credits
• Usage trend chart

Usage Breakdown

View detailed usage:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Usage
2. Filter by:
   • Date range
   • Campaign
   • Message category
   • Region
3. View consumption patterns

Usage by Campaign

Track credits per campaign:

Alerts and Notifications

Set up usage alerts:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Alerts
2. Configure thresholds:
   • Low balance warning (e.g., 1,000 credits remaining)
   • Daily limit exceeded
   • Unusual spending patterns
3. Choose notification method (email, in-app, SMS)

Purchasing Credits

One-Time Purchase

Buy credits when needed:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Purchase Credits
2. Select a credit package
3. Enter quantity
4. Review total
5. Click Purchase
6. Complete payment
7. Credits added immediately

Auto-Refill

Never run out of credits:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Auto-Refill
2. Enable auto-refill
3. Configure:
   • Trigger threshold (e.g., below 500 credits)
   • Refill amount (credits to purchase)
   • Maximum monthly refills
4. Add payment method
5. Save settings

Tip: Auto-refill prevents campaign interruptions. Set the threshold high enough to cover your typical daily usage.

Payment Methods

Accepted payment options:

Managing Payment Methods

Add or update payment methods:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Payment Methods
2. Add new method or edit existing
3. Set default payment method
4. Remove unused methods

Subscription Plans

In addition to credits, Waflow offers subscription plans with platform features.

Plan Comparison

Upgrading Your Plan

Upgrade to unlock more features:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Plan
2. Click Upgrade
3. Select new plan
4. Review changes
5. Confirm upgrade
6. Changes take effect immediately

Downgrading

Reduce your plan:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Plan
2. Click Change Plan
3. Select lower plan
4. Review limitations
5. Confirm downgrade
6. Changes take effect at next billing cycle

Warning: Downgrading may disable features you currently use. Review the limitations carefully before confirming.

Invoices and Receipts

Accessing Invoices

View and download invoices:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Invoices
2. View list of all invoices
3. Filter by date or status
4. Click to view details
5. Download as PDF

Invoice Details

Each invoice includes:

• Invoice number and date
• Billing period
• Itemized charges
• Credits purchased
• Subscription fees
• Taxes applied
• Total amount
• Payment status

Billing Information

Update your billing details:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Billing Info
2. Update:
   • Company name
   • Billing address
   • Tax ID / GST number
   • Contact email
3. Save changes
4. New invoices will use updated info

Tax Information

Waflow handles taxes based on your location:

Spending Controls

Protect your budget with spending controls.

Budget Limits

Set maximum spending:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Limits
2. Configure:
   • Daily limit
   • Weekly limit
   • Monthly limit
3. Choose action when limit reached:
   • Pause sending
   • Notify only
   • Require approval

Campaign Budgets

Set per-campaign limits:

1. When creating a campaign
2. Enable Budget Limit
3. Set maximum credits for campaign
4. Campaign pauses when limit reached

Approval Workflows

Require approval for large sends:

1. Navigate to Settings > Billing > Approvals
2. Enable approval workflow
3. Set threshold (e.g., campaigns over 5,000 credits)
4. Designate approvers
5. Configure notification settings

Cost Optimization

Reduce your messaging costs.

Best Practices

Choose the Right Category:

• Use utility templates for transactional messages
• Authentication category has lowest costs
• Avoid marketing category when not needed

Leverage Free Conversations:

• Click-to-WhatsApp ads provide free entry
• WhatsApp QR codes offer 72-hour free window
• User-initiated conversations are cheaper

Optimize Timing:

• Send within existing conversation windows
• Batch messages within 24-hour periods
• Use service category for support replies

Cost Reduction Strategies

Cost Calculator

Estimate campaign costs:

1. Go to Campaigns > New Campaign
2. Select audience
3. Choose template
4. View estimated cost breakdown:
   • Credits per message by region
   • Total credits required
   • Compare to budget

Enterprise Billing

Features for enterprise customers.

Consolidated Billing

Manage billing across workspaces:

1. Navigate to Organization > Billing
2. View all workspace usage
3. Allocate credits to workspaces
4. Generate consolidated invoices

Custom Pricing

Enterprise customers may qualify for:

• Volume-based discounts
• Custom credit packages
• Committed use discounts
• Annual payment discounts

Contact sales for custom pricing.

Credit Allocation

Distribute credits to teams:

1. Go to Organization > Credit Allocation
2. View workspace allocations
3. Adjust distributions
4. Set automatic allocations

Billing Reports

Generate detailed reports:

1. Navigate to Organization > Reports
2. Select report type:
   • Usage by workspace
   • Usage by department
   • Cost center analysis
   • Trend reports
3. Choose date range
4. Export to CSV or PDF

Getting Help

Billing Support

For billing questions:

• Email: [email protected]
• In-app: Help > Billing Support
• Phone: Available for Business and Enterprise plans

Dispute Resolution

If you believe you were charged incorrectly:

1. Go to Settings > Billing > Support
2. Click Open Dispute
3. Provide details and evidence
4. Our team will investigate within 48 hours

Refund Policy

Credits are generally non-refundable, with exceptions:

• Technical errors causing incorrect charges
• Service outages preventing message delivery
• Billing errors on our part

Next Steps

• Integrations - Connect external services
• Analytics - Track campaign ROI
• Campaigns - Start sending messages