How to Send Bulk WhatsApp Messages in 2026 (Free + Paid Methods)

You have implemented a new promotional offer. How do you communicate that with your followers and target audience?

Sending messages one by one to all your loyal audience is an arduous task. Yes, it’s almost impossible for a medium-sized business.

This is where bulk WhatsApp messages come in.

Bulk messaging solves this by allowing you to contact hundreds of customers instantly, while keeping each conversation personal.

This guide explores the intricacies of sending bulk WhatsApp messages, including their types, uses, and strategies for maximizing business impact.

How to Send Bulk Messages on WhatsApp?

You can send bulk WhatsApp messages in three main ways:

1. Broadcast Lists (Free) – Send messages to up to 256 contacts using WhatsApp Business App
2. WhatsApp Business API (Paid) – Send unlimited messages with advanced features like scheduling and automation
3. Third-party tools like Wati – Combines API access with user-friendly campaign management

Each method serves a different stage of growth. If you’re just starting, free broadcasts are enough. 

However, once you need automation, segmentation, and compliance at scale, platforms like Wati simplify the entire process: from template creation to tracking campaign performance.

Before diving into the step-by-step methods, let’s first understand what bulk WhatsApp messaging really is and how it works behind the scenes.

What Are Bulk WhatsApp Messages?

Bulk WhatsApp messages allow businesses to send the same message to multiple contacts at once, without starting a group chat. Each person receives the message as a private, one-on-one conversation, keeping replies personal and organized.

When you send a bulk message, it appears just like a direct chat from your business. Recipients can reply individually, and their responses land in separate chats. This makes it easy to maintain privacy while scaling communication.

How to Send Bulk Messages on WhatsApp for Free?

If you are a small business looking to reach customers without spending on software, the WhatsApp Business App gives you a simple way to send bulk messages through broadcast lists.

Method 1: Broadcast Lists on WhatsApp Business App

A broadcast list allows you send a single message to up to 256 contacts at once. As mentioned earlier, each recipient receives it as a private message, not in a group. Here’s how you can create one:

1. Open the WhatsApp Business App.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Select “New broadcast.”
4. Choose up to 256 contacts from your list.
5. Type your message and hit Send.

Only contacts who have saved your number and opted in will receive your broadcast. This is WhatsApp’s built-in safeguard against spam.

Method 2: Using WhatsApp Web

If you prefer typing from your computer, you can create broadcasts on WhatsApp Web as well.

Here is how

• Log in to WhatsApp web
• Click the three dots beside your profile
•  Choose “New broadcast,” 
• Add your contacts, and send your message. 

The same 256-contact limit applies, but it’s easier to compose longer or formatted messages from a keyboard.

Limitations of Free Broadcasts

While the feature is great for basic communication, it has clear limits:

• You can only send to 256 contacts per list.
• There’s no scheduling or automation option.
• Analytics are minimal, showing only delivery and read receipts.
• Recipients must save your number to get your messages.

If your customer list has outgrown these limits or you need automation, personalization, and analytics, the next step is using the WhatsApp Business API through a provider like Wati.

How to Send Bulk WhatsApp Messages Using WhatsApp Business API

Once your audience goes beyond a few hundred contacts, the WhatsApp Business API is the right upgrade. 

The WhatsApp Business API is designed for teams that need to scale, automate, and gain visibility.

WhatsApp Business API for Bulk Messaging

The WhatsApp Business API lets you do what the regular WhatsApp app can’t:

• Message thousands of customers at once
• Automate replies and scheduled sends
• Sync conversations with your CRM
• Track real-time metrics like delivery and read rates

But here’s the thing: You can’t access the WhatsApp API directly. It’s available through official providers like Wati or Meta’s Cloud API.

Solutions like Wati are designed with user-friendly dashboards, drag-and-drop tools, and no-code chatbot builders that make every marketing communication easier.

Step-by-Step: Launching Bulk Campaigns with Wati

1. Upload Your Contact List

Import your contact list (CSV) and organize it by:

• Location or region
• Purchase history
• Interests or preferences
• Customer lifecycle stage
• Engagement level

Relevant messages perform better than blanket sends.

2. Create Your Message Template

Craft a clear and engaging message that aligns with your campaign objectives. Choose from:

• Pre-approved templates in Wati’s library
• Custom templates (requires WhatsApp approval)
• Transactional updates
• Promotional offers
• Service reminders

3. Personalize with Dynamic Fields

Make each message unique by adding tokens like:

• {{1}} = Customer Name
• {{2}} = City or Location
• {{3}} = Date or Appointment Time

For example: “Hi {{1}}, we’ve got a special offer for customers in {{2}} this weekend!”

4. Schedule and Send

Choose when to send your campaign: immediately or at a specific time, based on your audience’s time zones. Wati allows easy scheduling so you can reach customers when they’re most active.

5. Monitor Performance

Track real-time metrics including:

• Delivery rate
• Read rate
• Response rate
• Click-through rate (for links)
• Conversion tracking

Use these insights to refine future campaigns.

WhatsApp Bulk Messaging Limits and Quality Restrictions

WhatsApp employs a tiered system to limit the number of users you can reach each day. These limits are in place to protect users from spam and to reward accounts that maintain good engagement and compliance.

Message Limits by Method

Messaging Tiers (API)

Every WhatsApp Business API account falls into one of four tiers:

• Tier 1: 1,000 unique users per day
• Tier 2: 10,000 unique users per day
• Tier 3: 100,000 unique users per day
• Tier 4: Unlimited daily messaging

Your account automatically upgrades tiers as long as your quality rating remains high and you maintain regular messaging activity. In simple terms, the better your engagement, the more people you can reach.

How Quality Rating Affects Messaging

Your quality rating reflects how users interact with your messages. If too many people block or report your messages, your rating drops, and so does your sending capacity.

To keep your account in good standing:

• Send messages only to users who have opted in
• Avoid repetitive or irrelevant broadcasts
• Personalize your communication where possible
• Keep block rates below 2%
• Space out campaigns to avoid sudden spikes

How to Avoid Getting Banned While Sending Bulk WhatsApp Messages?

WhatsApp takes sender reputation seriously. Even one wrong move like sending messages to people who haven’t opted in, can lower your quality score or trigger a ban. Staying compliant is mostly about being transparent, relevant, and using official tools.

• Get Clear Opt-In Consent
  Only message people who’ve agreed to receive updates from you. Make the opt-in process explicit, and keep a record of when and how consent was given.
• Respect Opt-Outs Immediately
  If someone wants to stop receiving messages, honor that instantly. Add a simple “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” line in your messages, and remove those contacts from your lists.
• Keep Quality Scores High
  Your engagement metrics determine the number of people you can message daily. Keep block rates below 2%, respond to customers quickly, and share content that feels useful, not repetitive or salesy.
• Follow WhatsApp’s Content Rules
  Avoid prohibited topics, misleading claims, or spam-like formatting. Use approved templates for marketing messages and keep communication relevant to your business.
• Use Authorized Tools Only
  Send campaigns through verified providers like Wati, which operates on the official WhatsApp Business API. Unofficial apps or automation hacks might look tempting but can permanently restrict your account.
• Pace Your Campaigns
  Avoid blasting too many messages at once. Space them out and focus on consistency and quality to build long-term sender trust.

Free vs Paid Methods: Which Should You Choose?

Both the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API help you send bulk messages. The difference lies in scale, control, and automation.

When to Use Free Broadcast Lists

If you have fewer than 256 contacts, send occasional updates, and can handle replies manually, the free broadcast feature does the job.

It works well for small businesses like local restaurants, salons, or trainers who want to share simple reminders, offers, or community updates.

When to Upgrade to WhatsApp Business API

Once your customer base grows or you need automation, analytics, and team access, the WhatsApp Business API becomes essential.

It’s ideal for e-commerce brands, education providers, healthcare networks, and service companies that manage hundreds of daily interactions and want reliable delivery at scale.

Ready to scale your WhatsApp messaging?

Wati makes bulk broadcasting simple. It handles everything from contact management to campaign analytics. You can create, schedule, personalise, and track campaigns all in one place, without technical complexity. Book a demo with Wati to see how bulk WhatsApp messaging can transform your customer communication and drive measurable business results.

Frequently Asked Questions