A WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) can be hosted on premises or through Meta Cloud. The hosting model determines where the WhatsApp Business API client runs and how it exchanges encrypted messages with WhatsApp.
Core components
- WhatsApp client: Encrypts and decrypts messages and communicates with the WhatsApp infrastructure.
- Application: Uses the client to send messages and process incoming messages and status events.
- Database and storage: Store account configuration and message-related data required by the deployment.
Security and encryption
Messages are encrypted between the customer and WhatsApp. The WhatsApp Business API client decrypts incoming messages for processing and encrypts outgoing messages before transmission. Deployments must protect credentials, restrict access, encrypt data in transit and at rest, and keep components patched and monitored.
Hosting comparison
| Area | On-premises hosting | Meta Cloud hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Managed by the solution provider or business | Managed by Meta |
| Maintenance | Requires upgrades, scaling, monitoring, and database management | Meta manages platform infrastructure and updates |
| Throughput | 80 to 500 MPS | 80 MPS to 1000 MPS |
 | WABA instance limitation Only one WAB number can be linked to the WABA instance. |