Why Is WhatsApp More Expensive Than SMS?
Traditional SMS infrastructures are simple text networks provided by local mobile operators. The official WhatsApp Business API, however, connects directly to the international infrastructure of Meta (Facebook). Because Meta provides verification processes, rich media support (images, buttons, etc.), high-grade encryption and global compliance standards, it applies a different, foreign-currency indexed cost per message.
That said, WhatsApp notifications offer far richer communication than a standard SMS: templates with buttons and images, direct replies from your customer, and delivered/read status.
One Credit, Different Deduction: Utility vs. Marketing (Campaign)
Ajandam sells a single credit type for SMS and WhatsApp; there is no separate "marketing pack". Utility messages use 1 credit; Marketing (Campaign) messages draw from the same balance at a multiplier: 2 credits per SMS part and 4 credits per WhatsApp message. If you connect your own SMS sender ID or WhatsApp line, no credits are deducted. Under telecommunications (BTK) and data protection (KVKK) rules, the type (content) of a message is categorised by the authorities and separated at operator level; the reasons for the multiplier are explained below.
Utility (Transactional) — 1 credit: Technical messages triggered directly by the user's own action. (e.g. "Your appointment tomorrow at 14:00 has been confirmed." or "Your new package has been activated.").
Marketing — multiplied: Offers that encourage the user to take action or make a purchase. (e.g. "Don't miss the 20% salon discount, this weekend only!"). Charged 2 credits per SMS part and 4 credits per WhatsApp message.
WhatsApp Meta Pricing Policy
Under the official WhatsApp pricing guide (Platform Pricing), Meta splits conversations between businesses and customers into two categories: Utility and Marketing.
In order to protect users from advertising notifications, the Marketing segment is billed to businesses worldwide at significantly higher, currency-based rates than the Utility segment. The main reason a WhatsApp marketing message uses 4× the credits from the same balance is directly the policy of the core infrastructure provider (Meta).
IYS and BTK Operator Costs (SMS)
Similarly, under the laws of the Republic of Türkiye (commercial communication and commercial electronic message legislation), advertising and marketing messages sent via SMS require the consent status of each individual number to be queried in real time in the Message Management System (IYS) database. These additional obligations are one reason marketing SMS is charged 2 credits per part from the same balance.
In this process, the intermediaries providing the IYS integration channel charge businesses IYS query tariffs or consent registration fees for every number verification. So that everything runs smoothly within the law in the background and your company avoids penalties, the Ajandam infrastructure covers these approval operations and query costs itself and delivers them to you through a fund integrated directly into the bundle.
Our Competitive Pricing and Advantage
The large SaaS companies offering solutions to the service sector (salons, clinics, etc.) in Türkiye and abroad usually demand extra percentages or hidden fees for every small module, calendar add-on and SMS extension they provide.
In our Plus and Pro packages:
- We host the most critical communication technologies (including WhatsApp) in house, so you are never forced to work with external intermediaries.
- We provide a fully transparent flat subscription and carry out server updates free of charge.
- We deliver a modern, distraction-free interface, guaranteeing that your staff will adopt the system with ease.
Subscription and SMS/WhatsApp Bundle Transactions
You can use the links below to review all of these pricing policies and the flexible limits we offer, or to buy an additional SMS/WhatsApp bundle on top of your current package.