Side by side
| Feature |  ChatRail | Green-API |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Included: Sandbox: 1 number, 500 messages a month, no expiry | Partly, or you build it: Developer: free, limited to 3 chats (contacts or groups), 1 instance per account |
| Entry price (1 number) | $15 / month(Core, 1 number) | $12 / month(per instance, Business; $24 / month Chatbot) |
| Annual billing | 2 months free on annual billing | 3 months free on annual payment |
| Five numbers | $79 / month(Team includes 5 numbers) | $60 / month(5 × $12 Business instances) |
| Message volume | Included: Unlimited on paid plans, with number-safety guardrails (a per-recipient limit that stops runaway loops) | Included: Unlimited messages; 30,000 number checks a month on Business |
| Media and groups | Included: Images, video, voice notes and documents in and out; groups API | Included: Text, video, audio, images, documents (files up to 100 MB); group support; statuses |
| Webhooks | Included: Signed webhooks with delivery state and conversation context; media download URLs | Included: Incoming notifications via webhook |
| AI replies | Included: 10,000 AI replies a month included on Core + AI ($29), no API key needed; 50,000 on Team; or bring your own key | Partly, or you build it: GPT chatbot libraries and a $24 Chatbot tariff; you supply and run the model |
| MCP | Included: MCP tools on Core + AI and Team | Not included or not listed: Not listed |
| No-code | Included: n8n, Zapier and Activepieces guides, plus an importable n8n workflow | Included: Make, n8n, Zapier and others |
IncludedPartly, or you build itNot included or not listed
Trial: ChatRail's Sandbox is free with no expiry. Green-API: Free Developer tier (3 chats).
Choose Green-API if
- Raw price per number is the deciding factor: $12 vs $15.
- You need an SDK for 1C:Enterprise, Go, Java or C++.
- You need status (Stories) sending.
Choose ChatRail if
- You want AI replies without running a model: 10,000 a month included on Core + AI.
- You want AI agents to use WhatsApp through MCP tools.
- Your free tier needs to reach more than 3 chats: Sandbox has no chat cap, just 500 messages a month.
- You want webhooks that carry delivery state and conversation context, not just raw events.
Switching
Both are REST APIs over a linked WhatsApp device, so switching mostly means pairing the number again and updating send calls and webhook handling. The quickstart covers pairing and your first message. Webhooks covers signature checks and media downloads.
Questions
How does ChatRail's price compare with Green-API?
ChatRail Core is $15 a month for one number. Green-API: $12 / month (per instance, Business; $24 / month Chatbot). For five numbers, ChatRail Team is $79 a month; Green-API: $60 / month (5 × $12 Business instances).
Does Green-API include AI replies?
GPT chatbot libraries and a $24 Chatbot tariff; you supply and run the model. ChatRail includes 10,000 AI replies a month on Core + AI ($29) and 50,000 on Team, with no API key needed.
Do both use the official WhatsApp Business API?
No. ChatRail and Green-API both connect a WhatsApp account as a linked device, so there is no Meta approval and no per-conversation fee. Linked-device sending must stay within WhatsApp's terms. ChatRail adds a per-recipient guardrail that stops runaway loops before they get the number reported.