Overview
Twilio offers WhatsApp through the official WhatsApp Business Platform, alongside SMS and voice. Getting started means a Meta business verification, approved message templates for messages you start, and per-message fees.
Rimbra’s WhatsApp API takes a different route. You link a WhatsApp number you already have by scanning a QR code, or get one through Rimbra, and send text, images, videos and documents from your server with one API key. Replies come back to a shared inbox and to your webhooks, signed.
Rimbra and Twilio, side by side
| Rimbra | Twilio | |
|---|---|---|
| Send WhatsApp messages from code | Yes | Yes |
| Images, videos and documents | Yes | Yes |
| Set-up | Scan a QR code with your number | Meta business verification and template approval |
| Shared team inbox | Built in | Build your own |
| Signed webhooks for incoming messages | Yes | Yes |
| SMS and voice | SMS is coming | Yes |
| Hosting, databases, domains and email in the same account | Yes | No |
Checked October 2026 from Twilio’s public pages. Products change; if something here is out of date, write to support@rimbra.app and we’ll fix it.
Which one to choose
Choose Rimbra when
- You want to message users on WhatsApp today without a verification process.
- You want a shared inbox your team can reply from.
- You host your app on Rimbra and want messaging in the same place.
Twilio may fit better when
- You need the official WhatsApp Business Platform, a green check or very high volumes.
- You need SMS or voice calls today.
Moving from Twilio to Rimbra
- 01
Open Social notifications in Rimbra and link your number by scanning the QR code, or get a number.
- 02
Create an API key and send a message with one POST request.
- 03
Add a webhook URL to receive incoming messages and delivery updates, signed by Rimbra.
Questions
Does Rimbra have a WhatsApp API?
Yes. Rimbra’s WhatsApp API sends text, images, videos and documents from your server with one API key, reports delivery and posts incoming messages to your webhooks with a signature.
Do I need Meta business verification to use Rimbra’s WhatsApp API?
No. You link your own WhatsApp number by scanning a QR code, the same way you link WhatsApp on a computer, or you get a number through Rimbra.
How many WhatsApp messages are included?
The Free plan includes 3,000 WhatsApp and social notifications a month. Launch includes 10,000, Pro 25,000 and Scale 100,000.