# WhatsApp Business App vs API

* [WhatsApp Business App](#whatsapp-business-app)
* [WhatsApp Business API](#h_01f1yrnfr7ap1299mxmnbrt2zp)
* [Switching from the App to the API](#h_01gmdka7jyh5m3ss9340c6ntg8)

#### WhatsApp Business App

The WhatsApp Business App is a standalone application for small to medium-sized businesses. Companies can engage with their customers as they would through the standard WhatsApp app. The Business App allows small companies to communicate with customers with no coding for simple questions, answers, and even orders. To get started with the Business App, please visit [the WhatsApp site](https://www.whatsapp.com/business/). 

#### WhatsApp Business API <a href="#h_01f1yrnfr7ap1299mxmnbrt2zp" id="h_01f1yrnfr7ap1299mxmnbrt2zp"></a>

The WhatsApp Business API allows growing companies to send more significant volumes of requests. Using the Business API opens the possibility of integrating with other systems, such as customer relationship software. You can automate business processes and customize your setup more. Using the Business API requires some coding knowledge. Please find a step-by-step guide on how to get started with the Business API here: [WhatsApp Business step-by-step onboarding](/connectivity-platform/getting-started/whatsapp-business-step-by-step-onboarding.md)

| **WhatsApp Business App**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | **WhatsApp Business API**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <ul><li>Small to medium businesses</li><li>No developer knowledge needed </li><li>Immediate setup via WhatsApp</li><li>Answer questions from customers and enhance their shopping experience </li><li>No possibility of requesting an <a href="/pages/5Mg0jxryQRyCOe5bnbuL">Official Business Account or green tick</a></li><li>It can only be used in one device by one person at a time.</li></ul> | <ul><li>Medium to large businesses</li><li>Requires coding knowledge</li><li>Use via official Facebook partners such as MessageBird</li><li>Automated answers, bots, and response captures via <a href="/pages/tk7Flte1p7xnO1dFp6gz">Flow Builder</a></li><li>Talk to customers using customized communication and send larger volumes</li><li>Possibility of requesting and getting an <a href="/pages/5Mg0jxryQRyCOe5bnbuL">Official Business Account or green tick.</a></li><li>Allows access by multiple users at the same time via the web and the connection to different CRMs such as Inbox or Zendesk.</li></ul> |

#### Switching from the App to the API <a href="#h_01gmdka7jyh5m3ss9340c6ntg8" id="h_01gmdka7jyh5m3ss9340c6ntg8"></a>

You will need to migrate your number if you are using the App and would like to move to the API using the same number. To migrate the number, please follow the migration steps in this [Phone Numbers Migration](https://docs.messagebird.com/connectivity-platform/getting-started/whatsapp-phone-number-from-mobile-app-to-api) article. Below are a few things to know before you migrate your number:

* Once a phone number has been migrated from WhatsApp Business, all chat history will be lost. To retain this history, **you must back up this data before the migration**.
* Only a business admin for the WhatsApp Business Account can delete a phone number.
* A number can not be deleted if the business has sent paid messages using that number within the last 30 days.&#x20;


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/account/whatsapp-business-app-vs.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.