Different between WhatsApp Chrome, WhatsApp Web, and WhatsApp Business API Integration?

WhatsApp has evolved significantly since its inception in 2009, offering various ways to communicate and manage messages. Over time, WhatsApp introduced new features and solutions tailored to different needs, including WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Chrome, and WhatsApp Business API Integration. While all these tools leverage WhatsApp’s core messaging capabilities, they cater to different users and serve distinct purposes. In this blog, we will explore the differences between WhatsApp Chrome, WhatsApp Web, and WhatsApp Business API Integration, helping you understand which option suits your needs best.

What is WhatsApp Web?

WhatsApp Web is a simple extension of the WhatsApp mobile app, allowing users to access their chats directly from a computer’s web browser. It mirrors the conversations and messages from your mobile device, making it convenient to type and reply to messages while you work on your desktop or laptop.

Key Features of WhatsApp Web:
- Sync with Mobile Device: WhatsApp Web relies on the mobile phone’s connection to the internet. It mirrors the chats from your phone to the browser, so if your phone is off or disconnected from the internet, you cannot use WhatsApp Web.
- Cross-platform Availability: WhatsApp Web works on any computer with an internet connection and a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.).
- Text and Multimedia Messaging: Just like the mobile app, WhatsApp Web supports text messages, images, voice messages, videos, documents, and even emoji sharing.
- Convenient and Accessible: It’s ideal for users who spend most of their time on a desktop or laptop and want to stay connected via WhatsApp while working.

Limitations:

- Mobile Dependency: WhatsApp Web depends entirely on your phone being connected to the internet, making it unavailable if your phone is turned off or disconnected.
- No Multi-device Support: Unlike WhatsApp’s newer multi-device features, WhatsApp Web still ties to your phone, meaning you cannot use it on multiple devices simultaneously without your phone being actively involved.

What is WhatsApp Chrome?

WhatsApp Chrome refers to the WhatsApp Web experience specifically through the Google Chrome browser. It doesn’t have a separate, unique set of features, but rather serves as a platform to use WhatsApp Web directly in Chrome, offering users the same functionality that WhatsApp Web does. The term “WhatsApp Chrome” is mostly used informally to refer to this experience but is essentially part of WhatsApp Web.

Key Features of WhatsApp Chrome:
- Browser-Based: WhatsApp Chrome works exactly like WhatsApp Web, which means it’s accessed through the Chrome browser. There’s no need for extra installation.
- Convenient: For users who prefer Chrome, WhatsApp can be directly accessed and managed from the browser interface without needing additional apps or software.

Limitations:
- Limited to Chrome: If you’re not using Chrome, you’d need to use another browser for WhatsApp Web, as WhatsApp Chrome is just a reference to the web version in the Chrome browser.
- Requires Active Connection: As with WhatsApp Web, WhatsApp Chrome requires your mobile phone to be connected to the internet for it to work properly.

What is WhatsApp Business API Integration?

Unlike WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Chrome, WhatsApp Business API is a solution specifically designed for medium to large businesses that need to automate and scale their customer support or communication. It allows businesses to integrate WhatsApp messaging into their systems, such as CRM platforms, e-commerce sites, or help desk solutions, and engage with customers at scale.

Key Features of WhatsApp Business API Integration:
- Automation: The API allows businesses to automate responses, send notifications, and trigger workflows based on customer interactions. It’s especially helpful for managing large volumes of messages and ensuring timely replies.
- Integration with Third-Party Platforms: With the Business API, businesses can integrate WhatsApp with various customer service platforms, CRMs, and e-commerce solutions, making it easier to handle customer inquiries and transactions.
- Multiple User Support: The WhatsApp Business API enables team collaboration by allowing multiple agents to respond to messages on the same business account, which is ideal for businesses with a large customer support team.
- Rich Media Support: Businesses can send not only text messages but also multimedia such as images, videos, documents, and even interactive buttons for a better customer experience.
- Customer Privacy and Security: WhatsApp Business API provides end-to-end encryption, which ensures that all messages exchanged between businesses and customers are secure.

Limitations:
- Requires Approval: To use WhatsApp Business API, businesses need to apply and get approval from WhatsApp. It’s not open for individual users or small businesses.
- Complex Setup: Setting up the WhatsApp Business API often requires technical knowledge and may involve working with developers or third-party service providers.
- Costs: WhatsApp Business API is not free. Businesses incur charges based on the number of messages sent, and the cost structure depends on the region and type of messages.

Features	WhatsApp Chrome Integration	WhatsApp Web Integration	WhatsApp Business API Integration
WhatsApp Number	With WhatsApp Chrome Ext., you can seamlessly create contacts, organizatios, and leads in the CRM directly from WhatsApp numbers while using WhatsApp Web.	With WhatsApp Web you can convert existing WhatsApp number to send/received WhatsApp message	With WhatsApp Business API you must have to Add phone number in Facebooks Apps which is not register with any of your WhatsApp account.
Productivity	WhatsApp Chrome Integration is a connector between vtiger CRM and WhatsApp which allows us to synchronise data between WhatsApp and CRM Saving of records from WhatsApp into the CRM with a single click Scheduling messages with attachments Start chat feature, to start chat with the unsaved number	WhatsApp Web Integration is replacement of Web.WhatsApp inside CRM. It helps you to track your customer conversation inside CRM Your data will be pass through CRMTiger’s WhatsApp API server to customer. (CRMTiger won’t save any of your conversations)	WhatsApp Business API Integration is official API of WhatsApp to send/receive message. It helps you to track your customer conversation inside CRM
SPAM or Block Number	Not available	Sending transactional message using WhatsApp Web Integartion won’t block your number Sending SPAM / Repeated message using WhatsApp Web may lead your number to be Block as per WhatsApp Policy	Sending transactional message using WhatsApp Web Integartion won’t block your number Sending SPAM / Repeated message using WhatsApp Business API Alert you to deactivate account but won’t block the account
Charges / message	Users can add WhatsApp Chrome Extension from the Chrome store to their WhatsApp Web There is no additional charges per message to send messages to customer	This implementation from CRMTiger is related to replacement of Web.WhatsApp it means message sent against Web.WhatsApp by scan QR Code. There is no additional charges per message to send messages to customer	This implementation incur additional charges from facebook to send message as per message policy here
Connection	It’s connected (scanned) with a Mobile Number to WhatsApp web (Physical WhatsApp Number)	It’s connected (scanned) with Mobile Number (Physical WhatsApp Number)	It’s connected using Business Account Id and Token ID of Facebook (Virtual WhatsApp Number)
Send / Receive WhatsApp Messages	Once the user login to the WhatsApp web with CRM credentials, user can create, edit, sync (Lead, Contacts, Organizations) records from WhatsApp to the CRM	Once Number connected WhatsApp Message Send / Receive Message (One to one)	User can start communication only after sending facebook approved Template Message, or once message received by customer.
Voice Record	Not available	Send / Receive Voice record message	Not available
WhatsApp Templates	Not available	User can send template message	WhatsApp conversation only established if user send Facebook approved template to customer/prospect and received reply from customer/prospect. There are two types of WhatsApp Templates: Regular WhatsApp Templates Send to customer/prospect once communication established Facebook Templates Send to customer/prospect before communication established
Group Message	Users can save Whatsapp group all the members to the CRM (Lead, Contact or Organization) with a single click	User can able send the message in the group and save the All participants as Contacts in CRM	There is no functionality of Group message
Free Trial	One Week	One Week	One Week
Price	25$ per Month Includes: Sync all the WhatsApp contacts to CRM Contact/ Leads/organizations Create Contact/ Lead / organizations for single numbers Add Activities, Opportunities, tickets and many more from WhatsApp to CRM Schedule messages, start chat, filter list of (Lead, contact, organization) and many more Free support By click on talk with us feature	89$ per Month Includes: Unlimited WhatsApp Messaging Price valid for ONLY one CRM installation Support Multi-Device WhatsApp Connection	49$ per Month Includes: Send unlimited messages bound to Facebook Pricing per messages Price valid for ONLY one CRM installation Free support
Addons (Chatbot) Pricing	Not available	20$ per Month Includes: 5000 Conversation/Month Price valid for ONLY one CRM installation Unlimited bot setup Support Multi-Device WhatsApp Connection Additional charges of $10 per 1000 message. Free WhatsApp bot templates	It’s included in main price Includes: 5000 Conversation/Month Price valid for ONLY one CRM installation Unlimited bot setup Support Multi-Device WhatsApp Connection Additional charges of $10 per 1000 message. Free WhatsApp bot templates
Additional WhatsApp number to Scan / Add	WhatsApp Chrome extension is use by Max. 4 user for one number Multiple user accounts can use by login to their credentials	Multiple WhatsApp account option (Use upto Max. 3 WhatsApp #, Additional WhatsApp # $19/ Month)	Multiple WhatsApp account option (Use upto Max. 3 WhatsApp #, Additional WhatsApp # $19/ Month)

Conclusion:

In summary, while WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Chrome provide a simple and convenient way to access WhatsApp from a computer, they are both limited by the need for your phone to stay connected. They are ideal for personal use or casual messaging. On the other hand, WhatsApp Business API Integration is a powerful tool designed for businesses that want to scale their customer service or engage with clients on a more structured, automated, and professional level.

If you’re a personal user who just needs to access WhatsApp on your computer, WhatsApp Web or Chrome should suffice. However, if you’re a business owner looking to engage customers at scale, the WhatsApp Business API Integration is the way to go.

Hope you found this blog useful.

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About the author

Nimesh M.

Nimesh is a Business strategist, helping CRMTiger to spread their expertise in CRM solutions for all industries among businesses which has been proven a Boost-up factor in the digital aura worldwide.