---
title: "How Much Does a WhatsApp Bot Cost? 2026 Prices ($1K-$3.5K)"
description: "WhatsApp bot pricing: $1K-$3.5K setup plus operating costs. Compare scope, provider fees, hosting, maintenance, and measurable ROI inputs."
canonical: "https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-pricing-guide-2026/"
last-updated: "2026-09-08"
language: "he"
source: "https://achiya-automation.com"
---

# How Much Does a WhatsApp Bot Cost? 2026 Prices ($1K-$3.5K)

> WhatsApp bot pricing: $1K-$3.5K setup plus operating costs. Compare scope, provider fees, hosting, maintenance, and measurable ROI inputs.

מקור: https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-pricing-guide-2026/

---

[Home](https://achiya-automation.com/en/) [Blog](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/) How Much Does a WhatsApp Bot Cost? 2026 Prices ($1K-$3.5K)

WhatsApp

[By Achiya Cohen](https://achiya-automation.com/en/about/) April 22, 2026 12 min read
Last reviewed August 2, 2026

- [1 The Full Breakdown: what you actually pay for](#1-the-full-breakdown-what-you-pay-for)
- [2 Price Ranges: what a bot costs by complexity level](#2-price-ranges-by-complexity-level)
- [3 Monthly Costs: ongoing expenses after launch](#3-monthly-costs-what-you-actually-pay)
- [4 7 Factors that Drive Price: the real variables](#4-seven-factors-that-drive-price)
- [5 Is It Worth It? ROI math with numbers](#5-is-it-worth-it-the-roi-framework)
- [6 Common Mistakes: what not to do when you buy](#6-common-mistakes-when-buying)
- [7 What’s Changed in 2026](#whats-changed-in-2026)
- [8 Sources](#sources)
- [9 Related Reading](#related-reading)

**How much does a WhatsApp bot cost in 2026? $1,000-$3,500 for setup plus operating costs.** A basic bot starts at $1,000; a business package with CRM, payments, or reports runs $2,000-$2,500; and a full AI solution starts at $3,500. The exact quote depends on scope, current exchange rates, and third-party fees.

$1,000
Basic bot, one-time

$2,000+
Business package, one-time

$3,500+
Full AI solution, one-time

50+
Automation projects completed since 2023

## TL;DR — Quick Summary

- **Basic bot** (FAQ, menu, hours): from $1,000 one-time + ₪100-300/month managed operation
- **Business package** (scope-defined flows + CRM): from $2,000 one-time + ₪100-300/month managed operation
- **Full solution** (AI, multi-agent): $3,500+ one-time + $50-100/month
- **ROI:** calculate it from your own baseline and measured post-launch data using our [WhatsApp bot ROI framework](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-roi-real-numbers/)
- **Hidden costs to watch:** per-message template fees, integrations billed separately, undefined scope

## Want a quick answer for your business?

What kind of business do you run? Restaurant or café Clinic Beauty or hair salon Real estate Law firm or consultancy Online store

What should the bot do? Answer questions and send information Also book appointments and connect systems Also understand open-ended questions

Choose your business and what you need to see a recommendation — no form or contact details required.

Table reservations, a digital menu, takeaway orders and arrival reminders — without leaving the kitchen to answer the phone.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-for-restaurants/)

Appointment scheduling, automatic reminders and a waiting list that fills cancelled slots.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-clinics/)

Appointment scheduling and reminders. Among our clients, reminders reduced cancellations by about 50%.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/industries/beauty-salons/)

Automatic lead qualification, property details and tour scheduling — before you have time to reply.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/industries/real-estate/)

Handle enquiries 24/7, schedule meetings and send documents, with a clear record of every enquiry.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/industries/lawyers/)

Abandoned cart recovery and order updates. About 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned.
[Explore the solution for your business](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-ecommerce-shopify/)

**Basic bot**Around ₪3,500 one-time

Answers recurring questions, sends prices and information, and hands over to a person when needed.

**Business package**Around ₪6,500 one-time

Connects to your calendar and CRM, books appointments and can accept payments.

**Full AI solution**Up to ₪12,000 one-time

Understands natural language and holds a conversation, connected to several systems at once.

Monthly costs are the same across package levels and depend on the technical route: ₪100–300 for the economical route (typically ₪150), or ₪315–890 for the official Meta API route.
[Full details in the pricing guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-pricing-guide-2026/)

## 1. The Full Breakdown: What You Pay For

“The WhatsApp Business Platform helps medium and large businesses communicate with their customers at scale.” — [Meta WhatsApp Business Platform](https://business.whatsapp.com/products/business-platform)
Read the section1 min

Meta publishes the current categories, rates, and effective dates on its [official WhatsApp pricing page](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing/). Use that page for each quote because the billing model changes over time.

“Make is a no-code platform for connecting apps and automating workflows visually.” — [Make.com official site](https://www.make.com/en)

The cost of a WhatsApp bot splits into three parts. Most people only think about the first one, then get caught off guard by the other two — so here’s each one in plain terms.

**Part 1: The one-time setup.** This is what you pay once to have the bot built and switched on. It covers mapping out every situation the bot should handle, getting it connected to WhatsApp the official way through the WhatsApp Business API (which includes getting your business approved by an authorized WhatsApp provider, known as a BSP, if you go that route), writing out how each conversation flows, hooking it up to the system where you keep your customers, testing everything, and helping you go live. This usually runs $1,000-$3,500, depending on how much the bot needs to do.

**Part 2: The monthly running cost.** This can include the WhatsApp connection, workflow infrastructure, model usage, licences and managed operation. Each provider uses different units and can change its plans. Compare the current official rate pages with the proposal’s volume assumptions. Achiya’s current managed operating fee is ₪100-300/month; provider charges are separate.

**Part 3: Provider and message fees.** The official API uses market- and category-specific pricing that changes over time. A business solution provider may add its own markup or subscription. The quote should state the rate-card date, expected message mix, and provider fee separately.

## 2. Price Ranges by Complexity Level

### Basic Bot — from $1,000 one-time + ₪100-300/month managed operation
Read the section2 min

What you get: answers for a defined FAQ set, opening-hours logic, a menu or service list, and lead collection. It can use WAHA or the official API, depending on policy and reliability requirements. Delivery is defined after the scenarios and connection are mapped. See the [clinic guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-clinics/) and [restaurant guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-for-restaurants/) for measurement plans in those industries.

Your business on WhatsApp

Hi, are you open right now?

Yes, we're open until 6pm today! 🕕 How can I help?Automatic reply based on approved hours

Can you send me the menu and prices?

Of course — here's our full menu 📋 Want me to save your number so we can follow up?Basic bot: FAQ, hours, menu, lead capture

### Business Package — from $2,000 one-time + ₪100-300/month managed operation

What you get: everything in the basic bot, plus CRM, calendar, payment-link, and reporting integrations defined in the proposal. Delivery depends on system access, data rules, and test scope.

### Full AI Solution — $3,500+ one-time + $50-100/month

What you get: everything in the business package, plus natural-language handling, a human handoff, configured languages, a dashboard, and monitoring defined in the proposal. Delivery and availability targets depend on the approved scope and connected providers.

### Platform Comparison: WAHA vs Meta Official API vs Twilio vs Wati (2026)

The table below lays out the four ways we most often connect a bot to WhatsApp for small and medium businesses. We checked every price against the providers’ own pages in May 2026.

Scroll sideways to see all columns.
Platform Setup Fee Monthly Floor Per-Message Cost Ban Risk Best For **WAHA (self-hosted)** Open-source software Hosting required Check current infrastructure Unofficial connection; provider-policy risk Technical teams with a documented risk decision **Meta Official Cloud API** Check current setup terms Check current provider terms Market and category rates Official route; provider policies still apply Regulated or template-driven use cases **Twilio WhatsApp** Check current provider page Usage-based Meta cost plus provider markup Official provider; policies still apply Twilio-native stacks **Wati / 360dialog (BSP)** Check current provider page Subscription or usage plan Meta cost plus provider markup Official provider; policies still apply Teams wanting a hosted interface

There is no universal volume tipping point. Price the actual message mix, provider fees, hosting, maintenance, and migration risk. An unofficial connection can be restricted regardless of volume.

For a deeper dive into the BSP landscape, see our [WhatsApp Business API guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-guide/) and the [WAHA vs official API comparison](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-for-business/).

### WhatsApp Bot on a Monthly Subscription (SaaS)

Alongside custom builds, Israeli platforms sell bots as recurring subscriptions. Ask each provider for a current written quote with the same scenarios, integrations, message volume, data export, support, and usage limits. Compare that with the custom-build setup and operating costs over the same period. The contract, not the payment model alone, determines what can be exported or moved later.

**When is a subscription still the better call?** A one-or-two-month trial, a temporary campaign, or genuinely zero setup budget. In those cases check two things up front: the exit cost (can you export your conversations and bot logic?), and what happens to the price once you cross the plan’s conversation cap.

## 3. Monthly Costs: What You Actually Pay

The managed operating fee is currently ₪100-300/month. The final monthly total can be higher because provider, message, model and licence charges are listed separately.
Read the section1 min

**Choice 1: WAHA or the official API.** WAHA has no software license fee but needs hosting, maintenance, and an explicit decision about unofficial-provider risk. The official API has current message and provider fees. Compare them with the project’s actual volume and support requirements.

**Choice 2: the tool that runs the automation.** This is the engine working behind the scenes to make the bot actually do things. One option, n8n, is free and open to everyone — you just run it yourself on a rented cloud computer, so it costs $0. The other, Make.com, is a ready-made service: its free plan covers up to 1,000 actions a month, which is enough for a quiet bot, and its next plan up is $9/month for 10,000 actions. Zapier does much the same job but usually costs 2-3 times more than Make.com. Our rule of thumb for small businesses: pick n8n if you’re comfortable with tech, and Make.com if you’d rather not deal with it.

**Choice 3: managed operation or project work.** The proposal should state what the monthly operating fee covers and what counts as a separately quoted change. Under Achiya’s current pricing, managed operation is ₪100-300/month; new features and third-party charges are separate.

## 4. Seven Factors that Drive Price

Here’s what pushes the price up or down, starting with what matters most:
Read the section2 min

- **How many situations it handles** — each new type of conversation the bot needs to manage adds $100-300 to the build. A bot that deals with 5 situations really is cheaper to make than one that deals with 20.
- **What it connects to** — tying it into your customer list adds $300-800, depending on how tricky that system is. Letting it take payments adds $500-1,000. Booking into your calendar is usually already part of the business package.
- **How smart it is** — a simple bot that just reacts to keywords is included in the basic tier. Giving it real AI that understands plain language (the technology behind tools like ChatGPT, called a large language model, or LLM) adds $1,000-2,000.
- **How many messages a month** — sending more costs more to run, but it can also earn you a better price per message if you agree on a volume deal with your WhatsApp provider.
- **Your own look and voice** — getting your branded messages approved, writing custom greetings, and keeping the same personality in every reply — usually $200-500.
- **How many languages** — each extra language adds $300-600, since every conversation has to be translated and each message re-approved in that language.
- **Reliability and monitoring scope** — define the availability target, monitoring hours, alert path, response responsibilities, and provider dependencies in writing.

The biggest hidden factor of all: **how clearly you know what you want before work starts**. Someone who shows up with a clear one-page list of everything the bot should do tends to pay noticeably less than someone who begins with “we’ll figure it out as we go.” When it’s spelled out from the start, the work goes faster and nothing has to be rebuilt halfway through. When it’s fuzzy, the job drags on and usually costs the same or more.

😓 Vague scope
"We'll figure it out as we go" · situations discovered mid-build · flows rebuilt halfway through · timeline and price become harder to control

✅ Clear one-page spec
Every situation listed up front · integrations named · message volume estimated · a clear picture of what "a win" looks like · you pay noticeably less

## 5. Is It Worth It? The ROI Framework

Before you agree to pay for a setup, work out whether it pays off for you. There’s no single answer that fits everyone — it comes down to how many messages you get, what an hour of your team’s freed-up time is really worth, and whether being reachable around the clock actually brings in money in your line of work. So instead of trusting one magic number, walk through the simple steps below.
Read the section1 min

In plain words, the little formula below adds up what the bot saves you and earns you each month, subtracts what it costs to run, and then shows how many months it takes to earn back the setup fee — if math isn’t your thing, the three steps right after it walk you through each piece:

👨‍💻 Show the code (for developers)

```
Net monthly benefit =
  (monthly hours saved × hourly cost)
  + (additional revenue from 24/7 availability)
  − (monthly operating cost)

Payback in months = Setup cost ÷ Net monthly benefit
```

**Step 1: measure handling time.** Record how many minutes the team spends on the selected WhatsApp tasks before launch. After launch, use the same sampling method and include exception handling and review time.

**Step 2: measure attributable outcomes.** Define a completed booking, qualified lead, or order and keep the attribution rule fixed. Do not assign revenue to an after-hours message unless the data connects it to a completed outcome.

**Step 3 — Subtract the actual operating cost.** Use the ₪100-300/month managed operating fee from the proposal, then add the current message, model, licence and other third-party charges that apply to the business’s volume.

Treat the calculated payback as a measured result, not a guarantee. If net monthly benefit is zero or negative, there is no payback period to report. Use [Meta’s official pricing](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing/) for message costs and document every assumption.

## 6. Common Mistakes When Buying

**Mistake 1: Buying too big, too soon.** People often grab the $3,500 full solution “just to be safe” when the amount of messages they actually get only calls for the $1,000 basic bot. Start small, and add more once you can see what you really need.
Read the section1 min

**Mistake 2: Forgetting to count the per-message cost.** If you’re firing off 10,000 or more promotional messages a month, those tiny per-message charges add up to $300-500/month on their own — sometimes more than the whole setup fee, every three months. Figure out roughly how many messages you’ll send before you decide which way to connect.

**Mistake 3: Not writing down what you want.** Vague scope makes price and delivery harder to control. Bring a one-page list of scenarios, integrations, expected volume, and acceptance criteria.

**Mistake 4: Not asking who fixes it later.** Some quotes throw in 30 days of help after launch; others include none at all. A bot that works great on day one but falls over the moment Meta changes its rules next month isn’t worth as much as it looks. Always ask what happens afterward.

**Mistake 5: Not checking whether it actually pays off.** Don’t get a bot just because “everyone has one.” Get it because the numbers make sense for how many messages you get. If they don’t, answering by hand with the free [WhatsApp Business App](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/free-whatsapp-bot-guide/) is a perfectly good place to start.

## What’s Changed in 2026

Four things changed in 2026 that affect what you’ll pay:
Read the section1 min

RatesRecheck Meta pricing

ModelsRecheck AI pricing

HandoffCompare platform scope

New
WhatsApp business calls

- **Meta message rates and billing rules changed.** Check the current market and category on [Meta’s official pricing page](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing/) before using an old quote.
- **WhatsApp phone calls are now open to businesses** (March 2026) — with the official API, your system can now place and answer calls over WhatsApp on its own. This isn’t possible with WAHA or the unofficial options. So if you want the bot to make calls at set times, like confirming appointments or following up, that pushes you toward the official API.
- **Human handoff scope differs by platform.** Compare limits and billing on the providers’ current pages; our [Chatwoot vs Intercom comparison](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/chatwoot-vs-intercom/) explains the fields to check. *(Reader perk: **5% off Chatwoot Cloud with code ACHIYAVS**.)*
- **AI model costs differ by model and workload.** Use the current [Anthropic pricing](https://www.anthropic.com/pricing) and other provider pages with your expected token volume.

## Sources

- [Meta WhatsApp Business Pricing](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/pricing/) — official template pricing
- [Meta WhatsApp Calling API documentation](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/calling) — official VoIP API reference for appointment-confirmation use cases
- [Anthropic Pricing page](https://www.anthropic.com/pricing) — current Claude API token costs

**Ready to hire instead of DIY?** Our [hire a WhatsApp bot developer](https://achiya-automation.com/en/hire-whatsapp-bot-developer/) page explains fixed-scope international projects and what belongs in a proposal.

## Related Reading

- [WhatsApp Bot for Business 2026: Complete Guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-for-business/) — WAHA vs official API deep dive
- [WhatsApp Bot Platforms Comparison 2026](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-platforms-comparison-2026/) — 5 top platforms ranked: pricing, pros, cons
- [WhatsApp Business API vs App](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-guide/) — when you need which
- [Free WhatsApp Bot Guide 2026](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/free-whatsapp-bot-guide/) — three actually-free methods
- [Chatbot Customer Service Guide](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/chatbot-customer-service/) — broader chatbot context
- [Israeli Automation Companies 2026](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/automation-companies-israel-2026/) — who builds automation in Israel, by provider type and price

**Want the numbers for your own business?** Tell us how many messages you get and what you need, and we’ll work out whether a bot pays off for you. Have a look at our [pricing tiers](https://achiya-automation.com/en/pricing/) and the full [WhatsApp bot service](https://achiya-automation.com/en/services/whatsapp-bot/) page to see what’s included.

Want a price range for your exact setup?

[WhatsApp consultation](https://wa.me/972505377060?text=Hi%20Achiya%2C%20I%20read%20your%20WhatsApp%20bot%20pricing%20guide%20and%20wanted%20a%20price%20range%20for%20my%20business)
[See pricing tiers](https://achiya-automation.com/en/pricing/)

Prefer a form? [Book a introductory call](https://achiya-automation.com/en/contact/).

Losing leads because no one's answering?

A WhatsApp bot can run defined replies, appointment steps and lead capture outside office hours, subject to connected-system availability. Projects start from $1,000 one-time. Tell me about your business &rarr;
[Get a Custom Quote](https://achiya-automation.com/en/contact/#contact-form)

Prefer to chat? [WhatsApp me](https://wa.me/972505377060?text=Hi%20Achiya%2C%20I%20read%20your%20blog%20post%20(How%20Much%20Does%20a%20WhatsApp%20Bot%20Cost%3F%202026%20Prices%20(%241K-%243.5K))%20and%20I'd%20like%20to%20talk) · [full pricing](https://achiya-automation.com/en/pricing/) · [our projects](https://achiya-automation.com/en/case-studies/)

### Achiya Cohen
Business Automation Expert · Building bots since 2023

Completed 50+ automation projects — WhatsApp bots, CRM integrations, and automated workflows. Specializing in n8n, Make, and WhatsApp Business API.
[Contact](https://achiya-automation.com/en/contact/) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/%D7%90%D7%97%D7%99%D7%94-%D7%9B%D7%94%D7%9F-1882302aa/)

## More articles you might like
[### When You DON'T Need a WhatsApp Bot — The 5-Question Test](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/do-you-need-whatsapp-bot-decision-guide/)[### Free WhatsApp Bot 2026: 4 Tools (Which Breaks at 100 Msgs)](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/free-whatsapp-bot-guide/)[### WhatsApp Bot for Business 2026: 7 Use Cases + $1K Setup](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/whatsapp-bot-for-business/)

[WhatsApp Bot Service](https://achiya-automation.com/en/services/whatsapp-bot/) [Business Automation](https://achiya-automation.com/en/services/business-automation/) [Pricing](https://achiya-automation.com/en/pricing/)

### Ready to automate your business?

50+ automation projects completed. Tell me about yours — I'll show you exactly what we can automate.

[Prefer WhatsApp? Message me &rarr;](https://wa.me/972505377060?text=Hi%20Achiya%2C%20I%20read%20your%20article%20(How%20Much%20Does%20a%20WhatsApp%20Bot%20Cost%3F%202026%20Prices%20(%241K-%243.5K))%20and%20I%20have%20a%20business%20and%20want%20a%20quote.%20A%20bit%20about%20my%20business%20and%20what%20I%20need%3A%20)

I’ll reply as soon as I can · Project quote based on scope

[Back to Blog](https://achiya-automation.com/en/blog/)

- [1 The Full Breakdown: what you actually pay for](#1-the-full-breakdown-what-you-pay-for)
- [2 Price Ranges: what a bot costs by complexity level](#2-price-ranges-by-complexity-level)
- [3 Monthly Costs: ongoing expenses after launch](#3-monthly-costs-what-you-actually-pay)
- [4 7 Factors that Drive Price: the real variables](#4-seven-factors-that-drive-price)
- [5 Is It Worth It? ROI math with numbers](#5-is-it-worth-it-the-roi-framework)
- [6 Common Mistakes: what not to do when you buy](#6-common-mistakes-when-buying)
- [7 What’s Changed in 2026](#whats-changed-in-2026)
- [8 Sources](#sources)
- [9 Related Reading](#related-reading)

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## Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a WhatsApp bot cost in 2026? There are three working ranges. A basic bot starts at $1,000 plus $30-$80 a month to run. A business package with CRM, payments, or reports is $2,000-$2,500 plus operating costs. A full AI solution starts at $3,500 plus $50-$100 a month. The proposal sets the exact scope and third-party costs.

How much does a WhatsApp bot cost as a monthly subscription? Subscription prices and usage limits change. Compare a current vendor quote with a custom-build quote over the same period, including setup, message volume, hosting, maintenance, support, export options, and provider fees. Neither model has a universal break-even point.

What's included in the monthly cost of a WhatsApp bot? The monthly bill can include the WhatsApp connection, workflow infrastructure, model usage, licences and managed operation. Provider prices and message categories change, so use the current official rate pages and the written project proposal. Achiya's current managed operating fee is ₪100-300/month; third-party costs are listed separately.

Is a WhatsApp bot worth it for a small business? It can be worth it when the current workload and measurable outcomes justify the total cost. Record message volume, staff handling time, completed outcomes, and existing software costs. Low-volume businesses may be better served by the WhatsApp Business App until the process changes.

What's the difference between a basic bot and an advanced bot? A basic bot answers the questions people ask most and sends them your menu or prices. An advanced bot does more: it books appointments, keeps your customer list up to date automatically, sends invoices on its own, emails you a weekly summary, and hands the chat over to a real person when things get tricky. Advanced bots usually add real AI (the kind behind GPT-4, Claude, or Gemini) so they understand what a customer means in plain words, instead of only reacting to exact keywords.

What factors actually drive the price? Seven things move the price: scenarios, integrations, AI complexity, message volume, brand voice, languages, and the monitoring or availability target. Clear acceptance criteria make quotes easier to compare and reduce unplanned scope changes.

Can I start with a basic bot and upgrade later? Yes, and honestly that's the path we suggest for most people. Start with a basic bot ($1,000), let it run for a month or two, see what your customers actually ask, and then add the pieces you find you need. Moving up from the basic bot to the business package usually costs another $750-$1,000. Doing it in steps beats trying to plan everything in advance, because once real customers start writing in, you discover situations you'd never have thought of on paper.

What's the difference between a chatbot and a WhatsApp bot? A chatbot is a program that handles a conversation automatically; a WhatsApp bot is one that operates through WhatsApp. These prices are specific to WhatsApp connection, message, and integration requirements.

Are there truly free WhatsApp bot options? Some tools have free software or entry tiers, but hosting, setup time, provider rules, and maintenance still matter. Our [free WhatsApp bot guide for 2026](/en/blog/free-whatsapp-bot-guide/) explains the limits to check before using one for a business process.

### [About Achiya Cohen](https://achiya-automation.com/en/about/)

WhatsApp Chatbot Developer & Business Automation Expert · Since 2023 · 50+ completed automation projects · 5.0★ (20 reviews)

Achiya Cohen is a solo WhatsApp chatbot and no-code automation consultant based in Ashdod, Israel. Since 2023 he has built custom WhatsApp Business API bots and n8n workflow automations for small business owners — restaurants, clinics, lawyers, real estate agents, e-commerce stores. Featured in [The Times of Israel](https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/author/achiya-cohen/) and [DEV Community](https://dev.to/achiya-automation).
[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/achiya-automation/) [GitHub](https://github.com/achiya-automation) [DEV.to](https://dev.to/achiya-automation) [Full bio →](https://achiya-automation.com/en/about/)

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