FAQ
Frequently asked questions about SendAPI.
General
What is SendAPI?
SendAPI is a multi-channel messaging platform. One API key lets you send WhatsApp messages, SMS, OTPs, and emails — all from a single platform with unified analytics, webhooks, and SDKs.
Is SendAPI an official WhatsApp Business API provider?
SendAPI uses an unofficial WhatsApp Web protocol (Baileys) rather than the official Meta Business API. This means:
- Lower cost — No per-conversation fees from Meta
- Easier setup — Pair any WhatsApp number via QR code
- Trade-off — Accounts may occasionally require re-pairing; no official SLA guarantees from Meta
What countries does SendAPI support?
SendAPI supports SMS and OTP to 220+ countries. WhatsApp works globally on any paired number. Email is delivered worldwide.
Authentication
How do I get an API key?
Register at sendapi.co, verify your email, and navigate to API Keys in the dashboard. Create your first key in seconds.
How many API keys can I create?
| Plan | Max API Keys |
|---|---|
| Starter | 3 |
| Growth | 10 |
| Business | Unlimited |
Can I set expiry dates on API keys?
Yes. When creating a key in the dashboard, set an optional expiry date. Expired keys automatically return 401 Unauthorized.
WhatsApp
Can I use multiple WhatsApp numbers?
Yes. Each connected number is a "session". Your plan determines the maximum number of simultaneous sessions.
What happens if my WhatsApp session disconnects?
SendAPI automatically attempts to reconnect with exponential backoff (5s, 15s, 45s, 2min, 5min). If reconnection fails after 5 attempts, a session.disconnected webhook is fired and you'll need to re-pair via a new QR code.
Can I send broadcast messages to my entire contact list?
Yes, via POST /v1/whatsapp/send-bulk. Note the per-session rate limit of 30 messages/minute to avoid WhatsApp anti-spam detection.
Billing & Plans
Is there a free trial?
Yes! All accounts start with a 3-day free trial of the Starter plan. No credit card required.
What happens when I exceed my monthly quota?
Requests beyond your plan's quota return 402 Payment Required with a link to upgrade. Your existing messages in the queue continue processing.
Can I pay with mobile money?
Yes. Our payment integration (powered by Dodo Payments) supports card payments and various local payment methods for global markets.
Technical
What format should phone numbers be in?
All phone numbers must be in E.164 format: a + sign followed by country code and number, no spaces or dashes. Example: +447700900000.
Use the Phone Validation endpoint to normalize user-submitted numbers.
How do I test without sending real messages?
During your free trial, you have access to all API endpoints with real delivery. Use the trial period to test your integration with small volumes before subscribing to a paid plan.
Do you have a status page?
System status is available on the dashboard. We monitor all API endpoints and infrastructure components and display real-time uptime information.