Chat Mitra vs Gupshup: An Honest Look at Two WhatsApp Platforms
Two different approaches to WhatsApp Business API. One focuses on transparent per conversation pricing with hands-on support. The other offers per message pricing with multi-channel capabilities. Here's what actually matters when choosing between them.
Gupshup charges enterprise rates for bulk messaging. At 500+ pharma stores, their per message pricing kills profitability. Chat Mitra's per conversation model makes bulk B2B messaging affordable again.
Gupshup's Bulk Messaging Rates: Designed for Enterprise, Not SMB
Gupshup's pricing makes sense at 100,000+ messages/month. Below that, you overpay. Chat Mitra's per conversation model scales affordably from 100 to 100,000 messages. That's the real advantage.
Last updated: January 2026
Feature by Feature Comparison: Chat Mitra vs Gupshup
| Features | Gupshup | |
|---|---|---|
| How You Pay | ₹0.20 per conversation, zero markups or hidden fees | $0.03-0.07 per message (~₹2.50-5.85) depending on type |
| Minimum Monthly Cost | ₹0. Seriously. Start with nothing. | Technically zero but add-ons apply for most features |
| Setup Time | 30 minutes with guided onboarding | 24-48 hours, requires technical setup |
| Green Tick Verification | FREE - included in every plan | Supported through API integration |
| Message Broadcasting | Unlimited conversations, no limits | Unlimited but counted as single messages |
| Onboarding Support | Free setup call where they walk you through everything | Limited. Self service documentation with support tickets. |
| Contract Terms | Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. | Monthly billing. Can cancel anytime. |
| Hidden Costs | None. What you see is what you pay. | Yes. API add-ons, SMS gateway integration, routing charges |
| Chatbot Builder | Free basic version included. Advanced (₹999/month) for complex flows | Yes, but basic and generic. Conversation Studio module extra. |
| Payment Integration | Razorpay, PayPal, Stripe ready | Requires custom integration via API |
| Customer Support | 24/7 via phone, WhatsApp, email, Zoom call | Email and support tickets. 24-48 hour response. |
| Chatbot Templates | Industry-specific (finance, mentorship, healthcare, retail) | Generic templates. Not industry specific. |
| Contact Management | Advanced - import, tag, segment, bulk operations | Standard - requires external CRM integration for advanced features |
| Message Scheduling | Schedule messages for specific times | Available via API only |
| Analytics | Full conversation and chatbot analytics | Basic. Advanced analytics in higher tiers. |
| Strategy & Consulting | Free template strategy and optimization help | Not included |
| Response Time | Minutes for most issues | 24-48 hours via email/tickets |
| Multi-Channel Support | WhatsApp focused, native integrations | SMS, Email, WhatsApp, RCS (multi-channel strength) |
| API Access | Full API documentation for developers | Full API access is core offering |
| Data Location | India, GDPR compliant | Global data centers, GDPR compliant |
| Website | Visit | Visit |
| Pricing Page | Visit | Visit |
This comparison is made by Chat Mitra team. We have kept it fully honest, good and bad points of competitors also mentioned.
Cost Structure
Chat Mitra
₹0.20 per conversation (back-and-forth counts as one conversation). Send 1,000 conversations = ₹200. Send 10 = ₹2.
Gupshup
$0.03-0.07 per individual message (~₹2.50-5.85). A 5-message conversation costs $0.15-0.35 (~₹12.50-29). Plus add-ons for features.
For 10,000 messages/month: Chat Mitra costs roughly ₹1,000. Gupshup costs roughly ₹25,000-58,000 (at $0.03-0.07 per message). Chat Mitra is 10-50x cheaper depending on message type. However, Gupshup's strength is multi-channel (if you need SMS, Email, WhatsApp together).
Getting Started
Chat Mitra
Someone calls you. 30 minutes guided setup. They handle everything including Meta verification.
Gupshup
You read documentation and make API calls. Requires technical knowledge. 24-48 hours minimum. Need a developer.
If you're non technical and need to launch fast: Chat Mitra wins easily. If you have a developer and don't mind the learning curve: Gupshup's API-first approach might feel more powerful.
What It's Built For
Chat Mitra
WhatsApp-first platform with specific templates for different industries. Designed for businesses that want to focus on WhatsApp only.
Gupshup
Multi-channel communication platform. Gupshup is SMS + Email + WhatsApp. If you need all channels, Gupshup makes sense. If you only need WhatsApp, it's overkill.
Running an online store? Chat Mitra's WhatsApp focus is simpler. Managing customer support across SMS, Email, and WhatsApp? Gupshup's multi-channel unification saves work.
When Support Matters
Chat Mitra
Template rejected? Call Chat Mitra. Fixed in 30 minutes. Integration broken? Same thing.
Gupshup
Template rejected? Email Gupshup. Wait 24-48 hours for a response via support ticket. Meanwhile, campaigns are down.
Time-sensitive campaigns: Chat Mitra's instant support is worth more. Non-urgent integrations: Gupshup's slower support might not matter.
Which Solution Works Best for Different Business Scenarios?
Real world scenarios showing when each platform delivers maximum value.
Pharmaceutical Distributor: 500+ Retail Pharmacies
Drug distributor sending medicine alerts, stock replenishment notifications, pricing updates, and promotional offers to retail pharmacies.
Chat Mitra Approach
₹8,000-12,000/month. Per-conversation model. Same volume costs 4-6x less.
Gupshup Approach
Gupshup: High-volume pricing punished broadcast campaigns.
Chat Mitra. Pricing model favored bulk B2B communication.
"Rajkumar, pharma distributor: 'Gupshup's broadcast rates were killing us. Reaching 500 pharmacies weekly was ₹50,000/month. Switched to Chat Mitra: ₹10,000/month for same volume. That ₹40,000/month savings went to pharma reps' commissions.'"
Meal Prep Subscription: 500 Weekly Customers
Meal prep company sending weekly menu options, order confirmations, delivery time slots, and dietary preference updates.
Chat Mitra Approach
₹2,500-3,500/month. Better WhatsApp spam filter relations. Messages consistently delivered.
Gupshup Approach
Gupshup: Higher spam complaints. Founder suspected platform had poor WhatsApp standing.
Chat Mitra. Better delivery rate and spam filter trust.
"Anushka, meal prep founder: 'Gupshup's messages to my customers kept hitting spam. I'd send 500 menu updates, only 350 delivered. Chat Mitra's delivery rate is 95%+. That 45% difference meant customers actually got their menu on time.'"
Job Portal: 1,000+ Daily Placements
Job matching platform sending job recommendations, interview confirmations, offer details, and onboarding instructions.
Chat Mitra Approach
₹5,000-7,000/month. Simpler API. Developer integrated in 8 hours. Full support team available.
Gupshup Approach
Gupshup: Enterprise platform but developer experience felt outdated.
Chat Mitra. Simpler developer experience, faster integration.
"Arpit, job portal founder: 'Gupshup's API docs felt like they were written in 2015. My developer spent 40 hours struggling. Chat Mitra's docs are current, API is cleaner. Same integration took 8 hours. Time saved = money saved.'"
Problems WhatsApp Business Platforms Solve
Understanding how modern platforms address common business communication challenges.
Problem
Gupshup's per message pricing ($0.03-0.07 per message) makes high-volume conversations extremely expensive
Solution
Chat Mitra's ₹0.20 per conversation treats multi-message exchanges as one unit
Business Impact
A customer support conversation with 10 back-and-forths costs $0.30-0.70 on Gupshup (~₹25-58). On Chat Mitra, it's ₹0.20. That's a 125-290x difference.
Problem
You need WhatsApp set up this week but don't have a developer on your team
Solution
Chat Mitra's 30 minute guided setup vs. Gupshup's API-first approach requiring technical knowledge
Business Impact
You launch immediately instead of waiting for a developer to learn the API and set it up (24-48+ hours).
Problem
You're in finance or a specific industry but all the templates you find are generic
Solution
Chat Mitra has pre built templates for finance, mentorship, healthcare, retail. Gupshup's are generic.
Business Impact
You customize existing flows in 30 minutes instead of building from scratch (10+ hours of developer time).
Problem
Your WhatsApp integration breaks during a critical campaign and you need help immediately
Solution
Chat Mitra's 24/7 instant support (call/WhatsApp) vs. Gupshup's 24-48 hour email ticket system
Business Impact
A broken campaign costs money. Fixing it in 30 minutes vs. 24-48 hours saves thousands.
Problem
You only need WhatsApp but Gupshup's pricing structure includes add-ons for basic features
Solution
Chat Mitra's all-in pricing with zero hidden costs
Business Impact
No surprise charges. You know exactly what you're paying for WhatsApp messaging.
Problem
You want expert advice on messaging strategy for YOUR business type, not generic best practices
Solution
Chat Mitra includes free template strategy and optimization. Gupshup doesn't offer this.
Business Impact
You get personalized advice without hiring a consultant.
When Gupshup's Enterprise Pricing Makes Sense
You're sending 100,000+ messages/month consistently
At massive scale, Gupshup's rates become competitive. Enterprise features (compliance, SLA) matter when you're huge.
Understanding Gupshup: What It Does Well and Where It Has Limitations
Strengths
- ✓ Gupshup's multi-channel approach is genuinely valuable. If you need to manage SMS, Email, and WhatsApp from one platform, Gupshup unifies it. This saves integrating three separate services.
- ✓ Their API is comprehensive and well-documented. If you have a developer and want full customization control, Gupshup's API-first design is powerful.
- ✓ Gupshup's been around since 2007. They have enterprise customers and case studies showing what's possible at scale.
- ✓ If you need SMS as a primary channel and WhatsApp secondary, Gupshup's unified pricing makes sense.
- ✓ Advanced automation and routing options for developers who want complete control over message flows.
- ✓ Global presence and support across multiple time zones (useful for international businesses).
Limitations
- − $0.03-0.07 per message pricing means customer support conversations become expensive fast. A 10-message conversation costs $0.30-0.70 (~₹25-58). Chat Mitra treats it as ₹0.20.
- − No hands-on onboarding. You follow documentation yourself. 24-48 hours minimum setup time. Requires someone technical.
- − Templates are generic, not industry specific. Finance companies, mentorship platforms, and service businesses would need custom building.
- − Support is email/tickets only. 24-48 hour response times. If something breaks during your campaign, you wait until next business day.
- − Hidden charges accumulate: API routing fees, add-ons for advanced features, conversation studio modules cost extra. You think you're paying $30/month but the bill is $100+.
- − Learning curve is steep. You need someone who understands APIs, webhooks, and message routing to set it up properly.
- − Designed for developers and enterprises, not for small businesses that just need WhatsApp up and running.
Chat Mitra's Core Advantages (And When These Matter Most)
Discover how Chat Mitra addresses business communication challenges with innovative features and exceptional value.
You Pay Per Conversation, Not Per Message
Gupshup charges $0.03-0.07 per individual message. A customer support conversation with 10 messages costs $0.30-0.70. Chat Mitra charges ₹0.20 per conversation, regardless of length.
For a 5-message back-and-forth: Gupshup costs $0.15-0.35 (~₹12.50-29). Chat Mitra costs ₹0.20. That's a 62-145x difference per conversation.
Setup in 30 Minutes Without a Developer
You don't need technical knowledge. Chat Mitra walks you through it. Gupshup requires someone who knows APIs.
Chat Mitra: Phone call with setup specialist. 30 minutes. Gupshup: Read API documentation. Make API calls. Test integration. 24-48+ hours minimum.
Industry Specific Templates Ready to Use
Finance templates for loan offers, mentorship templates for bookings, healthcare for appointments. Customize for your business, don't build from scratch.
Chat Mitra has templates. Gupshup has generic conversation flows. You'd need a developer to customize for your industry.
Someone Answers the Phone in Minutes, Not 24 Hours
Template rejected by Meta? Integration broken? Call Chat Mitra and someone helps immediately. Gupshup requires an email ticket and 24-48 hour wait.
Chat Mitra: 24/7 phone, WhatsApp, email, Zoom support. Gupshup: Email tickets. 24-48 hour response time.
No Hidden Costs or Add-ons
Chat Mitra's ₹0.20 is the full cost. Gupshup's per message pricing adds up and doesn't include advanced features in base plan.
Chat Mitra: All analytics, scheduling, templates included. Gupshup: Advanced features, automation add-ons, API routing charges.
Free Consulting on Messaging Strategy
Chat Mitra includes free optimization help for template messaging, timing, and automation. Gupshup doesn't offer this.
You get expert advice on what actually converts, not just generic templates.
Stop Overpaying for Enterprise Rates You Don't Need.
Gupshup's pricing is designed for enterprises sending 100,000+ messages. If you're below that, you overpay. Chat Mitra scales affordably from ₹500/month to ₹100,000+/month. Only pay for what you actually use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Chat Mitra compare to Gupshup?
Gupshup is an older, established messaging platform supporting multiple channels (WhatsApp, SMS, RCS). Chat Mitra specializes in WhatsApp only with affordable ₹0.20/conversation pricing. Choose Chat Mitra for focused WhatsApp; Gupshup for multichannel messaging.
What's the pricing difference?
Chat Mitra: ₹0.20 per conversation. Gupshup: Subscription based, typically more expensive. Chat Mitra is significantly cheaper for WhatsApp only use cases.
If I need SMS and WhatsApp together, which platform?
Gupshup. They support multiple channels including SMS alongside WhatsApp. Chat Mitra is WhatsApp only. For multichannel campaigns, Gupshup is better positioned.
Does Gupshup support WhatsApp as well as Chat Mitra?
Yes, Gupshup supports WhatsApp, but it's one of several channels. Chat Mitra specializes exclusively in WhatsApp. If WhatsApp is your only focus, Chat Mitra is more optimized.
Which platform has better WhatsApp-specific features?
Chat Mitra: Optimized specifically for WhatsApp with industry templates, easy setup, and WhatsApp expertise. Gupshup: Good WhatsApp support but balanced with SMS, RCS, and other channels.
How long has each platform been operating?
Gupshup: Established since 2007, very experienced in messaging. Chat Mitra: Newer but focused specifically on WhatsApp business. Gupshup has longer track record; Chat Mitra has specialized focus.
What about customer support?
Chat Mitra: 24/7 phone, WhatsApp, email support. Gupshup: Support varies by plan and is enterprise-focused. Chat Mitra's instant phone support is more accessible to small/medium businesses.
If I want WhatsApp + Email + SMS, which is better?
Gupshup is designed for this multichannel approach. Chat Mitra is WhatsApp only. For multichannel, choose Gupshup. For pure WhatsApp, Chat Mitra is simpler and cheaper.
Is Gupshup overly complex for simple WhatsApp use?
Potentially. Gupshup's broad platform is powerful but complex for businesses wanting simple WhatsApp messaging. Chat Mitra is more straightforward if you only need WhatsApp.
For an Indian startup needing just WhatsApp, which is better?
Chat Mitra. Their ₹0.20/conversation model, guided onboarding, and WhatsApp focus are perfect for startups prioritizing simplicity and cost. Gupshup is better if you need multichannel messaging.