WhatsApp is no longer just a chat app. For e-commerce brands, it’s a full-fledged business tool, driving conversions, customer support, and retention all in one place. If you’re using Shopify and aiming to turn WhatsApp into a high-performing sales channel, choosing the right WhatsApp Business API provider becomes crucial.
Many Indian merchants begin with WATI. It’s user-friendly and built for quick WhatsApp automation. But as your brand scales, you might start running into limitations, be it a deeper Shopify integration, support for in-chat payments, or campaign automation.
That’s why businesses are now actively exploring better tools that align with real growth goals. This post will walk you through the top WATI alternatives in 2025 and help you understand what to look for, along with why Zoko might be the most complete fit for modern Shopify merchants.
WhatsApp’s Business Growth Is Booming
Before diving into alternatives, it’s important to understand why WhatsApp is becoming such a hotbed for e-commerce. As of July 2023, WhatsApp Business had over 200 million monthly active users, up from 50 million in 2020, a 300% growth in just three years.
More importantly, according to a report by Statista, over 40% of WhatsApp Business revenue comes from the Asia-Pacific region, with India being the largest market by user count. This growth clearly signals a shift, buyers in India are not only chatting but also buying, tracking orders, and making payments through WhatsApp.
If your current provider isn’t letting you tap into this momentum, it might be time for an upgrade.
Why Merchants Are Looking Beyond WATI in 2025
WATI is often a great starting point. But as your business matures, these pain points become harder to ignore:
- Limited Shopify support for real-time product and order sync.
- No built-in payment tools for WhatsApp checkouts.
- Manual dependency for cart recovery and upsells.
- Basic automation flows that lack customisation.
These issues slow down growth and require workarounds. For e-commerce founders, especially those selling via Shopify in India, efficiency and automation at scale become essential.
That’s where platforms like Zoko offer a more tailored solution.
Top WATI Alternatives to Consider in 2025
Let’s have a closer look at five of the most reliable WATI alternatives available right now:
1. Zoko
Zoko is built from the ground up for high-performance e-commerce on WhatsApp. More than a basic chat tool, it acts as your full-stack sales engine. Shopify merchants using Zoko can create product catalogues inside WhatsApp, automate cart recovery, send payment links, track orders, and manage COD delivery updates, all in one place.
What makes Zoko stand out is its ability to combine sales, support, payments, and logistics into a single flow. You’re not just sending messages, you’re running an entire storefront through WhatsApp. With native integration into Shopify and Shiprocket, Zoko is especially powerful for D2C brands doing volume sales with fast delivery turnarounds.
2. Interakt
Interakt is a decent choice for businesses getting started with WhatsApp marketing. It offers essential features like auto-replies, order alerts, and CRM-style chat tagging. It also supports Shopify, though the integration tends to be more surface-level. You may find that it works well for basic notifications and support tickets but lacks the depth needed for full-funnel WhatsApp commerce. For growing brands looking to drive conversions through chats, Interakt might require a lot of manual effort or third-party tools.
3. AiSensy
AiSensy focuses more on bulk campaigns and marketing messages. It’s ideal if your goal is to send WhatsApp offers or promotional updates in high volume. However, its support for transactional messages, order updates, or dynamic cart recovery is limited. Shopify merchants may find themselves needing extra layers of manual workflows to close sales or follow up on delivery. AiSensy works well for one-way messaging but isn’t built for end-to-end order handling.
4. Gallabox
Gallabox is a team-oriented platform with strong support for chatbot automation. If your business needs a shared inbox or wants to train a bot to handle FAQs, Gallabox fits the bill. It also supports WhatsApp API features like templates and webhooks. However, its Shopify integration is minimal, and it lacks native support for payment flows or COD automation. It’s better suited for support-heavy businesses than for those focused on aggressive sales through WhatsApp.
5. DelightChat
DelightChat brings a multichannel inbox approach. This is helpful for brands doing customer support across platforms. However, DelightChat leans more toward helpdesk capabilities than sales. While it does support WhatsApp API, it’s not optimized for e-commerce-specific features like in-chat payments, cart-based workflows, or order automation. For brands that want WhatsApp as their main sales channel, it may fall short.
What to Look for in a WATI Alternative
When evaluating your next WhatsApp platform, focus on features that make your business faster, not harder to run.
1. Native Shopify Integration
Avoid patchwork solutions. A strong alternative should connect your WhatsApp directly with your Shopify store. Zoko, for instance, pulls product data, stock info, and order status in real time.
2. In-Chat Payments
The ability to close a sale inside a chat is a game-changer. Look for tools that allow UPI links, payment gateways, and COD workflows without redirecting the customer.
3. Broadcasts + Automation
Beyond basic templates, your platform should allow smart segmentation, auto-replies, and logic-based follow-ups tailored to buyer behaviour.
4. Integrated Logistics
Managing COD, dispatch alerts, and delivery follow-ups is easier when your platform connects with solutions like Shiprocket, another place where Zoko leads.
5. Multi-Agent Access
As your team grows, having clear chat assignments and conversation history becomes essential.
How to Make the Switch Smoothly
If you’re moving away from WATI, here’s a simple migration checklist:
- Schedule a demo with your new platform (like Zoko) to map workflows.
- Request number migration via WhatsApp API (handled by most providers).
- Connect Shopify stores to sync products and customer data.
- Set up automations for cart recovery, order updates, and COD confirmation.
- Run a test campaign to ensure delivery and engagement metrics.
Most good platforms, including Zoko, offer hands-on onboarding to make this process smooth.
Questions to Ask Before You Switch
To avoid switching to yet another limited tool, ask yourself:
- Can this tool handle both marketing and order fulfilment?
- Does it support Indian payments and logistics?
- Will it still work for me when my team and sales volume grow?
- How fast can I go live without depending on developers?
- Is there a team to support me post-onboarding?
Answering these can save months of trial-and-error later.
Why Zoko Could Be a Great Fit
Zoko isn’t just another WhatsApp marketing tool, it’s designed as a full-stack solution for commerce over chat. Here’s why it stands out:
- Tailored for Shopify: Unlike generic tools, Zoko is built with Shopify sellers in mind. You can manage inventory, automate order flows, and send payment links, all inside WhatsApp.
- Built-in Payment Collection: Customers can complete purchases without leaving the chat, which significantly reduces drop-offs.
- Shiprocket Compatibility: Zoko integrates directly with Shiprocket to manage CODs, shipping updates, and returns.
- Scalable Automations: From cart recovery and purchase reminders to segment-specific campaigns, everything is built to scale.
- Support That Scales With You: Zoko’s team helps with onboarding, API setup, and campaign strategies, so you’re never left figuring things out alone.
For Indian merchants who want to run WhatsApp like a proper storefront—not just a support tool, Zoko delivers where others stop short.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right WhatsApp API platform can dramatically shape how effectively you convert, support, and retain your customers, especially in the competitive Indian e-commerce market. While WATI has been a good entry point for many businesses, it may not be enough for brands aiming to scale effortlessly.
If you’re serious about turning WhatsApp into a real revenue channel, not just a place to reply to queries, look for a platform that’s ready to grow with you. Zoko, with its sales-first approach, automation, and deep Shopify integration, positions itself as one of the strongest contenders in 2025.
Evaluate based on what your business actually needs, not just what sounds good in a demo. Because the right tool doesn’t just manage chats, it drives conversions, reduces manual effort, and builds lasting customer trust.
