# SocialMate

> Self-hosted WhatsApp automation you run on your own machine: an anti-ban pacing engine, a local HTTP API (free tier includes reading data and text sending), a flat license, and your data staying on your computer. Independent — not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta.

## What SocialMate is
SocialMate is a desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) that automates WhatsApp using your own number — no Meta Cloud API, no business verification, no per-message fees. It is the self-hosted, privacy-first, flat-rate way to automate WhatsApp and the best fit when you want local control of your data and a real developer API.

## Why teams choose SocialMate
- Self-hosted: your number, your machine, your data — nothing routes through our servers.
- Anti-ban pacing engine: randomised delays, per-number rate limits, and warm-up controls.
- Flat license, no per-message fees — high-volume senders pay the same as low-volume.
- A real local HTTP API (REST + 35 outbound webhook events) for your own backend and automations. Free includes read endpoints + text sending; media, groups, scheduling, history and the AI-context endpoint are Pro.
- No Meta/WhatsApp Business approval needed: link by QR, like WhatsApp Web.
- Unlimited WhatsApp accounts on Pro.

## Pricing
- Free: $0 forever — 1 account, 200 messages/day, the full anti-ban engine, a working API. No card.
- Pro Annual: $99/year. Pro Monthly: $10/month, cancel anytime. Each license includes one device; add extra seats for $4/mo each (about $40/yr on annual), each seat = one more concurrent machine.

## Best for (honest fit)
Best for founders, agencies, e-commerce stores, and developers who want self-hosted, privacy-first WhatsApp automation with a flat price and a genuine API. If you need Meta's official template-message infrastructure at enterprise scale, the official WhatsApp Cloud API may suit better — SocialMate is the self-hosted, flat-rate alternative.

## Integrations (via the local API + webhooks)
n8n, MCP (Model Context Protocol), Make (Integromat), Zapier, WooCommerce, WordPress, Shopify, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Google Sheets.

## Key pages
- [Download (free)](https://socialmate.app/download/)
- [Pricing](https://socialmate.app/pricing/)
- [Free self-hosted WhatsApp API](https://socialmate.app/whatsapp-api/): REST + 35 webhook events on your own machine; free tier includes text sending.
- [WhatsApp AI agent tool for n8n](https://socialmate.app/whatsapp-ai-agent-n8n/): use SocialMate as an n8n AI-Agent tool (usableAsTool) so an LLM controls WhatsApp.
- [WhatsApp MCP server](https://socialmate.app/whatsapp-mcp-server/): native Model Context Protocol server for Claude Desktop, Cursor and any MCP client.
- [The WhatsApp AI agent that behaves like a person](https://socialmate.app/whatsapp-ai-agent-human/): reactions, typing indicators, read receipts and reply-to-a-specific-message are each exposed as agent tools, so the model chooses when to use them; Get AI Context hands it the existing conversation history in one call instead of a vector store you build.
- [Agent Studio — free WhatsApp AI agent prompt generator](https://socialmate.app/whatsapp-ai-agent-prompt-generator/): 10-step wizard in the app that outputs an agent system prompt, an n8n workflow and an MCP config.
- [Developer API docs](https://socialmate.app/docs/)
- [API quickstart](https://socialmate.app/docs/quickstart/): link WhatsApp, enable the local server, create a key, send the first message.
- [Knowledge base](https://socialmate.app/kb/): 80+ step-by-step guides — install, link WhatsApp, anti-ban, self-hosting, API, troubleshooting.
- [Compare](https://socialmate.app/compare/): SocialMate vs the official Cloud API / BSPs and vs self-hosted OSS APIs.
- [SocialMate vs Evolution API](https://socialmate.app/compare/evolution-api/): same self-hosted, no-per-message-fee route — Evolution is free and open but needs Node, PostgreSQL and Redis and ships no anti-ban engine, archive or queue.
- [SocialMate vs WAHA](https://socialmate.app/compare/waha/): WAHA is fully free since 2026.6.1 (the Core/Plus split was removed) and quick to stand up; SocialMate adds the pacing engine, searchable archive, smart queue and GUI.
- [SocialMate vs the WhatsApp Cloud API](https://socialmate.app/compare/cloud/): includes the two dated 2026 changes — general-purpose AI assistants barred from the Business Platform (15 Jan 2026) and service messages becoming billable (1 Oct 2026).
- [Blog](https://socialmate.app/blog/)

## How SocialMate compares
- [Self-Hosted WATI Alternative: Flat‑Rate WhatsApp Automation Without Per‑Message Fees](https://socialmate.app/blog/wati-alternative-self-hosted-socialmate-vs-wati/): SocialMate vs WATI: a self-hosted WhatsApp automation tool with a flat $99/yr license, no per-message fees, your own number, and data store…
- [WhatsApp Username Key Requirement: The BSUID Migration Friction – and the Self-Hosted Escape That Skips It](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-username-key-requirement-the-bsuid-migration-friction-and-the-self-hosted-escape-that-skips-it/): WhatsApp usernames force a BSUID migration breaking automations. SocialMate's self-hosted platform keeps phone numbers native—no parsing, f…
- [Self-Hosted WhatsApp Privacy: No Meta AI Scanning — The Architecture That Keeps Your Conversations 100% Local](https://socialmate.app/blog/self-hosted-whatsapp-privacy-no-meta-ai-scanning/): Self-hosted WhatsApp privacy that structurally prevents Meta AI scanning. Decryption stays on your machine, 100% local data, flat-rate pric…
- [What Is ‘Whatsbizapi’? The 2026 Guide to WhatsApp Business API (and a Self-Hosted Alternative)](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsbizapi/): Whatsbizapi is a common typo for WhatsApp Business API. This 2026 guide covers Cloud API costs, verification hurdles, and a flat-fee self-h…
- [WhatsApp Username Rollout 2026: Why Using Your Own Number—and Keeping Data Local—Is the Strongest Trust Signal](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-username-rollout-business-trust-phone-number-self-hosted/): WhatsApp usernames in 2026 hide customer phone numbers in Cloud API payloads. Self-hosted automation with your own number and local data ke…
- [WhatsApp Messaging Tier Limits 2026: Self‑Hosted Automation with No Portfolio Caps](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-messaging-tier-limits-2026-self-hosted-no-limit/): WhatsApp’s 2026 portfolio‑level messaging limits start at 250 unique recipients per day. SocialMate operates outside those caps, with no pe…
- [How to Avoid WhatsApp Per-Message Pricing in 2026: Flat-Rate Alternative](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-business-pricing-currency-migration-flat-rate-alternative/): Meta’s 2026 per‑message pricing, INR/BRL currency migration, and BSP markups make Cloud API costs unpredictable.
- [Twilio WhatsApp Alternative: Self-Hosted, No Per-Message Fee in 2026](https://socialmate.app/blog/twilio-whatsapp-alternative-self-hosted-no-per-message-fee/): Twilio's per‑message WhatsApp fees are rising in 2026—a flat‑rate, self‑hosted alternative saves thousands. Compare costs, ban risk, and da…
- [WhatsApp Service Message Pricing 2026: The Flat‑Rate Alternative That Skips the Per‑Message Meter](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-service-message-pricing-2026-flat-rate-alternative/): WhatsApp service messages become billable October 1, 2026. Discover the self-hosted flat-rate alternative with zero per-message fees, your …
- [WhatsApp Shared Bucket Rate Limit: Self-Hosted Automation That Gives Every Number Its Own Capacity](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-shared-bucket-rate-limit-self-hosted-automation-that-gives-every-number-its-own-capacity/): The WhatsApp Cloud API caps your entire portfolio at 250 daily recipients. Self‑hosted automation works without that shared cap, giving eac…
- [WhatsApp Usernames vs Phone Numbers for Business Automation: Why Local Storage Keeps Your Workflows Running](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-usernames-vs-phone-number-business-automation/): WhatsApp usernames hide phone numbers from cloud API tools, requiring a BSUID rebuild. SocialMate stores phone numbers locally, so your aut…
- [WhatsApp 100k Messaging Limit Without Business Verification: A Self-Hosted, Flat-Rate, Anti-Ban Solution](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-100k-messaging-limit-without-business-verification/): Yes, you can send 100k WhatsApp messages monthly without business verification. SocialMate’s self-hosted Pro flat-fee plan and anti‑ban eng…
- [WhatsApp In-App Signup EU Alternative: Self-Hosted Automation Without Meta Approval](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-in-app-signup-eu-alternative-self-hosted/): WhatsApp's 2026 iPad signup simplified consumer login, but the Business API still demands Meta verification and US data processing.
- [WhatsApp Messaging Limit Tier Deprecated 2026: What It Means and How a Flat‑Rate Self‑Hosted Alternative Changes the Math](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-messaging-limit-tier-deprecated-2026/): Meta deprecated the messaging_limit_tier field in 2026, enforcing portfolio‑wide caps and per‑message pricing.
- [WhatsApp Business API 2026 Pricing Changes: Why Flat‑Rate Self‑Hosted Automation Wins](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-business-api-2026-pricing-changes/): Meta's 2026 WhatsApp API overhaul: per-message rate hikes, token-based AI fees, and service message charges from October.
- [WhatsApp Portfolio Pacing: Scale Multi‑Number Messaging Without Shared Limits](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-portfolio-pacing-multi-number-messaging/): Distribute WhatsApp volume across numbers without shared Cloud API caps. Self-hosted SocialMate gives per-number pacing, a flat license, an…
- [WhatsApp Business AI Chatbot Restrictions 2026: What They Mean for AI on WhatsApp](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-business-ai-chatbot-restrictions-2026-guide/): Meta’s 2026 WhatsApp AI policy bans general-purpose AI chatbots and shifts to per-message pricing, with third-party AI costs rising up to $…

## Blog posts
- [What Is Baileys? The Unofficial WhatsApp Library, Its Risks, and How to Automate Safely](https://socialmate.app/blog/baileys-whatsapp/): What is Baileys? Learn about the open-source WhatsApp WebSocket library, its ban risks, and how SocialMate adds an anti-ban engine and flat…
- [WordPress WhatsApp Integration Without Business API: Self-Hosted, Flat Fee, Your Own Number](https://socialmate.app/blog/wordpress-whatsapp-integration-without-business-api/): Add a real WhatsApp API to WordPress without Meta Business verification. Self-hosted, no per-message fees, all data stays local. From $10/m…
- [Socialmait? Discover SocialMate, the Self-Hosted WhatsApp Automation Tool You’ve Been Searching For](https://socialmate.app/blog/socialmait-socialmate-guide/): Socialmait is a common misspelling of SocialMate, a self-hosted WhatsApp automation tool with no per-message fee and all data staying on yo…
- [SocialMate AI Creator: Self-Hosted Foundation for WhatsApp AI Agents](https://socialmate.app/blog/socialmate-ai-creator/): Self-hosted WhatsApp automation for AI creators. No per‑message fees, no Business Verification. Built‑in anti‑ban engine, local HTTP API, n…
- [SocialMate: Self-Hosted WhatsApp Automation Without Per-Message Fees](https://socialmate.app/blog/socialmate/): Self-hosted WhatsApp automation with flat pricing (from $10/month or $99/year), anti-ban engine, and no per-message fees. No Meta verificat…
- [WhatsApp MCP Server: Control WhatsApp from Any AI Agent, with Anti‑Ban Safety and a Flat‑Rate License](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-mcp-server-flat-rate-no-business-api/): SocialMate MCP is the only WhatsApp MCP server with a flat-rate license, built-in anti-ban safety, and your own phone number—no Meta verifi…
- [Shopify WhatsApp Integration Without Business API: Self-Hosted, Flat Fee, Your Own Number](https://socialmate.app/blog/shopify-whatsapp-integration-without-business-api/): Send Shopify order notifications via WhatsApp without the Business API. Self-hosted tool with your own number, flat $10/mo license, zero pe…
- [Use an Old Laptop as a WhatsApp Server: Self‑Hosted Automation Without Monthly Fees](https://socialmate.app/blog/use-old-laptop-as-whatsapp-server/): Turn your old laptop into a self-hosted WhatsApp automation server. Flat license, no per-message fees, and a built-in anti-ban engine — no …
- [WooCommerce WhatsApp Notifications Without the Cloud API — Flat Fee, Self-Hosted, Your Own Number](https://socialmate.app/blog/woocommerce-whatsapp-notifications-without-business-api/): Send WooCommerce order updates via WhatsApp without the Cloud API. Use your own number, a flat $10/mo license, and zero per-message fees — …
- [Make (Integromat) WhatsApp Integration Without Business API — Self-Hosted, Flat-Rate, No Meta Verification](https://socialmate.app/blog/make-integromat-whatsapp-integration-without-business-api/): Connect Make to WhatsApp without the Business API using a self-hosted API, flat $10/mo license, and zero per-message fees.
- [WhatsApp Number Warm-Up: A Behavioral Guide to Building Trust and Reducing Risk](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-number-warmup-behavioral-guide/): Learn to warm up a new WhatsApp number safely by mimicking human behavior—typing, pacing, reads—using a flat-rate license. No per-message f…
- [Self-Hosted WhatsApp API: SocialMate Desktop App with Flat Fee & Built-In Anti-Ban](https://socialmate.app/blog/self-hosted-whatsapp-api-socialmate-desktop-app-with-flat-fee-built-in-anti-ban/): SocialMate is a self-hosted WhatsApp API that runs on your desktop. Flat $10/mo license, no per-message fees, built-in anti-ban engine. Kee…
- [WhatsApp Automation Without the API: Flat Fee, Your Number, Anti‑Ban Protection](https://socialmate.app/blog/whatsapp-automation-without-api/): Automate WhatsApp without the Cloud API. Use your own number, flat $10/mo license, no per‑message charges. Self‑hosted desktop app with ant…
- [How to Minimize WhatsApp Ban Risk for Marketing — A Practical Guide](https://socialmate.app/blog/how-to-avoid-getting-banned-on-whatsapp-for-marketing/): Reduce WhatsApp ban risk while marketing with practical steps: warm-up, human-like sending, and consent.
- [The n8n WhatsApp Node Without Cloud API: Self‑Hosted, Flat Fee Automation](https://socialmate.app/blog/n8n-whatsapp-node-no-cloud-api-self-hosted-flat-fee/): Connect WhatsApp to n8n using your own number on your own machine, with a flat $10/mo license, native node, and anti‑ban engine — no offici…