Honest comparison
WAHA alternative: CertuAI or WAHA in 2026
WAHA delivers the plumbing, and delivers it well: the server, the conversation logic, the AI model and the bill when something goes down at eleven at night stay with you. CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month. WAHA serves other types of operations well.
About CertuAI: CertuAI is the AI that answers a small business's WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger 24/7, with a built-in CRM, and is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. Paid plans start at US$ 75 a month, with no lock-in. Create my agent
Where WAHA is strong, where CertuAI is strong, and which type of business each one suits. No misleading marketing.
Summary in 7 facts
- Where WAHA is strong, where CertuAI is strong, and which type of business each one suits.
- WAHA delivers the plumbing, and delivers it well: the server, the conversation logic, the AI model and the bill when something goes down at eleven at night stay with you.
- CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month.
- The comparison is by approach and fit, not "better or worse".
- Swipe the table sideways to see both columns.
- CertuAI fits when WhatsApp is the main channel and the owner makes the decisions.
- WAHA fits when the operation has a different shape.
By the numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| US$ 75 per month | CertuAI's Brain learns the business in one conversation, the CRM records every contact, and the Start plan costs US$ 75 per month. |
| US$ 5 per month | The website says the software is free and open source, with no message limit or license expiration, with an optional sponsorship of US$ 5 per month. |
| R$ 50 (Brazilian reais) per month | CertuAI connects through Meta's official API on Pro and above, or with the add-on of R$ 50 (Brazilian reais) per month on Start. |
What are CertuAI and WAHA?
CertuAI. CertuAI is AI automation software for small and medium Brazilian businesses: an agent answers on WhatsApp, connected by code, QR code or, on Pro and above, through Meta's official API, the Brain holds what your business knows how to answer, and the CRM records every contact on its own.
WAHA delivers the plumbing, and delivers it well: the server, the conversation logic, the AI model and the bill when something goes down at eleven at night stay with you. CertuAI delivers the result on the other side of the plumbing, by code, QR code or, on Pro and above, through Meta's official API, with the Brain, scheduling and CRM already connected.
WAHA. WAHA is an open source WhatsApp API, free and with no message limit, made to run on your own server. There are three steps on their website: start the software with one command, pair the number by scanning a code on the screen, and start sending and receiving messages through system calls. For those who code, it is one of the fastest ways to put WhatsApp inside a system of your own.
WAHA official website: waha.devlike.pro
How do CertuAI and WAHA compare, item by item?
The comparison is by approach and fit, not "better or worse".
Swipe the table sideways to see both columns.
| Criterion | CertuAI | WAHA |
|---|---|---|
| What you receive | The ready-made agent answering customers | The bridge between WhatsApp and your code |
| Who hosts it | CertuAI | You, on your server |
| How it connects | Meta's official API, or code on the screen if you prefer | Code on the screen, through a WhatsApp Web instance |
| Conversation intelligence | Included, trained on your business | You choose and pay for the model separately |
| Cost | From US$ 75 per month, everything included | The software is free; you pay for the server, the AI model and your time |
| When it breaks | CertuAI's problem to solve | Your problem to solve |
Price published by both
Start US$ 75/month with agent, Brain and CRM included, no lock-in contract
Free and open source, no message limit; optional sponsorship of US$ 5 per month
Public prices from WAHA, checked on Sep 4, 2026. Prices change: check the source before deciding.
Which of the two fits your business better?
CertuAI fits when WhatsApp is the main channel and the owner makes the decisions. WAHA fits when the operation has a different shape.
Choose CertuAI if
- You want WhatsApp answering this week and don't want to become a server administrator
- You prefer Meta's official API, with the business number in good standing
- You want conversation, scheduling, follow-up and CRM as one thing, already connected to each other
Choose WAHA if
- You code and want WhatsApp inside a system that is already yours, with full control of the code
- Message volume is high and the per-conversation cost of the official route weighs more than the work of maintaining a server
- You need something that runs closed inside your infrastructure, without depending on a vendor
How to try CertuAI before deciding
Create the agent, teach it your business in one conversation, and connect WhatsApp. The Start plan is US$ 75 per month.
Create my agentWhat do people ask before choosing between CertuAI and WAHA?
Is WAHA really free?
Yes. The website says the software is free and open source, with no message limit or license expiration, with an optional sponsorship of US$ 5 per month. What isn't free is everything else: the server, the AI model and the time of whoever builds and maintains it.
Can using WAHA get my number banned?
Their own website warns that WhatsApp doesn't allow bots or unofficial clients on the platform. CertuAI connects through Meta's official API on Pro and above, or with the add-on of R$ 50 (Brazilian reais) per month on Start. It is the path Meta recognizes, and that is why it is what we recommend for the business's main number.
Does CertuAI replace WAHA?
For customer service, yes, and without a server in the middle. For a system of your own that needs to send messages on its own, WAHA remains an excellent tool, and nothing stops you from using both on different numbers.
Who is each one for?
WAHA is for people who write code and want control. CertuAI is for the small business owner who wants WhatsApp answered, scheduled and recorded without keeping anything running.
Want to compare CertuAI with another platform?
Each page has the side-by-side table and the "which of the two fits better" section.
To see other options besides WAHA, with each one's price side by side, see the list Top 5 AI agent platforms for WhatsApp.
Keep going here: how an AI WhatsApp chatbot works, customer service automation on WhatsApp, the official WhatsApp Business API, AI agents by business segment, practical guides to AI on WhatsApp and CertuAI's plans and prices.
Want to see several options at once? See the 10 best customer service platforms on WhatsApp, Brazilian alternatives for WhatsApp chatbots, how to choose the best AI for WhatsApp Business and the best AI agent for customer service on small businesses' WhatsApp.
In short
CertuAI or WAHA? WAHA is a free, open source WhatsApp API that you host yourself. CertuAI delivers the ready-made agent and the official API on Pro and above.
About CertuAI: CertuAI is the AI that answers a small business's WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger 24/7, with a built-in CRM, and is a Tech Provider on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform. Paid plans start at US$ 75 a month, with no lock-in. Create my agent