Spun vs API CRMs
Spun vs WhatsApp Business API CRMs for travel teams
WATI, respond.io and similar CRMs run on the Business API. Spun runs on the number your travellers already have saved.
Start Free TrialVerified 23 October 2026
WhatsApp Business API CRMs such as WATI and respond.io connect a number to the Business API, so they can send pre-approved message templates to many contacts who have not written recently, with Meta charging per message on top of the subscription. Spun connects the number your travellers already have saved as a linked device, so it has no templates and no Meta per-message fees. Choose a Business API CRM if your job is template notifications at scale, such as reminders to thousands of travellers. Choose Spun if your team answers the travellers who write to you, with team members free on a flat monthly plan and your WhatsApp groups in the same inbox.
Side by side
| Topic | WATI and respond.io | Spun |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp connection | The WhatsApp Business API; respond.io describes itself as a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider. | Your existing number, connected by QR as a linked device through a connection provider. Not the Business API. |
| Messages to people who have not written | Pre-approved message templates, charged per message by Meta. WATI bills them on its rate card; respond.io says Meta fees are not included in any subscription. | Spun has no templates. Offers go only to people who agreed to hear from you, paced per number, outside quiet hours, with a reply-STOP opt-out. |
| Pricing model | WATI Growth US$59 a month billed yearly, Pro US$119. respond.io Starter US$79 a month billed yearly (US$99 monthly), Growth US$159 (US$199), Advanced US$279 (US$349). Enterprise plans custom. | A flat monthly plan with a free trial. Current prices are on spun.com/pricing. |
| Adding people | WATI: 3 users on Growth with no extra users, 5 on Pro with extra users US$39 each. respond.io: 5 to 10 users included, extra users US$12 to US$24. | Team members free, each with their own login, with no per-seat fees. The plan itself is paid after the trial. |
| Your saved answers | Templates for messages outside the 24-hour window go to Meta for approval first. | Quick replies are your own saved texts, inserted by typing "/". They are not Business API templates and need no approval. |
| CRM links | WATI: HubSpot on Pro, Salesforce on Business, Shopify as an add-on. respond.io: HubSpot and Salesforce. | A pipeline board per enquiry, with stages you rename yourself. Spun does not connect to a PMS or booking system. |
| Trial | WATI and respond.io each offer a 7-day free trial. | A free trial on your own number. |
Vendor facts as published on each vendor's own site on 23 October 2026. Vendors change their plans and prices, so check their page before you decide.
Which one fits
Choose a Business API CRM when
- You send pre-approved template notifications at scale, such as departure reminders or flight changes to thousands of travellers who have not written recently.
- Your own systems must send WhatsApp messages on their own, through an API, to people outside the 24-hour window.
- You want a dedicated number that is not on anyone's phone, run entirely through the Business API.
- You need many channels, such as Instagram, Messenger and TikTok, with HubSpot or Salesforce in one tool.
Choose Spun when
- Most chats are started by travellers and your team answers them, so templates and per-message fees are cost without benefit.
- You want to keep the number already on your website and confirmations, with its chats and groups.
- You want the whole team on the number with no per-seat fees.
- Your group tours, drivers and partners run in WhatsApp groups you want next to traveller chats.
What to weigh
Who starts your conversations
Business API CRMs are built for messages your business starts with templates. If travellers start most chats, that machinery adds cost and steps.
Two bills instead of one
A Business API CRM charges its subscription, and Meta charges per message on top. Spun is one flat monthly plan.
Seats as the team grows
API CRM plans include a set number of users. On Spun, team members are free.
Groups and your old number
Your existing WhatsApp groups do not come along to the Business API. Spun shows the groups your number is already in.
How to decide
List the messages you start
If you must reach thousands of travellers who have not written, with templates, a Business API CRM is the right tool.
List the messages you answer
If most of the work is answering travellers who wrote in, with a team, a shared inbox on your number does the job.
Try Spun on your number
Start the free trial, connect your number by QR and invite your team, then decide.
What Spun gives you
Keep your number
Spun connects the number travellers already have saved, with its chats and groups, as a linked device. It is not the Business API.
Learn moreTeam members free
Agents, operations and the owner each get their own login on one shared inbox, with no per-seat fees.
Learn moreSaved answers, no approval
Save your standard answers and insert one by typing "/". They are your own texts, not Business API templates, so nothing waits for approval.
Paced offers to past travellers
Send an offer to past travellers who agreed to hear from you, paced per number, outside quiet hours, with a reply-STOP opt-out line.
Learn moreYour groups next to your travellers
See every WhatsApp group your number is in, next to your traveller chats, for group tours, drivers and partners.
Learn moreSending Health
A score from 0 to 100 per number that tells you when to slow down. It is advice: not a WhatsApp score and not a ban prediction.
What Spun does not do
- Spun does not use the WhatsApp Business API, so it has no pre-approved message templates, and it cannot send notifications to thousands of travellers who never wrote to you.
- Spun connects as a linked device through a connection provider, and normal WhatsApp limits apply to your number. No tool can promise a number will never be restricted.
- Offers are paced with daily limits per number, quiet hours by default, a first-contact budget for new numbers and a reply-STOP opt-out footer.
- Spun does not offer a PMS integration, channel-manager sync or a booking engine.
- The WATI and respond.io facts on this page were checked on their own sites on 23 October 2026. Vendors change their plans and prices, so check there before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a Business API CRM over Spun?
When your job is pre-approved template notifications at scale, such as reminders to thousands of travellers who have not written recently, or when your own systems must send WhatsApp messages through an API. Business API CRMs such as WATI and respond.io are built for that, and Spun is not.
What does a Business API CRM cost compared with Spun?
On 23 October 2026 WATI listed Growth at US$59 a month billed yearly and respond.io listed Starter at US$79 a month billed yearly, each with a set number of users, and Meta charges per message on top. Spun is a flat monthly plan with team members free; prices are on spun.com/pricing.
Does a travel business need the WhatsApp Business API?
Most small and mid-sized travel businesses do not need it to answer travellers with a team. The Business API needs a business account set up with Meta, pre-approved message templates for messages outside the 24-hour window and per-message fees. Spun works on the number your travellers already have saved.
Can I send templates with Spun?
No. Spun is not the Business API, so it has no pre-approved message templates. Its quick replies are your own saved texts, inserted by typing "/", and offers go only to people who agreed to hear from you, paced per number.
Can a Business API CRM use my WhatsApp groups?
Your existing groups do not come along to the Business API. Spun sees every group your connected number is a member of, next to your one-to-one chats.
Can I keep my WhatsApp number with Spun?
Yes, Spun connects the number your travellers already use, with its chats and groups. They keep writing to the same number and your team answers it from Spun.
Sources and dates
Vendor facts as published on each vendor's own site on 23 October 2026. Vendors change their plans and prices, so check their page before you decide.
- WATI: Growth US$59 a month billed yearly with 3 users and no additional users; Pro US$119 with 5 users, extra users US$39; Business custom, extra users US$89. 7-day free trial; no setup fee. (wati.io, checked 23 October 2026)
- WATI: Businesses using the WhatsApp Business API incur charges for customer messages; per-message charges vary by country and by marketing, utility and authentication category, on WATI's rate card. (wati.io, checked 23 October 2026)
- WATI: Omnichannel inbox: WhatsApp messages and WhatsApp Business Calling, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, website widget and wa.me. Integrations: HubSpot on Pro, Salesforce on Business, Shopify as a paid add-on. (wati.io, checked 23 October 2026)
- respond.io: Starter US$79 a month billed yearly (US$99 monthly), 5 users, extra US$12; Growth US$159 (US$199), 10 users, extra US$20; Advanced US$279 (US$349), 10 users, extra US$24; Enterprise custom. Monthly active contacts from 1,000; 7-day trial with no card. (respond.io, checked 23 October 2026)
- respond.io: "WhatsApp fees are not included in any respond.io subscription. Meta charges these fees based on your usage." Integrations named: HubSpot and Salesforce. Channels: WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, email and calls. (respond.io, checked 23 October 2026)
- respond.io: Describes itself as a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider and a badged Meta Business Partner; after the 24-hour service window, a pre-approved template billed per message must be used. (respond.io, checked 23 October 2026)
Try Spun on your own number
Connect the number your guests already use and bring your team in. Team members are free, and the free trial needs no Business API.
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