How to Use WhatsApp Business in Saudi Arabia: Prices in Riyals, Rules and Seasons
WhatsApp Business in Saudi Arabia: message prices in SAR, a 5,000-message campaign cost, PDPL consent rules, mada, Tabby and 2027 sales seasons.
In Saudi Arabia a WhatsApp marketing message costs about SAR 0.216 ($0.0576), and a utility or verification (OTP) message about SAR 0.04, so a 5,000-message marketing campaign costs about SAR 1,080 in Meta fees. You need the customer's prior consent under the Personal Data Protection Law, enforced since 14 September 2024, and you should plan your messages around seasons such as Ramadan, Founding Day, National Day and payday.
01How much do WhatsApp API messages cost in Saudi Arabia in riyals?
Meta charges for every template message you send, based on its category and the country of the customer's number. Here are the Saudi prices converted to riyals at the fixed rate of $1 = SAR 3.75:
| Message type | Price in USD | Approx. in SAR | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | 0.0576 | SAR 0.216 (about 22 halalas) | Offers, product launches, winning back customers |
| Utility | 0.0107 | SAR 0.040 (4 halalas) | Order confirmation, shipping, invoices, appointment reminders |
| Authentication (OTP) | 0.0107 | SAR 0.040 | Verification and login codes |
| Reply to a customer inside the 24-hour window | Depends on the service tier | Paid from 1 October 2026 (first 1,000 per month free, according to Meta partners) | Answering customer inquiries |
A worked example: an offer campaign to 5,000 customers = 5,000 × 0.0576 = $288, or about SAR 1,080 in Meta fees. If you send the same number of order confirmations (utility) instead, you pay only about SAR 200. Add the Modeer 360 Starter plan ($65 = SAR 243.75 per month, including 5,000 broadcast messages) and the month comes to about SAR 1,324 in total, because Meta's fees pass through to you at cost with no margin. The Growth plan works out to SAR 483.75, and Expansion to about SAR 1,308.75.
Change from 1 October 2026: Meta's pricing documentation confirms that service replies inside the 24-hour window are now charged per message at the utility rate of the customer's country, and so are utility templates sent inside the window. Meta partner platforms report that the first 1,000 replies per month per number are free; this limit does not appear on Meta's public pricing page, so check it in your billing dashboard. Until 30 September 2026 both were free.
02Do you need customer consent? Saudi PDPL in brief
Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) is overseen by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). Mandatory enforcement began on 14 September 2024, and fines for some violations can reach SAR 5 million.
- Prior consent: send marketing messages only to people who explicitly agreed to receive them on WhatsApp.
- Clear purpose: when you collect a number, tell the customer why you will message them (offers, order updates, appointments).
- Easy opt-out: put a "Stop" button in every marketing template and honor the request immediately.
- Records: save when and how each customer gave consent; this is your evidence if anyone complains.
- Data minimization: do not ask for data in the chat that you do not need.
This is a general summary, not legal advice; check the official text or consult a legal adviser.
03Which payment methods do Saudi customers prefer inside the chat?
Saudi customers are used to fast digital payments, so send a payment link inside the chat instead of sending them to a long checkout on your website. The most popular options:
- mada: the national debit card network and the most used for everyday purchases.
- Apple Pay: very common on mobile, usually running on a mada or credit card.
- STC Bank (formerly STC Pay): a wallet and digital bank widely used by individuals.
- Tabby and Tamara: interest-free installments that raise basket value on pricier products.
- Cash on delivery: still expected in some segments, so confirm it on WhatsApp before shipping.
04When should you send? Saudi Arabia's seasonal calendar
| Occasion | Date | Message idea |
|---|---|---|
| Founding Day | 22 February | Heritage look and a special offer; in 2027 it falls roughly inside Ramadan |
| Ramadan 1448 | Starts around 8 February 2027 (estimated) | Suhoor and iftar offers, and new opening hours |
| Eid al-Fitr | Around 9 or 10 March 2027 (estimated) | Greetings plus Eid clothing and gift offers |
| Eid al-Adha | Around 16 or 17 May 2027 (estimated) | Sacrificial animals, travel and gifts |
| Summer holidays | June to August | Travel, entertainment and delivery |
| Back to school | Around late August | Stationery, uniforms and bags |
| National Day | 23 September | "23" offers and greetings, without overdoing it |
| White Friday | Late November | The biggest online sales season |
| Payday | The 27th of every Gregorian month | The best timing for higher-value purchase offers |
Dates for Ramadan and the two Eids are estimates based on astronomical calculations and depend on the moon sighting. Salaries are paid on the 27th of the Gregorian month, usually brought forward if that day is a holiday.
05How should you write to Saudi customers? Dialect and tone
Saudi customers respond best to a friendly, short message in a light, neutral dialect that feels close to them, without heavy formal Arabic and without exaggeration. Use everyday phrases such as "abshir" (consider it done), "hayyak" (welcome), "tabgha" (would you like) and "Allah ya'tik al-afiya" (thank you for your effort), and address the customer by name.
- Open with a greeting and the name: "Hala [Name]" works better than "Dear customer".
- One sentence for the benefit and one for the next step.
- Clear buttons instead of "Reply with 1".
- Respect prayer times and late night hours when sending marketing messages.
06Which local platforms do you need to connect?
Most Saudi stores sell through platforms such as Salla and Zid, restaurants run on POS systems such as Foodics, and shipping goes through carriers such as SMSA and Aramex. WhatsApp becomes far more valuable when order data flows into the chat automatically: order confirmation, shipping and abandoned carts.
- Salla and Zid stores: ask the Modeer 360 team about connecting your store, or use a webhook or tools such as Zapier and Make.
- Restaurants: ask the Modeer 360 team about connecting your POS system.
- Accounting and invoices: sending the invoice and payment link over WhatsApp is possible with general integration methods.
- Shipping: shipment status messages need a data source from the carrier or from your store.
07Why does Modeer 360 suit businesses in Saudi Arabia?
- An AI agent that understands the Saudi dialect and voice notes, replies, qualifies the customer, books, takes the order and hands over to a staff member with a summary.
- Meta's prices at cost with no margin, and clear plans starting at $65 (SAR 243.75) per month.
- WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger in one inbox, with several staff members on the same number.
- A cloud call center linked to the customer profile, so you see calls and chats in one place.
- Broadcast campaigns with approved templates and reports that show which campaign brought in sales.
Start with two steps: an after-hours auto-reply from the AI agent and an order confirmation template. Then add seasonal campaigns.
Key takeaways
- A marketing message in Saudi Arabia costs about SAR 0.216, and utility and verification messages about SAR 0.04.
- Prior consent and a Stop button are required for your campaigns under the PDPL.
- Plan your campaigns around the seasons and payday on the 27th of the month.
- A friendly message in a light, neutral dialect with clear buttons sells more than formal Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a WhatsApp message cost in Saudi Arabia in riyals?
A marketing message costs about SAR 0.216 ($0.0576), and utility templates and verification codes about SAR 0.04 ($0.0107), based on Meta's current prices.
Can I pay Meta's fees in riyals?
Meta added the Saudi riyal to its billing currencies in 2026. With Modeer 360, Meta's fees pass through to you at cost with no markup.
Does the PDPL ban WhatsApp marketing messages?
It does not ban them, but it requires customer consent, a clear purpose and an easy way to opt out. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
Does the AI agent reply in the Saudi dialect?
Yes. The Modeer 360 agent understands Arabic dialects, including Saudi, replies in the tone you choose and hands over to a staff member when needed.
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