WhatsApp Broadcast vs. Broadcast List: What's the Difference?
The 256-contact broadcast list in the app isn't the same thing as an API broadcast. Here's the honest comparison.
People search "WhatsApp broadcast" meaning two very different things. Getting the distinction right saves you from hitting a wall at 256 contacts.
The consumer broadcast list
Inside the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, a broadcast list lets you message several people at once as private chats. It's free and simple, but it has hard limits:
- Maximum 256 contacts per list.
- Recipients only receive it if they've saved your number. If they haven't, the message silently doesn't arrive.
- No delivery reporting, no click tracking, no personalization at scale, no scheduling.
- Manual — you tap send from a phone.
The business broadcast (through a tool like ConvoFly)
A business broadcast — what ConvoFly sends — is built for scale:
- Reaches thousands, limited only by your daily messaging tier.
- No "must save your number" requirement — opted-in contacts receive it regardless.
- Uses approved templates with media, buttons and per-recipient personalization.
- Full delivery reporting and click tracking.
- Scheduling, recurring sends and drip campaigns.
Which should you use?
| If you… | Use |
|---|---|
| Message under 256 people who all saved your number | App broadcast list |
| Run marketing to a customer base, need tracking or personalization | ConvoFly broadcast |
| Want to schedule or automate sends | ConvoFly broadcast |
For most stores the answer is a ConvoFly broadcast — the list limit and "saved contact" rule make broadcast lists impractical past a handful of VIPs. New to broadcasts entirely? Start with what is a WhatsApp broadcast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the WhatsApp broadcast list limit?
256 contacts per broadcast list in the consumer WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps. The Business API has no fixed list cap — you're bounded by your daily messaging tier instead.
Why didn't some contacts receive my broadcast list message?
In the app, broadcast list messages only reach people who saved your number in their contacts. Anyone who hasn't won't receive it. API broadcasts don't have this restriction.