The Best WhatsApp Marketing Automation Tools for SMEs in 2025
How small businesses can streamline lead nurturing, support and sales using WhatsApp automation.
If you’re running a small business in the UK, chances are your customers are already on WhatsApp. With over 2 billion active users globally, it’s become one of the most effective communication tools for customer engagement. But managing every message manually? That’s no longer sustainable.
Thankfully, WhatsApp automation tools now make it possible to handle conversations, send campaigns, and even qualify leads automatically - all while maintaining a human touch.
In this post, I’ll break down the best WhatsApp marketing automation tools for SMEs in 2025, including their pros, cons, and pricing, so you can make an informed decision for your business.
Why WhatsApp Automation Matters for SMEs
For most small businesses, WhatsApp is where customers expect instant responses. Whether it’s appointment confirmations, product updates, or support queries, speed matters.
WhatsApp marketing automation helps you:
Respond faster and improve customer satisfaction.
Send personalised messages based on customer data.
Save staff hours by automating FAQs and reminders.
Connect WhatsApp with your CRM system to track every interaction.
The right WhatsApp automation tool lets you scale communication without hiring extra staff - perfect for busy teams focused on growth.
The Best WhatsApp Marketing Automation Tools in 2025
Here are the top WhatsApp automation platforms that stand out this year for reliability, ease of use, and integration with HighLevel CRM.
1. MarketerM8 (Powered by HighLevel)
If you’re already using MarketerM8, our automation platform powered by HighLevel, you can enable full WhatsApp marketing automation directly - no API setup required. This built-in feature connects conversations, campaigns and CRM data in one place. You can automate messages from workflows, trigger reminders, and manage all communication channels directly within your MarketerM8 dashboard.
Best for: Agencies and service businesses wanting a single system for email, SMS, and WhatsApp.
Pros:
Seamless, fully integrated WhatsApp messaging - no third-party API required.
Centralised inbox for WhatsApp, SMS and email.
Managed setup and support from the MarketerM8 team.
Scalable for growing agencies and SMEs.
Cons:
Advanced chatbot features may require external add-ons.
Currently supports WhatsApp Business accounts only.
Pricing based on message volume.
Pricing:
Flat $30/month integration fee.
$0.06 per 1,000-character marketing message (outbound).
Incoming messages are free.
👉 If you want to Learn more about MarketerM8 (HighLevel) we run workshops every tuesday covering every aspect of the software: MarketerM8 HighLevel Workshops
2. WATI (WhatsApp Team Inbox)
WATI is one of the most popular official WhatsApp Business API providers. It’s known for its collaborative team inbox, automation builder, and seamless integrations with CRMs and eCommerce systems.
Best for: Small to medium teams that manage multiple customer conversations.
Pros:
Official WhatsApp Business API provider.
Easy-to-use automation templates.
Strong support and onboarding resources.
Cons:
Limited customisation for advanced workflows.
Requires separate integration for some CRMs.
Message template approvals can be slow.
Pricing:
Starts from $49/month (approx. £40) for 1 user and 1 WhatsApp number.
Team plans with automations range from $98–$196/month (approx. £80–£160).
3. Respond.io
Respond.io is ideal if you want multichannel messaging in one place. It integrates WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram DMs into one inbox with powerful automation options.
Best for: Businesses that want all social messaging channels under one roof.
Pros:
Excellent multi-channel capabilities.
Drag-and-drop automation builder.
Strong analytics and reporting tools.
Cons:
Some advanced automation features require higher-tier plans.
Interface can feel overwhelming for smaller teams.
Slightly slower onboarding process.
Pricing:
Free plan with basic features.
Team plan from $79/month (approx. £65).
Business plan from $249/month (approx. £200) with full automation and integrations.
4. Twilio WhatsApp API
For businesses with developer support or technical partners, Twilio offers unmatched flexibility. You can build custom WhatsApp automation flows, integrate AI chatbots, and connect with CRMs like HighLevel.
Best for: Businesses that want complete control over custom workflows.
Pros:
Full access to WhatsApp Business API.
Works seamlessly with AI automation and voice tools.
Highly scalable for enterprise setups.
Cons:
Requires developer expertise for setup.
Complex pricing structure.
Not ideal for non-technical teams.
Pricing:
Pay-as-you-go model.
Incoming messages are free; outgoing messages typically cost £0.03–£0.07 each depending on region.
Additional fees for phone numbers and API usage.
How to Choose the Right WhatsApp Automation Tool
When choosing a WhatsApp automation solution, consider:
Integration: Does it work with your CRM (like HighLevel)?
Compliance: Ensure it’s an official WhatsApp Business API provider.
Ease of use: Can your team manage it without coding?
Scalability: Will it grow with your customer base?
Cost: Balance between feature depth and affordability.
If you’re already using MarketerM8 (powered by HighLevel), you may not need a separate platform. Most SMEs can automate WhatsApp inside their existing CRM with expert setup and support.
Bringing It All Together
WhatsApp automation isn’t just about saving time - it’s about creating a consistent customer experience. When implemented correctly, it becomes one of the most powerful marketing channels available to small businesses.
At MarketerM8, we help UK businesses integrate WhatsApp marketing automation directly into HighLevel CRM - connecting conversations, campaigns and customer data into one streamlined system.
👉 Want to see how HighLevel's WhatsApp automation can do the heavy lifting for your business? Click here to book a discovery call.
