WhatsApp Business app vs a shared inbox: what changes when a team answers
The WhatsApp Business app suits one number and a few devices. A shared inbox adds many numbers, owners, roles and reports. Compare them for a team.
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- By WavesFlo team
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- Published
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- 2 min read
The WhatsApp Business app is built for one business number and a handful of devices. A shared inbox is built for a team: many numbers in one list, an owner on every chat, roles that decide who sees what, and reports. If one person answers one number, the app is enough. When two or more people share a number, or you have several numbers, a shared inbox solves problems the app cannot.
| Question | WhatsApp Business app | Shared inbox such as WavesFlo |
|---|---|---|
| How many numbers | One per app | Many, in one list |
| People on a number | The phone plus up to four linked devices; multi-agent, a paid feature where available, raises it to up to 10 devices by plan | As many team members as your quote covers |
| Who owns a chat | Only with multi-agent | Every chat has an owner |
| Who sees what | Every device sees everything on the number | Five roles and access per number |
| Reports | Ticks and Message info; broadcast insights where available | Reports counted from records |
| History when a person leaves | Stays on that person's device | Stays with the business |
| Groups | In the app | In the inbox beside direct chats |
When is the app enough?
- One number, one or two people, and you can agree who answers.
- No need for reports beyond what the app shows.
- No need to hide any chat from anyone on the team.
When should you move?
- More than one number, or more than four devices.
- Customers asking the same thing twice because two people answered.
- A person leaving and taking the history.
- A manager asking who replied and how fast.
WavesFlo links each number from its phone's Linked devices screen, using one of the four linked-device places on that account, and the phone keeps working. WhatsApp Business with multiple users compares every way to put a team on one number.
When a team has outgrown one phone, the WavesFlo inbox is where those numbers end up: each chat with an owner, access set by role and number, and one plan quoted on the numbers and people you connect, with no charge per message.
Questions
Can several people use one WhatsApp Business number?
In the app, the phone plus up to four linked devices, and more only with the paid multi-agent feature where available. In a shared inbox, as many people as your quote covers.
Does a shared inbox replace the phone?
No. Numbers are linked from the phone's Linked devices screen, and the phone keeps working.
Can I see who replied in the app?
Only with multi-agent. In a shared inbox every chat has a named owner.