WhatsApp community vs channel vs broadcast list: which to use
A community links groups under admin announcements, a channel is a public one-way feed, a broadcast list sends private messages. Limits, replies, numbers.
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- By WavesFlo team
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A community lets admins announce to everyone while members talk in linked groups. A channel is a public one-way feed anyone can follow. A broadcast list sends a private message to up to 256 contacts who saved your number, and replies come back to you alone. Pick by who should reply and who should see whose number.
| Question | Community | Channel | Broadcast list |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can post | Only community admins in the announcement group; members post in linked groups | The owner and invited admins | Only you |
| Most people reached | 2,000 members in total, across up to 100 groups | No published follower limit | 256 contacts per list |
| Where replies go | Under each announcement; admins cannot turn replies off | Followers cannot reply, only react or vote | Back to you, privately |
| Can people see each other's numbers | Not in the announcement group | No; followers are hidden | No |
| How people join | An admin's invite link or an admin adding them; not found by search | Anyone, from the directory, search or a link | Nobody joins; only contacts who saved your number receive it |
| Best for | One organisation with several groups | Public updates to a large audience | Short notes to contacts |
Which should you choose?
- A school with a group per class: a community, so the head can announce to all.
- A shop with customers who saved your number: a broadcast list, so replies come privately.
- A brand with an audience that does not know you: a channel.
- A team that needs to talk: a group, not any of the three.
What are the catches?
- A broadcast list reaches only people who saved your number, and WhatsApp tests a monthly cap on broadcast messages in some places.
- Everyone who joins a linked group joins the community, so large groups use the 2,000-member total quickly.
- A channel is public. Do not put customer information in it.
For the differences between a group and a community, and a decision guide for six situations, read community vs group; step-by-step setups are in the community, channel and broadcast list guides.
Questions
What is the difference between a WhatsApp community and a channel?
A community links groups under admin announcements for members; a channel is a public one-way feed anyone can follow.
Can people reply to a broadcast list?
Yes, privately to you. The reply does not reach other recipients.
Which reaches the most people?
A channel has no published follower limit. A community holds 2,000 members, and a broadcast list 256 contacts.