WABA is what businesses use for programmatic, large-scale WhatsApp messaging. Unlike the WhatsApp Business app (which is human-operated and tied to a single phone), WABA enables: API integration, multiple agents on one number, broadcast campaigns to thousands, business verification (green tick), and template-based messaging.
Getting a WABA requires either Meta Cloud API (direct) or a BSP (Business Solution Provider like Wati, Gupshup, Doggu). The number you use becomes a WhatsApp Business number — the personal version of WhatsApp on that number is permanently disabled.
WABA pricing depends on conversation type (utility, marketing, authentication, service) and is per 24-hour conversation window, not per message.