Comparison
Sela vs WATI
Sela and WATI both give a team a shared inbox on the official WhatsApp Business Platform with AI replies. Sela is built in Iraq for Arabic-speaking restaurants, stores and service businesses, with a right-to-left Arabic interface, menus, orders and deliveries in the same workspace. WATI is a WhatsApp-centred platform with Astra AI agents and voice AI on its higher plans. Choose Sela for Arabic-first operations with orders; choose WATI if WhatsApp marketing and its AI agent builder are the priority.
Sela is best for
Arabic-speaking businesses in Iraq and across MENA that want WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, orders and an Arabic AI assistant in one workspace.
WATI is best for
Teams that run most of their customer communication and marketing on WhatsApp and want AI agents built from natural-language instructions.
| Capability | Sela | WATI |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business Platform | Yes: messaging partner, direct Meta or coexistence with the Business app | Yes: official API, with calling |
| Instagram and Messenger | Yes | Yes |
| Other channels | Telegram, website chat, email, SMS | TikTok, web chat, RCS |
| Arabic interface | Right-to-left Arabic throughout, plus English | Arabic version of the website; product UI language not stated on the pricing page |
| AI replies | AI assistant grounded in your knowledge base, catalog and offers; matches the customer's dialect | Wati AI in the inbox and Astra AI agents, with AI credits by plan |
| AI replies in Kurdish (Sorani & Badini) | Yes, in the customer's script | Not advertised |
| Menus, orders and deliveries | Built in | Not listed on the pricing page |
| Starting price | From $19/month (services) or $39/month (restaurants and stores), one location | From $59/month billed annually (Growth, 3 users) |
Frequently asked questions
Is Sela a WATI alternative for Arabic-speaking businesses?
Yes. Both use the official WhatsApp Business Platform with a shared inbox and AI replies. Sela adds a right-to-left Arabic interface, an AI assistant that matches the customer's dialect, and menus, orders and deliveries in the same workspace, built for businesses in Iraq and across MENA.
Can I keep the WhatsApp Business app on my phone with Sela?
Yes, with Sela's coexistence connection the WhatsApp Business app keeps working on your phone while the same messages reach Sela.
How do the prices compare?
Sela's plans start at $19 a month for services and $39 a month for restaurants and stores, for one location. WATI's pricing page lists Growth from $59 a month billed annually. Check each vendor's pricing page for current prices and what each plan includes.
An Arabic-first WhatsApp inbox with orders built in
Connect WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger, publish your menu or services, and answer customers in their own dialect.