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Self-hosted gateways

Polymorfa vs OpenWA

OpenWA is a young, MIT-licensed self-hosted gateway with SDKs in five languages, role-scoped keys, an audit log, signed webhooks and an MCP server. Polymorfa adds the Cloud API route, calls from code and multi-tenant customer accounts, and operates the service.

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Choose OpenWA if

  • You want an MIT-licensed gateway you can modify freely.
  • You want SDKs in Python, PHP, Java or Go today.
  • You run a single business, not a platform for many customers.

Choose Polymorfa if

  • You serve many customers and need real tenancy. OpenWA documents its multi-tenancy as not implemented.
  • You need official Cloud API or coexistence numbers.
  • You need to place and answer calls from code.
  • You want a hosted service instead of a pre-1.0 project to operate.
Operations

Free software still has a running cost.

Each gateway needs servers, a database for session keys, reconnect handling and upgrades when WhatsApp changes its protocol. Someone has to respond when numbers disconnect at night.

With Polymorfa, that work is ours. Compare our price with your hosting bill and the hours your team spends on the gateway.

WorkYou hostPolymorfa
Servers and a database for session stateYou
Reconnects after drops and restartsYou
Library upgrades when WhatsApp changesYou
Signed webhooks, retries and replayYou
Per-number proxies and pacingYou
Someone on call when numbers disconnectYou
The software can be free. The servers, upgrades and on-call time that keep it running are not.
Routes

The official route and coexistence, too.

WAHA and OpenWA run linked-device engines only. Evolution API adds a Cloud API channel but documents no coexistence. Polymorfa connects linked-device, Cloud API and coexistence numbers (the last two in beta).

Linked deviceQR or pairing code
Cloud APIOfficial Meta route
One Polymorfa APISame messages, webhooks, SDKs
Your applicationOne integration
Both WhatsApp routes arrive through one contract. Moving a number between routes does not mean rewriting your integration.
Tenancy

Built for serving many customers.

The Customers API gives each client their own numbers, pairing links and scoped tokens, with an audit log and export. OpenWA describes its own multi-tenancy as not implemented.

Evolution API's license requires a visible notice in any product that uses it, unless you buy a commercial license. Polymorfa adds no notice to your product.

ACConnect Acme's WhatsAppScan with WhatsApp, or use a pairing code
Opened · Linked · Connectedlink.polymorfa…
Send your customer one hosted link. You watch it move from opened to connected without building a pairing screen.
Side by side

Polymorfa and OpenWA, feature by feature.

Hover a feature name for a definition.

Feature
PolymorfaWhatsApp infrastructure API
OpenWASelf-hosted gateway
Connection routes
YesQR code or pairing code
2 engines
BetaMeta Embedded Signup; needs beta access
Not listed
BetaKeep using the WhatsApp Business app
Not listed
Both routes behind one API
Sends and reactionsEdits, deletes, groups and channels are linked-device only
Not listed
Pairing code (no camera)
In QuickLink
Yes
Hosted onboarding link for your customers
QuickLink
Not listed
Import existing sessions without rescanning
PreviewBaileys sessions; others assisted
Own backups only
Messaging
Media, polls, reactions, edits, deletes
YesEdits and deletes on linked device
Yes
Group management
Linked device
Yes
Channels
Linked device
Yes
Status posts
Not listed
Yes
Message templates
YesSubmitted to Meta for review
Not applicable
Scheduled campaigns
Pro numbers
Bulk send
24-hour keys
Webhooks only
Hosted message history
Beta
In your database
Media storage
Hosted
Local or S3
Calls
Incoming call events
11 call events
Yes
Place and answer calls from code
Browser, server, SIP
Not listed
Video calls
Linked deviceCloud API calls are one-to-one audio
Not listed
SIP trunk to your PBX
Both directions
Not listed
Browser calling components
React and web componentPrerelease SDK
Not listed
Call history
With quality stats
Not listed
Automation and AI
Visual flow builder
WhatsApp Flows formsNot a chatbot builder
Auto-reply rules
Hosted serverless functions
Private beta
Self-hosted plugins
MCP server for AI agents
Hosted, 190 tools
Yes
n8n, Zapier or Make
n8n, Zapier, Make
n8n
Built-in AI replies
Bring your ownConnect any agent over MCP or the API
Not listed
Developer experience
REST API with OpenAPI spec
OpenAPI 3.1
Yes
Official SDKs
TS · Python · Go · PHP · Rust
5 languages
Official CLI
Prerelease
Not listed
Signed webhooks with retries
HMAC-SHA256Up to 8 attempts over about 41 hours
HMAC
Streaming event feed
SSE, beta
WebSocket
Free test environment
Beta test numbers0 credits
Self-hosted
BetaSimulated test numbers
Not listed
Embeddable UI components
Call components
Not listed
Operations and safety
Number health estimate
0–100, rules-basedProduction linked-device numbers
Not listed
Typing, pacing and presence controls
Standard and ProEvery setting is off until you turn it on
Presence API
Per-number proxy
Not offered
Per session
Customer accounts for SaaS builders
Customers API
Not implementedStated in its docs
Branded onboarding
Branded QuickLink$50 a month add-on
Global branding only
Team roles and scoped API keys
Roles and scoped keys
Scoped keys
Audit log
With export
Yes
Team inbox app
Shared agent inbox
Not offered
Via Chatwoot
Built-in CRM or pipeline
Not offered
Not listed
Deployment and pricing
Managed cloud
Yes
Not listed
Self-hosting
Not offered
Docker, Helm
Source license
Proprietary
MIT
Pricing model
Per online number-day
Free software, you pay hosting
Paid entry price
$0.25 per online dayStandard number; +55 numbers cost 15% less
Not applicable
Free tier or trial
1 project, 1 real numberFree team
Free
Region choice
Not selectable
Wherever you host

Checked against each vendor's public website and documentation on 24 September 2026. “Not listed” means we did not find the capability on those pages. It does not mean the product lacks it. Prices are list prices shown publicly on that date and exclude Meta's fees and taxes unless stated.

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.

Sources

Polymorfa

OpenWA

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