I built Whatsback Web out of frustration—frustration with endless WhatsApp notifications, manual reports, and missed deadlines. As a Software Freestyle Engineer, I needed a way to automate routine tasks like sending daily updates, rotating team passwords, and managing group announcements without being tied to expensive platforms or complex coding. Other solutions demanded steep subscriptions, locked me into proprietary systems, or required technical know-how I simply didn’t have time to master (too lazy). That’s when I decided: why not build my own tool and share it with everyone? (look very kind and nice idea!)
The Breaking Point: “There Has to Be a Better Way”
Every day, my workflow looked like this:
- Manually forwarding booking forms from clients.
- Copy-pasting daily reports into multiple group chats.
- Resetting weekly passwords for team accounts (and praying I didn’t forget).
I wasn’t alone. Many businesses, freelancers, and community admins face the same chaos. In my search for solutions, I found:
- Enterprise tools (like Twilio’s API): Powerful, yet expensive and code-heavy.
- No-code platforms (such as WATI or Chatfuel): User-friendly, but their subscription fees quickly add up.
- DIY scripts: Customizable but time-consuming to maintain and fragile against WhatsApp updates.
So I asked myself: What if there was a free, open-source backend that anyone could adapt—no strings attached?
Building Whatsback Web: A Tool for Myself (and You)
I’m building Whatsback Web with whatsapp-web.js—a robust library that allows me to interact seamlessly with WhatsApp Web. This lets me harness powerful automation features without reinventing the wheel. I built Whatsback Web around three core principles:
- Simple-Straightforward UI: Let User find and configure they needs.
- Complete Ownership: Host it yourself, control your data, and avoid vendor lock-in.
- Zero Cost: Free forever, with no hidden fees or tiered pricing.
For instance, I automated my team’s weekly password rotations by connecting Whatsback API (built-in) that integrated into another application script. Booking forms now auto-forward to responsible accounts, and scheduled group announcements go out—even if I’m offline. It’s like having a personal assistant that works 24/7 without costing a dime.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Tools
Here’s a practical comparison:
| Feature | Whatsback Web | Twilio API | WATI / Chatfuel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (self-hosted) | Pay-per-message + API fees | Monthly subscription |
| Customization | Full control (open-source) | Requires coding | Limited by platform features |
| Data Ownership | Your server, your rules | Third-party servers | Third-party servers |
| Ease of Setup | Basic tech skills needed | Developer expertise needed | Drag-and-drop interface |
The trade-off? Whatsback Web might not be as flashy as some paid tools, but it’s infinitely adaptable. Need to integrate with a niche app? You can do it. Concerned about privacy? Host it on your own hardware. It’s a toolkit designed to empower you, not a black box that dictates your workflow.
Why I Open-Sourced It (And Why That Matters)
I chose to open-source Whatsback Web for two key reasons:
- Community-Driven Innovation: Open-source projects thrive on collaboration. Developers can improve security, add integrations, or fix bugs that I might overlook.
- Transparency: With no hidden trackers or data harvesting, you can review and audit the code yourself. Trust comes from openness.
There’s also a personal side: sharing this project has connected me with developers around the globe, inspiring innovative use cases—like nonprofits using it to coordinate disaster relief updates.
Your Turn: Automate Without Limits
Whatsback Web isn’t about being “the best” tool on the market—it’s about being the most flexible. It’s perfect for:
- Small businesses tired of paying for unnecessary features.
- Tech-curious users eager to explore self-hosted solutions.
- Developers looking for a customizable foundation to build upon.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish WhatsApp could just do this,” then Whatsback Web is the tool for you. No permissions, no barriers—just endless possibilities.
Support the Project
If you find Whatsback Web valuable, consider supporting its ongoing development:
- Worldwide: GitHub Sponsors (darkterminal)
- Indonesian Supporters: Saweria (darkterminal)
Your contributions help fuel new features, continuous improvements, and a vibrant community of contributors.
Ready to take control?
👉 Grab the code on GitHub and make it your own.
— A man who wanted fewer notifications and more sleep
P.S. This isn’t a “launch”—it’s an invitation to build something better, together.
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