> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guides.clickatell.com/release-notes/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guides.clickatell.com/release-notes/release-notes-archive/2023-release-notes/q1-2023/channel-updates/whatsapp-cloud-hosted-api.md). # WhatsApp Cloud-Hosted API Release date: 31 March 2023 {% hint style="info" %} Available on [all packages](https://www.clickatell.com/clickatell-platform/). {% endhint %} We now offer you a choice to use either an On-Premises or Cloud-Hosted solution (with the latter being the recommended option) when you [add a new WhatsApp account](https://clickatell.gitbook.io/whatsapp-user-guide/getting-started/create-a-whatsapp-business-account) via the Clickatell Portal. When compared to the on-premises solution hosted and managed by Clickatell, Cloud API is a more user-friendly version of the WhatsApp Business Platform. This means the onboarding journey is quicker, and the combination of features and benefits makes Cloud API the best option for small and medium businesses looking for a more cost-effective way to connect with customers who have opted-in to receive messages from them on WhatsApp. {% hint style="info" %} * See [this FAQ](https://www.clickatell.com/help-center/whatsapp/general-whatsapp/what-is-the-difference-between-the-whatsapp-cloud-hosted-api-and-the-on-premises) for a comparison between the On-Premises and Cloud-Hosted APIs. * For more information, please view Meta's FAQs [here](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/support/faqs). {% endhint %}