Unlock WhatsApp Automation with Open-Source Docker Images

WhatsApp automation has become a game-changer for businesses and developers looking to streamline communication, customer support, and notifications. With the help of open-source Docker images, setting up a reliable and scalable WhatsApp automation system is easier than ever—no need for complex installations or paid APIs. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best free Docker-based tools available and guide you through deploying your own WhatsApp bot or API with minimal effort.

1. WAHA (WhatsApp HTTP API)

• Overview: A lightweight REST API wrapper for WhatsApp Web, enabling message sending, session management, and webhook integration.
• Docker Setup:

1docker pull devlikeapro/whatsapp-http-api
2docker run -it --rm -p 3000:3000 --name whatsapp-http-api devlikeapro/whatsapp-http-api
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• Features:
  • Language-agnostic API
  • Webhook support for incoming messages
  • Compatible with n8n for no-code/low-code automation
• Resources:
  • GitHub Repository
  • Setup Guide

2. open-wa/wa-automate-docker

• Overview: A memory-efficient API built on top of open-wa's wa-automate library, providing a simple interface to interact with WhatsApp.
• Docker Setup:

1docker run -p 8080:8080 --init openwa/wa-automate
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• Features:
  • Supports webhooks and socket connections
  • Customizable ports and webhook URLs
  • Suitable for integration with tools like Node-RED
• Resources:
  • GitHub Repository
  • Docker Hub Image

3. Whatsback Web

• Overview: A REST API designed for WhatsApp automation, focusing on simplicity and efficiency.
• Docker Setup:

1docker pull ghcr.io/darkterminal/whatsback-web:latest
2docker run -d --name whatsback-app -p 8169:5001 ghcr.io/darkterminal/whatsback-web:latest
3
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• Features:
  • Automated message forwarding
  • Seamless integration with websites or apps
  • Cronjob support for scheduled tasks
• Resources:
  • Setup Guide

4. Evolution API

• Overview: An open-source API supporting both Baileys-based WhatsApp API and the official WhatsApp Business API, with integrations for platforms like Chatwoot and OpenAI.
• Features:
  • Multi-platform support (WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger)
  • Integrations with Typebot, Chatwoot, OpenAI, and more
  • Lightweight version available for microservices
• Resources:
  • GitHub Repository

5. chrishubert/whatsapp-api

• Overview: A REST API wrapper for the whatsapp-web.js library, providing an easy-to-use interface to interact with WhatsApp Web.
• Docker Setup:

1git clone https://github.com/chrishubert/whatsapp-api.git
2cd whatsapp-api
3docker-compose up
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• Features:
  • Swagger-based API documentation
  • Session management and contact retrieval
  • Designed for scalability and security
• Resources:
  • GitHub Repository