> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What Is a Meta Developer Account — and What Is an 'App' with ChatSyncs?

> The difference between a Meta Developer Account and a Meta 'App' — the credentials container behind manual WhatsApp setup.

A **Meta developer account** is just your regular Facebook login, registered as a developer at
`developers.facebook.com` — free, same identity used everywhere else on Meta.

An **App**, inside that developer dashboard, is a separate container created for one specific
integration:

* Holds API credentials, webhook subscriptions, and permissions.
* Created when you follow [How to Connect Your WhatsApp Account Manually (Alternative Method)](/learn/chatsyncs-setup-and-configuration/connect-your-whatsapp-account-manually-alternative-method-in-chatsyncs)
  to generate the Business Account ID and access token ChatSyncs needs.
* Not the same thing as the WABA (holds phone numbers and templates) or the Business Portfolio
  (the business-level container) — the App is just the technical credentials layer that sits
  alongside them.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need to pay to create a Meta App?">
    No — registering as a developer and creating Apps is free.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is the App the same as my WhatsApp Business Account?">
    No. The App holds API credentials; the WABA holds phone numbers, templates, and message
    history. They get linked together during setup but aren't the same container.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

For the full breakdown of how developer account, App, WABA, and Business Portfolio fit together,
see [What Is a Meta Developer Account — and What Is an 'App'?](/meta-api/concepts/meta-developer-account-and-app) in
the Meta WhatsApp API reference.