WhatsApp bot works very slowly, how to optimize performance?

[Adfegecy]

Hi! I’m building a WhatsApp bot using n8n (with the WhatsApp Cloud API). The bot works, but the performance is very slow: every reply takes 4–6 seconds or more. Sometimes even longer.

Bot Structure

• The Main workflow receives the WhatsApp webhook → gets current FSM state and other user data from DB → routes user to the correct Sub-Workflow.
• A sub-workflow containts several components: Switch, JS, Supabase, DataTable, and HTTP Request.

Even simple actions like “user selects one button in WhatsApp” take a noticeable delay. The user experience feels slow.

Environment

I’m using the official n8n Cloud (cloud.n8n.io).

n8n version: 1.119.1, Database: Supabase, DataTables

Why might such problems arise? Is there a recommended way to structure large chatbots in n8n so they respond instantly?

[Parintele_Damaskin]

Hey @Adfegecy !

Have you seen somewhere else fasters responses with your setup?

Since there are couple several external requests, and sub-workflows, and some logic…

Actually you are doing all the stack (fetch, save,process and display) with the data…

I would say is quite acceptable (maybe try use better ai model , your bandwidth, connection etc…).

Curious other answers here

Cheers!