WhatsApp is preparing to introduce a paid subscription tier, ‘WhatsApp Plus’, signalling an evolution in how the platform generates revenue while keeping its core services free.
Meta, the parent company, confirmed it is currently testing the optional subscription with a limited group of users, primarily on Android, while gathering feedback ahead of a broader rollout.
The new tier is designed to enhance user experience through customisation and organisation features, rather than restricting core messaging capabilities. Standard services such as text messaging, voice and video calls, and end-to-end encryption will remain free for all users.
WhatsApp Plus will focus on personalisation with the introduction of a range of premium features aimed at power users and those seeking a more tailored interface.
These include expanded chat pinning, which allows up to 20 chats instead of the current limit, custom chat lists, new themes, and personalised notification settings.
Additional features expected in the subscription include custom app icons, premium ringtones, and exclusive stickers, with more enhancements likely to be added over time.
Reports suggest pricing could hover around €2.49 (roughly $3) per month in some regions, though Meta has not announced official global pricing or a launch date.
The feature is currently being tested among a small group of beta users, with iOS and wider global availability expected later, depending on user feedback.
This move reflects a broader shift by Meta toward subscription-based revenue models, complementing its traditional advertising business.
WhatsApp, which has long positioned itself as a free and simple messaging platform, previously experimented with a nominal subscription fee before abandoning it.
The introduction of WhatsApp Plus suggests a more strategic return to paid features, this time as an optional add-on rather than a requirement.
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