Meta testing 'WhatsApp Plus'
- Meta is reportedly testing a consumer subscription called 'WhatsApp Plus' to add extra personalisation features. - Reports describe it as an optional paid plan, though details on business-focused features were not provided. - Segmenting WhatsApp features suggests the platform may begin monetising parts of the experience previously bundled for all users. (mercadonegro.pe)
Meta is testing a paid “WhatsApp Plus” plan that adds extra customization tools to the messaging app for a limited group of users. (wabetainfo.com) WABetaInfo reported on April 20 that the test is live in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.15.11, and Meta later confirmed to other outlets that the subscription is optional. (wabetainfo.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com) The early feature list includes custom themes, custom app icons, premium stickers, extra chat-list controls, more pinned chats, and premium ringtones. One Meta statement cited by ETBrandEquity said the test starts with “a small” group of users, while WABetaInfo showed a sample European price of €2.49 a month. (economictimes.indiatimes.com, wabetainfo.com) Meta and WhatsApp have spent the past two years adding paid layers around the app without charging for basic messaging. In June 2025, Meta introduced channel subscriptions, promoted channels, and ads in WhatsApp’s Updates tab, while saying personal chats would stay separate from those products. (about.fb.com) The company has also expanded paid business tools on WhatsApp. In June 2024, Meta began rolling out Meta Verified for WhatsApp Business in Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Colombia, bundling a verified badge, account support, and multi-device access for staff. (about.fb.com) WhatsApp Plus pushes that subscription model into the consumer app, but the current test leaves core messaging untouched. WABetaInfo said messages, voice calls, and end-to-end encryption remain the same for paying and non-paying users. (wabetainfo.com) That distinction matches Meta’s recent product language around WhatsApp. In its June 2025 announcement on ads and subscriptions in the Updates tab, Meta said personal messages, calls, and groups would not be used to target ads, and in March 2026 it was still announcing new everyday chat features for all users at no charge. (about.fb.com, about.fb.com) Meta has not announced a full launch date or a final global price for WhatsApp Plus. For now, the test answers a narrower question: whether WhatsApp’s 2026 users will pay a monthly fee for themes, sounds, and extra control in an app that built its audience on being free. (9to5mac.com, wabetainfo.com)
