WhatsApp is testing a paid subscription tier for the first time globally, marking a major shift for an app that has been free for over a decade. The new plan, called WhatsApp Plus, is currently rolling out to a small group of beta users, mainly on Android. This move is part of a broader strategy by Meta to diversify revenue beyond ads and business tools. Despite this change, the core experience remains untouched. Messaging, voice and video calls, and end to end encryption will continue to be free for all users.
The paid tier focuses mostly on personalization rather than functionality. Subscribers can access custom themes, alternate app icons, premium stickers, and unique ringtones. One of the few functional upgrades is an increased limit on pinned chats, jumping from three to as many as twenty. Users can also organize chats better with custom lists and apply themes across entire chat groups. Early reports suggest pricing could be around €2.49 per month, with a free trial offered in some regions.
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The paid tier focuses mostly on personalization rather than functionality. Subscribers can access custom themes, alternate app icons, premium stickers, and unique ringtones. One of the few functional upgrades is an increased limit on pinned chats, jumping from three to as many as twenty. Users can also organize chats better with custom lists and apply themes across entire chat groups. Early reports suggest pricing could be around €2.49 per month, with a free trial offered in some regions.