Meta-owned messaging giant WhatsApp is currently testing a new subscription tier, following in the footsteps of "Instagram Plus" and "Snapchat Plus." The plan allows users to purchase custom icons, themes, ringtones, and other personalization features.
اضافة اعلان
According to a report by TechCrunch, the benefits of this paid tier are largely aesthetic, offering few additional functional features. Meta confirmed the pilot program in a statement to the tech news site.
"WhatsApp is testing a new optional subscription called WhatsApp Plus, designed for users who want more ways to organize and personalize their experience," a Meta spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that premium features include expanded pinned chats, custom lists, new chat themes, and more. "We are starting with a small test to gather feedback and ensure we are building something people find truly valuable."
Pricing and Features
While Meta has not officially disclosed the pricing, WABetaInfo suggests the plan could cost approximately €2.49 per month in Europe and 229 PKR ($0.82) in Pakistan. The company is also expected to offer a one-month free trial.
Key features of the WhatsApp Plus tier include:
Expanded Pinned Chats: Allowing users to pin up to 20 chats, a significant increase from the current limit of three in the free version.
Customization: Unique themes, ringtones, and specific notification settings for categorized chat lists.
Status Ads: Notably, there was no mention of removing ads from the "Status" feature, which Meta began rolling out last year.
Business Evolution
More than a decade ago, WhatsApp charged a $1 annual fee in certain regions, a practice abolished in 2016 following Facebook's acquisition. Since then, WhatsApp has built its business model around enterprise solutions and "click-to-chat" advertisements.
This pivot has become a major revenue driver for Meta. During the Q4 2025 earnings call, the company reported that revenue from its "Family of Apps" group surged 54% year-over-year to $801 million, largely driven by paid messaging on WhatsApp. The platform's annual revenue surpassed $2 billion in the fourth quarter.
As "WhatsApp Plus" remains in early testing within limited markets, it is unlikely to have a significant immediate impact on Meta’s bottom line, given WhatsApp’s massive global user base of over 3 billion.
