Meta Tests Paid Subscription Tier for WhatsApp
Meta is conducting a limited test of a paid subscription service called WhatsApp Plus, introducing a suite of customization and organization features for a monthly fee.
The test is currently available to a select group of Android beta users for the WhatsApp Messenger application. According to reports from the beta-tracking site WABetaInfo, the subscription includes several features not available in the standard, free version of the app.
Reported Features of WhatsApp Plus
The features under test in the WhatsApp Plus subscription are:
- Exclusive sticker collections.
- A variety of customizable app themes.
- Options for custom app icons.
- A selection of premium ringtones.
- The ability to pin up to 20 chats for quick access.
- Tools to apply custom settings in bulk to lists of chats.
Pricing and Availability
The test pricing for the subscription is listed at €2.49 per month, which is approximately $2.99 USD. The test is strictly limited at this stage:
- It is for the WhatsApp Messenger app, not WhatsApp Business.
- It is available only to a limited number of beta testers.
- It is confined to Android devices.
Meta has not made an official announcement regarding a public release date for WhatsApp Plus.
Broader Context of Meta's Strategy
This test follows a pattern of subscription service exploration by Meta across its family of apps. Last month, Meta began testing a paid tier for Instagram focused on exclusive features for Stories.
The reported pricing for WhatsApp Plus is similar to services like Snapchat Plus, which costs $3.99 per month. Company executives have previously indicated plans to develop paid subscription tiers for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Future Platform Expansion
While the current test is confined to Android, support for WhatsApp on iOS is planned for a later stage, according to the reports.
A broader launch across iOS, Mac, and other platforms is expected to follow the initial testing phase, though no official timeline has been provided.