Since acquiring the platform in 2019, Meta has been exploring various avenues to monetize WhatsApp. The inclusion of advertising in States is one of them, as has been the possibility of establishing a subscription model, a plan that would be optional and that is already being tested among selected users in beta version.
It is called WhatsApp Plus and, as the company already states on its website, it will give access to additional premium functions in the messaging service. “The WhatsApp app you know and trust will remain free, offering simple, reliable and private messaging and calling“, they explain from Meta. “This subscription doesn’t change your core experience, and we’re committed to ensuring WhatsApp continues to improve for everyone.”.
You can set ringtones for your most important contacts or choose unique themes and icons.
The subscription will mainly allow you to set up to 20 chats so that the conversations that the user considers important remain at the top; or customize the chat list with alerts, themes and ringtones. You can also configure ringtones for the most important contacts; choose unique themes and icons to personalize the app; and send premium stickers with special effects.
“WhatsApp is testing a new optional subscription called WhatsApp Plus, designed for users who want more ways to organize and personalize their experience.“, they have pointed out from Meta to TechCrunch. “Premium features include expanded pinned chats, custom lists, new chat themes, and more. We’re starting with a small test to gather feedback and make sure we’re creating something that users find really valuable.“.
At the moment, the WhatsApp Plus trial is available in limited locations and only on WhatsApp Messenger, not the WhatsApp Business app. For now, the company has focused on Android, although it assures that the iOS version will be available soon.
Some users have already noticed the deployment of the beta version of the subscription model and have shared it on social networks.
As explained by the company, WhatsApp Plus is an optional plan with new features for those looking for a more personalized messaging experience, but would keep the main features accessible to everyone. However, it makes no reference to the possible elimination of ads from the States function, which the company promoted last year.
In this sense, Meta follows its own steps after the launch at the end of March of Instagram Plus, a subscription model that it is testing in Mexico, Japan and the Philippines. This includes, among other things, viewing Stories without the user who publishes them identifying that they have seen it or knowing how many users have viewed the same story several times. They will also be able to create unlimited audience lists for Stories, beyond the “Best Friends” list; or prolong the duration of this type of publications.
According to the portal wabetainfothe cost of WhatsApp Plus could be €2.49 per month in Europe or 229 rupees in Pakistan (€0.70). Currently, as shared by users on social networks, the platform also offers a free one-month trial of the plan.
The price is slightly lower than other similar plans, such as Snapchat Plus, which is currently $3.99 and offers similar functionalities.
However, the launch of WhatsApp Plus is not the first time that the use of the messaging platform has been associated with a cost. More than ten years ago, when it was not yet owned by the then Facebook, WhatsApp charged a subscription fee of about a dollar in some regions.
Specifically, iOS users had to pay approximately 79 cents to download and use the application; while on Android it established a price of 89 cents which, however, could be postponed. This model, however, was not widely applied, since there were users who could continue accessing the service for free.
