Observed Signal · Apr 20, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: onlinemarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Meta launches WhatsApp Plus paid subscription
Meta is testing a paid WhatsApp subscription called "WhatsApp Plus" in a limited rollout. Reportedly available to selected users (currently on Android) in Europe for €2.49 per month, the optional subscription adds premium personalization and usability features—such as up to 20 pinned chats, premium/animated stickers, ten exclusive ringtones, alternate app icons, 18 new chat color options, and customizable chat-list views. The service is available on the standard WhatsApp app (not WhatsApp Business), appears under Settings → Subscriptions, and auto‑renews monthly. Reports of the test come from WABetaInfo and social media expert Matt Navarra. Meta has previously tested similar paid tiers for Instagram and is exploring subscriptions across its apps to generate additional revenue.
A major platform (Meta) is testing paid subscription monetization within a core consumer app; this signals revenue diversification for a walled garden and could influence platform monetization strategies, user segmentation, and ad‑market dynamics if scaled.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Meta has introduced a paid subscription test called WhatsApp Plus.
- The subscription is reported to cost €2.49 per month in Europe.
- WhatsApp Plus is available to selected users in a limited test; Android users have limited access and iOS availability is pending.
- WhatsApp Business users are not eligible for the WhatsApp Plus subscription; only the classic WhatsApp app is supported.
- Premium features include up to 20 pinned chats, premium/animated stickers, ten exclusive ringtones, alternate app icons, 18 new chat color options, and chat-list personalization; the subscription auto‑renews monthly and is managed via Settings → Subscriptions.
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
WhatsApp Plus: Meta launches paid subscription features
Meta has launched a paid add-on for WhatsApp called WhatsApp Plus, priced at €2.49 per month with a 30‑day free trial. The subscription bundles cosmetic and limited functional upgrades — including 75 exclusive animated stickers, alternative app icons, 20 in‑app color themes, 12 new ringtones, personalized chat-list backgrounds (including images generated via Meta AI), and the ability to pin more than three chats. The t3n review finds most items cosmetic and notes several comparable features are free on competitors such as Signal. The article recommends users try the free trial to assess value before subscribing.
WhatsApp launches Plus paid tier at €2.49/month
WhatsApp (owned by Meta) has begun testing a paid "Plus" subscription for a small group of Android users in Europe. Priced at €2.49 per month in the current test, the Plus tier adds personalization and convenience features — 18 UI accent colors applied app-wide, 14 alternate app icons, up to 20 pinned chats, ten exclusive ringtones for Android, and exclusive sticker packs including animated full‑screen stickers visible even to non-subscribers. The subscription auto-renews via Google Play and may gain more features or a trial before wider rollout. Core WhatsApp functionality remains free for all users; an iOS version is planned for a later date. The rollout was reported by WABetainfo and summarized by publisher t3n.
WhatsApp Plus: Paid personalization subscription launched
WhatsApp is testing a paid "Plus" subscription that offers extended personalization options for users. The Android-only test (reported by WABetaInfo) includes 18 new UI color accents applied app-wide, 14 new app icons, the ability to pin up to 20 chats, ten exclusive ringtones, and exclusive sticker packs including animated full-screen premium stickers visible to recipients without a subscription. In Europe the current monthly price is €2.49; billing is monthly and auto-renews via Google Play. The rollout is limited to a small Android test group with iOS planned later. Core WhatsApp features remain free; Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 and the company may expand the Plus tier and offer trial periods before wider release.
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