Meta is testing a recent subscription tier for WhatsApp called WhatsApp Plus, offering users enhanced personalization options for a monthly fee. The feature remains in a limited testing phase, available only to select users in certain regions as the company evaluates user interest and feedback.
According to Meta’s confirmation to TechCrunch, WhatsApp Plus is designed for users who want more ways to organize and personalize their experience within the app. The subscription does not alter core messaging functionality but focuses on cosmetic and organizational enhancements.
Based on reporting from WABetaInfo and confirmed by Meta spokesperson statements, the WhatsApp Plus trial includes access to premium stickers, customizable app themes, unique app icons, and the ability to pin up to 20 chats—significantly increasing from the current free-tier limit of three pinned conversations.
Users subscribing to WhatsApp Plus can also apply custom themes, ringtones, and notification tones to entire chat lists, allowing for bulk personalization across multiple conversations. For app icons, 14 color variants are available, although 10 premium ringtone options are offered for notification customization.
Even though Meta has not officially disclosed pricing, WABetaInfo reported that in Europe, the subscription is priced at €2.49 per month. In Pakistan, the fee is listed as 229 Pakistani rupees, approximately $0.82 USD. The company may be offering a one-month free trial to early testers as part of the evaluation process.
The testing of WhatsApp Plus follows similar trials for Instagram Plus, which Meta began in select markets including Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. This pattern suggests a broader strategy to introduce optional paid tiers across its family of apps, focusing on non-essential, user-experience enhancements rather than core service changes.
Importantly, the WhatsApp Plus subscription does not include ad removal from the Status feature, where Meta began displaying advertisements in 2021. The company continues to monetize WhatsApp primarily through business tools and click-to-chat ads, which contributed to a 54% year-on-year increase in its family of apps’ revenue, reaching $801 million during its Q4 2025 earnings call.
Historically, WhatsApp charged a $1 annual subscription fee in some regions before being acquired by Facebook in 2014. After the acquisition, Meta eliminated the fee in 2016 and shifted its revenue model toward business communication services and advertising within the app.
As of now, there is no official timeline for a wider rollout of WhatsApp Plus. Meta states it is conducting a small-scale test to gather user feedback and determine whether the features provide genuine value before considering broader availability.
For users interested in tracking updates, Meta’s official blog and verified social media channels remain the primary sources for announcements regarding feature tests and potential expansions. The company typically communicates testing phases through its newsroom and developer updates.
Those wishing to share feedback or stay informed about WhatsApp’s evolving features can follow official Meta communications or visit the WhatsApp blog for verified announcements.