WhatsApp is Testing a Paid Subscription at EUR 2.49/Month as Meta Rolls Out Premium Tiers Across Its Apps
April 20, 2026 - 9:04 pm
Summary
WhatsApp has initiated testing for a paid consumer subscription named WhatsApp Plus, available for approximately EUR 2.49 per month in Europe, offering cosmetic enhancements such as:
- 18 chat themes
- Custom app icons
- Exclusive ringtones
- Expanded pinned chats
This test comes on the heels of Instagram Plus, which launched in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines on March 30, featuring anonymous Story viewing and a 48-hour Story extension. Both subscriptions mark Meta’s initial simultaneous roll-out of consumer-facing paid tiers across its messaging and social platforms.
A Meta spokesperson explained to TechCrunch that WhatsApp Plus is designed for users who “want more ways to organize and personalize their experience,” adding that the company aims to create something “people find genuinely valuable.” Currently, the subscription is available only to a small percentage of WhatsApp’s 3.3 billion monthly active users, specifically those using the Android beta version 2.26.15.11 in selected markets. iOS support will come later.
What You Get for Your Money
While WhatsApp Plus includes several new features, they are largely cosmetic:
- 18 chat themes (ranging from Vibrant Blue to Fuchsia Pink)
- 14 alternative app icons
- 10 exclusive ringtones
- Animated sticker packs
- Ability to pin up to 20 chats (compared to three on the free tier)
Core functionalities like messaging, voice and video calls, and end-to-end encryption remain free.
Competitive Pricing
Pricing is adjusted according to purchasing power:
- EUR 2.49 in Europe
- MX$29 (approximately $1.60) in Mexico
- PKR 229 (approximately $0.82) in Pakistan
A one-month free trial is included, and the price is lower than that of competitors like Telegram Premium ($4.99/month) and Snapchat+ ($4/month).