WhatsApp Plus: New Subscription Model Launched for Users

WhatsApp has launched a new paid subscription model called WhatsApp Plus, which offers additional features and customization options for users. The first users can test the beta version of the app with version number 2.26.15.11 on Android. According to reports from WABetaInfo, users can register for the subscription and try out the new features. For a monthly fee of €2.49, users gain access to various new functionalities. These include new colors and designs for app customization, access to premium stickers and ringtones, as well as the ability to change the app icon.

Additionally, users can pin up to 20 chats instead of just three, and there is a new feature for managing chat lists. However, the originally announced ad-free experience is currently not part of the WhatsApp Plus subscription. Since February 2026, WhatsApp has been displaying ads in the status area, and an option to disable these is currently unavailable. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, may add such a feature in the future to further enhance the user experience. The WhatsApp Plus offering is aimed exclusively at private individuals.

WhatsApp Business users cannot subscribe to this model. All other features of the app remain free and unchanged, so users who choose not to subscribe need not fear any limitations. Currently, only Android users can try the beta version of WhatsApp Plus. A version for iOS users is expected to follow in a beta phase as well. After evaluating user feedback, WhatsApp plans a broader release of the subscription model.

WhatsApp Plus is part of a larger strategy by Meta to explore additional revenue streams. In addition to WhatsApp, features in Facebook and Instagram may also become paid. This development could drive the monetization of the platforms while offering users more customization options. The introduction of WhatsApp Plus could also impact user numbers. According to current statistics, WhatsApp has over 2 billion active users worldwide.

The acceptance of a paid model may depend on the perception of the additional features and the ad-free experience. Meta has previously tested various monetization strategies, including advertising and paid features. User reactions to WhatsApp Plus will be crucial in determining whether the company can pursue this path further. The beta version of WhatsApp Plus is now available for Android users, while the iOS version is in planning. Meta has not yet announced an official date for the broader release of the subscription model. The current beta version of WhatsApp Plus can be downloaded from the official WhatsApp website.