WhatsApp is testing a new paid layer called WhatsApp Plus, while keeping its core messaging and calling functions free. The early build suggests that Meta is not changing the service into a fully paid app, but instead adding an optional subscription for users who want a more personalized experience.
The direction is clear: the premium offering is meant to sit on top of the standard WhatsApp experience, not replace it. That means everyday chat remains available without charge, while paid extras appear to focus on appearance, customization, and a few convenience tools inside the same app.
A premium layer built around customization
The current test version does not appear to introduce a new way to communicate. Instead, WhatsApp Plus is centered on visual changes and personalized controls that make the app feel more exclusive.
According to the source material, the package is designed around themes, icons, ringtones, premium stickers, and broader display controls. The emphasis is on how the app looks and feels, rather than on adding social features that change the core messaging experience.
This approach also sets WhatsApp Plus apart from many other premium services. Rather than using the subscription to unlock entirely new communication methods, Meta seems to be protecting the familiar free experience while offering optional upgrades for users who want more control over the interface.
What the test pricing looks like
Meta has not announced final pricing or confirmed global availability for WhatsApp Plus. However, WABetaInfo reported that pricing tests have already appeared in several markets.
The prices mentioned in the source are listed below:
- Europe: 2.49 euros per month
- Pakistan: 229.00 Pakistani rupees per month
- Mexico: 29 pesos per month
WABetaInfo also noted a one-month free trial. That gives users a chance to explore the premium features before deciding whether to subscribe.
The reported pricing is also positioned below some competing premium plans. The source says Telegram and Snapchat charge around 4 US dollars for their premium offerings, making WhatsApp Plus appear relatively cheaper in comparison.
Features focused on look and chat management
The most visible part of WhatsApp Plus is personalization. Users in the test build are said to get access to 18 new color themes that apply consistently across the app interface.
There are also special app icons, premium ringtones, and premium stickers with overlay animation that extends across the screen. These additions are meant to give the app a more distinctive appearance without altering the basic messaging model.
Beyond design changes, WhatsApp Plus also brings more control over conversations. One highlighted feature lets users pin up to 20 chats, which is far above the standard limit of three chats.
The test version also includes bulk settings for chats and groups that are placed into specific lists. Once a conversation is added to one of those lists, the system is said to automatically apply the list’s settings to the related chats.
A different path from other “Plus” products
The source draws a contrast between WhatsApp Plus and Instagram Plus. In Instagram Plus, the premium angle is linked to features such as anonymous Story viewing and extending Story duration to 48 hours.
WhatsApp Plus follows a different route. Its premium identity is narrower and more focused on aesthetics and usability, not on opening new social functions that change how people interact.
That distinction matters because WhatsApp has a very large user base. By keeping messaging and calls free, Meta avoids disrupting the base experience while still testing a subscription for users who want extra control over the app’s presentation and chat organization.
Android first, with iOS expected later
The test is currently limited to Android. Support for iOS is expected to follow in a later stage.
WABetaInfo also said the platform is still exploring more premium features, while user feedback will help shape improvements in the standard app experience. At this stage, WhatsApp Plus remains a trial, so its final pricing, feature set, and rollout regions are still not fixed.
Even so, the direction of the project is already visible. WhatsApp Plus is being positioned as an optional premium layer for users who want a more personal look, broader chat management, and access to exclusive elements, while the free WhatsApp service continues to remain unchanged at its core.
