WhatsApp has staunchly defended its status as a free, no-nonsense online app for more than a decade, but a new subscription phase is muddying the waters.
Meta introduces WhatsApp Plus, a paid subscription model, to a limited number of iPhone users using the latest version of the App Store.
So, what exactly does WhatsApp Plus offer?
The list of benefits included as part of the WhatsApp Plus subscription sounds more like a cosmetic buffet than something useful. First, subscribers get 18 accent colors to replace the app’s signature green theme.
Then, there are 14 more home screen icons to choose from. Additional benefits include premium animated sticker packs, 10 exclusive ringtones, and the ability to pin up to 20 conversations (from three), which is the only benefit I can think of to use.
Another feature is that subscribers can use integrated themes and alert tones across the chat list, but the basic WhatsApp experience, including E2EE messages, calls, video, and status updates, remains the same.
How much does a WhatsApp Plus subscription cost?
In European markets, a subscription costs around €2.49 per month. While US pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, it could range from $2.49 to $2.99. A free trial, for a week or month, depending on location, may be available to eligible users.
Currently, WhatsApp Plus subscriptions are billed monthly through the App Store. Currently, WhatsApp Business accounts do not have access to subscriptions, which is highly questionable, since such users may have paid for paid categories.
What doesn’t bother me is that several features of the WhatsApp Plus theme are now available on rival messaging platforms for free; no monthly fee is required.
Competing apps offer free chat background customization
Take the custom themes feature for example. The Telegraph has already had a feature to customize chat backgrounds, as well as dark/light mode switching, for years, without a paid subscription.
Signal recently added a paid category for cloud backups (it removes the 45-day limit on media storage), but still, it allows users to set custom chat wallpapers for a nominal fee. Apple’s native messaging service, iMessage, also offers free chat customization within the Messages app, including individual photo backgrounds.
Do you see? What WhatsApp charges is already available in the basic package of its competitors.
The paid section should have included more useful features
A Telegram Premium subscription, which costs $4.99 per month in the US, raises the file upload limit from 2GB to 4GB, offers voice message transcription, real-time conversation translation, increases download speeds, and allows users to join up to 1,000 Telegram channels.
These are, in my opinion, practical updates that change the way you use the app. WhatsApp Plus, however, only changes the way the app looks, for the most part.
WhatsApp Plus, I would say, is not a bad product. It is a great addition for enthusiasts who may be looking for purple app icon and animated stickers. However, for value-conscious shoppers like myself, the competition offers much, little or nothing.
