WhatsApp is introducing paid features – Here's what the new Plus subscription offers
Well, it's finally official: the world's most popular messaging app, WhatsApp, is starting to charge for extras. Here in NZ, we've gotten used to the app working like clockwork – free and without any major hassles. But now Meta's team has announced that soon, alongside keeping an eye on your socials, you might need to keep your wallet handy if you want a bit more. This isn't about basic messaging suddenly costing money; it's about a brand new, optional WhatsApp Plus subscription. And trust me, this isn't a bad joke.
What do you get when you pay?
We've seen this before: Spotify, Netflix, and now it's finally the little blue bubble's turn. The idea is simple. The core features – messages, calls, and that end-to-end encryption – stay free for everyone. But if you're after something extra, something to help you stand out from the crowd, you'll soon need to fork out for it. And this is where those who've always wanted to give their profile a bit more personality can have a field day.
So what does the Plus package actually give you? Well, for starters:
- Customisation like never before: Forget those same old green bubbles. Plus subscribers can look forward to 14 new app icons, various themes, and accent colours. Your home screen will soon be able to scream your personality.
- Pin more chats at once: Ever wished you could pin more than three conversations? Now you can. The Plus version bumps that number right up to 20 chats. A dedicated group for your mates from the Spring Ride by C.V.T. 2026 event, one for your disc golf buddies, another for the bach crew – you can have them all pinned and ready to go.
- Styled reactions and ringtones: Stickers and reactions get a bit more exclusive. You'll get access to emojis and sounds that others can't see. Guaranteed to make an impression, or at least be a conversation starter.
Does this even make sense?
Of course, plenty of people are now wondering why on earth anyone should pay for something that's always been free. And that's a fair point. But let's be real: we already pay for cloud storage, streaming services, and plenty of other things. For Meta, WhatsApp has been a bit of an awkward cash cow – it has over two billion users, but cramming ads in there has been tough. Industry whispers have been going around for a while that this is Meta's way to finally monetise the crowd who live and breathe the app.
And the best part? It's completely optional. Those who want to pay for a fresh look and power features get that option. Those who only use WhatsApp because it's a free way to keep in touch with the grandparents and mates won't notice a thing. Except, maybe, that their "free" experience will be slightly more ad-free, as Europe is also set to get its own subscription to remove ads from the Updates tab. Rumour has it that'll set you back about four euros a month.
How does this relate to you?
Think of it this way: you're booked in for a 1-hour private photoshoot. A pro will take the best possible shots of you, but the end result is always about the subject, not the camera model. Same with WhatsApp: the basic messaging is the subject, and the Plus subscription is that fancy lens you use to get the hot shot of the season. If you like it, you can buy it. If not, your phone's camera takes perfectly good photos anyway.
Bottom line: WhatsApp isn't dying, and it's not becoming just a plaything for the rich. It's just growing up and learning to support itself. Sometime in early 2026, we'll surely get more detailed info on pricing and exactly when this new era kicks off. Until then, enjoy the free version and customise your phone wallpaper instead – that's still free, for now.