WhatsApp Plus Tests Paid Perks While Core Chats Stay Free

Anirudh Jain - Kolkata Bureau May 22, 2026 5,200 Views

WhatsApp is trialling WhatsApp Plus, a paid subscription tier that adds cosmetic and organisational perks on top of the regular messaging app, which remains free. Early tests in other markets suggest pricing that would roughly translate to a low double-digit monthly fee in India, with many expecting it near the Rs 79 mark.

Meta is positioning WhatsApp Plus as an optional upgrade for users who want more control over how their app looks and how their busy chats are organised. Messaging, calls and core features stay free, but Plus layers on personalisation, extra pinned chats and premium content aimed at power users who live on the app all day.

What WhatsApp Plus Actually Offers

WhatsApp Plus lets subscribers pin significantly more chats than the current three-chat limit on the free tier, a real gain for users juggling work, family and multiple groups. It also adds new colour themes, custom app icons, animated sticker packs and distinct call ringtones to make the app feel more individual.

Pricing Signals And India Angle

In test markets, WhatsApp Plus is priced as a relatively low-ticket subscription, closer to a small monthly digital add-on than a full OTT plan. That is why many industry watchers expect India pricing to be kept aggressive, in the sub Rs 100 range, to drive adoption without scaring off value-conscious users.

What Stays Free For Everyone

Standard texting, voice and video calls, media sharing, group chats and end-to-end encryption remain available at no cost. In other words, WhatsApp Plus is being framed as a cosmetic and convenience layer, not a paywall on basic communication.

Should You Even Consider It?

For most casual users, the free version will continue to do the job. But for heavy WhatsApp users who want cleaner organisation and enjoy visual customisation, paying a small monthly fee for extra pinned chats and themes may feel like a modest productivity and comfort upgrade.