You could be paying extra to use WhatsApp soon.
The Meta-owned messaging app may soon introduce new features available only through a paid subscription. Meta has confirmed it is testing several paid options across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
Specific features haven't been confirmed, but speculation suggests they could affect how you connect with other users, offer expanded artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, introduce personalised contact lists, and more.
WhatsApp has recently come out with a slew of new features in the last few months. For instance, a recent update adds "extreme protection" to your service. You have also been treated to new stickers, member tags, and special notifications when sending messages in your group chats.
If Meta does move forward with its paid subscription options, this could mean that features like the ones recently released can no longer be accessed for free.
WhatsApp has just released new group member tags and text stickers to help organise your chats and add more personality to the messages you're sending, but newer features like this one may be accessed behind a paywall in the future
| WHATSAPP PRESS OFFICESpeaking to TechCrunch, Meta also shared that it plans to use Manus in upcoming feature roll-outs, which is an AI agent the company recently acquired for $2 billion.
In fact, Meta has already been seen working on adding a shortcut to Manus in Instagram's settings page.
#Instagram is working on adding a shortcut to Manus AI in the settings page 👀 pic.twitter.com/CI9yYJD896
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 23, 2026
The company is planning on testing other subscriptions, too, like Vibes video generation. This is Meta’s AI-powered short-form video experience built into the Meta AI app. This feature allows you to create and remix AI-generated videos. While this has been a free feature since its launch last year, future access to new editing tools may also be trapped behind a paywall.
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However, these new paid subscriptions shouldn't be confused with the recent fees you can now pay to use Facebook and Instagram.
Users in the UK have recently been given the choice to use Meta's platforms for free or subscribe to use them without ads. A subscription to have an ad-free experience would set you back £3.99 per month.
It's worth noting that this subscription is also completely separate from Meta Verified across your WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
Meta Verified is a free service that can be used on your WhatsApp to build trust and enhance security
|META PRESS OFFICE
Meta Verified is another paid service that provides a blue checkmark badge, enhanced account security, impersonation protection, and direct customer support.
It's designed to assist you and your business if you're trying to establish authenticity and build trust for contacts and audiences.
A subscription to Meta Verified is free if you're using it for a WhatsApp account. Although your WhatsApp would need to be converted into a business account, which is also free.
For Instagram or Facebook, you'd need to dish out £9.99 to take advantage of the Meta Verified service.
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