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Date Published: 28/01/2026

Is WhatsApp going paid? What Meta's new plan could mean for you

The messaging app may soon offer a paid, ad-free option but sending your usual chats will stay completely free

WhatsApp might be about to look a little different in Spain. The messaging giant, used by around 30 million people here and more than three billion across the world, could soon introduce paid subscriptions - a first major shake-up in its history.

The question everyone’s asking is: will we have to pay to message friends and family? The short answer is no. WhatsApp’s core services, including sending messages, photos and voice notes, will remain free.

What may change, though, is the appearance of adverts. Reports suggest that Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is preparing to show ads in certain areas of the app such as Status and Channels. For users who prefer their WhatsApp experience without interruptions, there could soon be a choice to pay for an ad free version through a new subscription model. The price hasn’t yet been confirmed.

The move would bring WhatsApp in line with its sister platforms. Earlier this year, Meta announced ad free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram in the UK and across the EU, priced at around €5.99 a month. A Meta spokesperson explained at the time that users “can choose between paying or continuing to use the apps for free with personalised ads.”

Since launching in 2009, WhatsApp has grown steadily to become the leading messaging app in Spain, used by around 85% of adults. Meta bought the company in 2014 for approximately $21.8 million and soon after scrapped its original subscription fee of less than one euro a year.

Now, nearly a decade later, Meta appears ready to test a more flexible model across its main platforms. The firm has confirmed that premium subscriptions will offer enhanced features and expanded AI capabilities, while standard app functions will stay free.

So, there’s no need to panic about paying to chat on WhatsApp - the everyday messaging service isn’t going anywhere. But for those who’d rather scroll serenely without seeing ads pop up, a small subscription may soon open that door.

You might also be interested in: Use Google Maps and WhatsApp to spot traffic checks and share your location, from anywhere in Spain

Image: wikicommons

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