29.05.2026
4 min
142
Meta has officially begun rolling out paid versions of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The new subscriptions unlock exclusive features unavailable to regular users and form part of a broader monetization strategy under the new Meta One brand.
After several months of testing, Meta has officially launched paid subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The new Plus plans unlock additional features that are not available to regular users, including advanced Stories analytics, extended expiration times for temporary posts, and exclusive themes and reactions.
Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus are priced at $3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus costs $2.99 monthly. All of Meta’s future subscription-based services will be brought together under a new umbrella brand called Meta One. This initiative will also include upcoming subscription offerings for Meta AI, business users, and content creators.
The first details about Instagram Plus surfaced in late March, when testers began sharing screenshots of new features. These included the ability to choose multiple audiences for Stories, view information about repeat Story viewers, search viewer lists, extend Stories beyond 24 hours, and create special Spotlight Stories.
Subscribers also gained access to an exclusive “super heart” reaction and the ability to view part of another user’s Story without appearing in the viewer list.
These features are now beginning to roll out more broadly. Plus subscribers will also be able to publish posts without having them appear in their followers’ feeds.
Facebook Plus will offer a similar package of premium features, while WhatsApp Plus introduces additional customization options, exclusive ringtones, enhanced personalization tools, new sticker packs, and an increased number of pinned chats.
Meta One will serve as the company’s central platform for all subscription experiments. It will cover Meta’s social media apps, artificial intelligence services, and tools designed for businesses and creators.
As part of this effort, Meta is already testing a freemium model for Meta AI. Core functionality will remain free, but more advanced capabilities, including extended reasoning features and Thinking Mode, may become subject to usage limits or subscription requirements. Similar restrictions are also being considered for image and video generation tools.
Meta emphasizes that Meta AI will not become entirely paid, though its most powerful features are expected to be reserved for premium tiers.
The company is also testing new subscription plans for business accounts and content creators under the Meta One initiative. At the same time, Meta is exploring potential updates to its Meta Verified program.
