The announcement was made by Meta’s Head of Product, Naomi Gleit, through a video shared on Instagram. During the announcement, Gleit confirmed the launch of Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus and WhatsApp Plus, while also hinting that Meta plans to introduce more subscription-based services in the future, particularly for creators, businesses and AI-powered tools.
According to reports, Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will be priced at $3.99 per month, which translates to approximately ₹340 in India. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will cost $2.99 monthly, roughly ₹255.
Importantly, Meta has clarified that the free versions of all three apps will continue to remain available. The new subscription plans are designed to offer additional premium features and enhanced user experiences for those willing to pay extra.
For Instagram and Facebook users, the Plus subscription is expected to include advanced analytics tools, story rewatch insights, profile customisation features and audience reach enhancements. These additions are likely to appeal strongly to content creators, influencers and businesses looking to improve engagement and visibility on the platforms.
WhatsApp Plus, however, appears to focus more on personalisation features. Subscribers are expected to gain access to premium sticker packs, custom themes and personalised notification sounds, giving users more ways to customise the messaging experience.
Meta’s decision comes at a critical time for the company. The tech giant is currently investing heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with projected spending estimated between $125 billion and $145 billion this year alone. Much of this investment is reportedly directed towards AI data centres and advanced computing technology.
As investors continue to monitor Meta’s massive AI-related expenditures, the introduction of subscription services is being viewed as an important step toward creating alternative and more stable revenue sources. Following the announcement, Meta’s stock reportedly rose nearly three percent, reflecting positive investor sentiment around the company’s new monetisation strategy.
This is not the first time Meta has experimented with paid experiences. In 2023, the company introduced ad-free subscription versions of Facebook and Instagram in several European countries to comply with stricter privacy regulations. However, the latest rollout appears far more ambitious and globally consumer-focused.
Naomi Gleit also revealed that Meta eventually plans to unify its growing portfolio of paid offerings under a broader premium ecosystem called “Meta One.” The branding could serve as the foundation for Meta’s long-term subscription strategy across social media, creator tools and AI services.
Despite the excitement, reactions online remain mixed. While some users are interested in the premium features and added customisation, others have criticised the growing trend of turning once-free internet services into subscription-based platforms.
Whether Meta’s subscription push becomes a long-term success remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the company is preparing for a future where advertising may no longer be its only major source of income.
