WhatsApp Messenger Moves to a Yearly Fee for New iOS Users

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Posted July 18, 2013 at 4:05pm by Shalom Levytam

WhatsApp Messenger has moved to yearly fee pricing model for new iOS users. The move has been expected for quite some time but here's the details for those just learning of it.

We are updating our business model for new iPhone users going forward. As you know, we used to charge iPhone users a $.99 one time payment, while Android and other platforms had free service for the first year and paid $0.99 a year after that. From now on, we’ve simplified our business model so that all users on all platforms will enjoy their first year of WhatsApp service for free, and only pay $.99 per year after that. We feel that this model will allow us to become the communications service of the 21st century, and provide you the best way to stay in touch with your friends and family with no ads getting in the way. The good news for all current iPhone users is that WhatsApp will be free of charge for the rest of your life.

You can download WhatsApp Messenger from the App Store for free.

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WhatsApp Messenger Moves to a Yearly Fee for New iOS Users

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furnunculusCurses - November 6, 2014 at 7:15pm

Well, that answers a lot of my questions. I think WhatsApp would do a lot better if it implemented its old style of charging people. Other apps operate on a one-time payment basis and people still buy them. If WhatsApp wants to make money, maybe get up and make a new amazing app. But that's just my opinion. I think charging yearly is unfair since some other people are able to use WhatsApp for free, forever; myself, included. I guess this is just one of those times I'm really grateful I paid. WhatsApp, despite its new redundant payment plan, is a really good app.

Walter Perez - July 22, 2013 at 10:17pm

Hello LINE. Good bye Whatsapp!

JoshvanHulst - July 22, 2013 at 11:16pm

I may just jump the band wagon

Kathiiie - July 22, 2013 at 4:27pm

.99 cents per year, it is nothing, I would even pay the fee... but the thing is, people who were already using it don't have to pay for it every year like the ones who are starting to use it now and THAT is not fair in my opinion

Angga Jahat - July 20, 2013 at 9:03pm

when a years has finished, after that i reinstall and install a new whatsapp is there still free?

Chris - July 20, 2013 at 2:34pm

Lets see: we already have, A Lot of messages included with our monthly plan, we already have Skype, we already have email, we already have Facebook messenger, Why PAY for another program that is FREE everywhere else?

hermano80 - July 20, 2013 at 5:14am

For the best App ever created, compatible with so many platforms, I am more than happy to pay 99c/year for this service, where text messages without even pictures would've cost me 10x more if not more than that. Great service, great flawless app, making communicating around the world 10x better. one thing they could then develop, is probably calls and video calls. This would make it even more ultimate, but not expected. as is, best app to date. awesome

NotSurprised - July 19, 2013 at 1:04pm

Great App, but are they going to buy me an extra charger? WhatsApp drains my battery like there's no tomorrow.

rexology - July 19, 2013 at 8:21am

For all you cheap people out there complaining about not being able to afford loose change, this app has become free in the App Store. Get it while its still free, it's limited time probably. Cheapskates.

JoshvanHulst - July 19, 2013 at 9:25pm

Can you pay for my yearly subscription then?

KB - July 19, 2013 at 7:41am

Always wanted that

rexology - July 19, 2013 at 12:23am

It's 99 cents a year. I think thats like 8 cents a month. Give these guys a break, they're not asking for you to break your piggy bank. Plus, most people who probably already have this app and the yearly fee does not apply to us.

JoshvanHulst - July 19, 2013 at 12:47am

Wanna pay for my subscription

rexology - July 19, 2013 at 2:18am

Not really. I don't know you, nor do I owe you anything.

JoshvanHulst - July 19, 2013 at 12:59pm

Hahah okay man

Thoune - July 19, 2013 at 12:23am

No need to pay even it is cheap. There are lots of apps like that out there!!!

Hobo - July 18, 2013 at 11:10pm

It's just $0.99 per year. You lose more loose change per month than this.

NoGoodNick - July 18, 2013 at 10:54pm

Hey, don't blame Apple for this. If I'm not mistaken, WhatsApp was bought out by MS, whose trying to move ALL their products to a 360 day rental model, so expect to see this soon coming to all your games as well. They just wrote off $900 MILLION is loses for the Surface, and they likely aren't admitting the worst of those loses, so expect MORE of this to come!

JoshvanHulst - July 18, 2013 at 10:02pm

We should all boycott WhatsApp till they recined the fee

dark_destroyer - July 18, 2013 at 9:36pm

Very clever move if every numpty pays $0.99 they will make millions

Guest - July 18, 2013 at 9:06pm

It's "argument" not "arguement". How far did you get in English?

9thCloud - July 18, 2013 at 9:58pm

I won't argue with you "Touché"

NoGoodNick - July 18, 2013 at 10:59pm

Hey, don't be so judgmental. This an international forum, and MANY of the readers here are not native English speakers. I'm willing to forgive the occasional mistyped word. What I'm not as forgiving about is trolls posing as iPhone users while trashing Apple every chance they get.

rexology - July 19, 2013 at 12:27am

Whoa, NoGoodNick...this is a different side of the leaf. I never would have expected you to standup for Apple.

Ravish - July 18, 2013 at 8:04pm

I downloaded the new version of whatsapp .. It not at all good .. When we broadcast message to 25 people and try to give a group name we cannot and if we delete a chat from single user the whole broadcast is deleted . Secondly the biggest flaw earlier we use to send videos easily now we have to edit the videos and send them . Android version is far better than one in apple . M using i5 . :-(

Kdee - July 18, 2013 at 6:05pm

I read alot about viber...... u guys really think they gonna keep up their service free forever?its just as long as they see no more ppl coming.nothing is free in those times.... even death will cost u life. and honestly .... what is 0.99 a year?

Taka J - July 18, 2013 at 4:52pm

Sooooo......BBM for all platforms is coming out when now?

Pinitrius - July 18, 2013 at 4:45pm

I love Whatsapp and I would pay the small fee to use it. But I have many friends who wouldnt. Some not even have their credit cards in Google Play... And that is a problem since Whatsapp and all messaging services is all about people (and your friends) using it... And fact is the Viber's free model allows for everyone of your friends to use it. I dont want to think, I have to use Whatsapp for those 3 friends (who probably also have Viber installed too). So what I am saying is Whatsapp is well worth its money but only as long as people keep using it. If all my friends turn to Viber, there is no point in using it either...

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