Meta has started selling paid subscriptions across all three of its main apps. Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus cost US$3.99 (about RM16) per month each, while WhatsApp Plus is US$2.99 (about RM12) per month. Meta says the rollout is global, though availability may vary by region; they’ve not arrived in Malaysia yet

The free versions of all three apps stay the same. Nothing is being taken away from your existing experience. The paid tiers add new features on top of what you already use.

What You Get With Instagram Plus And Facebook Plus

Both plans focus on giving you more control over how you use Stories and how people see your profile, which might be useful if you are monetising your followers.

With Instagram Plus, you can see how many people rewatched your Story, create unlimited audience lists beyond Close Friends, spotlight a Story once a week for extra reach, and extend a Story beyond the usual 24-hour window. There is also a preview mode that lets you view other people’s Stories without showing up in their viewer list, and you can search your own viewer list to find specific accounts.

You also get Super Heart animated reactions, custom app icons, customisable fonts for your profile bio, and extra pins for your profile. One feature that creators and small business owners may find useful: the option to post directly to your profile and highlights without the post appearing in your followers’ feeds.

Facebook Plus offers a similar set of features, with the same focus on Story analytics and profile customisation.

What You Get With WhatsApp Plus

WhatsApp Plus takes a different approach. Instead of analytics and reach, it focuses on personalisation and messaging features. Subscribers get app themes, custom ringtones, extra pinned chats, list customisation, and premium stickers.

If you mostly use WhatsApp for personal chats and group messages, the extras don’t add much. You get a different-looking app, but your chats, calls, and groups all work the same way.

These Plans Are Separate From Meta Verified

Meta already offers Meta Verified, a subscription focused on getting a blue verification badge, impersonation protection, and direct customer support. The new Plus plans do not replace Meta Verified, and Meta has said it is not winding down the older subscription.

That means if you are a creator or business owner who already pays for Meta Verified and also wants the Plus features, you would need to pay for both. There is no bundle at the moment.

The Subscription Costs Add Up

Meta’s apps have been free since they launched. For many of us, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are the three apps we use almost every day. Paying for all three Plus plans would cost about RM44 per month. Add Meta Verified on top of that, and the monthly total climbs further. If you are already paying for streaming services, cloud storage, and delivery subscriptions, these new Meta plans add to your digital bill.

For creators and small business owners who rely on Instagram or Facebook to reach an audience, Story analytics, audience lists, and the ability to control what shows up in feeds versus profiles are tools that can inform how you plan content. Whether those tools justify RM16 per month depends on how much of your income or reach depends on the platform.

Meta is also testing separate plans for creators, businesses, and AI users under a new brand called Meta One, though none of those are available yet.

If you do decide to subscribe, check whether your credit card gives cashback on recurring online charges.For more money tips and updates, follow us on our official WhatsApp channel.