WhatsApp drops subscription fee, completely free

[Ink]

Source: Making WhatsApp free and more useful - WhatsApp Blog

"That's why we're happy to announce that WhatsApp will no longer charge subscription fees. […] Many WhatsApp users don't have a debit or credit card number and they worried they'd lose access to their friends and family after their first year. So over the next several weeks, we'll remove fees from the different versions of our app and WhatsApp will no longer charge you for our service.

Naturally, people might wonder how we plan to keep WhatsApp running without subscription fees and if today's announcement means we're introducing third-party ads. The answer is no. Starting this year, we will test tools that allow you to use WhatsApp to communicate with businesses and organizations that you want to hear from."

Download for Android, iOS and Windows Phone above.
For other platforms visit WhatsApp :: Home

 

[Kantry123]

Well the payment method was never a sucess for whatsapp...so now i believe they'll adapt to IN APP ADVERTISEMENTS or Sponsored like WECHAT/VIBER

regards

 

[DracusNarcrym]

Been using Viber for so long, it's as good as Skype was back in the day for Windows.
However, it seems that more and more apps are going this way: Most functionality is free to use, and sponsored pages/ads from within the app as well as call credits provide revenue for the app's development.
In my opinion, this is a very efficient marketing plan, for users and companies alike.

 

[TheMalwareMaster]

I paid them for 5 years... LOL

 

[DracusNarcrym]

I paid them for 5 years... LOL

That's the bad point to the story. Many customers had been paying for the service and all of a sudden the company turns the tables.
I feel sorry for you guys!

 

[Balrog]

Whatsapp sucks! Now they're starts to allow other entities to contact users.

But Telegram rocks.

 

[DracusNarcrym]

Whatsapp sucks! Now they're starts to allow other entities to contact users.

But Telegram rocks.

Every app has its advantages and drawbacks, that's the only thing that is safe to assume.
However, there are indeed developers which abuse sponsored content in their apps more than others do.
Either way, when it comes to such applications (messaging, etc) which are not critical to the functionality of a system or users' data, it's all about personal preference.

 

[Ink]

so now i believe they'll adapt to IN APP ADVERTISEMENTS or Sponsored like WECHAT/VIBER

Apparently not the case.

if today's announcement means we're introducing third-party ads. The answer is no.

 

[CMLew]

Curious, I'm using Andriod version of Whatsapp and I do not recall paying anything for that. It the subscription model applicable for iOS or others?

 

[Ink]

First year is free, but thereafter it costs.

Android : Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Payment Info.

**Do not buy anything**

 

[CMLew]

First year is free, but thereafter it costs.

Android : Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Payment Info.

**Do not buy anything**

Hmm.. I've checked mine.
It's written as "Lifetime"

 

[duncan402]

Hmm.. I've checked mine.
It's written as "Lifetime"

I'm currently using the latest version of whatsapp installed. But, why there's no change in my whatsapp expiry time? It is listed that my account will expire on August this year.

 

[CMLew]

I'm currently using the latest version of whatsapp installed. But, why there's no change in my whatsapp expiry time? It is listed that my account will expire on August this year.

Mine is always lifetime since I first install back in 2012. Which is why I got puzzled on the subscription based model.
Is the subscription model is based of regional?

 

[duncan402]

The free service might be provided in the upcoming version of whatsapp lol.
The latest version of whatsapp in the google play is v2.12.367 but the latest apk version in the download section of whatsapp website is 2.12.407.
How can it be?

 

[jamescv7]

@restuwt: For sure they did not yet updated cause according to Play Store version information date, its been stated November 2015 so for sure they might forgot to revise but as long the updater function well retrieve the latest version hence no issue should occur.

 

[duncan402]

@restuwt: For sure they did not yet updated cause according to Play Store version information date, its been stated November 2015 so for sure they might forgot to revise but as long the updater function well retrieve the latest version hence no issue should occur.

You are right. whatsapp has some kind of push update without updating the app via playstore. This morning, my whatsapp account started to have lifetime license

 

[pneuma1985]

I've never used it for one giant reason: Every night I look at the google+ communities I'm part of and I swear every day someone is trying to exploit that app in one way or another... Seems like its a huge target for hackers. I wouldn't know its vulnerabilities myself I've never pen tested it but I constantly see hackers talking about it. Always seemed like a risk I'd rather not take.

 

[Azure]

I've never used it for one giant reason: Every night I look at the google+ communities I'm part of and I swear every day someone is trying to exploit that app in one way or another... Seems like its a huge target for hackers. I wouldn't know its vulnerabilities myself I've never pen tested it but I constantly see hackers talking about it. Always seemed like a risk I'd rather not take.

If you don't mention any sensitive information while chatting with family and friends, then does it matter if it's a target for hackers or not?

 

[duncan402]

I've never used it for one giant reason: Every night I look at the google+ communities I'm part of and I swear every day someone is trying to exploit that app in one way or another... Seems like its a huge target for hackers. I wouldn't know its vulnerabilities myself I've never pen tested it but I constantly see hackers talking about it. Always seemed like a risk I'd rather not take.

You can try Telegram. It's similar messenger app to whatsapp but has stronger security.

 

[Deleted member 178]

i personally use Telegram and Signal .