Meta has taken a decisive step in its monetization strategy with the global launch of Meta One , a service that unifies individual WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook subscriptions into a single paid ecosystem. The American company aims to monetize its artificial intelligence tools and offer additional features to users who want to go beyond the free experience. In Spain, prices are already visible in the apps: the Core plan costs €6,99 per month , while the Premium plan costs €20,99 , with a one-month free trial for both options.
This move is no coincidence. Following the launches of WhatsApp Plus, Instagram Plus, and Facebook Plus last spring, Meta has sought to consolidate all these services into a unified offering tailored to different user profiles. The company claims its subscriptions have already accumulated 15 million sign-ups and trials globally, a figure that clearly demonstrates the interest in these paid options. However, Meta clarifies that the core functions of the apps will remain free and that everyday use of Meta AI will not change for those who choose not to pay.
WhatsApp Plus: the first step towards payment
At the base of this new pyramid structure remains WhatsApp Plus, which continues to be a standalone option for those who simply want to enhance their experience on the messaging app. For €2,49 per month , users can access exclusive themes and icons, stickers with special effects, and the ability to pin more conversations. Meta also plans to soon add backup storage and a Focus Time feature that will allow users to mute or hide chats during specific periods.
Those who opt for this individual plan don't need to subscribe to Meta One to enjoy its benefits. However, the company has designed the higher tiers to be especially attractive: those who pay for Meta One Core or Premium automatically receive the benefits of all three individual subscriptions, making this service a more comprehensive and, in the long run, more economical option if they want to use all three platforms.
Meta One Core and Premium: more AI for a monthly fee
The major new features in this phase are the Core and Premium plans, which significantly expand artificial intelligence capabilities. Meta One Core, at €6,99 per month , includes the Plus features of all three platforms and allows you to generate more images and videos with Meta AI's Muse models. It also expands the use of Instagram's creative tools, such as Restyle, which modifies the appearance of images, and voice effects. Meanwhile, Meta One Premium, at €20,99 , further raises the bar for AI usage while maintaining all the advantages of the lower tier.
According to data provided by Meta itself, more than half of subscribers to bundled packages use both AI features and personalization functions. Tools like Restyle and Instagram's voice effects are among the top reasons for subscribing to these plans. The company hasn't specified a single usage limit for each plan, as this can vary depending on the country, product, and system conditions, but it's clear that AI has become the main selling point justifying a monthly subscription.
What Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus offer
Within the Meta One package, individual Instagram and Facebook subscriptions remain available separately for those who only want to enhance one of the platforms. Instagram Plus, at €2,99 per month, offers custom fonts for Direct Messages and Stories, notifications when specific people view a post, and Direct Message previews. Facebook Plus, also at €2,99, includes Messenger customization, expanded Reels information, and new reactions.
Meta is also working on integrating these benefits with its other products. The company has announced that Edits Plus , the paid version of its video editing app, will soon come with additional cloud storage and an AI assistant capable of analyzing Instagram statistics and suggesting content ideas. The company's AI-powered glasses and other devices will also benefit from these subscriptions in the future.
Plans for businesses and creators: from €16,99 to €549 per month
Meta One isn't just for individual consumers. The company has designed a four-tiered plan specifically for professionals and businesses, with prices starting at €16,99 per month for the Essential plan and going up to €549 for the Max tier. The Essential plan includes tools for managing your digital presence, enhanced access to Meta Business Agent on WhatsApp, a verification badge, and protection against identity theft. The Advanced tier, starting at €54,99, adds features such as scheduling Stories up to 30 days in advance, embedding links in organic posts and Reels, exporting analytics, and allowing multiple team members to manage an account without sharing a password.
The higher tiers, Expert starting at €169 and Max starting at €549 per month, are geared towards organizations that need greater access to the tools and more Meta Business Agent capabilities. Meta is also working on new features to automate tasks related to marketing, operations, and content optimization. These professional plans clearly aim to compete with other social media management and customer service solutions, leveraging the vast reach of Meta's applications.
Free trial and changes to user experience
Meta is offering a one-month free trial for both its Core and Premium plans, which can be found in each app's subscription settings. The company warns that the subscription will automatically renew until canceled, so users will need to cancel before the trial period ends if they don't want to start paying. This free trial strategy aims to lower the barrier to entry and allow users to experience the benefits of the paid plans firsthand.
For those who don't want to pay anything, the news is positive: the basic functions of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook will remain completely free , as will everyday use of Meta AI, although with lower limits than those for subscribers. This duality between free and premium has become the norm in the tech sector, and Meta didn't want to fall behind other companies like OpenAI or Google, which have already implemented similar models in their products.
