Digitnomics 
By Nonye Ngoka
Meta has introduced WhatsApp Plus, a premium subscription that offers users additional customization options and exclusive features for a monthly fee.
While the paid plan promises a more personalised messaging experience, many of its headline features are already available for free—or can be unlocked using simple tools and settings.
Here are five WhatsApp Plus perks that many users don’t necessarily need to pay for.
- Custom stickers
One of the biggest attractions of WhatsApp Plus is access to exclusive sticker packs.
However, WhatsApp already allows users to import third-party stickers at no cost. Apps such as Sticker.ly let users download thousands of free sticker packs or even create their own personalised stickers using photos.
For creative users, platforms like Canva also make it easy to design custom stickers that can be shared directly on WhatsApp.
- Chat themes
WhatsApp Plus offers subscribers additional chat themes, but the free version of WhatsApp already includes several customization options.
Users can change chat wallpapers, select different colour themes, personalise individual conversations and even generate AI-powered wallpapers in supported regions.
For many people, these built-in options provide enough flexibility without requiring a monthly subscription.
- Exclusive notification sounds
The premium plan includes a collection of exclusive ringtones and notification sounds.
But Android users have long been able to assign their own notification tones or music files to WhatsApp messages and calls through the app’s notification settings.
Users can even set different notification sounds for specific contacts, making this paid feature less compelling for many people.
- Custom app icons
WhatsApp Plus also lets subscribers change the app’s icon.
On many Android smartphones, however, users can achieve the same result using launchers or built-in customization features without paying for a subscription.
Third-party launchers such as Nova Launcher and other icon-pack applications make it possible to personalise app icons across an entire device.
- Organising more chats
One practical advantage of WhatsApp Plus is the ability to pin up to 20 chats.
The free version currently limits users to three pinned conversations.
However, WhatsApp’s Lists feature provides an effective alternative by allowing users to organise chats into categories such as Family, Work, Friends or School. Combined with chat filters and Chat Lock, Lists can help users manage busy inboxes without relying solely on pinned conversations.
Is WhatsApp Plus worth it?
Whether WhatsApp Plus is worth paying for depends largely on how much value users place on additional personalisation.
For users who simply want better organisation, custom stickers, personalised themes or unique notification sounds, the free version of WhatsApp already offers many of these capabilities.
Before subscribing, users may want to explore the app’s existing settings and free third-party tools, which can deliver a similar experience without adding another monthly expense.
