Remember when social media was just free because we were the product? Cute times.
Meta has launched Meta One, a new subscription system bundling premium features across Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, alongside expanded access to its AI tools.
For individual users, there are currently two main plans: Core at $7.99 per month and Premium at $19.99 per month.
Both include the benefits of Instagram Plus, WhatsApp Plus and Facebook Plus, while giving subscribers additional access to Meta’s AI image, video and editing tools. Premium comes with higher AI usage limits.
And before everyone starts panic-deleting Instagram: the regular versions of Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook are still free.
Meta had already introduced individual paid versions of its apps, with features including profile customisation, Super Reactions and additional Story insights. Meta One basically packages those subscriptions together and throws more AI into the deal.
So no, your family WhatsApp group isn’t suddenly behind a paywall.
Yet.
The bigger question is whether people actually want another monthly subscription in their lives.
Netflix. Spotify. iCloud. Gym membership you haven’t used since February. And now potentially… Instagram?
Meta is betting that enough users will pay for extra features and AI access to make the model work.
Whether Gen Z is willing to add social media itself to the monthly bills is another question entirely.
Be honest: would you pay around $20 a month for premium Instagram , WhatsApp and Facebook?
