Meta to test paid subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp with exclusive AI features

Meta Platforms is preparing to launch premium subscription plans across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, marking its latest push into paid digital services.

According to a report from TechCrunch, the company will begin testing the subscription models in the coming months. The tech giant confirmed that the new offerings will give users access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools and creative features, while keeping the platforms’ core services free to use.

Meta says the move aims to “unlock more productivity and creativity” for paying users by expanding access to its AI-powered tools, including those recently integrated through its acquisition of Manus, an AI agent developer.

Meta’s new subscription plans: What to expect

Meta’s upcoming subscription tiers will introduce a range of premium features designed to enhance user experience and boost creative output. Among these, access to expanded AI capabilities will be a central element.

The company is expected to incorporate general AI agents from Manus, a Singapore-based firm it acquired in December 2025 for around $2 billion (Rs 16,600 crore).

Manus, originally founded in China, specialises in developing autonomous AI agents capable of executing complex tasks independently, such as trip planning or presentation creation. Meta said the deal would bolster its AI infrastructure and help bring these general-purpose agents to consumers and businesses through its apps.

In addition to Manus integration, paid subscribers could gain full access to Vibes, Meta’s AI-powered short-form video generation tool. Introduced in 2025, Vibes allows users to create and remix AI-generated videos. The tool will continue to offer a basic free version, but the company plans to reserve more advanced creative and editing features for paying users.

Meta has been working to monetise its significant investment in AI, including the development of its Llama large language models, which remain open source and free to access. The new subscription structure could help Meta offset the high costs of AI research and acquisitions, offering exclusive benefits that rival paid services from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic.

How Meta’s subscription model differs from Meta Verified

The new plans are distinct from Meta Verified, a paid product launched in 2023 that provides creators and businesses with verification badges, 24/7 support, and enhanced visibility on Meta’s platforms. While Meta Verified focuses on authentication and brand presence, the upcoming subscriptions will prioritise AI-based tools and productivity features for both personal and professional use.

Meta also plans to extend
subscriptions to other features, including business access to Manus AI agents. These agents can autonomously perform advanced tasks with minimal user input, positioning them as competitive alternatives to traditional chatbots that require constant prompting.

The company emphasised that it will collect user feedback during the rollout phase to fine-tune pricing, features, and user experience. “We plan to listen to our user community and gather feedback as we introduce subscriptions across our platforms,” a Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Last year, Meta quietly experimented with subscription-based features by limiting the number of links users could share on Facebook without paying a fee. The test, conducted in the UK and US, was aimed at evaluating whether subscribers valued increased posting flexibility.

Meta’s steady shift toward paid services reflects a broader industry trend, as major platforms explore new ways to monetise beyond advertising. With competition in the AI sector intensifying, Meta’s subscription model could become a crucial step in transforming its ecosystem from ad-driven engagement to AI-powered personalisation and premium access.

If successful, Meta’s experiment could redefine how billions of users interact with its platforms, marking a significant shift in the company’s long-term strategy to blend social connectivity with intelligent automation.