Following the footsteps of the Android and Windows Phone versions, WhatsApp is now following the same subscription model for the iOS/Apple version. The text messaging app will come free for the first year and will cost $1/year thereafter.
The move seems to be coming because of the increasing competition from the other apps such as WeChat and Line which are available for free, offer the similar functionality and are being hugely promoted by the producers.
For those who have already purchased the app from the App Store, there’s nothing to worry about as their subscription will continue to be lifelong and such users won’t be needed to pay on a yearly basis.
