WhatsApp, the popular messaging app has been updated for Android, and clarified users doubts about the payment system and whether or not it is free.
We contacted WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum, and he stated very clearly, ‘We offer our product free for the first year on Android and other platforms. As some of our customers approach expiration of their free trial period, they are asked to pay for our service. We charge nominal fee of less than 1 Euro per year.’
Users have been reporting different experiences to this, with varying lengths of time using the app for free. The latest update will clear this up.
The new version, 2.9.3697, includes a new interface and three different ways to pay. Payment is now done within WhatsApp, unlike before when you needed to visit an external site. You can use Google Wallet, Paypal or send a payment URL via email.
These options allow for users who didn’t want to use a credit card, and you can also opt to pay for one, three or even five years of WhatsApp service.
