WhatsApp is an immensely popular messaging app owned by Meta (previously known as Facebook). It has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. WhatsApp allows users to send messages, photos, videos, documents, voice messages, and more to individuals or groups.
One fun feature of WhatsApp is stickers. Stickers are larger images that can be sent in chat messages. They often feature characters, animals, emojis, or other illustrations. Stickers help users express themselves and liven up conversations.
But are WhatsApp stickers free to use? Let’s dive into the details.
WhatsApp’s Basic Features Are Free
WhatsApp is a free messaging app. You can download it on your smartphone and use its core features without paying anything. This includes:
– Sending text messages
– Sending photos and videos
– Voice and video calls
– Group chats with up to 256 participants
– Document sharing
– Location sharing
– Voice messages
WhatsApp generates revenue by offering business accounts and tools. But for standard personal usage, everything is free, including stickers.
Accessing and Sending Stickers
When you first start using WhatsApp, a default set of stickers will already be available in the app. To access them, open a chat thread and tap the emoji icon. Then tap the sticker icon (often a square Post-It note icon) to view your stickers.
From there, simply tap a sticker to send it. The sticker will be delivered instantly like any other WhatsApp message.
If you can’t find the sticker icon, it’s easy to enable:
– Open WhatsApp Settings
– Tap Stickers
– Toggle on the switch for Show Stickers Button
This will make the sticker icon visible in all your chats.
Adding New Sticker Packs
WhatsApp offers an enormous selection of free stickers beyond the default pack. To get more:
– Open the sticker panel in a chat
– Tap the + icon at the top
– Select “Get more stickers”
This opens the Sticker Store, where you can browse and download free sticker packs. There are stickers based on emojis, movies, TV shows, characters, holidays, and more.
When you download a pack, those stickers will be added to your panel for easy access. As mentioned, all sticker packs from the Sticker Store are 100% free.
No Fees for Sending Stickers
Not only are stickers free to download, but WhatsApp also doesn’t charge any fees to send stickers. You can send as many stickers as you want without incurring any costs.
This works the same no matter if you’re on WiFi or mobile data. The stickers are treated just like any text message or photo you send on WhatsApp.
The only potential cost is standard data rates from your cell provider. If you don’t have an unlimited data plan, sending lots of stickers could use up some data. But WhatsApp itself doesn’t charge for them.
Limitations on Custom Stickers
While all official WhatsApp stickers are free, there are some minor limitations when using custom stickers:
– **File size limit** – Custom stickers you upload can’t exceed 100KB per sticker. This ensures WhatsApp doesn’t get bogged down sending huge files.
– **Approval process** – WhatsApp reviews all custom stickers to ensure they comply with policies. Inappropriate or copyrighted content will be rejected.
But overall, custom stickers are still free. If your sticker pack follows the guidelines, you can upload it and send those stickers without any charge.
WhatsApp Business Accounts
One exception is WhatsApp Business accounts. These are special accounts for companies and organizations.
With a Business account, there is the option to upload a custom sticker pack and have it approved for public use. This sticker pack will be searchable and discoverable by all WhatsApp users.
However, Business accounts must pay a fee – either $0.99 per sticker pack, or $299 per year for unlimited sticker uploads.
So custom public sticker packs do have a fee, but only for Business accounts, not personal usage. Regular users can still make and send custom stickers for free.
Paid Cosmetic Items
The only other paid sticker-related item on WhatsApp are “My Pack” stickers. These let you create a personalized sticker pack featuring your own face.
You have to pay $0.99 to unlock this feature and create your personalized My Pack. But again, this is an optional cosmetic item, not required to use basic stickers.
Conclusion
In summary:
– All standard WhatsApp features are free, including stickers
– Default and Sticker Store stickers are 100% free
– No fees to send unlimited stickers
– Custom stickers also free for personal accounts
– Optional paid sticker packs for Business accounts and cosmetic My Pack
So for the vast majority of users, all sticker needs are covered without paying a cent. Stickers help add personality and fun to daily chats without pesky fees or costs.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about WhatsApp stickers:
Are third-party sticker apps OK to use?
Yes, you can safely use third-party apps to get more stickers for WhatsApp. As long as the app complies with WhatsApp’s policies, it’s fine to use. Many great sticker packs are available this way.
Can I use stickers on WhatsApp Web?
Absolutely! Stickers are available across WhatsApp, including WhatsApp Web and the desktop app. Any stickers you add on mobile will sync to web and desktop versions.
How quickly do sent stickers arrive?
WhatsApp stickers are delivered instantly, just like regular messages. As long as you have an internet connection, they will reach the recipient right away.
Do my custom stickers save if I change phones?
Yep! Your WhatsApp stickers and data are backed up to the cloud. So when you change to a new phone, your stickers will restore after logging into your account.
Can I use the same custom stickers on Telegram or other apps?
Unfortunately no. Due to the differences in platforms, stickers can’t transfer between WhatsApp and other messaging apps like Telegram. You’ll have to upload custom stickers separately.
Key Takeaways
– Default and Sticker Store stickers are always free
– You can send unlimited stickers without fees
– Custom stickers are also free for personal accounts
– Business accounts pay for public custom stickers
– Optional paid “My Pack” for personalized stickers
– Stickers provide fun visual communication for regular WhatsApp users at no cost
Conclusion
Stickers are an enjoyable way to chat visually on WhatsApp. Thankfully, you can access an endless amount of great stickers completely free. Apart from optional paid packs for Business profiles, standard users won’t pay a thing.
So spice up your chats with cool stickers to express yourself. Just be sure not to overuse them – a few per message is plenty! With great sticker options available at no cost, WhatsApp users globally have millions of stickers to peruse for their messaging enjoyment.