Instant messaging app WhatsApp is eliminating the small charges that it normally charged customers after their first year of using the app. Now, the app will remain free for life.

WhatsApp is changing their fee structure from $0.99 per year after the first year to an app that is completely free for everyone worldwide, according to a WhatsApp statement.

WhatsApp is an extremely popular messaging app around the world, especially in Latin America. Latin Americans prefer WhatsApp over Facebook Messenger as their instant messaging program.

WhatsApp and other messaging apps are free to use for all customers as long as they have either cellular data or WiFi access on their mobile device. This helps users who are traveling to other countries avoid roaming charges if they would be text messaging their friends and family back home.

No More Charges

WhatsApp admitted that charging a $0.99 fee per year "was not working." They said that many users did not have a credit or debit card, and after the first free year, they would no longer be able to communicate with their friends and family.

No Third-Party Ads, but Third-Party Services

WhatsApp wanted to make sure that they made it clear that they would not be replacing the $0.99 fee with third-party ads. Instead, WhatsApp is trying to add more third-party services that users can take advantage of, like money transfer services or communicating with businesses.

With these third-party services, customers would be able to use WhatsApp to contact their airline about a delayed flight or their bank about transferring money between accounts.

Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014 and the service continues to grow with 900 million active users around the world.

Additional Services Could be Coming

WhatsApp is trying to figure out a way to allow users to do more things with the app. Facebook Messenger already allows users to send money to each other right through chat windows. Messenger also added the capability to call Uber for a ride directly through the app. WhatsApp will work on similar services like these.

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