Facebook Messenger is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 1 billion monthly active users. As a free messaging platform, many people wonder whether they can really use Messenger without incurring any charges.
The Short Answer
The short answer is no, you do not get charged for using Facebook Messenger. Facebook does not charge any fees to download, install or use the Facebook Messenger app on your smartphone or tablet. There are also no subscription fees or in-app purchases required to use the full features of Messenger.
Using Facebook Messenger is Free
Facebook Messenger is a free messaging app, so you can download it from your device’s app store and start using it right away without needing to pay anything. There are no hidden costs or premium features that require payment in Messenger.
You also won’t get charged for any of the basic features of Messenger, including:
- Sending and receiving texts, photos, videos, audio messages, documents
- Video and voice calls
- Group chats with up to 250 people
- Sharing locations, GIFs, stickers
- Adding contacts and managing your contact list
These are core messaging functions that you get full access to without paying any fees as a Messenger user.
No Data Charges for Messenger
Using Facebook Messenger itself does not cost money, but sending messages and using Messenger does require an internet connection on your device.
You won’t get charged directly by Facebook for using data on Messenger. However, depending on your mobile carrier plan, you could incur data charges from your cellular provider for using Messenger:
- If you go over your data allowance limit, you may be charged overage fees by your provider.
- Using Messenger without a WiFi connection can eat into your monthly data allotment.
- Data-heavy activities like voice/video calling tend to use more data.
To avoid surprises on your phone bill, use Messenger over WiFi whenever possible or make sure your data plan has enough capacity to cover your estimated usage.
No Charges for Extra Features
Facebook has expanded Messenger over the years to include many additional features beyond basic messaging. However, none of these supplemental features require any payment or subscription:
- Messenger Rooms – Group video chat for up to 50 people.
- Messenger Kids – Parental-controlled version for children.
- Messenger Desktop – App for messaging on your computer.
- Disappearing messages – Make messages vanish after a set time.
- Message requests – Connect with people you’re not friends with.
- Chat heads – Floating chat bubbles for quick access.
- AR filters and effects – Fun cameras, masks, and filters.
Facebook incorporates new features into Messenger on a regular basis. While some capabilities like games or business tools may carry fees, core messaging features remain free to use for all users.
Ads in Messenger
The only way Facebook generates revenue from Messenger is through advertisements. You may see ads within your Messenger conversations, but merely seeing these ads does not cost you anything.
Facebook uses the data it collects on you to target relevant ads to Messenger users. You can’t opt out of ads entirely, but you can control what information Facebook uses to target ads in your account settings.
Simply seeing or even clicking on an ad in Messenger does not trigger any charges or fees. Facebook earns money from ads through your views and engagement.
Paid Business Features
Facebook does offer some paid tools and services for businesses that use Messenger to communicate with customers, such as:
- Messenger API – For developers to integrate Messenger with other apps and sites.
- Bots – Automated programs that interact with users.
- Messenger ads – To reach new audiences.
- Messenger customer chat plugin – Live chat for websites.
However, these are optional premium tools for companies – regular Messenger users do not have to pay to access any standard or business messaging features.
Messenger Payments
Facebook has introduced peer-to-peer Messenger payments in some countries, allowing you to send and receive money through the app. There are no fees for sending regular Messenger payments between friends.
However, Facebook may charge a small transaction fee for some types of payments like purchases from businesses. Payment policies can also vary by country.
Conclusion
Facebook Messenger is a free messaging platform, so you are not charged any fees for downloading, installing, or using Messenger on your device. You also won’t incur costs for standard messaging capabilities.
However, data charges may apply from your wireless carrier for using Messenger without WiFi, and businesses may have access to premium paid tools. But regular users can send unlimited messages, make voice and video calls, use fun chat features, and communicate with all their contacts 100% free.
Facebook has monetized Messenger through means like ads and business offerings, not by charging users. As long as you stick with personal messaging functions, you can take advantage of everything Messenger has to offer without spending money.
So in summary – no, you do not get charged for using Facebook Messenger and taking advantage of its free messaging features. Data fees may apply based on your mobile plan usage, but the app itself comes at no cost to you as a user.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook Messenger cost money to download?
No, Facebook Messenger is a free app to download from your device’s app store. There are no upfront costs to download and install Messenger on your smartphone or tablet.
Can I use Facebook Messenger without a data plan?
You need an internet connection to use Messenger, so a data plan or WiFi is required. There is no way to use Messenger offline without a data/WiFi connection.
What happens if I run out of data while using Messenger?
If you use up your monthly data allowance while using Messenger without WiFi, your mobile carrier may charge overage fees or slow down your data speeds. To avoid this, use Messenger only when connected to WiFi if you have a limited data plan.
Does sending messages or calling on Messenger use data?
Yes, any type of messaging or calling through Messenger will use your mobile data or WiFi data. Voice and video calls tend to consume more data than sending text, photos or audio messages.
Can I get charged for using certain Messenger features?
No, all the core messaging features like chat, group messaging, calls, photo/video sharing, are free to use. You will not get charged by Facebook for using any default personal Messenger features.
Does Facebook make money from Messenger?
Yes, Facebook earns money from Messenger through ad revenue, payments between users, and premium business tools. But regular users are not charged – Facebook’s Messenger revenue comes from other sources.
Comparison of Data Usage
Since using Messenger requires mobile data or WiFi connectivity, many users are curious how it impacts their data usage compared to other messaging apps. Here is a breakdown of how much data different messaging activities typically use on Messenger and other popular apps:
| Activity | Messenger | Telegram | Snapchat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Send text message | 0.06 MB | 0.06 MB | 0.3 MB | 0.09 MB |
| Send photo (5MB) | 5.3 MB | 5.4 MB | 5.5 MB | 5.8 MB |
| Send video (25MB) | 27 MB | 28 MB | 29 MB | 31 MB |
| Voice message (1 min) | 1.4 MB | 1.6 MB | 2.1 MB | 1.2 MB |
| Voice/video call (10 mins) | 22 MB | 24 MB | 28 MB | 18 MB |
As you can see from the data usage table, Messenger tends to consume a similar amount of data compared to other popular messaging apps for common activities like sending text, photos, videos, and voice messages.
Voice and video calls use more data since they are streaming in real-time. WhatsApp and Telegram calls use slightly more data than Messenger and Snapchat calls based on their voice/video compression algorithms.
Overall, the differences in data usage between messaging apps for basic messaging tend to be minor – less than 1MB for most activities. So you are unlikely to see significantly higher data usage by switching between apps.
Tips for Saving Data
If you have a limited data plan, follow these tips to help reduce your data usage when using Facebook Messenger:
- Connect to WiFi whenever possible to avoid using cellular data.
- Enable data saver mode in Messenger settings.
- Limit sending/receiving large photos and videos.
- Avoid lengthy voice and video calls.
- Download attachments only when on WiFi.
- Disable auto-download of images/videos.
- Send audio messages instead of video clips.
- Set messages to delete automatically after 24 hours or 7 days.
Being smart about your Messenger usage while on mobile data can help minimize the impact on your data plan. Simple adjustments like using WiFi for calls or not auto-downloading media can make a difference.
Messenger Data Usage on iPhone vs Android
Messenger data usage can also vary slightly depending on whether you use iOS vs Android. Here’s a breakdown of how Messenger data usage compares on iPhone vs Android devices:
| iPhone | Android | |
|---|---|---|
| Send text message | 0.05 MB | 0.06 MB |
| Send photo (5MB) | 5 MB | 6 MB |
| Record voice message (1 min) | 1.3 MB | 1.5 MB |
| Voice/video call (10 mins) | 18 MB | 25 MB |
In general, Messenger uses slightly less data on iOS compared to Android. For example, an Android call will consume around 25% more data than an iOS call of the same duration.
The differences are minor for simple messages. But for voice/video content, Apple’s compression algorithms in iOS manage to reduce data consumption compared to Android.
So iPhone users may see some better efficiency and lower data usage from Messenger overall. However, Android devices have improved greatly in optimization as well over recent OS versions.
Summary
Let’s recap the key points about whether you get charged for using Facebook Messenger:
- Messenger is a free app with no fees for downloading or basic messaging.
- You don’t get charged directly by Facebook for using Messenger.
- Data charges may apply from your wireless carrier based on your usage.
- Extra Messenger features don’t cost money for personal users.
- Facebook earns revenue from Messenger through ads and business offerings.
- Manage your data usage to avoid overages from your provider.
So in short, Facebook Messenger does not have any usage costs associated directly with the app. Be mindful of your mobile data consumption, but enjoy connecting with people across messaging, video, chat and more without worrying about fees.