WhatsApp is a popular app that lets people send messages, make calls, and share pictures and videos with friends and family. It works on phones, tablets, smart watches, and computers. But who owns WhatsApp? Let’s find out!
WhatsApp Ownership Details
Here’s a table to show who owns WhatsApp:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| App Name | |
| Started In | 2009 |
| Founders | Jan Koum and Brian Acton |
| Bought By | Facebook (now Meta Platforms) |
| Year Bought | 2014 |
| Current Owner | Meta Platforms |
| CEO of Meta | Mark Zuckerberg |
| Head of WhatsApp | Will Cathcart |
| Number of Users | Over 3 billion monthly users (2025) |
Who Owns WhatsApp Now?
Today, Meta Platforms owns WhatsApp. The boss of Meta is Mark Zuckerberg. He started Facebook and now leads Meta, which also owns Instagram and other apps.
So, WhatsApp is part of the Meta family. So, we can also say that Mark Zuckerberg is the owner of WhatsApp in an indirect way, and he is also the owner of Instagram and Facebook.
Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO and co-founder of Meta Platforms, the company that owns WhatsApp. He is known for creating Facebook and is one of the most famous tech leaders in the world.
About Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms, Inc. is a technology company that owns popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg and focuses on building the metaverse, a virtual reality space for users to connect. Meta also works on products like VR headsets (Quest) and AI tools.
WhatsApp’s Global Growth
- User Base Expansion: As of early 2025, WhatsApp boasts over 2.78 billion unique users globally, with projections indicating this number will surpass 3.14 billion by the end of the year.
- Monthly Active Users (MAUs): The platform has consistently maintained a strong user engagement, with over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide.
- Daily Usage: Approximately 83% of active WhatsApp users access the app daily, highlighting its integral role in daily communication for a vast majority of its user base.
WhatsApp Regional Highlights
- India: India stands as WhatsApp’s largest market, with over 596.6 million monthly active users as of 2024.
- United States: In the U.S., WhatsApp reached 100 million monthly active users by mid-2024, marking significant growth in a market traditionally dominated by other messaging services.
- Brazil: WhatsApp is used by 93% of Brazil’s social media users, making it the most popular messaging platform in the country.
WhatsApp Messaging Volume
- Daily Messages: Users send over 100 billion messages each day on WhatsApp, underscoring the platform’s central role in global communication.
WhatsApp Business Growth
- Business Users: The WhatsApp Business app has seen substantial growth, with monthly active users increasing from 50 million in July 2020 to 200 million by June 2023.
- Revenue Generation: WhatsApp’s monetization strategies, including its business messaging products, have contributed to a 48% year-over-year increase in non-ad revenue for Meta, adding $434 million in Q3 2024.
User Engagement of WhatsApp
- Time Spent: On average, users spend 34 minutes per day on WhatsApp, reflecting its importance in daily communication routines.
WhatsApp’s continuous growth and high user engagement levels underscore its pivotal role in global communication, both for personal and business interactions.
History of WhatsApp
WhatsApp was created in 2009 by two friends, Jan Koum and Brian Acton. They used to work at a company called Yahoo. They wanted to make an app that was simple and didn’t have ads.
In 2014, a big company called Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion. That’s a lot of money! Later, Facebook changed its name to Meta Platforms.
FAQs
Q: Is WhatsApp owned by Facebook?
A: Yes, Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2014. Now, Facebook is called Meta Platforms.
Q: Who started WhatsApp?
A: Jan Koum and Brian Acton started WhatsApp in 2009.
Q: Does Mark Zuckerberg own WhatsApp?
A: Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Meta Platforms, which owns WhatsApp.
Q: Is WhatsApp still free?
A: Yes, WhatsApp is free to use for sending messages and making calls.
Q: How many people use WhatsApp?
A: More than 3 billion people use WhatsApp every month as of 2025.
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp is a messaging app that helps people stay connected. It was started by Jan Koum and Brian Acton in 2009. In 2014, Facebook (now Meta Platforms) bought WhatsApp. Today, Meta owns WhatsApp, and Mark Zuckerberg is the CEO of Meta.
WhatsApp continues to be one of the most used apps in the world, helping billions of people chat and share with each other.
Official Website: WhatsApp.com