Facebook itself does not charge a monthly fee to use the platform

Facebook's core service — creating a profile, posting updates, messaging friends, and viewing your feed — costs nothing. Meta, the company that owns Facebook, makes money from advertising, not from charging users. You can use Facebook for years without paying anything.

However, Facebook does offer optional paid features, and certain activities may trigger charges. Understanding which features cost money and which are free helps you avoid unexpected bills.

Key Takeaways

  • Basic Facebook use — posting, messaging, and browsing — is completely free and always has been.
  • Facebook's paid features include verified badges, in-game currency, and premium subscriptions that unlock extra features.
  • If you run a business page or advertise on Facebook, you pay only for the ads you create and run, not for having the page itself.
  • Scams claiming Facebook will charge you for using the platform are fake; Facebook will never ask for payment through a message or pop-up.

What costs money on Facebook

Facebook's paid options fall into a few categories. The Meta Verified subscription costs $11.99 per month on web or $14.99 per month on mobile and gives you a blue checkmark, extra account security features, and priority support. This is optional — most people never buy it.

If you play games on Facebook, you may spend money on in-game currency or items. These purchases go to the game developer, not to Facebook directly, though Meta takes a cut. You control whether to spend money in games through your payment settings.

Facebook also offers premium features for business pages, such as the ability to schedule posts further in advance or access detailed analytics. These are add-ons you choose to buy; the basic business page remains free.

Advertising costs if you run ads

If you create a Facebook ad campaign to promote a business, product, or event, you set a daily or lifetime budget and pay only for the results you choose to measure — clicks, impressions, or conversions. There is no fee just for running an ad account. You pay only when your ads actually run and only the amount you decide to spend.

Many small businesses start with a budget of $5 to $10 per day. You can pause or stop spending at any time. Facebook does not charge you for setting up an ad account or creating ads; you pay only when the ads are live and accumulating impressions or clicks.

Common Facebook fee scams

Scammers sometimes send messages or create posts claiming that Facebook will start charging a fee, or that you must pay to keep your account active. These are always false. Facebook will never ask you to pay through a private message, a pop-up, or a link in a post.

If you see a message saying "Facebook is now charging $9.99 per month" or "Confirm your payment to keep your account," it is a scam. Do not click the link or enter your payment information. Report the message to Facebook and delete it. Real policy changes from Meta are announced on the official Facebook Newsroom or in your account settings, not through messages from other users.

How to check what you are paying for

To see if you have any active paid subscriptions or spending on Facebook, open the app or website and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Look for Subscriptions or Payments in the menu. This page shows any recurring charges, such as Meta Verified, and lets you cancel them.

For game spending, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and look for Apps and Websites. This section shows which games have permission to charge you and lets you remove that permission.

If you see a charge you do not recognize, you can dispute it through your payment method — your credit card company, PayPal, or Apple/Google account — or contact Meta's support team directly through the Settings menu.

Why Facebook is free but shows ads

Facebook makes money by selling advertising space to businesses. The trade-off is that you see ads in your feed, in the sidebar, and between posts. This is how Facebook remains free: advertisers pay to reach you, and you get to use the platform without a subscription.

You cannot remove ads entirely without paying for Meta Verified, which removes some — but not all — ads. Most users simply scroll past ads as part of using the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Facebook charging everyone $9.99 a month starting in 2024?

No. This is a recurring scam. Facebook does not charge a monthly subscription to use the platform. If you see this claim in a message or post, it is fake. Report it and ignore it.

Do I have to pay to message someone on Facebook?

No. Sending messages to friends and other users is always free. If someone claims you must pay to message them, they are either joking or trying to scam you.

Will Facebook charge me if I do not use my account for a while?

No. Inactive accounts are free. Facebook will not charge you for not logging in, and it will not delete your account for inactivity unless you have violated the terms of service.

What is the difference between a free business page and a paid one?

A free business page lets you post, message customers, and view basic analytics. Paid add-ons unlock features like advanced scheduling, detailed insights, and priority support. You decide which features to buy; the page itself costs nothing.

Can I get my money back if I spent it on Facebook by accident?

Yes, in many cases. Contact Meta support through your Settings menu and explain the accidental charge. If it was recent and within their policy, they may refund it. You can also dispute the charge with your payment provider if Meta does not help.