Who Owns WhatsApp?
Updated onExplore the ownership hierarchy of WhatsApp. See parent companies, holding structures, and ultimate controllers.
Ownership Chain
WhatsApp is a free, cross-platform messaging and calling application owned by Meta Platforms that lets users send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share media over the internet.
Starts at $0
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Meta Platforms, Inc. is an American public technology company that operates major social media and messaging services such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, and develops virtual and augmented reality products.
WhatsApp is a free, cross-platform messaging and calling application owned by Meta Platforms that lets users send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share media over the internet.
Starts at $0
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Meta Platforms, Inc. is an American public technology company that operates major social media and messaging services such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads, and develops virtual and augmented reality products.
Major Shareholders
Major Shareholders
| Name | Type | Ownership | Voting | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Zuckerberg Largest individual shareholder and co‑founder/CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc., which wholly owns WhatsApp. Holds super‑voting Class B shares that give him majority voting control of Meta. Figures based on public ownership summaries as of late September 2025. | Founder | 13.6% | 58.0% | Sep 2025 |
The Vanguard Group, Inc. Largest institutional shareholder in Meta Platforms, Inc. common stock (Class A). Stake corresponds to roughly 192.6 million META shares, per SEC 13F data summarized by Nasdaq and Capital.com as of mid‑ to late‑2025. Ownership is in Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp. | Institutional | 8.9% | — | Sep 2025 |
BlackRock, Inc. One of the largest asset‑manager shareholders of Meta Platforms, Inc., holding about 166.3 million META shares (~7.7% of shares outstanding) as of 2025 disclosures. Ownership is indirect exposure to WhatsApp via Meta. | Institutional | 7.7% | — | Sep 2025 |
Fidelity Investments (FMR LLC) Major institutional shareholder in Meta Platforms, Inc., with roughly 135.9 million META shares (~6.2% stake) reported in 2025 filings. This represents ownership in Meta, which in turn owns WhatsApp. | Institutional | 6.2% | — | Sep 2025 |
State Street Corporation Large index and ETF provider holding about 86.9 million META shares (~4% of Meta Platforms, Inc.) as of 2025 institutional‑ownership reports. Exposure to WhatsApp is through its full ownership by Meta. | Institutional | 4.0% | — | Sep 2025 |
Meta Platforms, Inc.
Major Shareholders
| Name | Type | Ownership | Voting | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Zuckerberg Founder, chair and CEO. Economic stake of ~13.6% of Meta’s outstanding shares, but controls roughly 58% of total voting power through super‑voting Class B shares held personally and via entities such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Estimates based on Meta’s recent SEC filings and 2025 analyses of its dual‑class structure. | Founder | 13.6% | 58.0% | Sep 2025 |
Vanguard Group Inc. Largest institutional shareholder. Holds approximately 192.6 million META shares, or about 8.9% of the company’s equity, largely via index and mutual funds. Voting power is lower than economic ownership because most super‑voting Class B shares are held by insiders. Stake based on 13F data summarized by Capital.com and Nasdaq institutional‑holdings tables as of mid‑ to late‑2025. | Institutional | 8.9% | 3.0% | Sep 2025 |
BlackRock, Inc. Second‑largest institutional holder. Owns roughly 166.3 million META shares, or ~7.7% of equity, through ETFs and other funds. Voting percentage reflects primarily Class A holdings; Class B super‑voting shares remain concentrated with insiders. Figures from September 23, 2025 ownership summaries and 13F filings. | Institutional | 7.7% | 2.6% | Sep 2025 |
FMR LLC (Fidelity Investments) Major active manager and index‑fund provider. Holds about 135.9 million META shares, or ~6.2% of outstanding equity, across various Fidelity funds. Voting power is diluted relative to economic stake due to Meta’s dual‑class capital structure. Ownership based on Yahoo Finance/Capital.com summary of institutional stakes and 2025 13F data. | Institutional | 6.2% | 2.1% | Sep 2025 |
State Street Corporation Large index‑fund manager (including SPDR ETFs). Owns roughly 86.9 million META shares, or about 4.0% of equity. Like other institutions, primarily holds single‑vote Class A shares, so its voting influence is below its economic stake. Percentages based on institutional‑holder rankings from Capital.com and Nasdaq as of mid‑ to late‑2025. | Institutional | 4.0% | 1.5% | Sep 2025 |
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