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Yes. Facebook can be downloaded for free, and basic use is free with ads. You do not have to buy anything to install the app, but mobile data charges depend on your carrier plan, and the app listing identifies optional in-app purchases. In some regions, Meta has also offered a paid subscription without ads; its availability and price depend on where you live and how you subscribe.
What does Facebook cost to download?
The Google Play listing for Facebook shows an Install action and labels the app “Contains ads” and “In-app purchases.” That means there is no listed download fee, while paid options may be available inside the app. The in-app-purchases label does not mean a purchase is required to install Facebook or use its basic features. Check the current Facebook listing on Google Play. Store listings and availability can vary by country and change over time.
Apple describes a free app as one users do not pay to download or use, and a freemium app as a no-cost download that may include optional paid features or content. That is general App Store guidance, not a statement about every current Facebook listing. Apple’s explanation of app business models provides the distinction.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIs Facebook free to use?
Standard Facebook use is free and supported by advertising. The app’s store listing confirms that it contains ads. You can use Facebook without paying for an ad-free subscription, but you should expect advertising as part of the free experience.
#1 Best Overall
- A more natural connection. Smart Camera adjusts automatically so you can move freely and stay in frame, while Smart Sound ensures you can easily be heard.
- Call anyone, anywhere. Use apps like Messenger and WhatsApp to connect with friends and family—even if they don’t have a Meta Portal.
- Designed for the home. With a sleek picture frame design, quick setup and intuitive voice and touchscreen controls, Portal fits easily and seamlessly into your home.
- Privacy by design. Easily disable the camera and microphone, or block the lens with the camera cover.
Internet access may still cost money
Downloading and using the app requires an internet connection. If you use mobile data, your carrier may charge you or count that data against your plan; Wi-Fi costs depend on your internet service. Those are connectivity costs, not a Facebook download fee. The reviewed sources do not establish a universal amount for Facebook data use or carrier charges, so check your own plan rather than relying on a general estimate.
What can you pay for?
The store listing’s “In-app purchases” label indicates optional purchases, but it does not establish that any purchase is necessary for basic use. The reviewed listing does not specify a universal purchase price.
Rank #2
- Feel close, wherever you roam. With the best of Meta Portal smart video calling made portable, you can take the conversation anywhere in your home.
- Designed for calls on the go. A long-lasting battery and integrated handle make it easy to move from room to room.
- Call anyone, anywhere. Use apps like Messenger and WhatsApp to connect with friends and family—even if they don’t have a Meta Portal.
- A more natural connection. Smart Camera adjusts automatically so you can move freely and stay in frame, while Smart Sound ensures you can always be heard.
- Great sound anywhere. Listen to music with a speaker that can fill any room. Doubles as a portable Bluetooth speaker around the home.
Meta has also announced paid subscriptions that remove ads in particular regions. These offers are separate from downloading Facebook and are not a worldwide price list:
| Region and announcement | Free option described | No-ads subscription price stated at announcement |
|---|---|---|
| European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland; Meta announcement, November 12, 2024 | Continue using Facebook and Instagram free with ads, or choose less-personalized ads. | €5.99 per month on the web or €7.99 per month on iOS and Android. |
| United Kingdom; Meta announcement, September 26, 2025 | Continue using Facebook and Instagram free with personalized ads. | For the first Meta account, £2.99 per month on the web or £3.99 per month on iOS and Android. |
These are prices Meta stated in dated announcements, not verified live prices for every user in those regions in 2026. The European announcement also said less-personalized ads used less data to select ads and that some ad breaks could be unskippable for a few seconds. Before subscribing, check the offer and terms shown in your account, including the price for your region and purchase channel. Read Meta’s November 2024 European announcement and September 2025 UK announcement for their original scope.
Rank #3
- Move and talk freely with Smart Camera: With Smart Camera, you don’t have to worry about being out of frame. Whether you’re moving around the kitchen, prepping dinner or chasing the kids through the living room, Smart Camera adjusts to follow the action. And as more people enter a room, Smart Camera automatically widens to keep everyone in view, so you don’t miss a moment
- Private by design: Facebook doesn't listen to, view or keep the contents of your Portal video calls. Calls on Portal are encrypted, so conversations stay between you and those you're calling. You can also completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap, or block the camera lens with the camera cover provided
- Connect with friends, even if they don't have Portal: Easily call friends and family on Messenger — calls can be made seamlessly to and from smartphones and tablets. And you can bring up to six other people into a group call
- Alexa built-in: Portal has Alexa built-in, so you can ask a question, set a timer, add items to your shopping list, control your smart home or more. Just ask
- Experience more together: With Portal, story time will never be the same. With music, animation and augmented reality effects, Portal lets you become some of your children’s favorite characters as you read along to well-loved stories. And if friends or family also have Portal, you can listen to your favorite music together as if you were in the same room, without delays or feedback
Does the European subscription choice have a settled legal status?
Meta’s July 2, 2025 post said that the European Commission had found Meta’s then-existing choice between an ad-free subscription and a free, ad-supported service did not comply with the Digital Markets Act, and that Meta was appealing the decision. That is Meta’s account of the decision and its appeal, not a direct quotation from the Commission or confirmation of the current legal status. The post should be read as a dated company statement, not proof that the same offer or rules apply unchanged today. Read Meta’s July 2025 statement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you consider before installing?
- Ads: The free experience includes advertising; a no-ads subscription has been offered only in specified regions.
- Connectivity: Mobile data costs, if any, depend on your carrier and plan.
- Optional purchases: The listing flags in-app purchases, but does not make them a requirement for downloading the app.
- Privacy disclosures: Google Play labels the app “Users Interact, Shares Location, In-App Purchases.” Its data-safety section says practices may vary by use, region and age, and that developer-provided information may be updated. Check the current store listing and your account controls for details relevant to you.
Meta has separately estimated that its platforms and personalized ads supported €213 billion in EU economic activity and 1.44 million jobs across the EU in 2024. This is Meta’s own estimate about broader economic effects; it is not the price of Facebook or a measure of what an individual user saves. See Meta’s 2025 estimate and its stated scope.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Know when people have seen your messages.
- Forward messages or photos to people who weren't in the conversation.
- Search for people and groups to quickly get back to them.
- Turn on location to let people know when you're nearby.
- See who's available on Messenger and who's active on Facebook.
Rank #4
- 【Ultimate Hands-Free Control for Endless Scrolling 】 : Lying in bed or relaxing on the sofa has never been more comfortable. Our tik tok scrolling ring allows you to effortlessly swipe through TikTok, YouTube, Instagram Facebook, and short videos without holding heavy phones or tablets, completely freeing your hands and reducing arm and finger fatigue,TIPs: NOT for kindle devices like Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.
- 【Multi-Function Remote for Daily Use】 :This Bluetooth scrolling ring supports TikTok page up/down, volume adjustment, play/pause, and like functions. It also works as an e-book page turner remote, camera shutter for photos and video recording, making it the perfect handy gadget for streaming, reading, and content creation.
- 【Wireless Camera Remote for Selfies & Group Photos】：Capture perfect moments from up to 33 feet away with the wireless camera shutter. Ideal for selfies, family photos, vlogs, and video recording, you no longer need to ask others for help or risk dropping your phone.
- 【E-Book Page Turner Compatible with Most Reading Apps】Effortlessly flip pages on your favorite e-book apps with a simple double-click. Please note: this remote is designed for e-book apps only and NOT compatible with Kindle devices such as Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Oasis.
- 【Wide Compatibility & Stable Bluetooth Connection】Built with advanced Bluetooth 5.0, this scrolling remote works seamlessly with iOS 14.8+ and Android devices. It supports TikTok, Kindle App, Spotify, and most popular apps, delivering fast pairing and a stable, long-distance connection for smooth daily use
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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