is wechat free: what US students & expats need to know
Quick scene: Beijing dorm, midnight — is WeChat free? Last semester a friend from Ohio messaged me from a crowded Beijing dorm: “Bro, is WeChat free? Don’t want surprise charges.” That’s the exact real-world worry: you land in China, everyone says “WeChat” like it’s air — but is it free the way WhatsApp is free back home? Does it suddenly start billing you for stickers, video calls, or mini-programs? Will you need a Chinese bank card or a VPN? These are the small practical fires students and expats want put out before they burn their budgets. ...