Meta, the powerhouse behind the world’s largest social platforms, has revolutionized the way we connect, communicate, and live online. With over 3.35 billion people using at least one of its core products in Q4 of 2024, it’s clear that our world can’t run without Meta!
Meta has become the cornerstone of global social interaction. But its impact doesn’t stop there – it has given birth to a whole new universe: the metaverse, where virtual and reality blend seamlessly.
With Meta’s staggering net income of $62.36 billion in 2024 and a market cap of $1.767 trillion as of February 2025, it continues to dominate, shaping the future of digital experiences.
Curious about what companies does Meta own? We’ve put together the top 5 meta companies list for you!
List Of 5 Famous Companies Owned By Meta
| Company Owned By Meta | Acquisition Cost |
| NA | |
| $19 billion | |
| $1 billion | |
| Oculus VR (Now ‘Meta Quest’) | $2 billion |
| Beluga (Now ‘Facebook Messenger’) | Undisclosed |
1. Facebook
- Inception Year: 2004
- Founders: Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes
- Service/Application Type: Social Networking Site
Facebook was launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates as a social networking platform exclusively for Harvard students. It quickly expanded to other universities and then to the general public. Facebook became a dominant platform for social interactions, news sharing, and connecting with friends.
Even though Facebook is not a separate company, it remains the core product of Meta. It evolved under Meta’s umbrella, with improvements in video content, targeted advertising, and integration with other Meta companies like Instagram and WhatsApp.
Today, Facebook continues to evolve with AI-powered content recommendations and a focus on short-form video content. It also introduced Facebook Horizon (now part of Meta’s metaverse), where users can explore virtual worlds and social spaces. Additionally, Facebook Shops has been improved, allowing businesses to sell products directly through the platform.
2. Whatsapp
- Inception Year: 2009
- Founders: Jan Koum, Brian Acton
- Acquisition Date: 19 February, 2014
- Acquisition Cost: $19 billion
- Service/Application Type: Mobile messaging app
WhatsApp started in 2009 as a simple messaging app designed for fast, secure texting without ads. The app quickly became popular because it used internet data instead of SMS charges.
In 2014, Facebook (now Meta) acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, which became known as the biggest acquisition by Meta. Meta expanded its features, adding voice and video calls, end-to-end encryption, and business tools. Despite concerns about data privacy, WhatsApp remained one of the most used messaging apps worldwide.
WhatsApp now offers AI-powered chat assistance, helping users with quick replies and translations. It also introduced WhatsApp Channels, where users can follow celebrities, businesses, and news updates. Another major update is multi-device support, allowing people to use WhatsApp on multiple phones and tablets without needing their main phone online.
3. Instagram
- Inception Year: 2010
- Founders: Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger
- Acquisition Date: 9 April, 2012
- Acquisition Cost: $1 Billion
- Service/Application Type: Photo and Video-sharing app
Instagram was launched in 2010 as a simple photo-sharing app. It later became popular for its filters, square photos, and social networking features. The app quickly gained millions of users, making it one of the fastest-growing social media platforms.
In 2012, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Instagram for $1 billion. After the acquisition, Instagram expanded beyond photos, adding videos, Stories, Reels, IGTV, and shopping features. It became a major platform for influencers, brands, and digital creators.
Instagram now offers AI-powered content recommendations, helping users discover posts based on their interests. It also introduced longer Reels (up to 3 minutes) and interactive shopping tools, making it easier for users to buy products directly. Another key update is better privacy controls, allowing users to manage who sees their content more easily.
4. Oculus VR (Meta Quest)
- Inception Year: 2012
- Founder: Palmer Luckey
- Acquisition Date: March 25, 2014
- Acquisition Cost: $2 billion
- Service/Application Type: VR headsets and gaming systems
Oculus VR was founded in 2012 and its first major product, the Oculus Rift, was a breakthrough in immersive gaming. The company quickly gained attention for its advanced VR technology, attracting developers and tech enthusiasts.
In 2014, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Oculus VR for $2 billion. Meta expanded its focus beyond gaming, integrating VR into social experiences, fitness, and remote work. Oculus became the foundation for Meta’s metaverse vision, leading to the development of new VR headsets like the Quest series.
Oculus (now branded as Meta Quest) has introduced full-color mixed reality, allowing users to blend virtual and real-world experiences seamlessly. The latest Meta Quest 3 offers better graphics, improved hand tracking, and AI-powered avatars. Meta has also expanded VR fitness apps and launched immersive workspaces, making virtual meetings more interactive.
5. Beluga (Facebook Messenger)
- Inception Year: 2010
- Founders: Lucy Zhang, Ben Davenport, Jonathan Perlow
- Acquisition Date: 2 March, 2011
- Acquisition Cost: Undisclosed
- Service/Application Type: Group messaging app
Beluga was a group messaging app founded in 2010 by three former Google employees. It allowed users to create “Pods” (group chats) for easy communication. The app gained popularity for its simple design and real-time messaging features.
In 2011, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Beluga and quickly shut down the app. However, Beluga’s technology and team were used to build Facebook Messenger, which launched later that year. Messenger replaced Beluga and became Meta’s main messaging platform.
Messenger now includes AI-powered chat assistants, allowing users to get instant replies and recommendations. It also offers end-to-end encrypted calls and messages for better privacy. Additionally, cross-app messaging lets users chat between Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp seamlessly.
Well, this is the end of our list of the 5 Famous Companies Owned By Meta. Continue reading for some detailed insights on the list!
Expert Insights On The List Of Companies Owned By Meta
| Social Networking Dominance | Meta has solidified its leadership in social networking, serving billions of users across platforms with a range of services from social to shopping. |
| Reinventing Acquired Platforms | Meta reinvented Oculus from a gaming device to a key component in its metaverse vision and transformed Beluga into Facebook Messenger. |
| The Metaverse Vision | With Oculus, Meta is positioning itself at the forefront of the metaverse, integrating VR and AR technologies for immersive social experiences. |
| AI and Cross-Platform Integration | AI-powered features and seamless messaging across platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) enhance user engagement and interactivity. |
FAQs
- Is Facebook a different company than Meta?
Ans: No, Facebook is not a separate company. In 2021, Facebook, Inc. was renamed to Meta Platforms, Inc. to reflect its broader focus on the metaverse. However, the Facebook app continues to exist as part of Meta’s portfolio, alongside other platforms.
- What does Meta stand for?
Ans: The word “Meta” in Facebook’s new name refers to the metaverse, a virtual world blending augmented and virtual reality. “Meta” comes from the Greek word μετά, meaning “beyond,” “after,” or “change.”
- What other companies does Meta own?
Ans: Other than Whatsapp, Instagram, Oculus and Beluga, Meta currently owns the following:
| Lesser Known Company Owned By Meta | Place | Acquisition Date | Acquisition Cost |
| Friendster patents | Mountain View, California, USA | May 13, 2010 | $40,000,000 |
| Octazen | Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpu, Malaysia | February 19, 2010 | Undisclosed |
| Strobe | San Francisco, California, USA | November 8, 2011 | Undisclosed |
| Little Eye Labs | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | January 8, 2014 | $15,000,000 |
| Branch | New York City, New York, USA | January 13, 2014 | $15,000,000 |
- What does the “Metaverse” really mean?
Ans: The metaverse is a concept for a future version of the internet, consisting of persistent, 3D virtual environments that blend real life with augmented and virtual reality.
- How do you get into the Metaverse?
Ans: To enter the metaverse, you need a device (like a VR headset or smartphone), a digital wallet for transactions, and an account on metaverse platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, Horizon Worlds, or Decentraland.
Also Read: Are you making these 5 B2B Marketing Mistakes? Here’s how to fix them!
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