What is Snapchat Plus? A Complete Guide to the Premium Subscription Service
Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 300 million daily active users. The app is best known for its fun filters and disappearing messages. But did you know there is also a premium version called Snapchat Plus?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about Snapchat Plus, including:
- What is Snapchat Plus and how is it different from regular Snapchat
- The exclusive features you get with a Snapchat Plus subscription
- How much it costs and payment options
- What countries and devices support Snapchat Plus
- User reviews and feedback on the premium service
- How celebrities and influencers use Snapchat Plus
- The revenue impact and business model behind it
- And more…
Let‘s dive in!
What Exactly is Snapchat Plus?
Snapchat Plus is a premium, paid subscription that gives you access to exclusive experimental features within Snapchat. It unlocks extra capabilities that let you customize and enhance your experience on the app.
As a Snapchat Plus subscriber, you get early access to new features before regular Snapchat users. You‘ll be able to test out new capabilities as they are developed and provide feedback directly to Snapchat.
Some of the key benefits of a Snapchat Plus subscription include:
- Exclusive filters, lenses, stickers and reactions
- Ability to pin someone as your "BFF"
- Seeing how many times friends have rewatched your stories
- Custom app icons and themes
- Priority replies for your snaps and messages
Essentially, Snapchat Plus gives diehard Snapchatters more ways to personalize their experience and stand out within the app. It‘s Snapchat‘s take on a paid subscription model that offers extra value for the most engaged users.
Breakdown of Snapchat Plus Features
Snapchat Plus comes packed with a ton of exclusive features you won‘t find on the free version of Snapchat. Here are some of the most notable capabilities unlocked with a subscription:
Custom Profile Features
With Snapchat Plus, you can customize the way your profile looks within the app:
- Exclusive Snapchat Plus Badge: Lets other users know you have access to exclusive features
- Custom App Icons: Personalize Snapchat‘s home screen icon with exclusive designs
- Custom Notification Sounds: Add custom sounds for incoming Snaps and Chats
Extended Story Features
Post Stories visible only to your closest friends and embellish them with interactive effects:
- BFF Stories: Share Stories visible only to your Best Friends
- Rewatch Indicator: See how many times friends have watched your Stories
- Orbit: New 3D effects and styles for Story posts
Priority Alerts
With Snapchat Plus you‘ll never miss a message again with priority alerts and notifications:
- Priority Story Replies: Your replies appear at the top of friend‘s Chat first
- Priority Chat: Move your 1:1 Chats to the top of your friend‘s inbox
And much more! Snapchat is continuing to test and develop exclusive Pearl privileges not available to regular users.
How Much Does Snapchat Plus Cost?
Snapchat Plus is currently priced at $3.99 USD per month. So it works out to just over a dollar a week for the premium features.
Here is the official monthly pricing breakdown:
- 1 month: $3.99
- 6 months: $21.99 (saves 17%)
- 12 months: $39.99 (saves 33%)
When you subscribe to Snapchat Plus, the fee will automatically renew each month unless you decide to cancel ahead of your next billing date.
The subscription is paid through your Google Play Store account if using an Android device or your Apple App Store account if using an iPhone. You can manage or cancel the subscription directly through your app store settings.
What Countries Can Get Snapchat Plus?
Snapchat Plus first launched in the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.
However, Snapchat has been gradually rolling out access to additional countries over the past few months.
As of January 2023, Snapchat Plus is now available in the following nations:
North America
- United States
- Canada
Europe
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- France
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
Asia Pacific
- Australia
- New Zealand
Hopefully Snapchat will continue expanding the Snapchat Plus availability to more areas globally this year. Be sure to check the Snapchat app in your country because new regions are being added frequently.
What Devices Support Snapchat Plus?
Snapchat Plus is available on both iPhones and Android phones.
Here is the latest device compatibility list for the premium subscription:
iPhone
You must be running iOS 14 or later software version, including:
- iPhone SE (1st generation or later)
- iPhone 6s or later models
- iPod Touch 7th gen devices
Android Phones
You must be running Android 8.0 or later software version, including:
- Samsung phones released since 2017 models
- Google Pixel phones released since 2018 models
Essentially if you have a relatively modern iPhone or Android phone from the last 5 years, it should support installing Snapchat Plus.
But the device compatibility can vary based on your specific model and software version. Check the Snapchat app store listing for your latest country requirements.
What Do Users Think About Snapchat Plus?
Since launching mid-2022, Snapchat Plus has received mixed reviews from users.
On one hand, loyal Snapchat users seem to love the new ways to customize their experience with exclusive filters, emojis, profile badges, notifications, and priority alerts. It brings an additional layer of personalization to the app.
Some user reviews highlight the value of getting early access to new Snapchat capabilities before everyone else. The ability to influence the Snapchat product roadmap has appealed to longtime app enthusiasts.
However, other users argue that locking previously free features behind a paywall feels anti-consumer. Some capabilities like profile customization and chat notifications could be seen as basic functionality that all users should have access to.
There is also criticism around the price point at $3.99 per month when other streaming services cost the same. For casual Snapchat users, Snapchat Plus may not provide enough additional utility to warrant the monthly subscription fee.
Ultimately it comes down to how deeply you engage with Snapchat. More regular users are likely to find value from Snapchat Plus‘ exclusive perks. But more casual users may be better off sticking with the standard free version of the app.
As Snapchat rolls out more features for paying subscribers, it will be interesting to see whether Snapchat Plus catches on across a broader user base over time.
How Influencers, Celebrities and Creators Use Snapchat Plus
In the world of social media creators, Snapchat Plus has become an increasingly popular tool.
Influencers, online celebrities, and creators have flocked to Snapchat Plus as a way to offer subscribers and loyal fans exclusive content and interactions.
For example, Snapchat power users like Charli D‘Amelio, Emma Chamberlain, and Rickey Thompson now have dedicated Snapchat Plus profiles where they post subscriber-only updates with behind the scenes footage, first looks, and daily recaps.
Snapchat Plus offers a new revenue stream for these digital stars who can entice their most engaged followers to pay for premium access and perks. Celebrities also use Snapchat Plus profiles to nurture more intimate connections with their core fan base instead of the masses.
Even traditional Hollywood celebrities like Kevin Hart, Joe Jonas, and James Corden are getting in on Snapchat Plus with accounts offering backstage updates and VIP-style content.
For brands and creators trying to stand out in a crowded social media sphere, Snapchat Plus presents a unique opportunity to monetize and reward top fans. Expect the influencer usage of Snapchat Plus to increase throughout 2023.
The Business Impact and Revenue Potential Behind Snapchat Plus
So why did Snapchat decide to launch a paid subscription and what does it mean for their future revenue?
Snapchat Plus represents a smart evolution of Snapchat‘s business model and path to profitability as a public company.
Here are a few of the key business impacts driving Snapchat‘s foray into premium subscriptions:
New Revenue Stream – Snapchat Plus gives Snapchat a new source of recurring subscription revenue beyond just advertising dollars. Morgan Stanley estimates Snapchat Plus could generate over $100 million in incremental revenue.
Higher Value Per User – Snapchat Plus allows Snapchat to derive more average revenue per user (ARPU) from its most loyal customer base without impacting the experience for non-paying users.
Competitive Differentiation – With other social giants like Twitter, Telegram and Discord rolling out paid tiers, Snapchat Plus keeps Snapchat competitively positioned in giving power users premium capabilities.
Enhanced Value Proposition – The exclusive features in Snapchat Plus strengthen the app‘s unique value to the most highly engaged messaging and visual communication enthusiasts across aging demographics.
In many ways, Snapchat Plus aims to replicate the success Tinder has seen from its Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold subscription packages. Match Group, Tinder‘s parent company, makes the majority of its sizeable profits from these premium subscribers.
Snapchat likely has similar ambitions and upside in converting loyal daily active users into Snapchat Plus subscribers steadily over time.
If Snapchat Plus helps boost declining user growth trends and continues gaining premium subscribers, it could profoundly impact Snapchat‘s shaky financial position in the long term. But only time will tell whether Snapchat power users feel compelled enough to pay up.
The Bottom Line on Snapchat Plus
At the end of the day, Snapchat Plus offers some compelling benefits for hardcore Snapchat users through early access, customization, exclusivity and VIP-style features.
However, the $3.99 per month subscription fee may feel unnecessary for more casual Snapchat users who are satisfied with the core functionality of sending Snaps and Chats for free.
For those Snapchat diehards obsessed with exclusive lenses, badges, reactions, alerts and profile customizations – Snapchat Plus seems well worth it. But non-power users may be better off saving their $4 a month.
As Snapchat expands the capabilities included with Snapchat+, this premium offering has potential to provide real value to Snapchat‘s most engaged messaging community. Over time, we‘ll see whether Snapchat Plus catches on mainstream or remains an exclusive club for elite Snapchatters.
