In 2022, Snap launched a paid subscription to its service called Snapchat Plus. It offered early access to features and priority support.

Here’s everything you need to know about the service, including what it is, why you might consider it, and how to subscribe.

What is Snapchat Plus?

Snapchat Plus is the paid version of Snapchat’s social network, which gives subscribers early access to experimental features like exclusive icons and pinning conversations. The company confirmed in January that more than 2 million people have paid for its service, which is a $3.99 per month subscription plan.

So, what does Snapchat Plus do exactly?

Well aside from giving users exclusive access to new features, it allows Creators to completely customize their app interface for an authentic and unique experience

Snapchat Plus is currently available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. If you reside in any of these countries, you should be able to use the service on your iPhone or Android devices.

It is worth noting that Snapchat joins a growing list of social networks that have rolled out premium subscription services in recent times. Twitter launched its Twitter Blue service, WhatsApp announced WhatsApp Premium, and Telegram made Telegram Premium available.

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But Snapchat does not expect its subscription service to overtake ads as its main source of revenue.

Jacob Andreou, Snap’s SVP of Product stated as much in an interview with The Verge:

“The company doesn’t anticipate the new subscription service to be a significant revenue source. Ads are going to be at the core of our business model for the long future.”

So even if you pay for Snapchat Plus, you’d still receive ads on the platform.

Next up: We explore the most popular Snapchat + features.

What additional features do you get in Snapchat Plus?

Snapchat Plus subscription targets heavy users of the platform, or according to Jacob Andreou, the people who spend the most time communicating with their closest friends on Snap. These users get to try out new Snapchat premium features before regular users see them.

Therefore, the features present in Snapchat Plus are expected to change over time. Going forward, “single-playerish” features (features that involve only one user) will likely remain exclusive to Plus subscribers. But features that rely on interactions will be released to general users too.

Currently, some additional features Snapchat Plus subscribers will get include:

• Priority story replies
• Pin a BFF
• Custom camera options
• Chat wallpapers
• Post view emoji
• Gift Snapchat+
• Custom story timer
• Custom notification sounds
• Exclusive Bitmoji backgrounds
• Custom app icons
• Friend solar systems
• Capturing color
• Story rewatch indicator
• Friend Snapscore change
• Story Boost
• Snapchat+ badge
• Peek a Peek

Priority story replies

As a Snapchat Plus subscriber, your replies to other users’ stories will be more visible to them.

Pin a BFF

As the name suggests, this feature allows you to pick one Snap user as your BFF, saving your conversation with this user at the top of your chats.

Only you can see this pin–your BFF will not receive any notification.

Custom camera option

You can also personalize the way you capture images and videos with new animated capture buttons.

Instead of tapping the old yellow circle over and over again, your capture button can be transformed into a fidget spinner, a football, or even a dancing heart.

Chat wallpapers

Chat wallpapers feature lets you choose the backdrop for your chats. You can use one of Snap’s pre-made wallpapers or a shot from your camera roll to set the stage for your chats.

Post view emoji

Post view emoji lets you pick an emoji you want your friends to see after they view your snaps.

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Gift Snapchat+

As a Premium user, you can gift a twelve-month subscription to Snapchat+ to any of your friends who aren’t currently subscribed. 

Gifts are a one-time purchase, so if you receive a gift subscription, it will begin after your current subscription ends.

Custom story expiration

Snapchat Plus subscribers can also set how long they want their stories to last, whether it is one hour or one week. This means you can keep engaging content visible for much longer.

Custom notification sounds

You can also set different notification sounds for different friends so you can know who sent you a snap without looking at your phone.

Exclusive Bitmoji background

Despite not being a Snap-native feature, Bitmoji is widely used on the platform. Snapchat Plus allows users to give their Bitmojis special backgrounds like gleaming gold or beach paradise.

Custom app icons

With custom app icons, you can change your homescreen Snapchat app icon with new standout designs. You have over 30 custom icons to select from.

Friends solar system

Snapchat+ subscribers will see a “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge with a gold ring around it on other users’ Friendship Profiles.

“Best Friends” means you are one of each other’s eight closest pals on the app, while “Friends” means you’re one of their closest friends, but they’re not one of yours.

Snapchat Plus planets represent how close you are to your friends on the platform. Each of your eight closest friends will be a signed a planet in your solar system, with your bestie being the closest planet to you. You can tap on the badge to see which planet you are in your friends’ Solar System.

Capturing color

Snapchat+ users can use the “Capturing Color” option to customize the color, badge, and appearance of the app. While it’s not one of the standout Snapchat Plus features, it can add a little extra flair to your social experience.

Story rewatch

Premium Snapchat users will see the 👀  emoji under Stories when one or more friends have rewatched it. They can also see how many friends rewatch their Snaps when posted to My Story, Private Stories, or Shared Stories.

The number next to the 👀  emoji indicates how many friends rewatched your Story, not the total number of times it was rewatched. This feature doesn’t show which friends rewatched your story.

Friend Snapscore change

Get a notification when your friends’ Snapchat scores change to keep tabs on their activity. Simply go to their Friendship Profile and tap on their Snapscore.

Story Boost

The Snapchat+ Story Boost feature allows you to boost your private story for 24. This means you can get more views from your friends.

The Snapchat+ subscription gives you one Story Boost per week. But be sure to use it, otherwise it will expire.

Here’s how to boost your Story:

• Go to your Profile
• Open your active Friend or Private Story
• Tap “Boost” (below the Story thumbnail)
• A 24-hour countdown will begin

Snapchat+ Badge

Let your friends know you’re a Snapchat+ subscriber by adding a black star badge ✪ next to your display name.

The Snapchat Plus badge is automatically set to off, so you’ll need to follow the steps below to display it:

• Head to your Profile
• Click your Snapchat+ membership card 
• Toggle on ‘Snapchat+ Badge’

Once you’ve done this, all your friends will be able to see the badge, as long as they’re using an updated version of the app.

Peek a Peek

The Peek a Peek Snapchat+ feature lets you see when a friend is taking a peek at one of your shared one-on-one or Group Chats.

You’ll see the 👀 emoji next to the conversation in your Chat feed when they’re taking a look. But you’ll only be able to see it if you’re looking at your Chat feed when they’re taking a sneak peek.

Snapchat plus pricing details

Snapchat Plus costs $3.99 per month. This gives you access to the exclusive features mentioned above.

How to sign up for Snapchat Plus

As mentioned earlier, Snapchat Plus is only available in certain countries. If you don’t live in these countries, you will have to wait until the service expands to your country.

Here’s how to sign up for Snapchat Plus.

• Open Snapchat
• Go to your Profile
• If Snapchat Plus is supported in your territory, you’ll see a gold-tinted banner
• Tap the “Snapchat+ banner card”
• Choose a subscription term (you can start with a seven-day free trial to test-run the service)
• You may need to restart the app for the Snapchat+ features to appear.

Your payment method depends on the type of device you use. You can pay via Google account, Apple ID, or your linked debit or credit cards.

You can also turn each feature on or off. This means that you don’t have to use all of the service’s features. Choose which ones you want and turn the others off.

How to cancel Snapchat Plus

You can cancel your Snapchat+ subscription at any time by simply updating your subscription settings in the app. If you use a purchase provider, you will need to follow the instructions laid out in their specific cancellation provider. 

Follow the instructions below to cancel your Snapchat Plus subscription.

How to cancel Snapchat Plus on iPhone

• Go to “Settings” on your iPhone
• Click on your name
• Select “Subscriptions” and tap Snapchat+
• Hit “Cancel Subscription” (you may need to scroll to find this option)

How to cancel Snapchat Plus on Android devices

• Open the Google Play app
• Head to your subscriptions
• Select Snapchat+
• Tap “Cancel subscription”
• Follow the on-screen instructions

Upon canceling, you will still have access to Snapchat+ until the end of your subscription term.

If you don’t cancel your Snapchat Plus, your subscription will automatically renew. 

FAQs

What is Snapchat?

Snapchat is a popular messaging app that allows users to send pictures and messages that are only available for a short time before they disappear.

What is Snapchat used for?

According to Snap, the app allows people to express themselves, live in the moment, and have fun.

What does subscription mean on Snapchat?

Snapchat subscriptions allow you to view stories shared by public profiles. When you subscribe to someone’s stories on Snap, their content becomes available to you even if you are not friends.

Is Snapchat Plus the same as Snapchat Premium?

There is no product offered by Snapchat called Snapchat Premium. Snapchat Plus is the company’s premium option, offering you access to experimental features.

Does Snapchat Plus remove ads in the app?

No, you’ll still view ads on Snapchat even if you subscribe to Snapchat Plus.

How much does Snapchat Plus cost?

For those wondering how much is Snapchat Plus, it currently costs $3.99, or you can pay a yearly subscription of $29.99.

What countries have Snapchat Plus?

Snapchat Plus is currently available in the following countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.