What is Snapchat Plus? Explained! (2025)
Ever wondered what’s behind Snapchat’s premium glow? If you’re a Gen Z Snapper feeling lost in the app’s free version, Snapchat Plus might be your ticket to a next-level experience. As someone who’s spent years decoding social media trends, I know the thrill of unlocking new features and the worry of missing out on the hype. Snapchat Plus, launched in 2022, offers exclusive tools, from AI-powered Snaps to custom app icons, for just $3.99 a month. With 14 million subscribers by Q4 2024, it’s a hit, but is it worth it? This guide dives into what Snapchat Plus offers in 2025, how to sign up, and how to keep it safe so you can snap smarter and stress less.
What is Snapchat Plus?
Snapchat Plus (or Snapchat+) is a premium subscription that supercharges your Snapchat experience with exclusive, experimental, and early-access features. Think of it as a VIP pass for the app’s 850 million monthly active users, especially Gen Z fans who love its fast, visual vibe. For $3.99 a month, you get tools like pinning best friends, custom Story timers, and AI-enhanced Snaps, all designed for heavy users, per Snapchat’s SVP of Product, Jacob Andreou. Unlike the free version, Plus adds flair and control, letting you stand out while keeping the core disappearing-message charm. Curious about its map features? Snap Map, included in Plus, tracks friends’ locations.
Why Choose Snapchat Plus?
Why pay for Snapchat when the free version is already fun? Snapchat Plus is built for power users who want more control, personalization, and insights. It’s perfect if you’re always snapping, chasing streaks, or building your Snapscore. With 33 features (and counting), like seeing who rewatched your Stories or pinning a BFF, Plus boosts engagement and creativity. Creators love its Story Boosts for visibility, while casual users enjoy quirky perks like custom app icons. A 7-day free trial lets you test the waters, and with 14 million subscribers by late 2024, it’s clear the hype’s real.
Snapchat Plus Features:
Snapchat Plus packs over 30 features in 2025, from friend-focused tools to AI experiments. Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll unlock.
Friend-Related Features:
Snapchat Plus takes friendships to cosmic levels. The Friend Solar System turns you into the Sun, with your top eight friends as planets (Mercury for your closest, Neptune for the eighth), showing how tight you are based on snaps and chats. You can pin a #1 Best Friend to keep their chat at the top, marked by a smiley emoji, even if they’re not your top Best Friend naturally. Plus, you get 16 Best Friends instead of 8, and a Snapscore Multiplier doubles your score growth when snapping Plus users. Check streaks with the hourglass emoji to keep them alive, using slang like RS for fun.
Customization:
Make Snapchat your own with Plus’s customization. Choose from 30+ custom app icons to spice up your phone’s home screen (iOS only), or pick from a dozen app themes to tweak the camera’s look. Add exclusive Bitmoji backgrounds, like AI-generated scenes, or customize your Snap Map Bitmoji with pets or vehicles. A black star badge on your profile shouts your Plus status, toggleable for privacy. These tweaks let you flex your style, making your app pop.
Story and Messaging Tools:
Snapchat Plus upgrades your Stories and chats. Set custom Story timers (1 hour to a week) instead of the standard 24 hours, and see a 👀 emoji with a count of friends who rewatched your Story, hinting at who’s obsessed. Priority Story Replies make your responses more visible to creators, while Peek a Peek shows an eyes emoji when someone half-swipes your chat, catching sneaky readers. Edit messages within 5 minutes, and set custom chat wallpapers or notification sounds for friends. Spot active friends with a green dot to snap them fast.
Map and Location Features:
Snapchat Plus enhances Snap Map with Ghost Trails, letting you see friends’ 24-hour location history if they share it, perfect for tracking meetups. Customize your Map Appearance with unique Bitmoji styles, like driving a specific car. These tie into Snap Map’s heatmap and Story features, letting you explore global events while staying connected.
AI and Experimental Tools:
AI will be a big draw for Snapchat Plus in 2025. Use AI Creative Tools to generate images from prompts or extend Snaps by filling in backgrounds, ideal for phones without ultrawide lenses. AI Captions auto-generate smart captions for your Snaps, saving time. Experimental features like Tiny Snaps (smaller, less intrusive Snaps) and Lightning Snaps (split-second timers) keep things fresh, with early access before free users. New AI tools, like enhanced My AI chatbot customization, are planned for 2025.
How to Subscribe to Snapchat Plus
Ready to join the 14 million Snapchat Plus users? Subscribing is quick, with flexible plans and a free trial to test the perks.
Snapchat Plus Cost and Plans
Snapchat Plus costs $3.99/month, $21.99 for 6 months, or $39.99/year in the U.S., with a 7-day free trial,. The Platinum Monthly Plan ($4-$15/month, select regions) offers an ad-free experience with no Sponsored Snaps or Story ads. Prices vary by country (e.g., ₹49/month in India), and you can cancel anytime via your app store. Check your Snapchat settings for the latest pricing in your region.
Steps to Sign Up
- Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Look for the gold “Snapchat+” banner below your name and tap it.
- Choose a plan (monthly, 6-month, or yearly) and start the 7-day free trial.
- Confirm payment via Apple ID, Google Play, or a linked card.
- Restart the app to unlock features.
If the banner doesn’t appear, update your app or redownload it, as older versions may hide the option.
Is Snapchat Plus Safe for Kids?
With 10% of U.S. kids aged 13-17 using Snapchat, parents often worry about Plus’s safety. The minimum age is 13 per COPPA, but Plus’s features, like location tracking, raise concerns. Here’s how to keep it safe.
Privacy Concerns and Transparency
Snapchat Plus doesn’t change core privacy settings, but features like Ghost Trails and Peek a Peek can expose location or chat habits if not managed. The black star badge and Story rewatch indicators may pressure teens to overshare, as noted in X posts. Snapchat’s data use for ads or AI also sparks debate, so review privacy settings regularly. Enable Ghost Mode on Snap Map and disable the Plus badge for low-key use.
Parental Tools for Safety
Parents can monitor Plus usage with apps like Kids360, which limits screen time and flags new account activity. Set ground rules: no location sharing without permission, and avoid public Stories. Discuss features like rewatch indicators to ease social pressure. Snapchat’s Family Center lets parents view kids’ contacts and Story settings, enhancing oversight.
FAQs:
Can You Tell If Someone Has Snapchat Plus?
Yes, a black star badge on their profile or premium features like custom Story timers signal Snapchat Plus. Users can hide the badge for privacy.
Does Snapchat Plus Show Who Viewed Your Profile?
No, Snapchat Plus doesn’t notify you of profile views, unlike LinkedIn. It does show Story rewatch counts but not specific viewers.
What’s the Difference Between Snapchat Plus and Snap Map?
Snapchat Plus is a paid subscription with 30+ features, including Snap Map enhancements like Ghost Trails. Snap Map is a free location-sharing tool for all users.
How Does Snapchat Plus Compare to Snapchat Planets?
Snapchat Plus includes Planets, a feature ranking your top eight friends as planets, exclusive to subscribers. Planets aren’t available in the free version.
Conclusion:
Snapchat Plus in 2025 is a game-changer for Gen Z Snappers, offering over 30 features to personalize your app, boost friendships, and spark creativity. From Solar Systems to AI Snaps, it’s built for heavy users who want more than the free version’s basics. With years of exploring social media trends, I’ve seen subscriptions like this light up connections when used smartly. Try the 7-day free trial, tweak your privacy settings, and snap a custom-themed Story.
