Snapchat Plus hit 15 million subscribers in 2025, and that number keeps climbing. If you’re wondering whether your friends joined the premium tier—or if they can see what you’re doing—you’re not alone. With Snapchat’s recent privacy updates and new Gen-AI features, the signs have shifted.
Here’s how to spot a Snapchat Plus user in 2026.
The Star Badge: Your First Clue
The clearest indicator sits right on their profile. Open a friend’s profile and look for a white star inside a black circle next to their username. This badge appears immediately below their Bitmoji and display name.
You can’t miss it if they haven’t hidden it—but there’s a catch. Snapchat now lets Plus subscribers toggle badge visibility in their settings. If someone values privacy, they’ll turn it off. No badge doesn’t mean no subscription.
Post-View Emojis Tell the Story
After you view someone’s story, check the emoji that appears next to your name on their viewer list. Snapchat Plus users can set custom post-view emojis that replace the standard purple circle icon.
If you see a unique emoji—maybe a fire symbol, star, or planet—that’s a Plus feature. Regular accounts don’t get this customization. It’s subtle, but it works.
The Friend Solar System Reveals Proximity
Snapchat Plus includes a Friend Solar System that ranks your closest friends as planets orbiting around you. Tap on a friend’s Bitmoji badge—if you see a gold “Best Friends” or “Friends” badge with planet graphics, they’re subscribed.
Here’s what changed in 2024: Snap Inc. made this feature opt-in after users complained about relationship anxiety. If someone doesn’t show planets, it doesn’t confirm they’re not paying. They might’ve disabled it.
The solar system works like this:
- Mercury = #1 best friend
- Venus = #2 best friend
- Earth = #3 best friend
- And so on through Neptune
Story Timer Length Gives It Away
Free accounts get 60-second story videos max. Snapchat Plus users can record up to 60 seconds per snap but chain multiple clips into longer stories without workarounds.
Watch how long someone’s story runs. If they’re posting continuous 2-3 minute narratives without cutting to multiple posts, they’re likely using extended recording time—a Plus perk.
App Icon Changes (The Sneaky Tell)
Snapchat Plus unlocks exclusive app icons. You won’t see this directly on their profile, but if you’re physically near someone’s phone and spot a non-standard Snapchat icon—gold ghost, rainbow design, retro throwback—they’re paying for premium.
This method only works in person. You can’t detect it remotely.
Features You Can’t See (But They Can)
Snapchat Plus subscribers get tools that give them information about you—without you knowing. Here’s what they can track:
Story Rewatch Indicators: Plus users see who rewatched their stories and how many times. You won’t know they’re counting.
Peek a Peek: This feature shows Plus subscribers when someone half-swipes their chat to read it without opening. If you’re ghosting someone by previewing messages, they might know.
Ghost Mode Trails: Plus users can see where you last appeared on Snap Map up to 24 hours after you’ve gone offline—even if you enabled Ghost Mode afterward.
None of these features display badges or icons. They’re invisible advantages.
Why Detection Matters in 2026
The privacy landscape shifted after the Take It Down Act of 2025 tightened rules around media sharing and viewer tracking. Users want to know what information Premium subscribers can access about them.
Snap Inc. responded by making several Plus features opt-in rather than default. The Friend Solar System, story rewatch counts, and half-swipe detection can all be disabled by subscribers who want privacy over perks.
This means detection isn’t foolproof anymore. Someone could pay for Plus but hide every visible indicator while still using viewer analytics behind the scenes.
Snapchat Plus vs. Free: What’s Different
| Feature | Free Account | Snapchat Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Star Badge | No | Yes (toggleable) |
| Custom App Icons | 1 default | 30+ exclusive designs |
| Post-View Emoji | Standard purple | Custom emoji |
| Story Timer | 60 seconds | Extended chaining |
| Rewatch Counter | Hidden | Visible to poster |
| Friend Solar System | No | Yes (opt-in) |
| Peek a Peek | No | Yes |
| My AI Customization | Limited | Full wallpaper/tone control |
Pricing Across Regions (2026 Rates)
Snapchat Plus costs $3.99/month in the United States, but regional pricing varies significantly:
- United Kingdom: £3.99/month (≈$5.10 USD)
- India: ₹49/month (≈$0.59 USD)
- Pakistan: PKR 400/month (≈$1.43 USD)
- Australia: AUD 5.99/month (≈$3.85 USD)
Some users purchase subscriptions through VPNs set to countries with lower prices. Snap Inc. hasn’t publicly cracked down on this practice, but payment processors sometimes flag mismatched billing addresses.
Gen-AI Features Changed the Game
In late 2025, Snapchat rolled out Gen-AI stickers and “My AI” conversation customization exclusively for Plus subscribers. These tools let users generate custom stickers from text prompts and personalize their AI chatbot’s personality.
If you see someone using wildly creative, non-standard stickers in their snaps—especially ones that look AI-generated with specific themes—they’re probably paying for access to generative tools.
My AI customization also includes custom wallpapers and conversation tones. Free users get the default yellow chatbot interface. Plus subscribers can theme it with galaxy backgrounds, retro designs, or minimalist aesthetics.
What You Can’t Detect
Some features remain completely invisible to non-subscribers:
Custom notification sounds: Plus users can set unique tones for specific friends. You’ll never know if they gave you a special alert.
Snapchat+ Support Priority: Subscribers get faster customer service response times. This doesn’t show anywhere in the app.
Expiring story extensions: Plus users can extend story expiration from 24 hours to 7 days. You might see older content, but you won’t know if it’s a Plus feature or if they just reposted it.
Should You Subscribe?
If you’re trying to detect Plus users because you’re considering subscribing yourself, here’s what matters:
You care about analytics: The rewatch counter and Peek a Peek features give you data about who’s engaging with your content. Useful for creators or people managing multiple friend groups.
You want customization: The app icons, custom emojis, and themes let you personalize your interface. Cosmetic, but satisfying if you use Snapchat daily.
You track close friendships: The Friend Solar System helps you monitor shifting relationships—who’s climbing your rankings, who’s dropping. Some find this insightful. Others find it anxiety-inducing.
You don’t care about features: If none of these perks matter, save your $4/month. The core Snapchat experience—messaging, stories, filters—remains identical for free users.
Privacy Implications You Should Know
The 2024 privacy backlash forced Snap Inc. to rethink several Plus features. The Friend Solar System originally launched as mandatory for all subscribers. After users reported mental health concerns—people obsessing over their “planet” status—Snapchat made it opt-in.
Story rewatch indicators faced similar criticism. Some users felt surveilled knowing friends could track their viewing habits. Snapchat didn’t remove the feature but added granular privacy controls.
If you’re concerned about Plus users seeing your activity:
- Avoid half-swiping chats if you don’t want Peek a Peek to expose you
- Limit story rewatches if you don’t want counters tracking you
- Use Ghost Mode consistently rather than toggling it on and off
These won’t stop Plus features entirely, but they minimize your digital footprint.
The Marketing Angle: B2B Use Cases
Small businesses and influencers use Snapchat Plus differently than casual users. The analytics features—rewatch counts, viewer lists, story engagement metrics—provide free market research.
Brands track which products or announcements get rewatched most. Influencers identify their most engaged followers. Some agencies subscribe to Plus accounts specifically for this data advantage.
If you’re in marketing, the $4/month subscription pays for itself with the insights you gain. Free alternatives like Instagram or TikTok analytics require business accounts or creator funds. Snapchat Plus gives you metrics on your existing audience without verification requirements.
Future Changes to Watch
Evan Spiegel confirmed in Q4 2025 earnings that Snapchat Plus would expand with more Gen-AI integrations throughout 2026. Expect features like:
- AI-generated lenses trained on your camera roll
- Voice cloning for My AI conversations
- Predictive friend suggestions based on solar system data
These won’t help you detect Plus users—they’re backend improvements. But they signal Snap Inc.’s commitment to making the subscription more valuable over time.
FAQs
Can you see who has Snapchat Plus if they hide the badge?
Not directly. If someone disables their star badge, you’ll need to rely on indirect signs like post-view emojis, extended stories, or the Friend Solar System. But all those features can also be hidden or disabled.
What does the black star on Snapchat mean?
The white star inside a black circle indicates a Snapchat Plus subscriber. It appears next to their username on their profile page—unless they’ve turned off badge visibility in settings.
Does Snapchat Plus reveal who views your profile?
No. Snapchat doesn’t offer profile view tracking for any tier. Plus subscribers can see story rewatches and chat half-swipes, but not general profile visits.
Does Snapchat Plus show if you half-swipe in 2026?
Yes. The Peek a Peek feature alerts Plus subscribers when someone half-swipes their chat to read it without opening. This feature launched in 2024 and remains active.
How do you hide your Snapchat Plus subscription from others?
Go to Settings > Snapchat+ > Manage Preferences. Toggle off “Show Badge on Profile.” You can also disable the Friend Solar System and other visible features individually.
Can you get Snapchat Plus cheaper in other countries?
Yes. India charges ₹49/month (about $0.59 USD) compared to $3.99 in the US. Some users purchase subscriptions through VPNs to access regional pricing, though this violates terms of service.
Does the Friend Solar System work both ways?
Yes, but only if both people subscribe to Snapchat Plus. You’ll see your friends as planets if they’re in your top 8, and they’ll see you as a planet if you’re in their top 8. It’s mutual—but opt-in.
What happens if you cancel Snapchat Plus mid-month?
You keep access until your billing cycle ends. If you paid on January 15, you’ll have Plus features until February 15 even if you cancel on January 20. No refunds for partial months.
Conclusion
Detecting Snapchat Plus users in 2026 isn’t as straightforward as it was when the feature first launched. The star badge remains your best indicator, but privacy-conscious subscribers can hide it. Look for post-view emojis, extended story lengths, and Friend Solar System badges as backup signals.
What you can’t see matters more. Plus subscribers track your story rewatches, half-swipe previews, and Snap Map history without any notification to you. If that bothers you, adjust your usage habits—or subscribe yourself to level the playing field.
The 15 million current subscribers prove the features resonate. Whether you join them depends on how much you value analytics, customization, and knowing where you rank in your friends’ digital lives.
