How Much Is Telegram Premium and How Can You Get a Discount?
If you're asking how much is Telegram Premium, the typical price is $4.99 per month in the United States. The exact cost you pay can vary, however, depending on your country, the subscription term you choose, and how you pay. Annual plans often provide a significant discount over monthly payments.
Telegram Premium is an optional paid subscription that unlocks enhanced features on the messaging app. Subscribers get doubled limits, faster download speeds, and exclusive tools. These include 4 GB file uploads, voice-to-text conversion, and real-time chat translation.
How much does Telegram Premium cost?
Telegram does not publish a single global price list. The company aims for affordable pricing with variations to reflect local living standards, as stated in its official Premium FAQ.
The service launched in June 2022 and proved popular. By March 2024, Telegram's founder reported that the service had amassed 5 million paying subscribers.
5 million: The number of Telegram Premium subscribers as of March 2024., Financial Times, 2024
Here are the main ways to subscribe:
- Annual Subscriptions: Telegram offers a yearly subscription at a significant discount compared to paying monthly.
- Prepaid Gift Codes: These are available for 3, 6, or 12-month terms at discounted rates. They do not auto-renew.
- @PremiumBot: Subscribing through Telegram's official @PremiumBot is cheaper than using the App Store or Google Play. This method avoids platform fees.
Why Does the Price of Telegram Premium Vary?
The price you pay for Telegram Premium depends on three main factors.
- Platform Fees. Subscriptions via the App Store or Google Play include a commission (often up to 30%) that these platforms charge developers. Telegram passes this cost on, making in-app subscriptions more expensive.
- Geographic Region. Your App Store or Google Play account's region determines the currency and price. Telegram intentionally offers lower prices in countries with different economic conditions.
- Subscription Term. Paying for 12 months upfront is cheaper per month than a rolling monthly subscription.
Subscribing via the official @PremiumBot bypasses App Store fees, making it a cheaper option than in-app purchases.
How Do the Subscription Methods Compare?
Here is how the different payment methods compare. Prices are indicative and based on US figures. Always check your app for the exact cost in your region.
| Route | How you pay | Subscription Term | Renews? | Best for | Indicative price (Oct 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App Store / Google Play, monthly | Card on your store account | 1 month | Yes, until cancelled | Short-term use or trying it out | ~$4.99/mo in the US |
| App Store / Google Play, yearly | Card on your store account | 12 months | Yes | Users who prefer managing subscriptions via their Apple/Google account | Discounted vs. monthly |
| @PremiumBot | Telegram's own checkout | Monthly or yearly | Yes | Saving on the store's commission | Cheaper than the store |
| Gift via the app or Fragment | Card, Stars, or TON | 3, 6 or 12 months prepaid | No | Fixed-term use with no auto-renewal | Varies with promotions |
| TgFather Prepaid Term | Crypto wallet balance in USD | 3, 6 or 12 months | No | Paying with crypto for a fixed term | $12.35 / $16.31 / $29.28 |
The "Renews?" column is critical. Auto-renewing monthly subscriptions are a common source of overspending if forgotten.
How Do Gift Subscriptions Work?
Gifting is a straightforward way to get a prepaid Premium term of 3, 6, or 12 months. Since it's prepaid, it does not auto-renew. When the term expires, the Premium features simply turn off. This is an excellent option for work accounts or personal use where you prefer a fixed cost and end date.
Gift prices are dynamic and shown in your local currency inside the app. To see the current price, open a contact's profile, tap the gift icon, and view the available terms.
Can You Pay with Stars or TON?
Yes, you can gift Premium using your Telegram Stars balance. This allows you to convert Stars you've earned or purchased directly into a subscription term. The cost in Stars is displayed on the gifting screen. However, if you are buying Stars just to pay for Premium, be aware that in-app Star purchases include the same store markup you are trying to avoid.
Fragment is Telegram's official marketplace built on the TON blockchain. It allows you to buy Premium for yourself or a friend using a TON wallet. The price is set in the TON cryptocurrency, so its dollar equivalent will fluctuate. This route is convenient if you are already active on the TON blockchain.
Is There a Free Trial for Telegram Premium?
No, Telegram does not offer a standard free trial. Be cautious of any website or bot that promises a free trial in exchange for your login credentials. These are often scams designed to steal accounts.
There are, however, legitimate ways to get Premium without paying for it yourself:
- Gifts: Someone can pay for a prepaid term and apply it to your account.
- Store Promotions: On rare occasions, an app store may run an introductory offer in specific regions. If available, this will appear only on your store's official subscription screen.
How TgFather's Telegram Premium price compares per month
We sell fixed-term subscriptions that activate on the @username you provide. This method requires no credit card, no store account, and has no auto-renewal. You pay from your crypto wallet balance in USD.
As of October 2024, our prices are:
- 3 months: $12.35, which is about $4.12 per month
- 6 months: $16.31, which is about $2.72 per month
- 12 months: $29.28, which is about $2.44 per month
The 12-month term offers a significant per-month saving compared to the standard US monthly price. Whether this is the best deal for you depends on your region's pricing. If you are in a full-price region or prefer a one-time crypto payment, a prepaid term is a clean and often cheaper solution. You can learn more about this process in our guide to buying Telegram Premium with crypto.
Always double-check the username before payment. TgFather cannot reverse a successful activation on the wrong account.
If a fixed term fits your needs, you can find the options on our shop page: Telegram Premium.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main benefits of Telegram Premium?
The primary benefits are doubled limits and access to exclusive features. This includes uploading files up to 4 GB, faster download speeds, automatic voice-to-text transcription, and real-time translation of chats and channels. Premium users also get more customization options, unique stickers and reactions, and an ad-free experience in public channels where Telegram shows ads.
Is the Telegram Premium price the same in every country?
No. Telegram uses regional pricing to adjust the cost based on local economic standards. This is a common practice for global digital services. As a result, two people in different countries can see different prices for the same plan. Your price is determined by the country set on your App Store or Google Play account.
Is @PremiumBot really cheaper than the App Store?
Yes. Telegram confirms in its official FAQ that the bot route avoids the commission charged by Apple and Google, making the subscription cheaper. This allows Telegram to pass the savings directly to the user. It is still a subscription, however, so it will auto-renew until you cancel it.
Do I get more features if I pay more?
No. All Premium subscribers get the exact same set of features, regardless of the price they pay or the method they use to subscribe. The price differences are based only on region, subscription term, and the platform used for payment. Everyone gets access to 4 GB uploads, faster downloads, and voice-to-text conversion.
What happens when a prepaid term runs out?
When a prepaid or gifted term expires, your Premium features turn off, and your account reverts to the standard free limits. Because it was a one-time payment, nothing is charged automatically. You would need to purchase a new term or subscribe through a renewing method to continue using the features.
Can I stack a gifted term on top of an active subscription?
Yes. Any additional time you purchase or receive as a gift is added to your account's existing Premium duration. To avoid being charged twice for the same period, you should cancel any auto-renewing store subscription before adding a prepaid term. You can manage your subscriptions in your phone's App Store or Google Play settings.
What to do this week
Check your own Telegram app to see the current monthly and annual prices for your region. Compare that cost against a 12-month prepaid term from the gift menu or a third-party seller. Choose the option that offers the best per-month rate for the duration you need.