X Premium+ Just Got Pricier — It'll Now Cost You RM99 A Month
X is pivoting to a subscription-based revenue model.
By Sukhbir Cheema — 26 Dec 2024, 02:20 PM
If you're a die-hard X (formerly Twitter) user who loves ad-free scrolling, brace yourself: X Premium+ is getting a hefty price hike
As of 21 December, Elon Musk's platform has raised the monthly fee for its top-tier subscription from USD16 (RM72) to USD22 (RM98) in the US, with annual costs jumping from USD168 (RM751) to USD229 (RM1,024).
For international users like us Malaysians, the situation is even more grim.
According to a blogpost by X, the Basic plan is now available for RM13.13 per month, while the Premier plan costs RM35 monthly. For those considering Premium+, the subscription comes in at RM99 per month. Annually, the Basic, Premier and Premier+ plans will cost you RM140.57, RM369, and RM1,030, respectively.
Subscribing through third-party marketplaces like Apple’s App Store costs even more. Also, don't expect any loyalty discounts — existing subscribers will have to pay the new rates starting 20 January, 2025.
What does Premium+ actually offer and is it worth subscribing to? It depends on what you need.
Besides zero ads (with occasional promoted content), it includes features like Radar, priority support, and boosted AI functionality with Grok.
But is this enough to justify the hike?
The base Premium tier offers the blue checkmark, reduced ads, and creator monetisation tools. Meanwhile, the Basic plan provides core functionality like editing tweets and longer post options.
With X's advertiser-based revenue taking a big hit, the company is now pivoting its focus to a subscription model to remain profitable
Musk's justification? Higher subscription fees are necessary to enhance Premium+ and support the platform's new creator monetisation model.
Instead of basing payouts on ad views, X now rewards creators for overall content engagement. This shift comes as X struggles to replace lost advertising revenue following Musk's controversial acquisition in 2022.
The question for users is whether a sleek, ad-free experience is worth the escalating cost of a platform still finding its financial footing. Musk is betting on loyalty; only time will tell if it pays off.
