The messenger service Telegram was previously free. Now a paid subscription model is probably planned.
Since Telegram was founded in 2013, the service has been free. So far it has been the company’s philosophy to keep it that way. After the first rumours, however, founder Pavel Durov has now commented on a paid subscription model for the messenger. The first surprise: Such a model should actually come. The second: The paid version should even be rolled out this month!
Telegram with a subscription model
At the beginning of May 2022, a payment function appeared for the first time in a beta test version of Telegram. At that time, for example, some stickers were suddenly behind a chargeable barrier. Testers then very quickly speculated that Telegram would test a general subscription model.
So far, Telegram and its founder Durov have emphasized that the messenger should remain free, even if Durov has been increasingly open to the idea of a subscription service since the end of 2020. Since no advertising and no user data is sold, the service is actually a loss-making business. Durov’s private fortune secures the financing. That’s why there have been repeated considerations and rumors over the years about subscribing to the messenger. Now Durov officially confirmed the rumors. A corresponding model will be available in June.
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What can users expect now?
According to Durov, a so-called freemium model is planned. This means that a free version without a subscription of Telegram is still available. In addition, there is now a paid offer. This includes additional functionality, such as the stickers and reactions already mentioned. In addition, additional storage space and bandwidth should be available to paying subscribers.
Durov cites high demand from Telegram users as the reason for the change. Of course, the financial aspect also played a not inconsiderable role in the decision. The subscription is “the only way to offer our most demanding fans more while keeping our existing functions free of charge.”
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So far, no function or price has been officially confirmed. The rumors, which have been very accurate so far, assume around 4.99 US dollars per month