How Does Discord Make Money in 2025?
Discord is used by millions daily without paying a cent. Yet the company generates hundreds of millions in revenue annually. How? Through a smart freemium model that enhances rather than restricts the user experience.
Discord’s Revenue Sources
Discord makes money through five main channels:
- Nitro subscriptions (primary revenue)
- Server boosts (community upgrades)
- Server subscriptions (creator monetization)
- Game sales (developer tools)
- Opt-in advertising (new in 2024)
Discord Nitro: The Premium Experience
Nitro is Discord’s flagship subscription service, available in two tiers:
- Nitro Basic: $2.99/month
- Full Nitro: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
Premium features include:
- Custom animated emojis
- HD streaming (1080p/60fps)
- Larger file uploads (500MB vs 25MB)
- Animated avatars and banners
- Two free server boosts
Nitro generates over $300 million annually, making it Discord’s largest revenue stream. The key to its success? It enhances rather than restricts the core experience.
Server Boosts: Community-Driven Revenue
Server boosts allow communities to upgrade their Discord servers for $4.99/month each. Benefits include:
- Better audio quality
- More emoji slots (up to 500)
- Custom server banners
- Vanity URLs
- Higher upload limits
Communities often pool resources to reach boost levels (2 for Level 1, 7 for Level 2, 14 for Level 3). Nitro subscribers get a 30% discount and two free boosts, creating a smart cross-selling opportunity.
Server Subscriptions: Creator Monetization
Introduced in 2024, server subscriptions let creators charge for exclusive content within their Discord communities. Features include:
- Private channels
- Exclusive events
- Early access to content
- VIP roles and perks
Discord takes only 10% of creator earnings—much lower than YouTube (30%) or Twitch (up to 50%). This encourages more creators to monetize while keeping Discord’s cut reasonable.
Game Sales and Developer Tools
Discord allows verified developers to sell games directly through their servers, taking a 10% cut (vs Steam’s 30%). This includes:
- Game sales
- DLCs
- Exclusive server roles
- Early access content
While smaller than other revenue streams, it fits Discord’s community-first approach and has growth potential.
Advertising: The New Frontier
After years of being ad-free, Discord introduced two opt-in advertising formats in 2024:
Quests
Sponsored gaming challenges where users earn rewards for streaming specific games. Both streamer and viewer benefit, creating organic promotion.
Orbs (Testing)
Interactive ad elements that reward users with in-app currency for watching short ads. Users choose when to engage.
Discord aims for ad revenue to eventually match Nitro revenue while maintaining user control and experience quality.
Financial Performance
Revenue estimates:
- 2023: ~$575 million
- 2024: $600+ million
User base:
- 150+ million monthly active users
- 500+ million registered users
Profitability: Discord is not yet profitable, focusing on growth and infrastructure investment. The company is reportedly preparing for an IPO.
Privacy-First Approach
Unlike many platforms, Discord doesn’t sell user data. Revenue comes from optional upgrades and opt-in advertising, maintaining user trust while building a sustainable business model.
Conclusion
Discord’s success lies in its user-centric approach: offering valuable enhancements rather than essential features behind paywalls. This strategy has created a $600+ million business while maintaining the trust and loyalty that made Discord popular in the first place.
The platform continues to evolve, testing new revenue streams while staying true to its community-first philosophy.
