Discord Nitro is a paid subscription that unlocks cosmetic features and server perks

Discord Nitro comes in two tiers: Nitro and Nitro Basic. Nitro costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Nitro Basic costs $2.99 per month. Both are optional — Discord itself remains free to use. The difference between them is what features unlock and how much server storage space you receive.

Neither tier changes how Discord's core messaging, voice, or video features work. You can still join servers, send messages, and call friends without paying. Nitro adds cosmetic options like custom emojis, animated avatars, and higher-quality screen sharing. It also raises the file upload limit from 8 MB to 100 MB (Nitro) or 50 MB (Nitro Basic).

You can cancel either subscription at any time. Discord does not charge you again after cancellation, and you keep access until the end of your billing period.

Key Takeaways

  • Nitro costs $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly; Nitro Basic costs $2.99 monthly, and both are optional add-ons to the free Discord service.
  • Nitro unlocks custom emojis, animated avatars, a custom Discord tag, and the ability to use emojis from any server you belong to.
  • Nitro Basic gives you a higher file upload limit (50 MB instead of 8 MB) and a custom Discord tag, but not animated avatars or emoji perks.
  • Server boosts are a separate purchase that let you pay to enhance a specific server with perks like better audio quality and more emojis, independent of your Nitro subscription.
  • You can turn off auto-renewal or cancel your subscription from your User Settings at any point without penalty.

What Nitro includes compared to Nitro Basic

Nitro (the full version) gives you an animated avatar, the ability to use custom emojis across all servers, a custom Discord tag (a unique username suffix), and a higher file upload limit of 100 MB. You also get a Nitro badge on your profile so others can see you are subscribed.

Nitro Basic includes the custom Discord tag and a 50 MB file upload limit, but not the animated avatar or cross-server emoji use. Both tiers remove ads from the Discord app on mobile devices.

Neither subscription changes voice quality, server permissions, or how many people you can call at once. Both let you join unlimited servers and create your own server for free.

How to start and stop a Nitro subscription

To subscribe, open Discord on desktop or mobile and go to User Settings (the gear icon next to your username). Select "Subscriptions" and choose either Nitro or Nitro Basic. You will enter a payment method — Discord accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. Your first charge happens when ready, then monthly or yearly depending on which plan you chose.

To cancel, return to User Settings > Subscriptions and select "Cancel Subscription." Discord will ask you to confirm. Your subscription stays active until the end of your current billing period, then stops. You will not be charged again.

If you want to pause rather than cancel, Discord does not offer a pause feature. You must cancel and restart when you want to resume, which means you lose any remaining time in your billing period.

Server boosts versus Nitro subscription

Server boosts are different from Nitro. A server boost is a one-time or recurring payment that enhances a single server — not your entire Discord account. When you boost a server, that server gains perks like higher audio bitrate, more custom emojis, and more invite slots. The server owner decides how to use those perks.

You can boost a server without having Nitro, and you can have Nitro without boosting any server. Some people do both. Boost pricing varies: you can buy one boost at a time or subscribe to recurring boosts. The server owner can see who boosted them, but boosting does not give you special permissions or roles unless the owner assigns them.

What happens to your Nitro features if you cancel

When your subscription ends, you lose access to Nitro features when ready. Your animated avatar reverts to a static image. Custom emojis you used in messages stay in those messages, but you cannot use them in new messages. Your custom Discord tag disappears, and your username returns to your standard tag.

Any files you uploaded while subscribed remain in Discord — you do not lose messages or attachments. You just cannot upload new files larger than 8 MB (the free limit) until you resubscribe.

Your Nitro badge disappears from your profile. Servers you boosted remain boosted if you paid for recurring boosts, but those are separate from your Nitro subscription.

Regional pricing and payment methods

Discord prices Nitro in local currency depending on your region. The $9.99 USD monthly price applies in the United States; other countries see equivalent amounts in their own currency. Annual pricing is discounted compared to paying monthly — $99.99 per year costs less than twelve months at the monthly rate.

Discord accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal in most regions. Some countries have additional payment options. If your payment method fails, Discord will attempt to charge it again a few days later. If it fails a second time, your subscription pauses until you update your payment information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I gift Nitro to someone else?

Yes. On desktop, go to User Settings > Subscriptions and select "Gift a Subscription." You choose whether to gift Nitro or Nitro Basic and how long (one month, three months, or one year). You pay upfront and receive a gift code to send to the recipient. They redeem it in their own User Settings.

Do I lose Nitro if I change my Discord username?

No. Your subscription is tied to your account, not your username. You can change your username, avatar, and other profile details without affecting your Nitro status or billing.

What is the difference between a custom Discord tag and a username?

Your username is what you type to log in. Your Discord tag is a four-digit number that appears after your username (like username#1234). Nitro lets you replace that number with a custom word or phrase. Free users cannot change their tag.

Can I use Nitro features in servers where I do not have permission to use custom emojis?

No. Nitro lets you use custom emojis across servers, but only in servers where the server owner has allowed it. If a server has restricted emoji use, you cannot use custom emojis there even with Nitro.

Does Nitro give me priority in Discord support?

No. Discord support response times are the same for all users. Nitro is a cosmetic and convenience feature, not a support tier.