Snapchat Introduces Paid Storage—Your Snaps Aren’t Free Forever
After nearly a decade of unlimited free storage for its “Memories” feature, Snapchat is rolling out its first-ever storage fee—starting with the platform’s heaviest users.
Why the Change Now?
Launched in 2016, Memories lets users save photos and videos that would otherwise disappear. But with over one trillion Memories saved globally, Snap Inc. says infrastructure costs have become unsustainable.
“When we first launched Memories, we never expected it to grow to what it has become today,” the company stated in a recent press release.
How It Works: Free Tier + Paid Plans
Starting October 2025, all users get 5GB of free storage. Once you exceed that limit, you’ll have 12 months to either:
- Delete older content
- Download your data locally
- Subscribe to a paid plan
If no action is taken after 12 months, Snapchat will automatically delete your newest content that exceeds the 5GB cap—keeping your oldest Memories intact.
Infographic: Snapchat Storage Plans Compared
| Plan | Storage | Price (U.S.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 5 GB | $0 | Casual users (~1,000 Snaps) |
| Basic Storage | 100 GB | $1.99/month | Power users & creators |
| Snapchat+ (includes storage) | 250 GB | $3.99/month | Fans of premium features |
| Snapchat Platinum | 5 TB (5,000 GB) | $15.99/month | Professional creators & archivists |
How You Stack Up
According to Snapchat:
- The average user stores under 2GB of Memories
- Only the top 3–5% of users exceed 5GB
- 5GB = roughly 4,000–5,000 photos or 1,000+ videos
[INTERNAL_LINK:cloud-storage] The move aligns Snapchat with tech giants like Apple, Google, and Dropbox, all of which charge for cloud storage beyond a free threshold.
User Backlash or Smart Strategy?
While some users have expressed frustration on social media (“I’ve been loyal for 10 years—now I pay?”), analysts see it as a necessary evolution.
“Monetizing storage is low-friction revenue that doesn’t alienate the core user base,” said Lena Cho, tech analyst at Bernstein Research. “It targets heavy users who already derive high value.”
Snapchat emphasized that users can always download their data at any time—and that the change won’t affect disappearing Snaps or Stories.
