Telegram’s “Premium” Pay‑Plan: 2.5% of Users to Keep the App Alive
Pavel Durov, the mind behind the swish‑talking messenger popular with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders, dropped a juicy fact on Tuesday (June 21). He claims the chat app only needs a tiny slice of paid members to stay afloat.
What’s in the Premium Box?
- Higher limits for chats, media and file uploads—no more hitting the “cap” every 30 minutes.
- Pure user funding—no shady ads, just money from fans of the platform.
“Just 2.5‑3 % of us pay, and we’re good to go!”
On his own channel, Durov explained that if only 2.5‑3 % of Telegram users decide to upgrade, the app would cover its expenses entirely from those folks. No corporate sponsorships, just a community‑driven model.
“The Dawn of a New, User‑Centric Era”
The Russian livestreamom says this hints at a shift in how social media collect revenue—leaning less on advertising and more on everyday users. He’s basically saying, “We’re the people, not the advertisers.”
Why it matters
With concerns mounting over privacy on WhatsApp, Telegram (and Signal) have been piling up new chat veterans. Current stats: 500 million monthly active users, ranking among the top 10 most downloaded apps worldwide (per the official site). The Premium plan is a smart way to keep the app running without pulling in corporate interests.
