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How Discord Makes Money in 2025: Nitro, Boosts, Cosmetics & What's New

Rank.top Team
August 2025

Discord's business model has matured well beyond Nitro. In 2025, the company blends subscriptions, digital goods, creator tools, a growing app economy, and opt‑in ad experiments. Below is a practical, accurate walkthrough of the main revenue streams and what changed recently - plus links to official resources when available.

Table of Contents

What's new or expanded in 2025

  • Cosmetics: the Discord Shop continues to grow with profile effects and seasonal items.
  • Creator monetization: Server Subscriptions and Server Shops/downloadables expand the tools to sell content and perks.
  • App economy: Premium App Subscriptions gain adoption; fees remain developer‑friendly compared to mobile app stores.
  • Ads experiments: Quests campaigns and Orbs rewarded ads rollouts expand; both are opt‑in and gaming‑oriented.

All major revenue streams

Nitro (Subscriptions)

  • Two tiers commonly offered: Nitro Basic (~$2.99/mo) and full Nitro (~$9.99/mo).
  • Benefits include higher upload limits, HD streaming, custom emojis, profiles, and monthly perks.
  • Nitro remains a core revenue pillar; discounts/bundles change periodically.

Server Boosts

  • Recurring boosts unlock server-wide perks (audio, emoji slots, banners).
  • Nitro includes 2 boosts and typically a discount on additional boosts.
  • Pricing varies by region and promotions; see Help Center for current details.

Discord Shop (Cosmetics)

  • Users buy avatar decorations, profile themes/effects, and seasonal cosmetics.
  • Nitro often gets exclusive pricing or early access; available to non‑Nitro too.
  • Expands Discord's digital goods revenue beyond subscriptions.

Server Subscriptions (Creators)

  • Server owners sell tiers for exclusive channels, roles, perks, or content.
  • Creators typically keep ~90% (Discord platform fee around ~10%, before taxes/fees).
  • Templates, analytics, and trials help creators grow recurring revenue.

Premium App Subscriptions

  • Third‑party apps monetize inside Discord (subscriptions and one‑time purchases).
  • Platform fees are developer‑friendly; reports cite ~15% up to a threshold and higher after.
  • Drives an ecosystem of games, utilities, and AI apps that live in servers.

Advertising: Quests & Orbs

  • Sponsored Quests: opt‑in brand/game missions rewarding viewers/streamers.
  • Orbs (tests): rewarded ads and tasks that grant an in‑app currency for perks.
  • Designed to be user‑controlled and brand‑safe vs feed‑style ads.

Deep‑dive notes and nuances

Nitro tiers and pricing

Nitro pricing and perks occasionally change, but broadly follow two tiers: Nitro Basic for an entry‑level bundle and full Nitro with higher upload limits, HD streaming, and more perks. Current official pricing lives at discord.com/nitro.

Server Boosts and perks

Boosts are monthly add‑ons that unlock server‑level perks and compound with more boosts. Nitro includes two boosts and typically discounts extras. See the Help Center overview for the latest perks, thresholds, and pricing notes.

Cosmetics via the Discord Shop

The Shop sells optional, purely cosmetic items such as avatar decorations and profile effects. It adds a durable revenue stream similar to games and social platforms, and often cross‑promotes Nitro for better pricing or access.

Server Subscriptions (creator revenue share)

Creators can sell tiers for exclusive content and access. Public references and support docs describe a ~90/10 split (creator/Discord) before taxes/fees; availability and policies can vary by region. Check the Server Subscriptions guide for eligibility and payout details.

Premium App Subscriptions (ecosystem)

Apps built with Discord's Embedded App SDK can charge for premium features or content (subscriptions and one‑off purchases). Reporting from 2024 notes platform fees around 15% up to a threshold and higher thereafter - far below typical 30% mobile store fees. See coverage from The Verge.

Advertising: Quests and Orbs

Discord's ad approach is opt‑in and activity‑based. Quests sponsor game/viewing actions; the mobile rollout was covered on the official blog. Orbs is an in‑app currency pilot for rewarded ads (watching videos or completing tasks) that can be redeemed for perks like cosmetics or Nitro. These programs may still be rolling out and can change based on feedback.

Creators: grow and monetize with Rank.top

List your server or bot on Rank.top, run tasteful ads to engaged Discord audiences, and use our analytics to track real impact. Pair Server Subscriptions with smarter discovery and calls‑to‑action.

Advertising on Rank.top Revenue Sharing Program

Sources and further reading

Notes: Some items (fees, pricing, pilots) can vary by region and change over time. Always confirm on the official Discord links.