Hey there! Let’s Talk Snapchat Over Coffee
You know that feeling when you see a gold ring around a friend’s profile and wonder, “Wait, am I their Mercury or just some random space rock in their orbit?” I’ve been there. Last summer, I was sitting at a local cafe with my buddy Leo. We’ve been “Besties” on Snap for years, but suddenly he had this shiny “Best Friends” badge. I found myself obsessively checking to see if I was still his #1. It felt like middle school all over again, but with better graphics. That curiosity—and a little bit of tech-geek FOMO—is exactly why I finally hit that subscribe button.
But now that the dust (or space dust?) has settled, the real question is: Is Snapchat Plus worth it, or are you just paying for a digital ego stroke? Let’s dive into the “Planet System” and see if it’s actually worth your hard-earned $3.99.
My Personal Experience with the Planet System
When I first upgraded to Snapchat+, the very first thing I did was go to my “inner circle” profiles. I wanted to see my rank. For about a week, it was fun. I realized I was “Venus” to my sister (second place) and “Mars” to my boss (fourth place—awkward, but okay).
The Moment of Truth:
About a month in, I noticed I had dropped from “Mercury” to “Earth” on my best friend’s profile. Honestly? It stung a little. I found myself sending more random snaps just to “climb back up” the solar system. That’s when it hit me: I was paying for a feature that was making me overthink my real-life friendships.
I eventually turned the feature off (yep, you can do that now!). While the planets are a cool visual, I learned that they don’t define the friendship—they just track who you spam the most. Now, I use the subscription for the other perks, like the custom app icons and the “Story Rewatch” indicator, which are way more practical for my daily use.
Read More: Snapchat Plus Rewards: 2026 Guide to Icons & Planets
What Exactly is the Snapchat Planet System?
If you’re scratching your head, here’s the lowdown. The Friend Solar System is a Snapchat+ exclusive that visualizes your friendship rank with your top eight friends. You are the Sun, and your friends are the planets orbiting you based on how much you interact.
The Planet Order & What They Mean
It follows the actual order of our solar system (shoutout to science class!):
- Mercury: Your #1 Best Friend (The person you Snap the most).
- Venus: Your #2 Best Friend.
- Earth: Your #3 Best Friend (Complete with a cute little Moon).
- Mars: Your #4 Best Friend.
- Jupiter: Your #5 Best Friend.
- Saturn: Your #6 Best Friend (Has the rings, obviously).
- Uranus: Your #7 Best Friend.
- Neptune: Your #8 Best Friend.
Martin’s Note: Keep in mind that since 2024, Snapchat has turned this feature OFF by default due to “anxiety concerns.” You have to manually toggle it on in your Snapchat+ settings to see it!
Paid vs. Free: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you’re only in it for the planets, you might be disappointed. But Snapchat+ actually packs a lot of other “power user” tools that I find way more useful.
Comparison Table: Snapchat Free vs. Snapchat Plus (2026)
| Feature | Free Version | Snapchat Plus ($3.99/mo) |
| Friend Solar System | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Manual Toggle) |
| Story Rewatch Count | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (See who rewatched!) |
| Custom App Icons | ❌ Standard Only | ✅ 40+ Exclusive Icons |
| Pin #1 BFF | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Pin them to the top) |
| Priority Story Replies | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Get noticed by Stars) |
| AI Creative Tools | Limited | ✅ Full Access (Imagine Lens) |
| Ghost Trails | ❌ No | ✅ See where friends were (24h) |
| Ad-Free Stories | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Platinum Tier only) |
Beyond the Planets: Why People Actually Stay Subscribed
Let’s be real—the novelty of being “Mars” wears off after two days. So, why am I still paying for it in 2026?
1. The “Story Rewatch” Indicator
This is the ultimate curiosity killer. It tells you how many people rewatched your story. It doesn’t tell you who rewatched it (thank god for privacy, right?), but knowing that your crush or your ex rewatched your sunset photo three times? That’s the kind of intel people pay for.
2. Custom Expiration Times
Ever post a Story that was too good to disappear in 24 hours? Or maybe one that was so “in the moment” it should only last an hour? Plus lets you set your Story timer from 1 hour all the way to 1 week.
3. Priority Replies
If you follow big Snap Stars or influencers, your replies to their stories get pushed to the top. It’s like having a VIP pass to their inbox. Does it mean they’ll always reply? No. But they’ll definitely see you.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Can my friends see what planet I am in their solar system?
A: Nope! The solar system is a private insight. Only you can see your position in a friend’s orbit, and only if you both have the “Best Friend” badge.
Q: Does Snapchat Plus remove ads?
A: Only if you go for the Snapchat+ Platinum plan. The standard $3.99/month plan still has ads in Stories and between Snaps.
Q: Is the Planet System accurate?
A: It’s based on a proprietary algorithm that counts Snaps sent, Chats exchanged, and Stories viewed. It’s a “rolling” rank, so it changes based on your last few weeks of activity.
Q: Can I get Snapchat Plus for free?
A: There’s usually a 7-day free trial for first-time users. Just head to your profile, tap the Snapchat+ banner, and give it a spin before you commit!
Martin’s Final Tip: Should You Buy It?
Honestly, if you are a casual user who just sends the occasional “face-streak” or checks the Map once a week, Snapchat Plus is NOT worth it. The planets are a fun gimmick, but they aren’t worth $48 a year on their own.
However, if Snapchat is your primary way of communicating—if it’s your “home base” for your social life—then the customization and the “Story Rewatch” insights are a total game-changer. It makes the app feel like yours.
My advice? Snag that 7-day free trial. Check your planet rankings, change your app icon to something cool, and see if the “Story Rewatch” data actually gives you value. If you don’t find yourself checking it daily, cancel before the week is up!
What do you think? Are you okay with being “Neptune” in someone’s life, or do you need that Mercury status? Let me know your thoughts!
Would you like me to show you how to find the “hidden” toggle to turn the Planet System back on in your settings?
