Hey there! Martin here. If you’ve ever opened a friend’s profile on Snap and seen a gold-ringed badge or a random planet like Mars floating next to their Bitmoji, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Wait, are we best friends, or am I just orbiting them?” Trust me, I’ve been there. As a tech guy who’s been on Snapchat since the days of the original “Best Friends” list (yeah, the one that used to be public—yikes!), I’ve seen this app evolve from simple ghost messages to a literal cosmic map of our social lives.
Today, the line between Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets can get a little blurry, especially with the 2026 updates to Snapchat Plus. Is a “Yellow Heart” better than being “Mercury”? Does being “Neptune” mean you’re getting ghosted? Let’s grab a coffee and break down exactly how these friendship tiers work so you never have to guess your “rank” again.
My Personal Experience with the Snap Solar System
I’ll be honest with you: the first time I saw the Snapchat Plus Solar System, it actually caused a bit of a “situation” with my younger brother.
I’m a Snapchat Plus subscriber (mostly for the custom app icons, if I’m being real), and I had the Solar System feature toggled on. One weekend, my brother grabbed my phone to show me a funny Snap he’d sent. He tapped on his own profile from my chat list and saw that he was Mars—the 4th planet from the Sun.
He immediately looked at me and said, “Wait, I’m only 4th? Who’s Earth? Is it Mom?” It was a total lightbulb moment for me. I realized that while I saw him as a “Best Friend” (we had the 😊 emoji), the Solar System gave him a specific, numerical rank that the standard emojis didn’t show. It turned a casual friendship into a data point. What I learned that day is that the Solar System isn’t just a “pretty UI”—it’s a deep dive into your interaction data. Since then, I’ve used it more as a personal tool to see who I’m actually talking to the most, rather than a leaderboard for my feelings.
Read More: Snapchat Plus Planets Review: Is the Solar System Worth It?
Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets: The Core Difference
When we talk about Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets, we are really comparing two different systems: the “Public-ish” Emojis and the “Private” Solar System.
1. The Standard “Best Friends” (Emojis)
This is the system everyone knows. It’s free, it’s classic, and it’s based on mutual interaction. If you and a friend send each other the most Snaps, you get a 💛. If you keep it up for two weeks, it turns ❤️.
- Who sees it? Only you and that specific friend.
- Cost: Free.
- The Vibe: It’s about the quality and consistency of the bond.
2. The Solar System (Planets)
This is the “pro” version. If you have Snapchat Plus, you are the Sun, and your top 8 best friends are the Planets. The closer the planet is to the Sun, the more you talk to that person.
- Who sees it? Only you (unless you show someone your screen).
- Cost: Part of the Snapchat Plus subscription ($3.99/mo).
- The Vibe: It’s a literal ranking of your top 8 contacts.
The 2026 Breakdown: What Every Planet Means
Since the 2024 controversy where Snap made the Solar System “opt-in” only (to help with social anxiety), the system has become a bit of a hidden gem for power users. Here is the official order of the Snapchat planets in order of closeness:
| Rank | Planet | What it Means in Martin’s Words |
| #1 | Mercury | Your absolute #1. You probably talk to them daily. |
| #2 | Venus | Your #2. Close, but not quite the top spot. |
| #3 | Earth | A solid bestie. You share a lot of “life” with them. |
| #4 | Mars | A consistent friend, but maybe you only Snap once a day. |
| #5 | Jupiter | You’re in their “inner circle,” but just barely. |
| #6 | Saturn | You interact, but it’s not a 24/7 conversation. |
| #7 | Uranus | You’re on the list! But the connection is a bit “chilly.” |
| #8 | Neptune | The edge of the system. You’re still a Best Friend, but #8. |
Friendship Icons: Decoding the Emojis
Before we get too deep into the space stuff, let’s not forget the friendship icons that started it all. If the Planets are the “GPS” of your friendship, these emojis are the “Status Updates.”
- 😊 (Smiley Face): This person is one of your top 8 best friends, but they aren’t your #1.
- 💛 (Yellow Heart): You are each other’s #1. It’s mutual love!
- ❤️ (Red Heart): You’ve been each other’s #1 for two weeks straight.
- 💕 (Pink Hearts): You’ve hit the two-month mark. This is “Super BFF” territory.
- 😎 (Sunglasses): You have a mutual best friend. It’s like saying, “I know who you’re talking to!”
- 😬 (Grimace): Your #1 best friend is also their #1 best friend. Awkward… or just a tight trio.
Snapchat Plus vs Regular: Is the Solar System Worth It?
I get asked this all the time: “Martin, should I actually pay for Snapchat Plus just to see the planets?”
Honestly? It depends on how much you value “social data.” Here’s the deal:
Why I Like Snapchat Plus:
- Ghost Trails: See where your friends have been in the last 24 hours (with their permission).
- Customization: I love changing my app icon to the classic 2011 ghost.
- The Planets: It gives me a clear view of who I’m actually spending my time on.
The Downside:
- Social Stress: If you’re the type to worry why you dropped from Mercury to Earth, it might not be for you.
- Opt-in Only: You have to manually turn it on in your Snapchat Plus settings now.
How the Algorithm Actually Works
Snapchat doesn’t just pick names out of a hat. The Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets rankings are calculated based on a few key “Martin-tested” metrics:
- Snap Frequency: How many pictures and videos you send back and forth.
- Chat Activity: Texting counts too! If you’re a heavy “texter” on Snap, that person will climb the ranks.
- Consistency: Snapping someone 50 times in one day won’t make you Mercury instantly. It’s about the rolling average over several days.
- Group Chats: Generally, group interactions don’t affect your individual “Best Friend” or “Planet” status as much as 1-on-1 Snaps do.
FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
1. Can someone see if I’m checking their Solar System?
No. Checking a friend’s profile to see which planet you are is completely private. However, remember that you need to be a Snapchat Plus subscriber to even see the badge.
2. Why did my planet change overnight?
The algorithm is live! If you spent all night Snapping a different friend, they might have jumped ahead of you in the “orbital distance.” It updates every few hours to a day.
3. Does “Best Friend” mean the same thing as “Mercury”?
Essentially, yes. Mercury is just the “visual rank” for your #1 Best Friend. If you have a 💛 or ❤️ emoji with someone, you are almost certainly Mercury in their Solar System (if they have the feature on).
4. Can I be a planet in someone’s system if I don’t have Snapchat Plus?
Yes! Even if you don’t pay for the subscription, you still occupy a spot in your friends’ solar systems. You just won’t be able to see what planet you are unless they show you or you subscribe yourself.
5. Why is the Solar System “Off by Default” now?
Snapchat changed this in early 2024 because some users felt it was “too competitive” and caused anxiety. Now, you have to go into Settings > Snapchat+ > Solar System and toggle it on yourself.
Martin’s Final Tip
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the Snapchat Best Friends vs Planets debate, here’s my take: Don’t let a digital planet define your real-world friendship. I’ve had best friends who I haven’t Snapped in weeks because we were hanging out in person, and I’ve had “Mercury” friends who were just people I sent random memes to. The Solar System is a fun tech feature for data nerds like me, but it’s not a soul-meter!
Would you like me to walk you through the steps to customize your Snapchat Plus emojis so they match your favorite planet colors? Just let me know!
