How to Monetize Your Discord Server with Subscriptions
The landscape for digital creators is changing, and Discord is at the heart of it. As a creator, your brand is everything, right down to your server's look, which you can perfect with a professional server icon maker. Once a simple chat app, Discord has become a powerful platform for entrepreneurs to build businesses directly within their communities. The proof is in the numbers: search interest for "discord subscriptions" has skyrocketed, signaling a massive demand for ways to earn a sustainable income on the platform. For years, creators used a fragmented system, but Discord's native tools, like Server Subscriptions and the Server Shop, consolidate this process. This creates a seamless, self-contained ecosystem where your community can support you without ever leaving the app.
Are You Eligible? Server Subscription Requirements
Before you can start earning, Discord requires you and your server to meet a strict set of criteria. These rules are designed to create a safe and trustworthy environment for everyone by filtering out low-quality actors and ensuring monetization is tied to authentic community engagement. The requirements fall into two main categories.
Finally, you must agree to Discord's Monetization Terms, which prohibit monetizing certain types of content, such as sexually explicit material or political campaigning.
How to Set Up Server Subscriptions: A 4-Step Guide
Once you've confirmed you're eligible, setting up the payment infrastructure is straightforward. You can find these settings in your server under Server Settings > Monetization > Server Subscriptions.
- Create Your Team: A "Team" is the billing entity that will receive your payouts. Be extremely careful when inviting members to your Team, as they will gain administrative privileges over your server and its financial settings. Only add trusted partners.
- Complete Payout Onboarding with Stripe: Next, you'll be redirected to Discord's payment processor, Stripe, to set up your payouts. Have your Tax ID number, a business website (a social media link is fine), and your banking information ready to go.
- Agree and Submit: Double-check that all your information is correct on the Stripe form and click "Submit". You will be returned to your Discord settings page, which should now show your new Team is ready.
- Enable Monetization and Create Tiers: Select your Team from the dropdown menu and click "Enable". Now for the fun part! You can create up to three subscription tiers, defining each one's price, name, and the unique perks subscribers will get. If you need inspiration, Discord offers pre-configured Tier Templates to get you started.
How to Price Your Subscription Tiers
Setting the right price is crucial. It needs to cover your time and effort while providing clear value to your members. A pricing strategy should be rooted in what you offer; a tier with exclusive coaching sessions, for example, is worth far more than one that only offers a custom role color.
To get a baseline, Discord recommends a simple formula. First, calculate your target monthly payout by multiplying the hours you'll spend on premium offerings by your desired hourly rate. Then, add about 10% to cover Discord's platform fee. Finally, divide that total by your number of expected members to find a good starting price per member.
Creating Perks That Sell: What to Offer Subscribers
The perks you offer are the "product" your community is buying. High-quality, unique benefits are the number one driver for getting and keeping subscribers. Think about creating a value ladder, where each tier offers something more compelling.
Exclusive Content & Early Access
- Bonus Media: Use the new "Media Channels" to share behind-the-scenes videos, exclusive photos, or raw, unedited footage. Non-subscribers will see a blurred preview, encouraging them to sign up.
- Early Access: Give subscribers a first look at your YouTube videos, podcast episodes, or other content before it goes public.
Exclusive Community & Access
- Private Channels: The most fundamental perk is access to subscriber-only text and voice channels for more focused discussions.
- Exclusive Events: Host subscriber-only Q&As, live hangouts, or private game streams using Discord's Stage channels.
Status & Recognition
- Premium Roles: A premium role is a simple way to make subscribers feel special and give them visual distinction within the server.
- Subscriber-Only Emojis: You can upload up to 25 custom emojis that only your paying members can use.
Create a Standout Server Icon
Your server icon is the first thing people see when they join or search. Make a professional first impression with a unique, high-quality icon that sets you apart.
Understanding the Fees: The 90/10 Split and the Apple Tax
Discord advertises a 90/10 revenue split, where you keep 90% of the earnings. However, that 90% is calculated after platform-specific payment processing fees and other costs are deducted from the price the user pays.
The iOS Problem: Why Mobile Purchases Cost More
The biggest complication comes from Apple's App Store policies. For new subscriptions made on an iPhone or iPad, Apple takes a 30% cut. Discord passes this cost directly to the consumer, meaning a subscription tier will be listed at a much higher price on iOS than on desktop for the exact same benefits. This can be confusing for your community and is a critical factor to be aware of when considering alternatives like Patreon or Ko-fi.
To show how this works, here is a breakdown of a $9.99 subscription tier:
| Line Item | Purchase on Desktop/Web | Purchase on iOS (New Sub) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Price to User | $9.99 | ~$14.27 |
| Apple's Cut (30%) | $0.00 | ~$4.28 |
| Net Revenue to Discord | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| Payment Processing & Discord Fees | ~$1.60 | ~$1.60 |
| Net Payout to Creator | $8.39 | $8.39 |
As you can see, your take-home pay remains consistent, but the cost to your members can vary dramatically depending on their device.
Promoting Your Subscriptions and Growing Your Business
Launching your subscriptions is just the first step. To drive growth, you need to actively market your offerings.
- Use Promo Pages: Discord automatically creates a unique landing page for your subscriptions that you can share on other platforms like social media to allow anyone to see your tiers and subscribe, even if they aren't on Discord.
- Promote In-Server: Make tasteful announcements and use Media Channels to give non-subscribers a "teaser" of the exclusive content they're missing out on.
- Add New Value, Don't Gate Existing Value: The most critical rule when introducing monetization is to frame it as an upgrade. Don't lock previously free channels behind a paywall. Instead, create new, exciting perks for your most dedicated supporters.
By following these steps, you can successfully launch a new revenue stream, strengthen your community, and build a sustainable business around the audience you love.