X (Formerly Twitter) Doubles Price of Premium+ Subscription After Grok 3 AI Launch
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has more than doubled the cost of its Premium+ subscription. This big price change comes right after the release of Grok 3, the newest AI model from Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI.
The Premium+ plan gives users access to this advanced AI tool, making the price increase important for those who want to use AI features on the platform.
New Pricing Details for X Premium+ Subscription
X has implemented a major price increase for its Premium+ subscription. Below is the full breakdown of the new pricing structure:
| Subscription Type | Old Price (2023) | New Price (2024) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium+ | 16→22 | $49.99 | 127% increase from original |
| Annual Premium+ | 192→264 | $349.99 | 82% increase from original |
Key observations:
- Monthly subscribers now pay more than triple the original 2023 price
- The annual plan offers some savings, but still represents a significant jump from previous costs
Comparison with other services:
| Service | Premium Price | Includes AI? |
|---|---|---|
| X Premium+ | $49.99/month | Yes (Grok) |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20/month | Yes (GPT-4) |
| YouTube Premium | $13.99/month | No |
| Netflix Premium | $22.99/month | No |
What this means for users:
- This is the second price hike in less than a year
- The new cost makes X Premium+ more expensive than Netflix + YouTube Premium combined
- Basic Premium (without Grok) remains at $8/month, which may become more attractive to cost-conscious users
The dramatic price increase appears to be directly tied to the rollout of Grok 3 AI capabilities, though some advanced features remain locked behind an additional paywall (SuperGrok). This pricing strategy positions X as a premium AI-powered platform, but risks alienating users who don’t see equivalent value in the offering.
Why the Price Jump?
The change follows the launch of Grok 3, which xAI says is smarter than other AI models in early tests. The new version runs on xAI’s powerful Colossus supercomputer and has improved abilities, including a transparent thought process. Musk has called Grok 3 “scary smart” because of its strong reasoning skills.
However, not all Grok 3 features will be available to Premium+ subscribers. Some advanced tools, like “deep search” and “reasoning,” will only be offered in a separate SuperGrok plan through the Grok app. This means users who want the full power of Grok 3 will have to pay for another subscription.
Confusion Over Pricing
The price increase has caused some problems. Some users have reported different prices showing up during sign-up. While X’s support page lists the monthly fee as $50, some people see other prices when they try to subscribe. This has led to frustration and confusion.
Why Did X Raise Prices?
There are a few reasons behind the increase:
- Supporting Creators – X says the extra money will help pay content creators and reward high-quality posts.
- AI Development Costs – Running advanced AI like Grok 3 is expensive, and the higher price may help cover these costs.
A Growing Trend: More Expensive Subscriptions
X isn’t the only platform raising prices. Many online services are making subscriptions more expensive as they invest in new technology. Users are now paying more for premium features across different apps and websites.
Final Thoughts
X’s decision to double the price of Premium+ shows how much the platform is focusing on AI. While Grok 3 is a powerful tool, the higher cost may push some users away. The confusion over pricing also makes it harder for people to trust the subscription system.
As more companies raise prices, users will have to decide which services are worth the cost. For now, X is betting that its AI features are valuable enough to justify the increase—but only time will tell if users agree.
