Discord Nitro Basic vs full Nitro
Two names that get used interchangeably and mean different things. Here is what each tier includes, what "boost" actually refers to, and which one you are getting when a gift code lands.
First, the naming confusion
Three different things share overlapping names, which is most of the problem:
- Nitro Basic is the cheaper subscription tier, $2.99 a month.
- Nitro is the full subscription, $9.99 a month. Often called "Nitro Boost" because it includes two server boosts.
- Server Boost is a separate $4.99 purchase that upgrades one server for everyone in it, not your own account.
When someone says they want "Nitro Boost", they almost always mean full Nitro.
Basic against full Nitro
| Feature | Free | Nitro Basic | Nitro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $2.99 | $9.99 |
| Upload limit | 10MB | 50MB | 500MB |
| Custom emoji everywhere | No | Yes | Yes |
| Screen share quality | 720p | 720p | 1080p60 / 4K |
| Server boosts included | None | None | 2 |
| Profile customisation | Limited | Partial | Full |
| Longer messages | 2,000 | 2,000 | 4,000 |
The two server boosts are worth roughly $10 on their own, which is why full Nitro is better value than it looks if you were boosting a server anyway.
Which one you actually want
Most people who buy full Nitro use two of its features: emoji and upload size. Both are in Basic, at less than a third of the price.
Go full Nitro if you screen share in HD, boost a server, or regularly send files over 50MB. Otherwise Basic covers it.
If the deciding factor is cost rather than features, the options for getting full Nitro below retail are on cheap Discord Nitro, and whether it is worth paying for at all is covered in is Discord Nitro worth it.
Common questions
What is the difference between Nitro Basic and Nitro?
Nitro Basic is $2.99 and gives custom emoji everywhere plus 50MB uploads. Full Nitro is $9.99 and adds 500MB uploads, HD streaming, full profile customisation and two server boosts.
Is Nitro Boost the same as Nitro?
People usually mean full Nitro when they say Nitro Boost, because full Nitro includes two server boosts. Discord itself uses "boost" to mean boosting a server, which is a separate $4.99 purchase.
Which one does a gift code give you?
Whichever the buyer paid for. A gift code can be Nitro Basic, one month of full Nitro, or a year, and you only find out when it is redeemed.
Can I upgrade from Basic to full Nitro?
Yes, Discord lets you change tier and prorates the difference against what you have already paid.
Start building your Balance
Sign in with Discord and the sniper runs on your account. Three credits is one full month of Nitro, and a failed claim is always refunded.
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