# Discord Nitro Basic vs Nitro: What You Get for $2.99 vs $9.99 — and Which to Buy

> Nitro Basic is $2.99 a month and covers the everyday stuff: custom emoji and stickers in any server, 50 MB uploads and the Nitro badge. Full Nitro is $9.99 and adds what Basic deliberately leaves out — 500 MB uploads, HD streaming, animated avatar and profile, longer messages, 2 server boosts and 30% off extra boosts. If you stream, boost a server or care about profile cosmetics, only full Nitro does it; if you just want emoji everywhere, Basic is enough. Here is the perk-by-perk split and the cheaper way to get either.

_Updated: 2026-09-08 · SlayKeys · https://slaykeys.com/en/guides/discord-nitro-basic-vs-nitro_

## What does Nitro Basic include?

Nitro Basic ($2.99/month) unlocks: custom emoji and stickers from any server, everywhere; uploads up to 50 MB (free tier is 10 MB); custom app icons on mobile and desktop; special Nitro-only stickers; and the Nitro badge on your profile. That is the whole list. There are no [boosts](https://slaykeys.com/en/discord-server-boost), no HD streaming, no animated avatar and no profile themes — Basic is Discord’s cheap tier for people who mostly want emoji and slightly bigger uploads.

## What does full Nitro add on top?

[Discord Nitro](https://slaykeys.com/en/discord-nitro) ($9.99/month) includes everything in Basic plus: uploads up to 500 MB; streaming and Go Live at HD up to 4K/60fps; animated avatar, banner and profile themes; messages up to 4,000 characters; custom video backgrounds; 2 server boosts included and 30% off any extra boosts; Nitro discounts in the [Discord Shop](https://slaykeys.com/en/discord-shop); and 3 Friend Passes to share with friends. The boosts alone are worth $9.98 at Discord’s list price, which is why most server owners pick full Nitro over Basic.

## Which one should you buy?

Pick Nitro Basic if you only want emoji and stickers in every server and a bigger upload limit — it is the cheapest way to get that. Pick full Nitro if any of these matter: streaming above 720p, boosting your own server, an animated avatar or profile theme, long messages, or sharing Friend Passes. Note that Basic does not count toward anything boost-related: a server does not level up because its owner has Basic, and Basic gives no discount on boosts.

## Can you get either cheaper?

Yes. Both tiers are delivered as official Discord gift links, and SlayKeys sells full Nitro below Discord’s list price — you accept the gift on your own account, no password. If you have never had Nitro, a [Nitro Trial](https://slaykeys.com/en/discord-nitro-trial) is the cheapest month of full Nitro (minus the 2 boosts). Gifts stack as Nitro credit if you already have a subscription, so buying ahead is safe.

## Step by step

1. Decide the tier: Basic for emoji/stickers only, full Nitro for boosts, streaming and profile cosmetics.
2. Open @slaykeys_bot, pick Discord Nitro (or Nitro Trial if you’ve never had Nitro) and pay by card or crypto.
3. Receive the official discord.gift link in the chat and open it while logged in to your account.
4. Accept the gift — perks activate immediately; if you already have Nitro it is added as credit.

## FAQ

**How much is Nitro Basic vs Nitro?**

Nitro Basic is $2.99 a month; full Nitro is $9.99 a month ($99.99 a year). SlayKeys sells full Nitro below list price as a gift link.

**Does Nitro Basic include server boosts?**

No. Only full Nitro includes 2 boosts and 30% off extra boosts. Basic has none.

**Can I stream in HD with Nitro Basic?**

No. HD streaming (1080p/4K) is a full-Nitro perk; Basic keeps the free 720p limit.

**Can I upgrade from Basic to Nitro?**

Yes, at any time in User Settings → Nitro; Discord prorates the change. Or accept a full-Nitro gift — it applies on top.

**Is a gifted Nitro the same as a paid one?**

Yes — it is the same subscription, delivered through Discord’s own gift system; the only difference is that it does not auto-renew.