Snapchat review
Disappearing photo chats, Stories and fun Lenses
- Snap Inc.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.5 from 6.1M App Store ratings 1B+ Google Play downloads #5 in Photo & Video on the US App Store
Does it deserve #16?
Is Snapchat worth it?
For most people, yes. Snapchat scores 8.0/10 and ranks #16 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for teens and friends who like to chat with photos. Skip it if you want to grow a big public audience fast. Price: Free with ads; Snapchat+ is listed at $4.99 a month on the US App Store.
The verdict
Snapchat is built for close friends, not crowds. You send photos and videos that vanish, keep streaks going, and play with Lenses that change your face or the world around you. Spotlight and Stories let you post to everyone, but the bar to get paid is high at 50,000 followers. It is free with ads. Free Memories storage is now capped at 5GB, and the layout can confuse new users.
- Disappearing Snaps and chats
- Lenses and AR effects
- Stories and Spotlight
- Snap Map
- Memories
- Streaks with friends
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- Jan 2027Memories over the free 5GB that are more than a year old will be archived
- Sep 2026Lens+ added AI tools such as Create Song and AI Photoshoot
- Feb 2026Creator Subscriptions began testing, so fans can pay creators each month
Privacy 5.8/10
The App Store label says contact info and identifiers may be used to track you. Location, contacts, purchases, search history and your content are linked to you. The app shows ads.
What we like
- Great for quick, private chats with friends
- Fun face and camera effects
- Free, with all the main features
What could be better
- Creator pay is invite-only and needs 50,000 followers
- Free Memories storage is capped at 5GB
- Layout can confuse new users
Teens and friends who like to chat with photos
you want to grow a big public audience fast
Questions about Snapchat
Is Snapchat worth it in 2026?
For most people, yes. Snapchat scores 8.0/10 and ranks #16 in Social Media & Creator Tools. It's best for teens and friends who like to chat with photos. Skip it if you want to grow a big public audience fast. Price: Free with ads; Snapchat+ is listed at $4.99 a month on the US App Store.
Is Snapchat free?
Yes. Snapchat is free with ads. Snapchat+ is an optional paid plan with extra features, listed at $4.99 a month on the US App Store.
Do Snapchat Memories cost money now?
You get 5GB of Memories storage free. A 100GB plan costs $1.99 a month in the US, and Snapchat+ includes 250GB.
How do you get paid on Snapchat?
Snapchat invites creators into its Monetization Program. You must be a Snap Star aged 18 or older, with at least 50,000 followers and 15,000 hours of view time in the last 28 days.
What are the best alternatives to Snapchat?
The closest alternatives are Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. See all of them ranked on our Snapchat alternatives page.
Where does Snapchat rank?
Snapchat ranks #16 of 17 in our Social Media & Creator Tools ranking, with an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.