LinkedIn Premium is a paid subscription service offered by LinkedIn that provides users with additional features and benefits beyond the free basic account. One of the main questions potential Premium subscribers have is whether the subscription is paid monthly or yearly.
The Basics of LinkedIn Premium
LinkedIn Premium provides subscribers with a variety of extra tools and services such as:
- Unlimited profile views
- Advanced search filters
- InMail messages
- Additional profile customization options
- “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” analytics
- Access to online courses and professional coaching
The goal of Premium is to allow users to get more out of LinkedIn for networking, recruiting, sales prospects, and overall professional brand building. It aims to enhance the core LinkedIn experience.
Premium Payment Options
So when it comes to paying for LinkedIn Premium, users have two main options:
- Monthly subscription – You pay a monthly recurring fee and can cancel at any time.
- Annual subscription – You pay one lump sum upfront for the whole year access.
Both options provide the same Premium features and benefits. The only difference is whether you want to pay month-by-month or get a slight discount by paying for the full year upfront. Here is a closer look at the pricing options:
| Subscription Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $29.99 per month |
| Annually | $359.88 per year ($29.99 x 12 months) |
As you can see, the monthly and annual prices end up being the same when calculated monthly. However, by paying for the full year upfront, you save about $60 compared to paying month-to-month for a year.
Benefits of Monthly vs. Annual
Deciding between monthly or annual depends largely on your budget, needs, and how long you plan to use Premium. Here is an overview of the advantages of each option:
Monthly Subscription Benefits
- More flexibility – cancel anytime if you decide you no longer need Premium
- Can test Premium for a month without long-term commitment
- Don’t have to pay a large upfront cost
- Can use Premium for a short-term need without being locked in
Paying month-to-month offers the most flexibility. You can use Premium for just a month or two if you have a specific short-term need for the extra features. If you no longer see the value after testing it out, you can easily cancel without hassle.
Annual Subscription Benefits
- Around 15% cheaper overall compared to monthly payments
- Don’t have to think about renewing each month
- Locks in the annual rate protection from any price hikes
The annual subscription can save you a bit of money compared to month-to-month payments. Paying for the full year upfront also means you don’t have to worry about actively renewing each month or cancelling when done. It locks in access for the whole year for a single payment.
What’s the Better Deal?
For most LinkedIn Premium users, the annual subscription tends to be the better overall deal and value:
- Saves about 15% compared to monthly payments
- Convenient to pay once for full year access
- Ideal if you know you’ll use Premium long-term
Paying annually saves a bit of money and also ensures you have Premium access for a whole year without having to renew each month. Unless you only need Premium very short-term, the annual plan usually works out better.
How to Subscribe to LinkedIn Premium
If you decide LinkedIn Premium is right for you, here is how to subscribe:
- Go to the Premium upgrade page from your LinkedIn account
- Select whether you want the monthly or annual plan
- Enter your payment information and confirm upgrade
- Use Premium! All features unlocked instantly after subscribing.
The upgrade process takes just a minute or two. You can start leveraging the added Premium features right away to boost your LinkedIn presence and activity.
Can I Change Plans Later?
Yes, it is possible to switch between monthly and annual billing after subscribing:
- Monthly to Annual: Simply pay the annual lump sum to switch to yearly billing
- Annual to Monthly: Contact LinkedIn customer support to request switching to monthly billing
So you are not necessarily locked into your initial choice. Contact LinkedIn support if you need help changing your subscription plan.
Canceling LinkedIn Premium
You can cancel a LinkedIn Premium subscription at any time:
- Monthly: Just click the cancellation link on the latest billing receipt email
- Annually: Contact LinkedIn support to request a refund of any unused time if canceling mid-year
For monthly billing, cancellation is very straightforward by simply not renewing on your next payment date. Annual plans take a bit more work to cancel mid-year but can be refunded.
Conclusion
To recap the key points:
- LinkedIn Premium can be paid monthly or annually
- Monthly offers more flexibility while annual has a slight discount
- For most users, the annual plan offers the best long-term value and convenience
- It’s easy to upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your plan as needed
While LinkedIn Premium certainly isn’t mandatory, it can provide a lot of useful benefits for active LinkedIn users. Understanding the monthly vs. yearly subscription options allows you to choose the best plan for your budget and needs.
