How much is LinkedIn premium account? Pricing, features, and benefits explained

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional networking platform, where millions of professionals and businesses connect, share ideas, and discover opportunities. One of the most notable features is LinkedIn Premium, a paid subscription plan that unlocks advanced capabilities beyond the free account. In this article, we will delve into the costs of LinkedIn Premium, its different subscription plans, and whether it's worth the investment for you.

1. What is LinkedIn Premium? 

LinkedIn Premium is designed to provide professionals with enhanced features that can help them in their career, business, or sales journey. While LinkedIn’s free account offers basic functionality, LinkedIn Premium unlocks several advanced tools, giving users greater access to networking, job opportunities, and valuable insights.

Many professionals debate whether LinkedIn Premium is worth the cost, as it provides unique benefits like InMail, access to detailed analytics, and the ability to connect with decision-makers. But before you decide, it's important to understand how much LinkedIn Premium costs and what you get for the price.

In the following sections, we will break down the different subscription plans available, their pricing, and how they compare to a free LinkedIn account.

2. LinkedIn premium plans: What do you get for your money? 

LinkedIn offers a variety of Premium subscription plans, each tailored to a specific set of professional needs. Understanding these plans is essential for choosing the right one for your goals.

2.1. LinkedIn Premium Career

If you're a job seeker or looking to advance your career, the LinkedIn Premium Career plan is designed to provide the tools you need to stand out. This plan includes features such as:

• InMail: Send direct messages to people outside of your network.
• Who’s Viewed Your Profile: See who’s been checking out your profile and gain insights into how to attract more views.
• Applicant Insights: Get detailed information on other applicants for job positions you're interested in, helping you better position yourself.
• Job Insights: Access detailed insights about job listings, including salary estimates and top skills needed.

2.2. LinkedIn Premium Business

The LinkedIn Premium Business plan is perfect for professionals looking to expand their network or enhance business operations. Features include:

• Business Insights: Learn more about company growth trends and competitor performance.
• InMail: Increase your InMail credits to connect with professionals outside your network.
• Unlimited People Search: Access a broader pool of profiles to find potential leads or business partners.
• Profile Insights: See detailed information about who is viewing your profile, enabling you to optimize your content.

2.3. LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Sales professionals will find LinkedIn Sales Navigator particularly beneficial. This plan provides:

• Advanced Lead Recommendations: Get suggestions for leads and accounts that fit your business model.
• InMail: Increased InMail credits for reaching out to potential prospects.
• Sales Insights: Get valuable insights on leads and accounts that help in making informed sales decisions.
• Extended Search: Use advanced filters to search for the right prospects based on multiple criteria.

2.4. LinkedIn Recruiter Lite

For recruiters, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite offers a range of features that make it easier to find and connect with top talent. Key features include:

• Advanced Search Filters: Use sophisticated search filters to find candidates that best match the job descriptions.
• Candidate Tracking: Keep track of your candidates throughout the hiring process.
• InMail: Reach out to candidates directly with enhanced InMail credits.

2.5. Comparison Table: LinkedIn Premium Plans

To give you a clearer picture of what you get with each LinkedIn Premium plan, here’s a side-by-side comparison:As you can see, each plan has its unique features tailored to different needs, so choosing the right plan depends on whether you're focused on career advancement, networking, sales, or recruitment.

3. Pricing of LinkedIn Premium Accounts

LinkedIn Premium offers different subscription options based on the plan you choose. Here's a breakdown of the pricing:

• Premium Career: Approximately $29.99 per month (billed annually).
• Premium Business: Approximately $59.99 per month (billed annually).
• Sales Navigator: Approximately $79.99 per month (billed annually).
• Recruiter Lite: Approximately $119.95 per month (billed annually).

LinkedIn also offers a free trial for most Premium plans, usually lasting for 30 days. This allows users to explore the features before committing to a subscription.

Are There Any Discounts?

Occasionally, LinkedIn offers promotions or discounts for new subscribers or during special events, so it's worth keeping an eye out for these offers to get a better deal. You can also choose to pay monthly instead of annually, though the per-month cost is higher when not billed annually.

4. LinkedIn Premium vs. Free Account: What is the difference?

While the free LinkedIn account provides essential functionality, such as profile creation, networking, and job search, it has limitations compared to LinkedIn Premium. The free account only allows you to see limited profile views, and you can only send connection requests without the ability to message people outside your network.

By upgrading to LinkedIn Premium, you gain access to powerful tools like InMail, expanded search filters, and detailed analytics. These features can provide significant advantages if you’re actively looking for a job, trying to grow your business, or managing a recruitment pipeline.

The real question is whether you need these extra features. If you're actively job hunting, looking to grow your business network, or involved in sales, the value of LinkedIn Premium may be clear. However, if you only need LinkedIn for basic networking, the free account might suffice.

5. Is LinkedIn premium worth the investment?

Now that we've looked at the pricing and features of LinkedIn Premium, you might be wondering: Is it really worth the investment?

• For job seekers: LinkedIn Premium Career provides valuable insights into job postings and allows you to contact recruiters directly, giving you an edge in a competitive job market.
• For businesses: Premium Business provides advanced search capabilities, business insights, and an expanded network, making it a good choice for growing businesses.
• For sales professionals: With advanced search filters and lead recommendations, Sales Navigator can streamline prospecting and boost sales efforts.
• For recruiters: Recruiter Lite offers tools for effective candidate tracking and hiring, helping streamline the recruitment process.

However, if you’re just starting out or don’t require these features immediately, you can always start with a free trial to see if the investment is right for you.

6. How to upgrade to LinkedIn premium

Upgrading to LinkedIn Premium is simple:

1. Go to your LinkedIn profile and click on your profile picture at the top-right corner.
2. Select “Upgrade to Premium” from the dropdown menu.
3. Choose the plan that suits your needs.
4. Enter your payment details and start your subscription.

LinkedIn Premium subscriptions are billed automatically, but you can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings.

7. Conclusion

In conclusion, LinkedIn Premium offers a range of powerful features that can benefit job seekers, businesses, sales professionals, and recruiters. While the subscription cost may seem high, the value it offers in terms of networking, job search, and sales efforts can make it a worthwhile investment for many professionals.

Before upgrading, carefully consider which plan suits your needs, and don’t forget to take advantage of LinkedIn’s free trial to explore all the features. Whether you’re looking to boost your career, grow your network, or close more sales, LinkedIn Premium has the tools to help you succeed.