Category: News-Opinion

On Thursday, September 25th, 2025, Linden Lab hosted a further Zoom call with creators and bloggers to discuss a number of announcements and initiatives, one of which was a new Premium Plus subscription option. I’ll be summarising other aspects of the meeting in due course. This article focuses on the new subscription option –  what it is, why it is being done, and when it can be expected.

What is It?

• While Premium Plus has been been well-received, the cost of US $249 (annual billing plan) has been seen by many as being too expensive to justify.
• To help overcome this, from October 2025, Linden Lab will be offering a “Premium Plus, No Stipend” option.
• This subscription level will offer exactly what it suggests:
  • All of the “physical” benefits of Premium Plus (2048 sq metre Linden Home options etc.).
  • HOWEVER users signing-up to it will not receive either the one-off sign-up bonus (L$ 3,000) or the weekend stipend (L$650).
• The new offering will retain the “Premium Plus” name for simplicity, and presented as an option within the Premium Plus subscription level.
• By removing the sign-up bonus and stipend the new offering, when available, will cost US $11.99 per month / US $143.88 per annum (plus applicable local taxes) – a saving of US $105.12 on the annual cost of Premium Plus with stipend.

• In addition, subscribers will be able to move between the subscription levels with immediate effect (e.g. Premium subscribers will be able to upgrade to “Premium Plus, No Stipend” without delay, and if they don’t like it, downgrade back to Premium or upgrade to “full” Premium Plus, and if a Premium Plus user opts to do without the stipend, they can switch over to “Premium Plus, No Stipend”).

Why is it Being Added?

• As noted, it is primarily aimed at making Premium Plus more attractive to users who feel the current offering, even with the sign-up bonus and stipend, is still too expensive to justify.
• The decision to remove the sign-up payment and stipend was made on two counts:
  • Those on both Premium and Premium Plus continue to purchase Linden Dollars regardless of their stipend.
  • Stipend payments further add to the supply of L$ in circulation, contributing to the on-going issues of a top-heavy supply of Linden Dollars impacting exchange rates, as has been previously discussed – see: Linden Dollar Exchange Rate and the Economy.
• It is recognised the removal of the stipend will not appeal to everyone, hence why the current Premium Plus option will be remaining.
• It is particularly hoped that the new option will encourage Premium subscribers who have previously expressed reluctance in upgrading to Premium Plus due to the cost to now consider doing so.

In a perfect world every premium subscriber would move to Premium Plus, No Stipend. Best for residents, best for creators. If that takes off, this is really good for residents and really good for creators, if people upgrade. If people downgrade, it is what it is; hopefully they don’t, but if they do, they do. But upgrading, that’s a win for the creators like no other, and its a win for the residents; we’re really giving a lot more for very little.

– Brad Oberwager, during the Zoom Call, September 25th, 2025

When Will it Launch?

• If all goes according to plan, “Premium Plus, no Stipend” will launch in the first half of October 2025.
• Formal announcements of its availability will be made when officially launched.