TikTok to launch £3.99 subscription in UK

The new option, called TikTok Ad-Free, will gradually roll out over the coming months to UK users aged 18 and older. The subscription will cost £3.99 per month.

Users who do not subscribe will continue to use the free version of TikTok with personalised advertising. The company said both subscription and non-subscription users will retain access to the same features, creators and content.

TikTok said users will also continue to have access to in-app settings that allow them to manage advertising preferences and subscription plans.

The company said the move is part of broader efforts to give users greater control over their experience on the platform while maintaining support for businesses that rely on TikTok advertising.

According to TikTok, advertising on the platform helps UK small and medium-sized businesses reach customers and generate revenue. The company cited examples including Welsh bakery 'Ridiculously Rich' and beauty brands Wonderskin and P Louise.

TikTok said UK small businesses generated an estimated £1.2 billion in revenue through advertising investments on the platform in 2022, with the food and beverage sector seeing the largest impact.

The company also referenced a 2023 Oxford Economics report, which estimated that small business activity on TikTok contributed £1.6 billion to UK GDP in 2022 and supported around 32,000 jobs.

Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that TikTok prioritizes safety over message privacy.