Who Is LinkedIn Premium For?
LinkedIn Premium is one of the most oversold subscriptions on the internet. LinkedIn aggressively markets it to everyone, but it's only valuable for specific situations.
The ideal LinkedIn Premium subscriber:
- Actively job hunting — Not casually browsing, actively applying
- Needs to reach people outside their network — InMail access
- Recruiting or in sales — Reaching candidates/prospects
- Wants profile visibility data — Who's viewing you
If you're employed and not actively job hunting, you probably don't need this.
Pricing Breakdown
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | What's Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career | $30 | $360/yr |
|
| Business | $60 | $720/yr |
|
| Sales Navigator | $80+ | $960+/yr |
|
| Recruiter Lite | $140+ | $1680+/yr |
|
Hidden Costs: Auto-renews monthly unless you commit annually.
Refund Policy: Cancel anytime. Monthly billing.
The Real Breakdown
Most individuals only consider two tiers:
- Career ($30/mo): Job seekers
- Business ($60/mo): Salespeople, networkers
Sales Navigator and Recruiter are for professionals whose jobs depend on LinkedIn outreach.
Time vs. Money Tradeoff
| Factor | Details | |--------|---------| | Setup Time | 5 minutes | | Learning Curve | Low | | Time to Value | Depends entirely on how you use it |
Premium doesn't change LinkedIn—it just unlocks features. If you weren't using LinkedIn strategically before, Premium won't fix that.
What Premium Actually Gives You
1. InMail Messages
Contact anyone, even outside your network. This is the core value proposition.
Reality check: Most InMails are ignored. Response rates are 10-25% for well-crafted messages, lower for generic ones.
2. "Who Viewed Your Profile"
See everyone who viewed your profile (free shows limited).
Reality check: Interesting for job seekers (is HR looking at me?). Mostly vanity metrics otherwise.
3. Applicant Insights
See how you compare to other applicants for a job.
Reality check: Can be useful to gauge competition, but doesn't change your qualifications.
4. Salary Insights
See salary ranges for job postings.
Reality check: Glassdoor and Levels.fyi provide this free.
5. LinkedIn Learning
Full access to LinkedIn Learning courses.
Reality check: Included with Premium Business. Courses are decent but not as comprehensive as Udemy or Coursera.
Alternatives Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Premium (This review) | — | — |
| LinkedIn Free | $0 | Passive networking, profile maintenance |
| Email Outreach | Free | Finding emails through other tools |
| Glassdoor | Free | Salary info, company reviews |
| Hunter.io | $0-50/mo | Finding email addresses |
| Networking Events | Varies | Direct connection building |
The Free Alternative: Email
Instead of paying $30/month for InMail:
- Find the person's company email format (Hunter.io, free)
- Email them directly
- Often higher response rates than InMail
InMail is convenient, not irreplaceable.
When LinkedIn Premium Is NOT Worth It
❌ Skip If:
- You're happily employed — No active job search = no need
- You're passively open — Free LinkedIn handles recruiter inreach
- You don't use LinkedIn strategically — Premium won't make you use it more
- You expect it to get you a job — Premium is a tool, not a magic wand
- You're on a tight budget — $360/year is significant for uncertain ROI
The biggest trap: subscribing because LinkedIn's constant upsells make you feel like you're missing out.
When LinkedIn Premium IS Worth It
✅ Buy If:
- You're actively job hunting — InMail and applicant insights can help
- You're in sales/business development — Outreach is your job
- You're recruiting — Candidate access is essential
- You need to reach specific people — InMail is the only way
- You'll cancel after your job search — Use it strategically, not permanently
The Strategic Approach
For job seekers:
- Subscribe when you start actively applying
- Use InMail to reach hiring managers directly
- Leverage applicant insights to improve applications
- Cancel when you land the job
Premium Career for 3 months = $90. That's the cost of job hunting, not a permanent expense.
Final Verdict
DEPENDS
LinkedIn Premium is worth it for active job seekers and sales/recruiting professionals. InMail access and applicant insights provide real value when you're actively using them.
It's not worth it for passive LinkedIn users, the happily employed, or anyone who thinks Premium will magically improve their career. Premium is a tool—it requires active, strategic use.
Bottom Line: If you're actively job hunting, subscribe for a few months. Otherwise, save $360/year—free LinkedIn does 80% of what most people need.
FAQ
Is LinkedIn Premium worth it for job seekers?
Yes, during active searches. InMail to hiring managers, applicant insights, and profile view data are genuinely useful. Subscribe when actively hunting, cancel when hired.
Does LinkedIn Premium increase visibility?
Slightly. The "Premium" badge appears on your profile, and you may appear higher in some searches. But this marginal visibility boost doesn't justify the cost alone.
Can I get LinkedIn Premium for free?
LinkedIn offers 1-month free trials. Use it strategically—apply intensively during your trial month. Some users report getting offered free months if they attempt to cancel.
Is LinkedIn Premium worth it for students?
LinkedIn offers discounted Premium for students. If you're actively job hunting for internships or entry-level positions, it can help. For just networking, free LinkedIn is enough.