why does Scratch have a premium membership?

MyScratchedAccount

See https://www.scratchfoundation.org/membership I thought this is rejected suggestion.

Last edited by MyScratchedAccount (Oct. 7, 2025 02:37:55)

Scratch_Cat_Coder8

I think it was rejected? But it looks like it’s been removed if so

Last edited by Scratch_Cat_Coder8 (Oct. 7, 2025 02:44:13)

MyScratchedAccount

Scratch_Cat_Coder8 wrote:
I think it was rejected? But it looks like it’s been removed if so

It says Scratch Membership

Become a Founding Member today!

The Scratch Membership Program is the best way to support Scratch, and the millions of young people who create and share every day in the largest global coding community for kids. As thanks for your generous support, Scratch Members receive early and exclusive access to content like new sprites, members-only tutorials, merchandise and discounts in the Scratch online store. By becoming a Scratch Member, you can help ensure that Scratch remains free, safe, and accessible to children everywhere—opening doors to creativity, problem-solving, and confidence for the next generation.

hydrofungus

it does not give you any direct benefits on the website itself (all it gives is discounts and a few special sprite assets with tutorials), so it isn't the rejected suggestion.

Scratch_Cat_Coder8

hydrofungus wrote:
it does not give you any direct benefits on the website itself (all it gives is discounts and a few special sprite assets with tutorials), so it isn't the rejected suggestion.

Those are still benefits relating to the website though, and I think at one point there was a rejected suggestion for memberships in general.

Last edited by Scratch_Cat_Coder8 (Oct. 7, 2025 02:49:52)

colinmacc

They are providing small incentives to try and increase donations.

How do you expect Scratch to be funded?

Meppmaster233

I dont like it at all

mingo-gag

Paddle2See wrote:
I think we need to give the program some time to run and develop before we think about removing or modifying it.

colinmacc

Meppmaster233 wrote:
I dont like it at all

It's not compulsory.

Haycat2009

Suspected benefits

Amazingfish8

Scratch_Cat_Coder8 wrote:
hydrofungus wrote:
it does not give you any direct benefits on the website itself (all it gives is discounts and a few special sprite assets with tutorials), so it isn't the rejected suggestion.
Those are still benefits relating to the website though, and I think at one point there was a rejected suggestion for memberships in general.

I mean, sprites can be easily recreated by none membership people, tutorials are all over the internet… and how does a merch discount effect the website besides giving them more money to run the website?

cone_as

Amazingfish8 wrote:
Scratch_Cat_Coder8 wrote:
hydrofungus wrote:
it does not give you any direct benefits on the website itself (all it gives is discounts and a few special sprite assets with tutorials), so it isn't the rejected suggestion.
Those are still benefits relating to the website though, and I think at one point there was a rejected suggestion for memberships in general.

I mean, sprites can be easily recreated by none membership people, tutorials are all over the internet… and how does a merch discount effect the website besides giving them more money to run the website?

I think the membership is mostly just a rebranded monthly scratch donation. It isn't that bad, ST probably just needs more funding for their servers and other things essential to the platform.

Icykingy_Y-T

https://ik.imagekit.io/icekingthings/Screenshot%202025-11-18%204.01.28%20PM.png

So, I saw this and I'm worried. does this mean that we will have to pay if no one pays for the membership? Or, they mean that the membership sprite perks will be available for the other people?

Last edited by Icykingy_Y-T (Nov. 18, 2025 21:28:56)

KangaCoder

Icykingy_Y-T wrote:
So, I saw this and I'm worried. does this mean that we will have to pay if no one pays for the membership? Or, they mean that the membership sprite perks will be available for the other people?

They have stated that Scratch will remain free for everyone to use. In order to keep that promise, they need some people to donate money - which is what the Membership is (a donation). The sprites are not exclusive, only early-access. In fact, there are several accounts that have already provided these sprites, so you are free to backpack them and use in your own projects.

Last edited by KangaCoder (Nov. 18, 2025 21:52:33)

StudioPangoFan_2000

KangaCoder wrote:
Icykingy_Y-T wrote:
So, I saw this and I'm worried. does this mean that we will have to pay if no one pays for the membership? Or, they mean that the membership sprite perks will be available for the other people?
They have stated that Scratch will remain free for everyone to use. In order to keep that promise, they need some people to donate money - which is what the Membership is (a donation). The sprites are not exclusive, only early-access. In fact, there are several accounts that have already provided these sprites, so you are free to backpack them and use in your own projects.

Doesn't the Scratch Foundation website have an option to donate, and even one to donate monthly or yearly? This defeats the purpose of that.

-Lemon-Toonz-

Scratch said its free version isn't going anywhere, and I doubt griffpatch will get the membership.

KangaCoder

StudioPangoFan_2000 wrote:
Doesn't the Scratch Foundation website have an option to donate, and even one to donate monthly or yearly? This defeats the purpose of that.

Yes, they did have that before Membership. But obviously, there must have not been enough received from that method (or they wanted more), which is why we have Membership now.

It's really just a marketing tactic to get people to donate money in exchange for some exclusive/early-access content. The donation option still exists for those who might not want to give $35 a month or $150 a year (lifetime) or aren't interested in the Membership benefits.

SushiCat_75

Well, there was a GitHub PR talking about adding cat ears or some other special thing to members' profiles. Rosics saw that PR and commented about it.

Last edited by SushiCat_75 (Nov. 20, 2025 03:45:56)

cambegonefr

Scratch made $8.8 million dollars in 2023 and $20 million in 2024. Why in the goodness of the world are they putting stuff behind payalls????

mingo-gag

cambegonefr wrote:
Scratch made $8.8 million dollars in 2023 and $20 million in 2024. Why in the goodness of the world are they putting stuff behind payalls????

Well their supporters can stop giving them money for whatever reason like the government or something else so this is why the membership exist.
As for the money that they get they do have to pay for their employees, fix Bugs and Glitches like Explore (for the hungry fame), pay the bills for the servers like the FORUMS so don't you even think about spamming here.

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