vidIQ uses two systems to manage access across plans:
AI Credits — A shared monthly balance that powers resource-intensive AI tools like the AI Coach, Thumbnails, Clipping, Script Writer, and more. Credits are shared across supported AI tools, so using credits in one place reduces the amount available for the vidIQ AI tools. You can check your remaining credits anytime in the vidIQ web app or the browser extension from the credits indicator (sparkle/star icon).
Plan-Based Access — Certain features have their own per-plan limits (e.g., number of search results, tracked competitors) that are separate from your AI credit balance.
AI Credits
Monthly Credit Allowance
Plan | Credits/Month |
Free | 150 |
Pro (1 channel) | 1,000 |
Boost (1 / 2 / 3 channels) | 2,000 / 2,500 / 3,000 |
Max (1 / 2 / 3 channels) | 6,000 / 8,000 / 10,000 |
Coaching | 6,000 |
👉 Plan credits refresh monthly on the anniversary of your sign-up date (Free plans) or upgrade date (paid plans). Unused credits do not roll over.
Your balance can include two types of credits:
Plan credits — the monthly allowance included with your plan. These refresh each billing cycle and unused credits do not roll over.
Add-on credits — any credits you've purchased as a top-up, plus any bonus or reward credits vidIQ may grant from time to time. Add-on credits stay in your balance and are not reset on your billing date.
When you use an AI tool, your plan credits are used first. Add-on credits are only used once your plan credits for the month run out.
Credit Costs Per Action
Tool | Action | Credit Cost |
Per message | 10 | |
Per message | 25 | |
Per message | 35 | |
Per generation, regeneration, or edit | 22 | |
Per minute of selected script length | 1 | |
Per minute of input video | 9 | |
Per second of output video | 20 | |
Per generation (up to 3 titles) | 3 | |
Per description | 1 | |
Per use | 3 | |
Comments Replies | Per generation | 1 |
Comments Analysis | Analyze or refine | Varies |
Note: The extension is currently transitioning to the AI credit system. Some users may still see legacy feature limits during the rollout. Once fully transitioned, these features will draw from your shared AI credit balance like other AI-powered tools.
Tip: You can check your remaining credit balance at any time from your vidIQ dashboard.
Plan-Based Access
The features below don't use AI credits. Instead, each plan comes with its own set of access levels and limits.
Web App
Feature | Free | Boost | Max | Coaching |
Cards available in 12 hrs | Full Access | Full Access | Full Access | |
3 results/search | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
8 results/search | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
3/day | 50/day | 50/day | 50/day | |
3 lifetime | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Up to 3 | Up to 20 | Up to 50 | Up to 20 | |
Limited access | All modules | All modules | All modules | |
Save up to 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
vidIQ Lessons | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Industry Professional Lessons | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
— | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
— | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
vidIQ Extension
Feature | Free | Boost | Max | Coaching |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Real-Time Stats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Search Panel | 3 results | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Filters | Limited | Full Access | Full Access | Full Access |
Outlier Score | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
Keyword Inspector (keywords/search) | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Limited Filters | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
3 sections, limited timeframe | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
CSV Export | 10 videos | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Trending Videos | 6 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Top Keywords | 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Recommended Tags | 3 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
3 lifetime | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | |
Ranked Tag Score | Up to 3/video | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Advanced Embed | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Controversial Keywords | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Title & Description Translations | — | 500 | 500 | 500 |
Coaching Plan Exclusives
The Coaching plan includes everything above, plus personalized support from a dedicated YouTube coach:
One-on-one YouTube coaching sessions
Customized step-by-step growth plan
Feedback on thumbnails, titles, and videos
Personalized channel audit
AI Credits FAQ
Below are quick answers to questions we often see about AI credits, including where to check your balance and when credits reset.
Can I buy more AI credits?
Yes, if you're on a Max or Coaching plan. Top-Up Credits let you buy extra AI credits without changing your subscription:
One-time credit packs: In the vidIQ web app, go to Plans and open the Top ups tab, or click Top up credits from the credits indicator (sparkle/star icon). Choose a pack and complete checkout. Pricing is shown in your billing currency at checkout.
Auto-refill (optional): You can also turn on auto-refill so credits are added automatically when your balance runs low. You choose when it triggers and how many credits to add. Review or turn it off anytime under Manage Plan → Credits → Auto-refill.
Purchased credits are added to your add-on balance, so they don't reset on your billing date and are used after your monthly plan credits.
A few things to know:
Top-Up Credits are not available on the Free plan. If you're on Free or Boost and need more credits, upgrading to a higher plan (or a multi-channel plan) is the way to go. Upgrades typically reset your billing cycle and apply your new monthly credit allowance right away.
Top-ups are available for subscriptions billed directly through vidIQ. If your plan is billed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you won't see the top-up option.
Top-ups aren't available in every region yet. If you don't see the option and think you should, message the vidIQ support team in the in-app chat and we'll check your account.
What are bonus or reward credits?
From time to time, vidIQ may add extra AI credits to your account through promotions, rewards, or other programs. When this happens, the credits are added to your add-on balance, so they don't reset on your billing date and are used after your monthly plan credits. Bonus and reward credits are offered at vidIQ's discretion. Availability, amounts, and conditions vary and can change or end at any time. To see your current balance, including any bonus credits, hover over the sparkle/star credits indicator in the web app or extension.
How can I check how many credits I have left?
You can view your remaining credits in both the vidIQ web app and the vidIQ browser extension.
Web app: Look in the bottom-left corner next to your plan name, then hover over the sparkle/star icon to see your remaining credits and reset date.
Browser extension: Look near the top of the extension panel for the same sparkle/star icon, then hover over it to see your remaining credits and reset date.
When do my credits reset?
Your credits reset automatically:
Paid plans: Credits reset monthly on your billing/upgrade anniversary date (you’ll see the exact reset date in the sparkle/star indicator).
Free plan: The best way to confirm your exact reset date is to check the sparkle/star credits indicator in your account (it shows both your remaining balance and the reset date). If anything looks off with your reset date or balance, message the vidIQ support team in the in-app chat to confirm it for you.
I upgraded, but why don’t I see the option to upgrade?
If your subscription was purchased through a third-party platform (like Apple App Store or Google Play), plan changes typically need to be managed in the same platform. If you don’t see upgrade options in the web app, your subscription may be managed through Apple/Google, please check that platform for plan changes. Also confirm you’re logged into the same email you used to purchase.
Feel free to read more about how to upgrade to a different plan in the article: How to change to a different plan?
Ready to upgrade? Visit our Plans Page to get started! 🥳