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SocialMate's Credit System Explained: Monthly, Earned, and Purchased Credits

SocialMate uses three credit pools: monthly (resets), earned (referrals), and purchased (never expire). Here's exactly how they work.

April 11, 2026 2 min read

# SocialMate's Credit System Explained: Monthly, Earned, and Purchased Credits

SocialMate uses a three-pool credit system for AI tools. Understanding how it works helps you get the most out of your plan without running out at the wrong time.

The Three Pools

### 1. Monthly Credits

These reset every month with your plan. They're the first credits consumed when you use an AI tool.

| Plan | Monthly Credits |

|------|----------------|

| Free | 50 |

| Pro | 500 |

| Agency | 2,000 |

### 2. Earned Credits

These come from referrals and platform milestones. When someone signs up using your referral link and becomes a paying customer, you earn +25 credits. Milestone bonuses add more at key achievements.

Earned credits are consumed second — after monthly credits run out.

### 3. Purchased Credits

Buy these anytime from the Credits page. They never expire and are consumed last.

| Pack | Credits | Price |

|------|---------|-------|

| Starter | 100 | $1.99 |

| Popular | 300 | $4.99 |

| Pro | 750 | $9.99 |

| Max | 2,000 | $19.99 |

Consumption Order

When you use an AI tool, credits are deducted in this order:

1. Monthly credits (first to go)

2. Earned credits (second)

3. Purchased credits (last — these are your safety net)

This design ensures your purchased credits last as long as possible.

Real-Time Balance

Your credit balance updates in real time in the sidebar. You can see exactly how many credits remain in each pool at any time.

Tips for Stretching Your Credits

  • Use the AI tools for high-value work (hooks, threads, captions for important posts)
  • Don't use AI for posts you could write in 30 seconds yourself
  • Refer friends to earn bonus credits
  • Upgrade to Pro ($8/mo) for 10x more credits than the free plan
  • The Philosophy

    AI credits exist because Google Gemini API calls aren't free. SocialMate passes that cost on transparently rather than burying it in a higher subscription price. Free users get real AI access. Power users get plenty. Everyone understands what they're paying for.

    [Start using AI tools at socialmate.studio →](https://socialmate.studio)

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    Schedule to 7 platforms, get 15+ AI tools, and grow your audience — all for free. No credit card required.

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