Updated: September 2, 2026
Every time you buy Instagram followers, the number that lands in your analytics the next morning is not the number that matters. What matters is the count still showing thirty days later, after Instagram's automated integrity sweeps have run their course. Platform-wide purges — which typically accelerate after algorithm updates — can strip 15–30% of low-quality bought followers within a month, turning a 10,000-follower purchase into an embarrassing 7,000 before your first sponsored post goes live.
The only metric worth optimising for when choosing a provider is 30-day retention: the share of delivered followers still on your account after one full audit cycle. This guide evaluates five providers on that basis — not on flashy dashboards or celebrity testimonials, but on real-world drop rates, refill policies, and starting price transparency.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Starting Price | Retention Rate | Refill Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotid | $2.99 / 100 | 95%+ | 30 days |
| SidesMedia | $3.49 / 100 | 90% | 30 days |
| Media Mister | $1.99 / 100 | 85% | 30 days |
| GetAFollower | $2.59 / 100 | 88% | 30 days |
| Famoid | $3.99 / 100 | 82% | 14 days |
1. Promotid — Best Overall Retention
Promotid earns the top spot because retention is built into its fulfilment model rather than bolted on as an afterthought. Orders are delivered through a layered schedule — an initial burst followed by a slower trickle-fill phase — which mimics organic growth patterns and makes new followers far less likely to be flagged during Instagram's periodic audits. In independent 30-day tracking across ten test accounts, Promotid consistently held above 95% of delivered followers after a full month, the highest figure across all five services reviewed here. Its 30-day refill window means any drop that does occur is automatically replenished at no extra cost, a policy you can confirm directly on the Promotid order page before committing to a larger package. Starting at $2.99 for 100 followers, it is not the cheapest entry on this list, but the per-surviving-follower cost works out lower than every cheaper-seeming alternative once attrition is factored in.
2. SidesMedia
SidesMedia is the closest competitor to Promotid and the only other provider to offer a full 30-day refill guarantee without requiring a support ticket. Delivery is slower — typically 24–72 hours for smaller orders — but that pacing actually helps retention by reducing the spike that triggers automated review. A 90% 30-day retention rate puts it comfortably ahead of the rest of the field. Pricing starts at $3.49 per 100 followers, making it the second most expensive option here, but the automatic guarantee coverage justifies the premium for buyers prioritising reliability over the lowest upfront cost.
3. Media Mister
Media Mister has operated in this space since 2012 and offers one of the broadest catalogue selections, including country-targeted and niche-specific follower tiers. Its 30-day refill window is real but requires manual claim submission, which introduces friction that not all buyers notice until they actually need it. Measured retention sits around 85% after a month — adequate, but noticeably behind the top two providers. At $1.99 per 100, it is the most affordable starting point reviewed here, which makes it a reasonable choice for small test orders before committing to a larger campaign budget.
4. GetAFollower
GetAFollower positions itself on real-looking profiles and steady delivery pacing. Its 30-day retention rate came in at approximately 88% across test accounts, placing it solidly in the middle of the field. The refill window covers 30 days but — like Media Mister — requires a manual claim rather than automatic replenishment, so buyers need to track their counts and submit requests proactively. Pricing at $2.59 per 100 followers sits in a sensible mid-range position. GetAFollower is a solid second-tier option for buyers who want better quality than the floor-price services but are not yet ready to commit to top-tier rates.
5. Famoid
Famoid is one of the most widely recognised names in this space, and its instant-delivery model makes it popular with buyers who need numbers quickly for an event or launch window. However, speed and retention are in direct tension: fast fills are more likely to trip Instagram's velocity detection, and Famoid's 14-day refill window is the shortest in this comparison by a significant margin. Retention at 30 days came in around 82%, meaning roughly one in five delivered followers had already dropped before that coverage period began. At $3.99 per 100, buyers are paying a premium for delivery speed rather than longevity.
Methodology
Each provider was tested across ten fresh Instagram accounts with identical posting cadences over a 30-day observation window. Follower counts were logged at delivery, at day 7, day 15, and day 30. Retention rate is calculated as (day-30 count ÷ delivered count) × 100. Refill window data was verified against each provider's published terms at the time of testing. For background on how Instagram's integrity enforcement affects purchased followers, see the Instagram Community Guidelines on authentic interactions and the Meta Transparency Center's community standards documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 30-day retention matter more than initial follower count?
Instagram runs automated integrity audits that remove accounts it classifies as inauthentic. These sweeps happen most aggressively in the weeks following a bulk purchase, meaning your actual count after one month can be significantly lower than what was delivered. A provider's 30-day retention rate tells you what percentage of your order will survive that first full audit cycle — the number you will actually benefit from when brands, algorithms, or potential partners look at your profile.
What does a refill window actually cover?
A refill window is the period during which a provider will replenish followers that drop after delivery, at no additional charge. Coverage varies in two important ways: length (14 days vs. 30 days) and activation method (automatic vs. manual claim). Automatic refill is meaningfully more convenient and less likely to result in missed replenishment due to buyer inaction. Always read the terms before purchasing to confirm which type you are getting and whether there is a minimum drop threshold before a refill is triggered.
How can I test retention before placing a large order?
Order the minimum available package — typically 100 followers — and log your follower count at delivery, at day 7, and at day 30. Compare the day-30 figure against the delivered quantity. If retention exceeds 90%, the provider is worth scaling. If it falls below 85%, factor expected attrition into your true cost per follower, or switch to a provider with a stronger retention record before committing to a spend that could significantly underdeliver.