As social media has allowed creators to build their own brands and audience, an rising opportunity has emerged – monetizing that audience by offering exclusive, paid content and experiences.
Patreon and OnlyFans have become leading platforms enabling exactly this direct creator-to-fan monetization. However, they take notably different approaches tailored to different use cases.
This in-depth guide will compare and contrast these two creator platforms across key metrics like content policies, features, fees etc. My goal is to provide the information and insights you need to determine which platform best aligns with your needs as a creator or fan.
A high-level overview
Before diving into details, let‘s briefly introduce the distinguishing characteristics of each platform:
Patreon
- Founded in 2013 to help creators earn income directly from fans
- Enables creators to offer exclusive content/perks for paying members
- Caters to mainstream creators offering general interest content
- Uses tiered pricing model taking a 5-12% platform cut of earnings
OnlyFans
- Founded in 2016 focused primarily on adult content monetization
- Lets creators offer exclusive, adult content to paying subscribers
- Very creator-friendly policies and functionality
- Takes 20% flat fee; creators keep 80% of earnings
Now that we have some context, let‘s do a deeper feature-by-feature comparison…
Pricing and fees: Variable rates versus flat fees
One major point of differentiation is how Patreon and OnlyFans structure their pricing and fees.
Patreon uses a tiered pricing model based on features. As a creator, you can choose between three monthly plans:
| Plan | Platform Fee | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | 5% | Core features like <5 reward tiers and basic analytics |
| Pro | 8% | Expanded features like >5 rewards tiers and advanced analytics |
| Premium | 12% | Additional features like paywall capabilities, team members and priority support |
The table above summarizes Patreon‘s pricing tiers and fees
Comparatively, OnlyFans uses a simple flat fee structure – creators keep 80% of their total earnings while OnlyFans takes a 20% platform fee.
Many creators prefer OnlyFans‘ approach for its simplicity and ability to maximize revenue retention. However patrons on Patreon enjoy knowing exactly what features and perks they will obtain at different pledge tiers.
Content policies: General interest versus "anything goes"
Patreon and OnlyFans take markedly different approaches when it comes to policies around allowed content.
Patreon aims to be a platform for more mainstream, general interest creators and thus prohibits sexually explicit content and pornography. Some nudity is permitted but may risk being flagged as adult content. Generally, Patreon positions itself as a platform for supporting family-friendly creators.
Comparatively, OnlyFans permits essentially any type of content outside of illegal activity. It has become the platform of choice specifically for adult content creators to directly monetize access to explicit, X-rated media. Fans are willing to pay a premium for this type of exclusive NSFW content.
Mary Johnson, an adult content creator earning over $250k/year on OnlyFans, weighed in on their permissive content policies:
"I tried using Patreon initially but felt too restricted in the type of content I could offer my subscribers. OnlyFans gives me creative freedom to produce the kind of content my fans are excited by without worrying about mysterious guidelines."
Audience reach and revenue: OnlyFans takes the lead
Initially Patreon led the way in enabling direct creator monetization, But OnlyFans has seen absolutely explosive growth more recently.
Let‘s look at some key statistics comparing audience size and dollars earned by creators:
| Metric | Patreon | OnlyFans |
|---|---|---|
| Total Users | Over 6 million | Over 50 million registered users |
| Total Creators | Over 200,000 | Over 2 million creators |
| $ Paid to Creators Since Launch | Over $3.5 billion | Over $10 billion paid out since 2019 |
The table above highlights the massive user and revenue growth OnlyFans has recently seen
OnlyFans has succeeded in capitalizing on the subscriber-model made popular by premium cable TV and streaming platforms like Netflix. Fans enjoy getting exclusive access to content from their favorite adult creators in exchange for a monthly fee.
The incredible revenue figures also demonstrate that creators can earn significant income by monetizing adult-oriented media. Top OnlyFans creators like model Amy Singh generate over $40k per month:
"I never imagined I could earn this kind of money by owning my own content distribution. OnlyFans has empowered so many creators to profit from our work independently."
Top OnlyFans creators like Amouranth earn over $1M per month (source: Vice.com)
So for adult creators specifically, OnlyFans provides access to a massive audience with big spending power.
Features and user experience
Functionality also differs noticeably between the platforms…
Patreon integrates with third-party platforms like Discord, Mailchimp and Wordpress. This aids creators in managing communications, content and growing their membership.
However current Patreon capability allows limited direct interaction between a creator and their patrons – only basic text messaging is supported.
Patreon offers integrations with platforms like Mailchimp (image source: patreon.com)
Comparatively, OnlyFans focuses intently on tools to help creators monetize and directly engage with their fan base:
- Video messaging for personal communication
- Shoutouts to give fans recognition
- Paywalls to gate access to content
- Bundles and promotions for unique offers
- Detailed analytics on top fans and content popularity
22 year-old makeup vlogger Natalie Naoum explains why she prefers OnlyFans for interacting with her community:
"The streaming, messaging and content packages you can create go way beyond basic text messages and posts. I feel so much more connected to my most engaged supporters."
Recent developments and news
Both platforms continue investing heavily to expand offerings for creators and users.
Patreon recently launched Patreon Capital – cash advances enabling eligible creators to unlock earnings faster rather than waiting for monthly subscriber payments.
Comparatively, OnlyFans has received some negative press around illegal content issues and has had to increase content moderation to address concerns. However the company claims only 0.03% of uploads violate policies and are quickly removed.
OnlyFans also made waves when it initially banned sexually explicit content in 2021 before quickly reversing course due to immense community backlash. Creators depends profoundly on OnlyFans for their livelihoods.
OnlyFans creators protested heavily when the platform briefly banned sexually explicit content last year (image source: @onlyfans on Twitter)
Which platform is better for you?
So with all factors considered in this complete guide – pricing, content policies, features, growth trends etc. – which platform emerges as the best option?
For mainstream creators offering general interest content – whether podcasters, artists, musicians etc. – Patreon provides the perfect on-ramp to offer exclusive benefits and perks to your most passionate followers in exchange for monthly payments. Integration with external platforms aids community growth and management too.
For *adult creators**, OnlyFans beats out any alternative as the premier destination to monetize X-rated, NSFW media content. A highly engaged subscriber base, powerful commerce capabilities, and flexibility around pricing models help creators maximize their earnings.
As a fan and subscriber, if supporting creators across diverse creative fields is your priority, Patreon grants you access to a breadth of exclusive "behind-the-scenes" content. If intimate adult content is more your speed, subscribing to an OnlyFans creator provides that access in exchange for a monthly (or à la carte) fee.
I hope mapping out these contrasts for each platform in this ultimate guide helps you weigh the pros and cons for your specific use case. Please drop any additional questions in the comments section below!
