Comparing OnlyFans, Patreon, and Fansly: Which Is the Best for Creators?

Home / Side Hustles / Online / Comparing OnlyFans, Patreon, and Fansly: Which Is the Best for Creators?

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Patreon is best for non-adult content, with higher average earnings.
• OnlyFans offers diverse income streams but faces notoriety challenges.
• Fansly is rising in popularity, has less stigma than OnlyFans, and is suitable for all content.

Becoming a content creator is one of the best ways to earn money. However, popular platforms like YouTube and Instagram are hard to crack. Plus, these sites can demonetise your posts without warning. Thankfully, alternatives like Patreon, Fansly, and OnlyFans exist.

Which one is the best option for you? It depends on a lot of factors, such as the type of content you want to publish and the audience you want to reach out to.

Below, we’ve shared a blog post discussing Fansly vs OnlyFans vs Patreon: which is the best platform for creators? So, whether you’re an up-and-coming comedian or an adult content creator, you’ll have an idea of the best platform for your content. Let’s dive in!

Quick Summary

OnlyFans has garnered a reputation as one of the top websites for adult content. While it has been around since 2016, OnlyFans became extremely popular during the recent pandemic that resulted in many people losing their jobs. The platform gave people access to a willing audience that paid subscriptions for exclusive content.

Many people started posting adult content on OnlyFans, and the type of content varied. You can find anything from foot fetish videos to hardcore BDSM content — there’s no sugarcoating it. We mention this because almost any niche will have an audience on this platform, allowing you to cater to a specific niche and thrive by providing what others can’t offer.

As of writing, there are currently more than 190 million active users on the platform, with around 2 million creators. OnlyFans may be known for adult content, but some creators also post other types of material. Fitness programs, exclusive recipes, and fashion tips are a few examples. You don’t have to be an adult content creator to earn on OnlyFans.

Patreon is similar to OnlyFans, offering exclusive content to paying subscribers or patrons. This platform is also older than OnlyFans, having been around since 2013. Patreon is an American company headquartered in San Francisco, California, while OnlyFans is a homegrown company based in London.

The biggest difference between OnlyFans and Patreon is that the latter doesn’t allow adult content. Patreon will ban any users who try to publish explicit content. However, nudes of real and fictional subjects are allowed so long as the content isn’t pornographic. Otherwise, you can post exclusive content like behind-the-scenes clips, fitness routines, music, and tutorials.

Patreon is popular among people who have existing content on free websites like YouTube. With Patreon, these creators have a space where they can post paywalled content. To access these videos, patrons can subscribe to any one of the tiers. Lower tiers provide access to general paywalled content. On the other hand, higher tiers allow patrons to access more exclusive content as well as additional perks.

Among the three platforms, Fansly is the youngest and has only been around since 2020, though it has considerably grown since. Fansly has around 130 million active users as of 2024, with the numbers growing higher as the demand for NSFW content grows.

Many view Fansly as the alternative to OnlyFans when it comes to adult content. Creators also use the former platform as a backup in case they encounter issues with OnlyFans.

Fansly, however, is not just for explicit material. It’s also known to be much friendlier to people who want to post other types of content, such as documentaries, gaming streams, and music demos.

Similar to Patreon, Fansly uses subscription tiers to let your fans access your content. Additionally, per-pay-view content and other monetisation options are available for content creators.

These three platforms have a few key differences that you should keep in mind.

First, OnlyFans is arguably the most popular platform for adult content. This platform has made its mark in popular culture, having been mentioned in the songs of popular artists like Beyonce. Celebrities like Cardi B and Tyler Posey have accounts as well. This popularity puts OnlyFans as a pioneering platform for paid NSFW (not safe for work) content, similar to how Facebook or Instagram are juggernauts in their niches.

The drawback for OnlyFans is its reputation. Unless you’re going to create adult content, whilst not impossible, you may find it hard to gain traction on the platform. For those who want to produce more safe-for-work content, Patreon is the better option. The platform has a largely wholesome reputation, but you can still post mature content like serial killer documentaries or nude artwork tutorials. However, your posts will receive an 18+ rating, possibly limiting your reach.

Fansly becomes a good alternative for either NSFW or more wholesome content. If you still want to post adult-themed content without age restrictions, you can do so on Fansly. Plus, this platform isn’t as exceedingly associated with adult content as OnlyFans. Fansly does have a reputation for NSFW content, but there isn’t the same level of notoriety as OnlyFans.

One important aspect to consider when choosing the best platform is how it handles commissions. All three platforms take commissions from your earnings so it’s best to know their rates and how they process these fees.

Patreon

When it comes to Patreon, there are three tiers for creator fees: Founders, Pro, and Premium. These charge at 5%, 8%, and 12% in commission from your earnings, respectively. The Founders tier is exclusive to only those who joined Patreon before May 2019. Otherwise, most Patreon creators usually take the Pro membership. Premium charges the highest rates, taking away 12% as commission. However, you get access to everything from the Pro and Founders tiers as well as a dedicated partner manager, team accounts, and other perks.

OnlyFans

Given how OnlyFans doesn’t have a tiered subscription model, commissions taken from creators have a set rate. As a creator, you will get 80%, while the company takes a 20% cut. So, let’s say that you have 20 subscribers paying £10 monthly. From the £200 revenue, you get £160. Given that, you can access all the features of OnlyFans since there are no restrictions based on tiers. The platform gives you various options to earn, not just through subscriptions. For example, pay-per-view (PPV) content and customer client requests can provide additional income.

Fansly

Fansly is the same in most aspects as OnlyFans. The commission taken from you is also 20%, and there aren’t any tiers that limit which features you can access as a creator. Similar features like pay-per-view content and private chats also exist within Fansly.

The methods to earn income vary from site to site. In our opinion, Patreon is the weakest. You only earn through the subscription tiers. Fansly offers more flexibility. Aside from subscriptions, you can earn through PPV content, free pages, and tips. In addition, you can create bundles or packages like discounted rates for a few months.

Our top choice in terms of income model flexibility is OnlyFans. The platform offers everything Fansly has but you can also access an e-commerce feature that allows you to sell merchandise within the app — something Fansly has yet to offer.

While we’re going to share average rates here, you should keep in mind that it will take some time and effort to build an audience. While it’s possible that you can make it big, the top 1% of creators on these platforms have dedicated years of work to reach their current status. If you’re only creating content as a side hustle, your earnings will probably be near the average.

Patreon (£250 to £1,250 Monthly)

Given some effort, you could earn on average of £250 monthly as a creator on Patreon. You can increase your earnings by offering new perks for high-tier members, adding polls, and so on.

OnlyFans (£150+ Monthly)

Less than 500 creators are able to earn millions of pounds yearly. These are the top creators, and they comprise less than 0.1% of the total number of creators. For average creators, you’ll earn around £150 a month. It’s not a lot, so you’ll need to come up with other ways to earn more, such as promoting your content on other platforms and earning more followers.

Fansly (£140+ Monthly)

The average earnings for Fansly is close to OnlyFans, albeit a few pounds lower at £140 a month. However, you can improve your income by employing similar strategies to OnlyFans.

Each platform has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few notable points that you should keep in mind before choosing the platform for your content.

Patreon

Pros

• The more wholesome platform that doesn’t carry notoriety, unlike the other two
• An established website that has a solid pool of users
• Easy registration for creators
• Smooth payment process
• Higher average earnings
• Easy integration with other websites, such as your social media platforms

Cons

• The subscription model doesn’t lend income stream flexibility
• Mature content has age restrictions, and you can’t publish adult content
• Limited messaging capabilities to patrons, discouraging communication with your followers

OnlyFans

Pros

• Another established platform that’s popular among creators and consumers of adult content
• Offers lots of income stream options aside from the standard subscription model
• Allows for easy integration with other websites
• Has an e-commerce option where you can sell merchandise and even adult-themed products
• Has an audience for every niche

Cons

• OnlyFans has a certain notoriety and stigma that may keep people away
• High commission rates take up a huge chunk of your earnings
• More competitive thanks to the huge number of creators
• Limited payment options due to the adult-themed content
• Challenging to crack — you’ll need to put more effort into promoting your content to increase your subscriptions

Fansly

Pros

• Up-and-coming OnlyFans competitor with millions of registered users
• Referral program for fans, making them more likely to find other people to register and subscribe
• Easy creation of free content that helps increase impressions and gives users an idea of what you offer
• Isn’t as notorious as OnlyFans, making it a great option if you want to publish mature content without the restrictions on Patreon

Cons

• Fansly is still relatively new and isn’t at the same level of popularity as OnlyFans or Patreon
• May suffer from the stigma surrounding adult content
• Has similar payment limitations as OnlyFans, which may frustrate users and discourage them from subscribing

Based on our assessment of each platform, the best choice has more to do with your goals and the type of content you want to publish.

Patreon is ideal if you’re in a niche other than adult content. For those who want to publish NSFW or adult-themed material, OnlyFans or Fansly is the more suitable option.

Each platform also has its own set of tools and features. However, you won’t earn more just because you chose a platform that has, let’s say, more options to monetise content. You still need to put in the effort to understand how each of these features works and how you can make the most out of them.

In conclusion, the final decision relies on you and your goals as a content creator. It will take additional research, but our guide can serve as your starting point.

BEFORE YOU GO...

It's essential to understand that selecting the right platform is just the beginning of your content creation journey. The potential to earn significantly on platforms like OnlyFans is immense, regardless of gender. Don't miss our next article, which provides a comprehensive guide to making money on OnlyFans for both men and women. Whether you're looking to maximise your earnings, engage a wider audience, or navigate the complexities of content monetisation, we've got you covered. Stay ahead and turn your creative endeavours into lucrative opportunities.

MAKE MONEY ON ONLYFANS

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast

Comparing OnlyFans, Patreon, and Fansly: Which Is the Best for Creators?

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're discussing Comparing OnlyFans, Patreon, and Fansly and Which Is the Best for Creators? In today's digital age, diversifying your income streams is crucial, and for content creators, platforms like Patreon, OnlyFans, and Fansly offer unique opportunities. A real-world tip to take away is the importance of choosing a platform that aligns with your content type and audience preferences. For instance, Patreon is ideal for creators focused on non-adult content, offering higher average earnings with its subscription model. On the other hand, OnlyFans and Fansly cater well to adult content, with OnlyFans providing diverse income streams but facing higher stigma, whereas Fansly offers a balanced approach with less stigma. Understanding the nuances of each platform can significantly impact your ability to monetise your content effectively. Remember, the key is not just hard work but also working smart by selecting the right platform to start with.

That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

ARTICLE SOURCES

https://onlyfans.com/

https://www.usesignhouse.com/blog/onlyfans-users

https://www.patreon.com/

https://fansly.com/

https://earthweb.com/fansly-users/

https://influencermarketinghub.com/glossary/onlyfans/

https://www.usesignhouse.com/blog/onlyfans-users

https://medium.com/betteronlyfans/fansly-earnings-how-much-do-models-make-on-fansly-4c024dd7015c