Patreon

Patreon is the veteran of creator subscription platforms, launching in 2013 with a mission to help creatives monetize their content beyond ad-based models. While it has stricter content policies than adult-focused platforms (nudity must be paywalled and pages labeled 18+), it remains highly popular across diverse creator categories including podcasters, video creators, musicians, writers, visual artists, and adult content creators. The platform stands out for its tiered pricing model where creators can choose between Lite (5% commission), Pro (8%), or Premium (12%) plans, making it potentially more cost-effective than OnlyFans' flat 20% rate. With over 10 million monthly active patrons and collective monthly payouts exceeding $24 million, Patreon has established itself as a sustainable income source for creators. Top creators on Patreon include podcasters like "Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast" with 124,000+ paying members, demonstrating the platform's strength in building loyal, engaged communities. Video content dominates with over 60,000 video creators generating approximately $5.7 million monthly, while podcasters (40,000+) earn around $3.5 million monthly collectively. Patreon emphasizes community-building tools including membership tiers with different perks, direct messaging, community posts, and detailed analytics. The platform has paid out over $10 billion to creators since inception and continues growing steadily with approximately 15% year-over-year creator growth.