Creator platforms like Patreon
Memberships, donations, and newsletters — get paid directly by your audience.
- How you earn
- Creating content
- Skills needed
- Some
- Startup cost
- Low
- First payout
- 1-3 months
Compare the top 12 creator platforms
| Platform | Platform's cut | Typical pay | Minimum payout | Pays via | Who can join |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Twitch
|
50/50 sub split (up to 70/30 via P… | — | $50 (most methods), $100 f… | Bank transfer +1 | Worldwide |
 Substack
|
10% | — | — | Stripe | 46 countries |
 Patreon
|
10% | — | $10 via PayPal, $25 via Pa… | PayPal +2 | Worldwide except Cuba, Iran and No… |
 Ko-fi
|
0% | — | No minimum | PayPal +1 | Worldwide |
 Gumroad
|
10–30% | — | $100 (higher in some count… | PayPal +1 | 120 countries |
 Ghost
|
0% | — | No Ghost minimum, revenue… | Stripe | 46 countries |
 Buy Me a Coffee
|
5% | — | $10 balance to request a p… | Bank transfer +1 | 49 countries |
 beehiiv
|
0% | — | — | Stripe +1 | Worldwide |
 Boosty
|
~ 10% | — | 10 RUB per card transfer,… | Bank cards +2 | Worldwide |
 Circle
|
0.5–4% | — | — | Stripe | Worldwide |
 Fanvue
|
15–20% | — | $20 (can be higher in some… | Bank transfer min $20 +2 | Worldwide |
 Memberful
|
4.9% | — | — | Stripe | Worldwide |
A dash means we haven't verified that detail yet. See all 13 creator platforms ↓
All 13 creator platforms
Best documented first: verified earnings, fees and sign-up rules
TwitchThe leading live streaming platform, where streamers earn through subscriptions, bits, and ads once they reach Affiliate status. Owned by Amazon.
Fees 50/50 sub split (up to 70/30 via Plus) + bits/adstwitch.tvSubstackA newsletter and media platform where writers and podcasters publish free and paid subscriptions. Writers own their audience list and set their own prices.
Fees 10% of paid subscriptionssubstack.comPatreonThe leading membership platform, where fans pay creators monthly or per release for exclusive work. Creators of podcasts, video, art, and writing build recurring income.
Fees 10% platform fee plus processing (pages published after Aug 4, 2025)patreon.comKo-fiA creator page for one-off tips, memberships, commissions, and shop sales. Donations carry no platform fee, and payments go straight to your PayPal or Stripe.
Fees 0% on donationsko-fi.comGumroadA storefront for selling digital products directly to your audience - ebooks, courses, software, and memberships. Start selling in minutes with a flat fee per sale.
Fees 10% + $0.50 per sale plus card processing, 30% flat on Discover salesgumroad.comGhostAn open-source publishing platform run by a non-profit, with built-in paid newsletters and memberships at 0% platform fees.
Fees 0% platform fee - keep 100% minus Stripe feesghost.orgBuy Me a CoffeeA simple page for supporters to send one-off or monthly contributions. Built for creators who want tips and memberships without complexity.
Fees 5% feebuymeacoffee.combeehiivA newsletter platform built by former Morning Brew team members, with paid subscriptions, an ad network, and referral tools for growing writers.
Fees 0% fee on paid subscriptionsbeehiiv.comBoostyA membership platform where creators earn from subscriptions and paid content.
Fees ~10% platform fee incl payment feesboosty.toCircleA community platform where creators charge members for access to courses and discussions.
Fees From $89/mo + 0.5-4% transaction feecircle.soFanvueA creator subscription platform for selling memberships and content to fans.
Fees Keep 80-85% (15-20% platform fee)fanvue.comMemberfulA membership platform from Patreon for selling subscriptions on your own site, with full control of branding and audience data.
Fees $49/mo + 4.9% transaction feememberful.com
Mighty NetworksA platform where creators build paid communities, courses, and memberships.
Fees From $95/mo + 0.5-2% transaction feemightynetworks.com