Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 changes this month
Circle 3.4Silver 35 pts
A community platform where creators charge members for access to courses and discussions.
Good for Content creators
- Costs to joinFrom $89/mo billed annually
- Open worldwideWorldwide
- Pays via StripeHow you get paid
- Work from homeOnline, from anywhere
- Since
- 2019 7 yrs
Based in- New York, United States
- Web rank
- #17,802 worldwide
Can you join Circle?
Answer three questions and we check them against Circle's sign-up rules.
Pick your country and age, tick what you have, then press Check. Your answer shows here and in “Can I join?” below.
Circle is a community platform where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are From $89/mo + 0.5-4% transaction fee, earnings are typically paid out stripe schedule after an initial payout delay generally of 7-14 days and you can withdraw via Stripe. Founded in 2019, Circle is based in New York, United States. It is available worldwide.
Last updated
Getting paid
What the platform takes, when you get your money and how
Not verified yet: Payment protection · Minimum payout Know the answer? Tell us
From the published fees above, before payment-processing, currency or withdrawal charges. Work out your own amount →
What people actually earn on Circle
Sourced figures from the platform, filings and independent studies
Figures published by Circle or by independent studies and surveys, as dated. Individual earnings vary widely.
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
2 updates · latest Nov 1, 2026
What changed
Every update we made to this listing, with the page we checked
- Payout speed added: Stripe schedule after an initial payout delay generally of 7-14 days source ↗
- Sign-up rules added source ↗
Every change we make to this listing, with the official page we checked. Recent updates across all platforms →
How complete is this profile?
We have 9 of the 17 things we track for every platform. Fees, payouts, join rules, countries and real earnings count most.
- Plain-English overview
- Minimum payout
- Payment protection
- Review ratings
- Wikipedia or reference page
- Support channels
- Mobile apps
- Social accounts
- What kind of platform it is
- Year founded
- Headquarters
- Fees
- How fast you get paid
- Withdrawal methods
- Join requirements
- Countries it accepts
- Real earnings figures
Every fact is checked against the platform's own pages. How we check →
Our rating
Worked out from the facts on this page, the same way for every platform
Strong on fees and access. Weaker on getting paid.
- Fees4.5
- Getting paid2.3
- Access4.0
- Track record3.0
- Proof of earnings3.0
Not a review of service quality: a score from verified fees, payouts, access, track record and earnings data. How the rating works
Achievements
35 of 100 points from 4 of 14 achievements, Silver tier. Earned from verified facts, never paid for
Verified earningsA sourced figure for what people earn or are paid there+10
Why it matters You can judge the pay from a real number instead of the platform's own promises.
How we check We need a figure for what earners are paid, earn typically, or how many people earn, with a link to the filing, pay page or study it came from.
Circle 5.5K+ paid communities (2026)
Every platform with this badge →Open worldwideAccepts people from almost every country+10
Why it matters Most earning platforms only take people from a handful of countries. This one lets almost anyone join.
How we check The platform's own terms or sign-up pages say it accepts people worldwide, with no more than eight countries left out.
Circle Worldwide
Every platform with this badge →Clear feesPublishes its cut as a percentage+5
Why it matters You can work out what you keep before you start.
How we check The platform publishes its cut as a percentage on its pricing or help pages, which we record as a range when it is tiered.
Circle 0.5–4%
Every platform with this badge →Low cutTakes 10% or less of what you earn+10
Why it matters More of every payment reaches you. Many marketplaces take 20% or more.
How we check The highest percentage the platform names in its published fees is 10% or less.
Circle 0.5–4%
Every platform with this badge →Free to joinNo fee to sign up5
Why it matters Paying to join is a red flag on many work sites. This one costs nothing to start.
How we check The platform's sign-up and pricing pages show no fee to register as an earner.
Circle From $89/mo billed annually
Every platform with this badge →Low payout barLets you cash out $10 or less5
Why it matters Small earnings are not left stuck in your account waiting for a high threshold.
How we check The platform's published minimum withdrawal is $10 or less, or it has no minimum.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for Circle.
Every platform with this badge →Fast payoutsPays out instantly, daily or on demand5
Why it matters Money arrives when you need it, not weeks later.
How we check The platform says payouts are instant, same-day, daily or on demand.
Circle Stripe schedule after an initial payout delay generally of 7-14 days
Every platform with this badge →Payment protectionHolds or guarantees payment before you work10
Why it matters Something stops you working for nothing, such as client money held before the work starts.
How we check The platform publishes how it protects earners' payments: escrow, guaranteed pay or a dispute process.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for Circle.
Every platform with this badge →Loved appA mobile app rated 4.5 or higher5
Why it matters A well-rated app usually means smooth day-to-day work and fewer payout problems.
How we check The platform's app is rated 4.5 or higher on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for Circle.
Every platform with this badge →Top 10K websiteAmong the world's 10,000 most visited sites (Tranco)5
Why it matters Big platforms have more clients and buyers, and a lot to lose from treating earners badly.
How we check The site ranks in the world's 10,000 most visited on the Tranco list, a research-grade ranking.
Circle #17,802 worldwide
Every platform with this badge →10 years runningFounded at least 10 years ago5
Why it matters Platforms that have lasted a decade are less likely to vanish with your balance.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 10 years ago.
Circle Founded 2019
Every platform with this badge →20 years runningFounded at least 20 years ago5
Why it matters Two decades of paying people is a strong track record.
How we check Its founding year, checked against company records, is at least 20 years ago.
Circle Founded 2019
Every platform with this badge →Public companyListed on a stock exchange, with audited filings5
Why it matters Listed companies publish audited accounts, so their finances and risks are public.
How we check The company has a stock ticker on a public exchange, with filings we can read.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for Circle.
Every platform with this badge →Fully documentedFees, payouts, countries and company details all verified15
Why it matters Everything you need to decide is verified here, not left as guesswork.
How we check Fees, payouts, minimum payout, who can join and the company details are all recorded from official pages.
Not earned yet: we have not verified this for Circle.
Every platform with this badge →
How achievements and tiers work · Open any badge for the details
Can I join Circle?
Age, countries, equipment and how sign-up works
Yes.
You need a bank account. First payout: Usually 7-14 days after first sale.
Enter your country and age in the quick check and we will tell you here whether Circle accepts you. Your answers stay on your device.
Check with my countryWe have not verified which countries Circle accepts yet.
- A bank account
From $89/mo billed annually
- Sign upFrom $89/mo billed annually
- Do your first workJobs, tasks or sales
- First payoutUsually 7-14 days after first sale
Good to know: Native paid memberships require a supported Standard Stripe account and a linked bank account.
Circle's official requirements ↗Every platform you can join →
How Circle compares
Against similar platforms in our directory
- At 0.5%–4%, Circle takes a smaller cut than 7 of the 9 creator platforms we track that charge a percentage fee (median 10%).
- Launched in 2019, Circle is newer than most creator platforms — 9 of the 13 we track were founded earlier.
Compared with the creator platforms in our directory. See them all →
Is Circle legit?
What we could verify about the company
Circle is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 2019 (7 years)
- Headquartered in New York, United States
- Among the world's top 100,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #17,802)
Listing last updated October 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
Circle in public records
Company filings, web traffic and app store data
- Website rank
- #17,802 worldwideAmong the top 100,000 sites (circle.so)
Sources: Tranco. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
Circle timeline
Founding, funding, milestones and news
-
Founded
Circle founded
Headquarters today: New York, United States
-
Milestone
5.5K+ paid communities
Circle says 5.5K+ communities are processing membership payments on its platform, according to its creators page.
Source ↗ -
On FreelanceSites
Added to the FreelanceSites.net directory
Checked against its official pages before listing.
From the platform's own reports and press coverage we checked, plus company records on Wikidata. Know a milestone we're missing? Tell us
Guides
Step-by-step help for this platform
No step-by-step guide for Circle yet. Browse all guides or find the right way to earn for you.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about Circle
How much does Circle charge?
Circle fees: From $89/mo + 0.5-4% transaction fee. On a $100 payment that leaves you about $96–$99.50, before withdrawal or conversion costs.
How do you get paid on Circle?
Circle pays out via Stripe. Timing: Stripe schedule after an initial payout delay generally of 7-14 days.
Which countries is Circle available in?
Worldwide.
How much do people earn on Circle?
Circle says 5.5K+ communities are processing membership payments on its platform, according to its creators page. Individual earnings vary widely.
Is Circle legit?
Yes, Circle is a real, operating platform: operating since 2019 (7 years), headquartered in New York, United States and among the world's top 100,000 websites by traffic (Tranco rank #17,802). As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best Circle alternatives?
Similar platforms include Mighty Networks, Twitch, Patreon and Boosty. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare Circle with…
Circle alternatives
More creator platforms like Patreon
Mighty NetworksA platform where creators build paid communities, courses, and memberships.
Fees From $95/mo + 0.5-2% transaction feemightynetworks.com
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.tv
PatreonThe 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.com
BoostyA membership platform where creators earn from subscriptions and paid content.
Fees ~10% platform fee incl payment feesboosty.to
Ko-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.com
GhostAn 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.org