If you want a Patreon alternative, FanBase gives you monthly memberships plus the tools Patreon does not center on: paid messages with locked media, tips on every post, and pay per view posts. You join free, pay one 20 percent fee, and keep 80 percent.
Patreon is a solid membership tool, and many creators do well there. The reasons people look for something else tend to be the same: they want more ways to earn from the same audience, they want a simple fee they can explain to themselves, and they want a page that feels like their own brand. This page walks through how FanBase handles each of those, and where Patreon may still suit you better.
Why creators look beyond Patreon
Most creators who leave do not leave because memberships stopped working. They leave because memberships are only one part of what fans are willing to pay for.
- Fans want to pay for single things. A guitar lesson, a recipe card, a full match breakdown. Not every fan wants a monthly plan, but many will pay once.
- Fans want closer contact. Direct messages with exclusive media are one of the most valued things a creator can offer.
- Fans want to say thanks. Tips let your biggest supporters give more without forcing you to invent a new tier.
- Creators want clear fees. A single percentage is easier to plan around than a platform fee plus processing plus extras.
FanBase puts all of these in one place, on one creator page at fanbase.org/@yourname.
What you get on FanBase
Memberships with up to three tiers
Set up to three tiers, each with its own monthly price between $4.99 and $49.99 and its own perks. You can also offer 3, 6 and 12 month bundles with a discount you choose, which helps fans commit for longer.
Posts that earn in different ways
Every post can be public, for all members, for a minimum tier, or pay per view at one price. That means one post can pull in new fans while the next one earns on its own.
Paid messages and tips
Send messages with locked media that fans unlock, and accept tips on your profile and on any post. Fans can also message creators they support, so the conversation goes both ways. You can read more about this in our guide to creator monetization tools.
Analytics and exports
See earnings by source (memberships, renewals, pay per view, messages, tips) and how many active members you have. Export your fan list and earnings as CSV any time. Your audience stays yours.
FanBase and Patreon side by side
| Feature | FanBase | Patreon (new creators, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to join | Free | Free |
| Platform fee | 20 percent, processing included | 10 percent plus payment processing |
| Monthly memberships | Yes, up to 3 tiers, $4.99 to $49.99 | Yes |
| Multi month bundles | 3, 6 and 12 months with your discount | Annual billing options |
| Pay per view posts | Yes, on any post | Single sales through a separate shop |
| Paid messages with locked media | Yes | Not a core feature |
| Tips on posts and profile | Yes | Limited |
| Fan payments by crypto | Yes | No |
| Adult content | Separate, verified 18+ section | Strict limits on explicit content |
| Export fans as CSV | Yes | Yes |
Patreon's lower base fee can mean more per membership payment, especially on higher priced tiers. FanBase makes sense when paid messages, tips and pay per view will add income on top of memberships, or when you want crypto as a payment option. Our fees page shows worked examples for both.
Who FanBase suits
FanBase is built for every kind of creator. Musicians share demos and early releases. Fitness coaches post weekly plans. Chefs sell recipe collections. Gamers post VODs and strategy notes. Podcasters run bonus episodes. Educators share lessons and worksheets. You can see how each group sets up a page on the creator pages, for example FanBase for musicians and FanBase for podcasters.
There is also a separate Adult 18+ section for identity verified adult creators. It never appears in mainstream categories, on the homepage or in search, and fans only see it after confirming their age and turning it on. If you run a cooking channel, your fans will never land near it.
How to switch without losing momentum
Moving platforms works best when you keep things familiar for your fans.
- Create your page. Pick your handle, cover, bio and category. It takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
- Mirror your tiers. Set similar names and prices so members recognise what they are getting.
- Add something new. Launch with a pay per view post or a paid message offer so the move feels like an upgrade.
- Verify your identity. A quick ID and selfie check is required before your first payout. Our verification page explains what we check.
- Tell your fans. Share your fanbase.org link in your next post, newsletter and social profiles.
Fans subscribe again on FanBase with card or crypto. Payment details cannot move between platforms, so a clear, friendly announcement matters more than anything else.
Getting paid
Earnings clear 7 days after each payment. Once your cleared balance reaches $50, you can withdraw, and payouts go out weekly to a bank account or a crypto wallet. Full details are on the payouts page.
Try it before you sign up
On the homepage you can enter a page name, category, monthly price and the number of paying fans you expect. You instantly see a preview of your FanBase page and your projected monthly payout at 80 percent, with no account needed. It is the quickest way to see whether the numbers work for you.