The main sites like Patreon are FanBase, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, OnlyFans, Fansly and Fanvue. Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee are lighter and cheaper. FanBase offers memberships plus paid messages, tips and pay per view under one 20 percent fee. OnlyFans, Fansly and Fanvue have similar tools but are mostly known for adult content.
We build FanBase, so we list it first, but we have tried to be fair to everyone. Fees below were checked at the time of writing (October 2026). Platforms change their terms, so confirm on their sites before you move.
What a Patreon replacement needs to do
Most creators looking at sites like Patreon want at least the basics Patreon gives them, plus one or two things it does not.
- Monthly memberships with more than one tier.
- A way to post for members only.
- Clear, predictable fees.
- Reliable payouts.
- A brand that fits a mainstream audience.
- Extra income options such as single sales, paid messages or tips.
Move your members
- 1Tiers copied as they areDone
- 2Switcher bundle, 3 months 10% offDone
- 3Share fanbase.org/@mayalundCopy
Comparison table
| Platform | Fee for creators | Membership tiers | Paid messages | Pay per view | Tips | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FanBase | 20 percent, processing included | Up to 3, $4.99 to $49.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mainstream, adult section separate |
| Patreon | 10 percent for new creators, plus processing | Yes | Not a core feature | Through a shop | Limited | Mainstream |
| Ko-fi | 0 percent on one off tips, 5 percent on memberships unless on a paid plan, plus processing | Yes | No | Shop items | Yes | Mainstream |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5 percent plus processing | Yes | No | Shop items | Yes | Mainstream |
| OnlyFans | 20 percent | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mostly associated with adult content |
| Fansly | 20 percent | Multiple tiers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mostly associated with adult content |
| Fanvue | Around 20 percent, with lower intro rates at times | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mostly associated with adult content |
The platforms in more detail
FanBase
FanBase gives you a creator page at fanbase.org/@yourname with up to three tiers, 3, 6 and 12 month bundles, posts that can be public, members only, tier locked or pay per view, paid messages with locked media, tips, scheduling, analytics and CSV export. Fans pay by card or crypto and can cancel any time. Creators join free and pay one 20 percent fee. Our Patreon alternative page goes deeper.
Best for creators who want memberships and more ways to earn from the same fans.
Ko-fi
Ko-fi began as a tip page and now includes memberships, commissions and a shop. It is simple and affordable. One off tips carry no platform fee on its standard plan, and a paid upgrade removes fees on memberships and shop sales.
Best for artists and makers who mostly receive tips and commissions.
Buy Me a Coffee
Buy Me a Coffee is a clean support page with tips, memberships and a shop for a 5 percent fee plus processing. Setup takes minutes.
Best for writers and small creators who want a light support page.
OnlyFans, Fansly and Fanvue
These three offer the full toolkit of subscriptions, paid messages, pay per view and tips, typically for around 20 percent. Their audiences and brands are strongly associated with adult content, which suits some creators and puts others off. We compare them on our sites like OnlyFans page.
Best for creators comfortable with that association.
Why fees are only half the story
A lower fee does not always mean more money. Here is a simple example. Say you have 100 members at $9.99 a month.
| Scenario | Monthly fan payments | What you keep |
|---|---|---|
| Memberships only, lower fee platform | $999 | Roughly $830 to $900 after fees and processing |
| Memberships on FanBase | $999 | $799.20 |
| FanBase with 20 pay per view sales at $5 and $150 in tips | $1,249 | $999.20 |
The numbers are an example, not a promise. They show that extra ways to earn can outweigh a higher fee, but only if your fans actually use them. Our fees page has more examples.
A setup that works for podcasters
Podcasters are a good fit for membership platforms, so here is one example setup:
- Listener at $4.99 a month for ad free episodes and early releases.
- Supporter at $9.99 a month for a monthly bonus episode.
- Producer at $24.99 a month for everything plus a monthly paid message Q and A.
Sell special episodes as pay per view and take tips after big shows. More ideas are on FanBase for podcasters.
How to decide
- List what your fans pay for today: memberships, single items, tips or messages.
- Check the fee for each of those on every platform you consider.
- Think about where your link appears and who will see it.
- Make sure you can export your audience if you ever move again.
Try FanBase without an account
On the homepage, enter a page name, category, monthly price and expected paying fans. You see a page preview and your projected monthly payout at 80 percent right away.