Creatives are looking for alternatives to Patreon in 2025 and there are many ways! Membership platforms have changed quite a bit, with different features than they used to have. More and more competitors with lower transaction fees, more flexible membership tiers are increasingly better able to accommodate diverse content types.
The best Patreon alternatives of 2025 help creators make more from content and get more out of their community with lower commissions, better tools, and no restrictions!
These days, many platforms have a total solution for online courses, digital downloads, and subscription content that don’t take 5-12% cut. This change has helped creators keep most of their profits become creators & maintain independent relationships with their audiences.
When choosing an alternative, creators who want to monetize must consider some factors such as fees, payment, community integration and more. All platforms come with a set of pros and cons, depending on if you are comfortable paying cheaper fees for lesser features or want the best tool for what you create.
Patreon: What Is It?
Patreon, a membership platform first founded in 2013, assists creators to earn regular income from their fans. With the help of this application, musical composers, lyrics writers, authors, and other creators receive a monthly subscription fee.
Artists create various membership levels, usually from $ 1 to $ 100+ a month. Every tier has its own special benefits to give the patrons.
access, or merchandise.
The platform operates on a revenue-sharing model where Patreon takes a percentage of creators’ earnings. Their fee structure includes:
- Lite Plan: 5% platform fee
- Pro Plan: 8% platform fee
- Premium Plan: 12% platform fee
Patreon provides creators tools that will help them control their relationships with their subscribers. Patreon manages payment processing and subscription management while providing creators a custom profile page.
Many creators use Patreon to earn a living. Some top creators earn six-figure annual incomes here. Since its inception, the platform has paid out billions of dollars to creators.
A COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP CHEATSHEET
TO CREATING, LAUNCHING & GROWING A SUCCESSFUL MEMBERSHIP WEBSITE
Patreon allows you to build a sustainable, recurring revenue stream instead of one-off donations. This model helps creators budget better and spend more freely on their creations.
The Main Features Of Patreon
Patreon provides creators with several core features that have made it a popular platform since its launch in 2013. The service operates on a subscription-based model where fans (patrons) make recurring monthly payments to support their favorite creators.
The platform offers tiered membership levels allowing creators to set different price points with varying benefits. These tiers typically range from $1 to $100+ per month, giving creators flexibility in how they structure their offerings.
Content delivery is a key component of Patreon’s system. Creators can share exclusive posts, videos, podcasts, and other media directly with their subscribers through the platform’s
Revenue options include:
- Monthly subscriptions
- Per-creation payments
- One-time tips
Patreon does all the processing of payments, charging patrons on their billing date, then sending creators their funds. Depending on the plan selected, the platform charges a fee ranging from 5-12% of earnings.
Tools that help create a community where creators might interact with supporters directly. This include messaging systems, comment sections, and polls to help connect with one another.
Creators can keep track of their growth, income and patrons. Using these metrics can help a creator plan their strategy and content.
Patreon offers three service tiers for creators:
| Plan | Fee | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | 5% | Basic tools |
| Pro | 8% | Full suite of features |
| Premium | 12% | Advanced tools + dedicated support |
The Pros Of Patreon
Patreon offers creators a stable monthly income through recurring payments from supporters. This predictability allows artists and content creators to focus on their craft rather than worrying about fluctuating earnings.
The platform provides tiered membership options that enable creators to offer different levels of rewards. These tiers increase flexibility for both creators and patrons, allowing supporters to choose a commitment level that fits their budget.
Patreon’s established reputation in the creator economy gives it strong brand recognition. Many audiences are already familiar with how it works, which can reduce the friction when asking fans to support a creator’s work.
The platform excels at community building through features like member-only posts, polls, and messaging. These tools help creators foster deeper connections with their most dedicated supporters.
Key Benefits of Patreon:
- Built-in payment processing
- Robust analytics dashboard
- Mobile app for creators and patrons
- Integration with Discord for community management
- Customizable creator page
Patreon’s support team offers resources specifically designed for creative professionals. Their knowledge base includes strategies for growth, engagement, and monetization tailored to different creator types.
The platform handles tax documentation and international payments, reducing administrative burdens for creators. This infrastructure saves valuable time that can be redirected toward content creation.
The Cons Of Patreon
Fees can be considered one of the key issues with Patreon. The site takes 5%-12% from the creators and then there’re payment processing fees as well, which can range from 2.9%-5%.
Often have less flexibility with the customization options. The platform gives users basic branding, but limits deeper site personalization that many professional creators want for their membership program.
More thoughts on the lack of discovery features as compared to competitors on Patreon. The platform does not vigorously push creators to their potential fans, so new or smaller creators have a hard time growing organically.
Both creators and supporters can get annoyed with the payment structure.
Creators have to wait a whole month after a payment is made to get their money. This creates cash flow problems for creators who live off the income.
Patreon imposes extra challenges on overseas creators. Most supporters live in the US making it hard for other creators to earn. Non-US creators also face unwanted delays, conversion charges and limited withdraw options.
Common Patreon Complaints:
- Limited course and digital product selling capabilities
- Minimal community-building features
- Restricted analytics compared to specialized platforms
- No ownership of supporter email addresses or direct contact information
- Limited integration options with external tools
Mobile functionality remains a weak point for Patreon. The mobile app lacks many features available on desktop, frustrating creators who manage their business on the go.
What Are The Main Alternatives To Patreon
The creator economy is growing rapidly and there are many more platforms besides Patreon to monetize your content, and create membership communities now. Each option has its own unique feature set to target specific creators, e.g., course creators or community builders.
Kajabi
Kajabi is a great all-in-one platform for people who want to sell knowledge products. Kajabi helps creators take a step above Patreon’s subscription only offering by enabling them to build and sell online courses, digital products and membership sites from one dashboard.
You can create sales pages, funnel pages, and also build websites. Creators can run their complete business without integrating different services.
PRICING STARTS AT $79/MONTH MAKING IT A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN PATREON Nonetheless, aside from the charges for payment processing, Kajabi does not charge a percentage for sales.
Established creators with audiences who need everything in one place are the best fit for Kajabi. The analytics dashboard displays detailed customer engagement metrics.
Prices Kickstarter $89 | Basic $149 | Growth $199 | Pro $399 per month
LifterLMS
LifterLMS is a WordPress plugin that helps in building and managing online courses. LifterLMS permits the right ownership of the development of the learning platform.
The core software is free to use, but most creators need at least a few add-ons that cost between $99 and $299 per year. There are no recurring commission fees on content sales, unlike Patreon.
LifterLMS comes with tons of features to drip content, quiz builder, certificate generation etc. You can manage memberships, with multiple levels of access.
Technical setup is tough for the non-technical creator as it requires WordPress knowledge. Although it requires technical knowledge, it does offer great flexibility.
Prices Core Free | Earth Bundle $299 | Universe Bundle $499 | Infinity Bundle $1,499 per year
Podia
Podia has come to the fray as a creator-friendly tool with power and simplicity. Creators can sell courses, downloads, webinars, and memberships using an intuitive interface on the platform.
The first pricing tier is $39/month. The higher tiers come with no transaction fees. Every plan offers unlimited courses and products with zero storage limits.
The software has email marketing resources so user can manage their subscribers and send out broadcasts without any other services. The product or service deals with file hosting and payment.
Podia has a membership feature that comes with discussion section and comments box. It has a clean and modern design and requires very little configuration compared to self-hosted ones.
Prices Mover $39 | Shaker $89 per month
LearnDash
LearnDash is LMS for WordPress. A lot of universities, corporations, and individual creators use it for their own course delivery.
The platform provides advanced quiz functionalities, content dripping, certificates, and learning pathways. Annual pricing starts at $199 for a single site license.
LearnDash works with popular WordPress plugins for more functions. Creators gain complete control over design, UX as well as payment processing options.
The concentration on structured learning makes LearnDash best suited for learning materials over more general or creative work. Its course builder is built for drag and drop and uses a familiar WordPress interface.
Prices $199 per year
Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks focuses more on community building than Patreon. Creators can build branded networks through the platform where members get connected with each other and not just the creator.
It will cost you $33/month along with extra course fees. The platform allows live events, messaging, and interest groups in a single community.
The mobile apps provide an unbelievable experience for members. Tools that measure analytics help creators review their members and measure the health of community activities.
Mighty Networks is especially suited for creators for whom community interaction is the main offering. The design of the platform enables the members to connect horizontally with one another.
Prices The Community Plan $49 | The Course Plan $119 | The Business Plan $219
Discord (Server Subscription)
Creators can earn money on Discord without leaving the platform thanks to Server Subscription. Members pay monthly to access special channels and content.
The service takes 8% of the subscription revenue which is a little more than what Patreon takes as a base fee. It does not require high-level technical knowledge Requires a few steps for creators already familiar with Discord.
People who sign up get to use special emojis, badges and other stuff. At this platform, people’s attention is on chat. So the engagement behaviour is different than other content-based platforms.
If your community, like gamers, already uses Discord, then the platform offers awesome engagement tools to grow your community. Discord is not ideal for content-led engagement because of the weak content organization tools.
Discourse
Discourse is an open-source community platform that can be customized extensively. Because this is self-hosted, creators have complete control over their member data and experience.
Community forums hosted through Discourse’s official service cost about $100/month, or creators can self-host for more savings. The platform comes with advanced discussion tools, polls, and moderation.
You will need to install payment processor plugins. The platform does a great job of organizing large discussions.
Discourse aids in SEO since discussions can be indexed by search engines. The platform is especially effective for knowledge-oriented communities with searchable archives that add great value.
Starter $20 | Standard $100 | Business $500
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the best alternatives to Patreon in 2025?
A: Some of the best alternatives to Patreon in 2025 include platforms like Substack, Buy Me a Coffee, and Mighty Networks. Each of these platforms offers unique features tailored for creators looking to monetize their content through memberships and paid subscriptions.
Q: How do membership websites similar to Patreon work?
A: Membership websites similar to Patreon allow creators to offer exclusive content to their subscribers in exchange for a monthly fee. These platforms typically provide tools for managing memberships, creating tiers, and engaging with the community.
Q: What is the transaction fee for using a Patreon alternative?
A: Transaction fees vary by platform. For instance, some alternatives like Buy Me a Coffee don’t take a percentage from your earnings, while others might charge a smaller fee compared to Patreon’s 5% cut. It’s important to review the fee structures of each option.
Q: Can I use email marketing with these Patreon alternatives?
A: Yes, many of the best Patreon alternatives offer integrated email marketing tools or allow you to connect with your email list. This enables creators to effectively communicate with their subscribers and promote exclusive content.
Q: Is there a free membership option available as an alternative to Patreon?
A: Yes, several platforms offer free membership options. For instance, platforms like Substack allow creators to have free subscribers alongside paid subscriptions, helping to grow their audience while monetizing their best content.
Q: How can I create a membership website like Patreon?
A: To create a membership website similar to Patreon, choose a platform that supports membership features. Then, set up your tiers, create exclusive content, and promote your membership page through social media and your email list to attract subscribers.
Q: What are the advantages of using the best Patreon alternatives?
A: The advantages of using the best Patreon alternatives include lower transaction fees, more flexibility in content distribution, and tailored tools for specific types of creators. Some platforms might also provide better support for community engagement and marketing.
Q: How do I compare the best Patreon alternatives for my needs?
A: When comparing the best Patreon alternatives, consider factors such as ease of use, transaction fees, available features, and the level of support for creators. Reviewing a 2025 comparison guide can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
Q: What should I look for in a Patreon alternative?
A: Look for features such as customizable membership tiers, integration with email marketing, community engagement tools, and the ability to offer exclusive content. Additionally, consider the platform’s transaction fees and user experience to ensure it meets your requirements as a creator.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a membership platform depends on the creators’ specific needs and revenue goals. While Patreon is widely used, other options are enticing and serve different functions.
Fee structures vary significantly across platforms. Some charge a fixed monthly fee while others take a percentage. Creators must assess their potential revenue on different platforms before deciding.
Content flexibility is another key consideration. Each platform has its own approach to digital products, courses, and community. The best option is one that matches what creators want to give their fans.
User experience matters for both creators and subscribers. Through either guilty or innocent pleasure, more and more creators are offering memberships these days.
Growth potential should influence platform selection. Better alternative discovery features and marketing tools than Patreon. Some excel at allowing creators to expand beyond membership into courses or e-commerce.
Stability and longevity of a platform is very important. Newer versions might come with new features but they are more risky than old ones.
In 2025, membership economy continues to thrive at a rapid pace. Creators should evaluate their platforms every year and see new options and enhancements.
