If you’d like to monetize your content, you’ve probably stumbled upon Patreon a couple of times. But you may be wondering if there’s a better Pateron alternative out there.
You’ll find out other platforms that allow you to profit off your content in this post. So read on, and let’s make some money!
What is Patreon?
Patreon is a platform that allows creators to have fans support them monetarily through monthly subscriptions. Many Patreon creators out there make a decent living from their freelance work.
Because of the tiers that creators can set up, their supporters can get perks in return, such as gaining access to exclusive content. Now, there are traditional crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, but these platforms have deadlines for campaigns.
Unlike on Patreon, you have to set a goal amount of how much you’d like to raise. Patreon is cool because it allows creators to get discovered by potential fans. However, I have to note that some platforms are not designed to do your marketing for you.
Related Reading: How to Manifest Money – Read Here
Who is the Patreon User?
A broad spectrum of freelancers can use Patreon to get funded for their projects. You can be a:
- Writer
- Podcaster
- Developer
- Custom content creator for games
- Musicians
- Video artists
- Visual artists
- Crafter
And much more. If you can come up with a product that you can share with your fans, you monetize your work through the platform.
What are the fees associated with Patreon?
There are three tiers for creators, which are:
Lite Version
With the Lite version of Patreon, you have to give the platform 5% of the funds you raise. You also have to pay payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction or 5% + $0.10 for transactions under $3).
Pro Version
With the Pro version of Patreon, you have to give the platform 8% of the funds you raise. You also have to pay payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction or 5% + $0.10 for transactions under $3).
Premium Version
With the Premium version of Patreon, you have to give the platform 12% of the funds you raise. You also have to pay payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction or 5% + $0.10 for transactions under $3.
Top Patreon Alternatives
Now that you know the basics of Patreon, let’s get into the platform’s most significant competitors.
1. ConvertKit Commerce
CovertKit has become a powerful email marketing solution for artists to engage with their followers and customers. It appears that ConvertKit has opted to eliminate the “middleman” and allow artists to sell digital items and memberships directly through the platform.
This type of freedom allows you to personalize your marketing for existing and future customers depending on their shopping behavior to the stuff you want to sell.
For example, let’s say someone downloads your lead generation Ebook and they claim to have advanced knowledge in the content’s domain. You can then send an automated offer for them to purchase an advanced course. You can also instantly pitch the beginner’s course if they’re newbies.
Who is the ConvertKit user?
Folks who can take full advantage of ConvertKit are those who sell digital products like Ebooks, courses, newsletters, coaching, and more. ConvertKit is excellent at automating communication between you and your audience. If keeping in touch is vital to you as a creator, you might want to give ConvertKit a try.
What are the fees associated with ConvertKit?
ConvertKit has a free plan, but it is somewhat limited. The price varies based on the number of subscribers you have. For up to 1,000 subs, you have to pay $29 a month + 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction. For 3,000 subs, you have to pay $49 a month, and the same other rates apply.
What are ConvertKit’s standout features?
With ConvertKit, you can create landing pages, employ email marketing campaigns and sell digital products and subscriptions using Stripe. It also comes with a ton of automation.
2. Ko-Fi
Ko-Fi is one of the more popular Patreon alternatives out there because it allows for one-off contributions from your fans. But, of course, some of your supporters won’t be able to afford monthly subscriptions, so going the Ko-Fi route is a good idea.
Who is the Ko-Fi user?
Ko-Fi is best for all sorts of smaller creators. Unfortunately, the platform doesn’t have a lot of options, so it’s an excellent basic option for those who are dipping their toes in the business world.
What are the fees associated with Ko-Fi?
For only $6 a month, your supporters can opt-in for monthly subscriptions and one-time donations. However, you still have to cover PayPal or Stripe’s payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30). ContributionsAfter that, donations are immediately deposited into your account!
What are Ko-Fi’s standout features?
If you’d like to try out Ko-Fi, it’s possible to do so without shelling out money. Ko-Fi has a free membership where you get your personal landing page and no fees for one-off donations.
Of course, this tier is pretty limited since you can’t enable subscriptions. I don’t think this tier is a real alternative to Patreon, but it’s worth a try if you’re not sure about using Ko-Fi yet.
The paid membership, on the other hand, gets you a landing page, and you get to offer exclusive content to your fans. One-off donations and monthly subscriptions are allowed. You also get commission tools, better media quality, and analytics.
I suggest that you go for the paid membership right away because you want to allow your fans to download high-quality digital products.
3. Buy Me A Coffee
Buy Me A Coffee is much like Ko-Fi in that it allows your fans to give one-off donations. The idea is, of course, to receive enough money for a cup of coffee. Amounts can add up if you work hard to widen your audience.
Who is the Buy Me A Coffee user?
Many folks use Buy Me A Coffee – musicians, writers, podcasters, bloggers, YouTubers, programmers, gamers, and more. Again, like Ko-Fi, it looks like the platform is intended for smaller creators, though.
What’s the difference between this platform and Ko-Fi? Well, it seems that Buy Me A Coffee puts more emphasis on the discoverability aspect of creators. However, I have to warn you that gaining a broader audience on Buy Me A Coffee is a long shot. You’ll have to generate that traffic from somewhere else.
What are the fees associated with Buy Me A Coffee?
All features are available for every Buy Me A Coffee creator. There are no monthly fees. However, you’ll still have to pay 5% of what you earn and PayPal or Stripe’s processing fees.
What are Buy Me A Coffee’s standout features?
Signing up for Buy Me A Coffee will get you a landing page and allow your fans to give one-off donations or sign up for membership. You’ll be able to sell digital goods and share exclusive content as well.
All payments are instantly transferred through PayPal or Stripe. Another nifty thing about Buy Me A Coffee is you have access to your members’ data and can export your member list anytime.
4. Substack
Substack is a platform that allows users to start newsletters and make money off of monthly subscriptions. It’s essentially an excellent platform to publish written content.
Who is the Substack user?
Substack is generally intended for writers, publishers, and digital marketers. You have to come up with content and email it to your subscribers.
What are the fees associated with Substack?
Good news! It’s free to publish content and send emails with Substack! There’s no limit. However, you have to pay the company 10% of what you earn once you start charging a monthly subscription for our content.
Of course, you’ll also have to shoulder processing fees for PayPal and Stripe, like with the other platforms.
What are Substack’s standout features?
With a Substack account, you can write, schedule, and send email newsletters to your audience. You also get a landing page, monthly subscription features, and analytics (open rate and click rate by link).
Plus, you get to add subscribers manually or with CSV files. Your fans will engage with you because they have the option to leave comments via email.
In terms of discoverability, the chances of you gaining a more vast audience are more promising here than on other platforms. However, this only applies to selected newsletters.
5. Podia
Podia is a feature-rich platform where you can sell online courses, hold paid webinars, and run membership programs. This one is an excellent option if you’re planning to monetize your expertise online by sharing it with others.
Who is the Podia user?
Podia was designed specifically for online educators. The platform makes it easy to sell online courses. However, their extensive membership features make the platform a viable option for all sorts of other creators.
I recommend this platform for more advanced creators who have already established an audience. Using Podia is a great way to monetize your courses and give your audience more payment options and chances to save money.
What are the fees associated with Podia?
Podia’s shaker plan includes the membership feature, and the price is pretty steep at $79 a month. As I said, I’d recommend this to people who already have a good reputation online. Of course, you’ll have to cover PayPal or Stripe’s processing fees too.
What are Podia’s Standout features?
Podia tries to be a complete tool, and I think it has succeeded. With a Podia account, you get a landing page, membership features, sales pages, and a dedicated blog. Plus, you get email marketing tools, a coupon system, affiliate marketing tools, upsells, live chat tools, webinars, and digital download features.
Best of all, Podia can be integrated with other services like Zapier and Google Analytics. If you plan on increasing your subscriber count through advertising, I suggest you set up and integrate Facebook and Instagram Pixel too.
6. LiberaPay
LiberaPay doesn’t allow one-off donations. It’s an open-sourced platform that is only intended for receiving recurring-only contributions. Generous people who will want to donate to you on LIberaPay won’t precisely be your fans because you can’t offer anything in return.
Who is the LiberaPay user?
LiberaPay is best for creators with projects that need to be funded. It’s not much of a Patreon alternative, as much as it is a Go Fund Me alternative. I thought it best to include it in this list just for good measure.
What are the fees associated with LiberaPay?
The platform itself won’t charge you anything, but you’ll have to pay for payment processing fees that are around 5%.
What are LiberaPay’s standout features?
With a LiberaPay account, you get membership features that include setting up different tiers. You also get a landing page and localization, meaning currencies and languages are adapted to the user.
7. Gumroad
Gumroad is an eCommerce platform where creators can sell their digital products. Along with its many other features, you can run a membership program with your account.
Who is the Gumroad user?
Gumroad is best for creators who want to sell Ebooks, films, videos, courses, music, and more. Much like Patreon, your fans will have to pay to get access to the content that you publish.
What are the fees associated with Gumroad?
With Gumroad’s free plan, you’ll have to pay the platform 5% of your earnings + charge fees (3.5% + 0.3c). If you go with the paid plan, you don’t have to pay the 5% fee. The cost of your plan depends on the number of customers you get per year.
What are Gumroad’s Standout features?
With Gumroad, you can create clean and customizable checkout pages. There is also an embeddable checkout Gumroad button you can put on your main site.
Aside from being able to set up subscriptions and payment plans, your account will come with a built-in affiliate center, which you can use to earn more money.
Related Reading: What is Manifestation – Read it Here
Conclusion
It’s incredible how we can make a living off of what we create. The internet makes it so easy for us creators to connect with our audience.
As I illustrated above, Patreon is not the only platform that allows you to receive payments for your work. If you’re unsure about which platform to pick, take a look at your product and match it with a platform that’s been designed explicitly for marketing that type of content.
