✓Quick Takeaways
- Both platforms take 20% of earnings, but Fansly offers better tiered subscription options and promotional tools
- OnlyFans has stronger brand recognition and more traffic, but Fansly has a built-in discovery feed that helps new creators get found
- Fansly allows more explicit content categories and has never threatened to ban adult content like OnlyFans did in 2021
- Most successful creators use BOTH platforms to diversify income and protect against policy changes
- Fansly offers more customization (multiple subscription tiers, better media organization) while OnlyFans has simpler setup
OnlyFans dominated the creator economy for years, but Fansly has emerged as a serious competitor — especially after OnlyFans' 2021 adult content scare. Now creators are asking: should I use Fansly, OnlyFans, or both? The answer depends on your content type, audience, and business goals. In this comprehensive comparison, we'll break down everything that matters: fees, features, payouts, content policies, discoverability, and real creator experiences on both platforms.
What is Fansly?
Before we compare, let's make sure everyone understands what Fansly actually is:
Founded in 2020
Fansly launched as a direct competitor to OnlyFans, targeting adult content creators. It gained massive traction in August 2021 when OnlyFans announced (then reversed) a ban on explicit content.
Same Basic Model
Like OnlyFans, Fansly lets creators monetize through subscriptions, pay-per-view content, tips, and direct messaging. Fans pay to access exclusive content.
Creator-Focused Features
Fansly was built specifically for adult creators, with features designed around their needs: better content organization, multiple subscription tiers, and a discovery feed.
Growing Rapidly
While OnlyFans still dominates in total users, Fansly is the fastest-growing alternative. Many creators now maintain accounts on both platforms.
Fansly isn't trying to replace OnlyFans — it's offering an alternative with different strengths. Smart creators use both.
Fees and Payouts Compared
Money matters. Here's how the platforms compare on what they take and how they pay:
Platform Fee: Both Take 20%
OnlyFans and Fansly both take a 20% cut of all earnings. You keep 80% whether you're earning from subscriptions, tips, PPV, or messages.
Minimum Payout: Fansly Wins
Fansly: $20 minimum payout. OnlyFans: $20 minimum, but some payment methods require higher minimums. Both are reasonable.
Payout Speed
OnlyFans: 7-day pending period, then payout. Fansly: Typically 3-5 business days. Both can be faster with established accounts.
Payment Methods
Both support bank transfer, Paxum, and other options. OnlyFans has more payment processors available in more countries. Check availability for your location.
Referral Programs
OnlyFans: 5% of referred creator earnings for 1 year. Fansly: 1% of referred creator earnings for 1 year (less generous).
On fees, it's a draw. The real differences are in features and policies, not the money split.
Features Comparison
This is where the platforms truly differ. Here's what each offers:
Subscription Tiers
Fansly: Multiple subscription tiers with different content access. OnlyFans: One subscription price (plus free tier). Fansly wins for flexibility.
Discovery Feed
Fansly: Built-in explore page where new fans discover creators. OnlyFans: No discovery — all traffic must come from external sources. Fansly wins significantly here.
Content Organization
Fansly: Better media library, folders, and content management. OnlyFans: Basic chronological feed. Fansly wins for creators with large content libraries.
Messaging Features
Both platforms support mass messaging and pay-per-view messages. OnlyFans has a slight edge with more established messaging tools.
Analytics
Both offer basic analytics. OnlyFans' stats are more detailed for established creators. Fansly is improving but still catching up.
Geo-Blocking
Both allow blocking specific countries/regions. Important for privacy and legal compliance.
Feature by feature, Fansly offers more customization. OnlyFans offers simplicity and polish. Choose based on how you want to run your page.
Content Policies
After the 2021 scare, content policies matter more than ever. Here's where each platform stands:
Adult Content
Both allow explicit adult content. However, OnlyFans attempted to ban it in 2021 (reversed after backlash). Fansly has never wavered — adult content is explicitly welcome.
Trust Factor
Many creators don't trust OnlyFans after the 2021 incident. Fansly hasn't given creators reason to worry about sudden policy changes.
Banned Content
Both prohibit illegal content, underage material, and non-consensual content. Fansly is slightly more permissive on niche categories that exist in legal gray areas.
SFW Content
Both support SFW (safe for work) creators. OnlyFans actually has more non-adult creators due to its mainstream recognition.
Future Stability
OnlyFans is bigger and more established but beholden to payment processors. Fansly is smaller but purpose-built for adult content with less external pressure.
The 2021 OnlyFans scare taught creators a valuable lesson: never rely on one platform. Diversification isn't optional — it's protection.
Audience and Discoverability
You can have the best content in the world, but it means nothing if no one sees it. Here's how the platforms compare:
Brand Recognition
OnlyFans wins massively. 'OnlyFans' is a household name. When you tell someone you're on OnlyFans, they know what it means. Fansly requires explanation.
Organic Discovery
Fansly wins. Its explore page shows your content to potential fans actively browsing. OnlyFans has zero internal discovery — you bring all your own traffic.
Search Traffic
OnlyFans gets more direct search traffic. People Google 'OnlyFans' specifically. This benefits all creators on the platform indirectly.
Social Media Linking
Both face similar restrictions on major platforms. Instagram, TikTok, etc. don't love either. Reddit and Twitter work well for both.
Existing Audience
If you already have a following, OnlyFans' brand recognition makes conversion easier. If you're starting from scratch, Fansly's discovery helps.
For new creators with small followings, Fansly's discovery feed can jumpstart growth. For creators with existing audiences, OnlyFans' recognition converts better.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Based on everything we've covered, here's our recommendation for different creator situations:
New Creator, No Following
Start with Fansly. The discovery feed gives you a chance to be found organically while you build your external promotion strategy.
Existing Social Following
Start with OnlyFans. Your audience already knows the name, and conversion will be easier. Add Fansly later for diversification.
Adult Content Creator
Use BOTH. Fansly's commitment to adult content provides insurance. OnlyFans' traffic provides scale. Cross-promote between them.
SFW Creator
OnlyFans is better. More mainstream recognition, better for fitness, cooking, music, and other SFW niches.
Privacy-Conscious Creator
Both are similar, but Fansly's smaller user base means less exposure. OnlyFans' ubiquity makes content more likely to spread.
Maximizing Income
Use both platforms. Different audiences exist on each. Some fans prefer Fansly; some prefer OnlyFans. Capture both markets.
Fansly offers strong competition to OnlyFans with better creator-friendly features. Want help choosing the right platform and maximizing your earnings? Check our results at /results or apply at /apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Fansly and OnlyFans both have their place in a creator's business strategy. OnlyFans offers unmatched brand recognition and a massive user base, while Fansly provides better features for content organization, multiple subscription tiers, and crucial organic discovery. The 2021 OnlyFans policy scare proved that no platform is guaranteed — diversification is protection. Our recommendation: use both. Cross-post content, build audiences on each platform, and never let your income depend on a single company's decisions. The extra effort is minimal; the protection and potential earnings are significant.
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