✓Quick Takeaways
- Both platforms take 20% — the fee difference is zero. The earnings difference comes from audience size and conversion.
- OnlyFans converts roughly 40% better than Fansly because buyers trust the brand and feel safer paying there.
- Subscriptions are a small piece of the pie. Around 90% of creator revenue comes from chatting, PPV, and custom content — and OF dominates there.
- Fansly's For You Page used to drive $5-10K/month for some creators. Now it's closer to $2K, and only about 6% of subs come from it.
- Pick Fansly only if OnlyFans is banned in your country or your content is too extreme for OF's policies. Otherwise, stick with OnlyFans.
Both Fansly and OnlyFans take 20% of your earnings. Same cut, same structure. So why do creators on OnlyFans consistently outearn Fansly creators by a wide margin? I run a creator management agency. We've tested both platforms. The conversion difference? About 40% lower on Fansly. A fan who'd subscribe on OnlyFans without blinking will hesitate on Fansly — they don't trust it as much yet. That gap in buyer confidence matters more than any feature list. But Fansly isn't useless. For creators in countries where OnlyFans is blocked, or those posting content OF restricts, it's the best alternative out there. This Fansly vs OnlyFans comparison covers the real differences — fees, features, payouts, discovery — and which platform actually puts more money in your pocket.
What Is Fansly (And Why Do Creators Switch)?
Fansly launched in 2020, right after OnlyFans nearly banned adult content. That ban scare sent creators scrambling for a backup — and Fansly caught the wave. In August 2021, OnlyFans announced it would ban sexually explicit content. Creators panicked. Within days, Fansly signups exploded. OnlyFans reversed the decision a week later — but the damage was done. Thousands of creators had already set up backup accounts, and many stayed. Today Fansly has about 130 million users and 2 million creators. Sounds big. But OnlyFans has 300 million+ users and 4 million creators. The gap is enormous. So what is Fansly? It's a subscription platform for creators — like OnlyFans but with more features and fewer paying fans. There's no Fansly app — you use it through your mobile browser. Free to join, no upfront fees. The platform takes 20% of your earnings, same as OF. If you're reading our starter guide and wondering whether to pick Fansly instead — keep reading. The answer depends on where you live and what you post.
Creating a Fansly account is free — same as OnlyFans. Both platforms make money from the 20% cut on your earnings, not signup fees.
OnlyFans registered users
OnlyFans, 2026
Fansly registered users
Fansly, 2026
lower conversion on Fansly
B9 Agency data
Fansly vs OnlyFans: Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
Here's what actually differs between the two platforms. Most comparison guides list 20 features — only a handful affect your income.
Fansly wins on features. But 90% of creator revenue comes from chatting and PPV — not subscription pricing or tier caps. The platform with more paying subscribers wins.
“Subscriptions don't really matter that much. 90% of the revenue is made through the chats.”
— Mia, B9 Agency
| Feature | OnlyFans | Fansly |
|---|---|---|
| Platform cut | 20% | 20% |
| Subscription tiers | 1 per page | Multiple tiers |
| Max sub price | $49.99/mo | $499.99/mo |
| Max tip | $200 | $500 |
| Content discovery | None | FYP explore page |
| Free + paid same page | No (need 2 accounts) | Yes |
| Content policies | Stricter | More permissive |
| User base | 300M+ | ~130M |
| Payout speed | 3-5 business days | 1-2 business days |
| Min withdrawal | $20 ($200 wire) | $20 |
| Content protection | Basic DMCA | Watermarking + 2FA |
Source: platform documentation, 2026
Fees, Payouts, and the Hidden Tax Difference
Both platforms take 20%. You keep 80% of everything — subs, tips, PPV, customs. That part is identical. But there's a difference nobody talks about: taxes. OnlyFans and Fansly handle tax reporting differently. On Fansly, you're an independent contractor — you get a 1099 and need to set aside 25-30% of every payout for self-employment taxes yourself. Most new creators don't realize this until tax season hits. For the full breakdown of how OnlyFans pays you, check our complete payout guide.
Some comparison articles claim Fansly only takes 15%. That's wrong. Fansly takes 20% — same as OnlyFans. Don't pick a platform based on bad information.
| OnlyFans | Fansly | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 20% | 20% |
| Min withdrawal | $20 ($200 wire) | $20 |
| Pending period | 7-21 days | 7 days |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days | 1-2 business days |
| Payout methods | Bank transfer, direct deposit | Bank, Paxum, crypto |
| Tax reporting | W2-style | 1099 (contractor) |
Source: platform terms, 2026
Does Fansly's For You Page Actually Work?
Fansly's biggest selling point: a built-in discovery feature where fans find you without leaving the app. Think of it like a mix between TikTok and an adult discovery feed. You post short videos, they show up in a scroll feed for potential subscribers. OnlyFans has nothing like it. On OF, if you're not promoting on social media, nobody finds your page. Sounds like a massive advantage. Here's what's actually happening. Fansly's FYP used to be a goldmine. Creators pulled $5,000-$10,000 per month from it. But it's dropped hard. Those same creators now report about $2,000 — and falling. The bigger problem? FYP brings followers, not paying subs. One creator tracked it: only 6% of her subscribers came from the FYP, even posting twice a day. The rest came from Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram — the exact same channels OnlyFans creators use.
Don't pick Fansly for the FYP. Pick it if OnlyFans isn't available in your country or your content is too extreme for OF. Both platforms need external promotion to make real money.
of Fansly subs come from FYP
Creator self-reports, 2026
current FYP revenue (was $5-10K)
Creator self-reports, 2026
Is Fansly Safe and Legit for Creators?
"Is Fansly safe?" gets searched 450 times a month. Short answer: yes. Fansly is run by Select Media LLC. 130 million+ users. Operating since 2020. It's not a scam. Creators get paid on time — usually faster than OnlyFans. Chargebacks are covered in most cases. And content protection is actually stronger than OF, with watermarking and 2FA built in. But here's the catch. Fansly is safe for you as a creator. Your fans might not feel the same. Fansly reviews across Reddit paint the picture: subscribers prefer paying through OnlyFans — they've heard of it, trust the payment system, and feel safer with their card info. Our safety guide covering payment and privacy risks explains why that trust is mostly justified. That hesitation is what drives the 40% conversion gap we see across our managed accounts.
“When it comes to buying content, fans tell me they prefer to pay through OF because of the security it offers for their personal data.”
— Creator, r/onlyfansadvice
OnlyFans vs Fansly: Pros and Cons
Here's the bottom line on OnlyFans — its biggest strengths and where Fansly beats it.
✓Pros
- 300M+ users — the biggest creator platform by far
- 40% higher conversion rates than Fansly
- Brand trust: fans pay more willingly on a platform they know
- Most chatting and PPV revenue comes from OF's larger buyer pool
- Better analytics for tracking what works
✕Cons
- No internal discovery — 100% external promotion required
- One subscription tier per page (Fansly offers multiple)
- Lower price caps: $49.99/mo sub, $200 max tip
- Stricter content policies — some kinks and niches restricted
- Slower payouts: 3-5 days vs Fansly's 1-2
The Verdict: Which Platform Should You Pick?
Go with OnlyFans unless you have a specific reason not to. Here's the math. If 1,000 people click your link, OnlyFans converts roughly 60 into paying subscribers. Fansly converts about 35. Same link, same traffic, same content. The difference is platform trust. The features Fansly offers — multiple tiers, higher caps, FYP — don't close that gap. OnlyFans has the audience, the trust, and the brand recognition that gets fans to pay. What about doing both? I hear this advice everywhere online. I disagree. Splitting across two platforms means slower DM responses, inconsistent posting, and the earnings from 40% lower conversion don't justify the extra work. Focus on one. Make it work. Want to see real numbers? Here's what creators earn on OnlyFans broken down by tier. If you're considering platforms beyond just OnlyFans and Fansly, our guide to selling nudes online compares 10 platforms with commission rates and payout terms. Here are the most common alternatives:
Choose Fansly only if: OnlyFans is blocked in your country, your content involves extreme kinks or cannabis that OF restricts, or you've been banned from OF. Otherwise, OnlyFans is the move.
- LoyalFans — smaller platform, popular with cam models. Similar features but much less traffic.
- Passes — newer platform gaining traction. Worth watching but too early to recommend.
- Fanvue — 15% commission (you keep 85%) but tiny audience compared to OF or Fansly.
- Patreon — works for SFW or soft content only. Different audience entirely.
“I would always tell them go with OnlyFans. Fansly is only for creators where OnlyFans is banned in their countries.”
— Mia, B9 Agency
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Fansly is a real platform with features OnlyFans doesn't have. But features don't pay your rent — subscribers do. OnlyFans has 2x the users, higher conversion rates, and the brand trust that gets fans to pull out their credit card. Pick Fansly only if OnlyFans isn't an option for you. And if you're weighing more platforms beyond just these two, our full OnlyFans alternatives comparison ranks every option by commission, payouts, and niche fit. Already on OnlyFans and want to grow faster? Here's how top creators build their revenue.
