✓Quick Takeaways
- OnlyFans keeps 20% of everything — subs, tips, PPV, customs. You get 80%.
- Payouts sit in a 7-day hold, then take 1-5 business days to hit your bank.
- Apple Pay doesn't work on OnlyFans — but Apple Card does (enter the number manually).
- Prepaid Visa/Mastercard cards work if they support 3D Secure verification.
- Open 2-3 bank accounts — if one gets frozen, you can switch payouts instantly.
- OnlyFans withholds zero for taxes. Set aside 25-30% of every payout yourself.
OnlyFans pays creators via direct bank deposit, with an 80/20 split — you keep 80%, OnlyFans takes 20%. If you're searching for how the OnlyFans payout system actually works, this is the only guide you need. But here's what most guides skip: your money sits in a 7-day hold before you can touch it. Banks can freeze your account for receiving adult industry payments. And OnlyFans withholds exactly zero for taxes — so that $5,000 payout? About $3,500 is actually yours after the IRS gets involved. I manage payouts for our creators every week. The biggest mistake I see? "They're just paying themselves out and they think the money is all theirs," as I tell every new creator we onboard. One Reddit creator had $3,000 sent to the wrong bank account. OnlyFans admitted it was their fault — then refused to fix it. This guide covers both sides: how subscribers pay for OnlyFans and how creators get paid. Exact timelines, which banks won't flag you, and the payment methods that actually work.
How Much Does OnlyFans Take From Creators?
OnlyFans takes a flat 20% from everything you earn. Subscriptions, tips, PPV messages, custom content — all of it. You keep 80%. That 20% doesn't change based on how much you make. A creator earning $500/month and one earning $50,000/month both pay the same rate. No tiers, no negotiations. Honestly? You can't do anything about the cut, so why complain. It's fair for the branding — OF has the subscriber base, the payment infrastructure, and the name recognition. We've never tried switching creators to Fansly — the conversion gap between the two platforms makes it not worth it. But how does that 20% compare to other platforms? And how does it affect how much you can actually make on OnlyFans? See our subscription pricing strategy for how to set prices that account for the cut.
The 20% applies to tips too. If a subscriber sends you a $100 tip, you receive $80. There's no way around this — OnlyFans doesn't offer reduced rates for tips or PPV separately. See our tip menu setup guide for pricing that accounts for the cut.
“We've never tried switching to Fansly — conversions drop so much it's not worth it.”
— Martin, B9 Agency
| Platform | Platform Cut | Creator Keeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnlyFans | 20% | 80% | Flat rate, all revenue streams |
| Fansly | 20% | 80% | Same rate, smaller subscriber pool |
| Fanvue | 15% | 85% | Lower cut, much smaller audience |
| Patreon | 5-12% | 88-95% | Plus payment processing fees on top |
| Chaturbate | 50% | 50% | Live cam model, different business model |
Platform fee comparison, 2026. Patreon fees exclude payment processing (2.9% + $0.30).
How Subscribers Pay for OnlyFans
If you're wondering how to pay for OnlyFans — or whether creators can see your payment info — here's what actually works. OnlyFans accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and Maestro. Every card must support 3D Secure verification (that pop-up from your bank asking you to confirm the purchase). This is a Mastercard requirement for adult platforms, not an OnlyFans choice. What OnlyFans does NOT accept: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, or cryptocurrency. None of these support the 3D Secure flow OnlyFans requires. Do you have to pay for OnlyFans? Not always. Creators can set their page to free — subscribers pay nothing to follow but can still buy PPV content, send tips, or purchase custom requests. OnlyFans subscription prices range from free to $49.99/month. OnlyFans' Terms of Service cover the full payment policy.
Accepted payment methods
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Maestro — debit or credit. Must support 3D Secure.
NOT accepted
Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, crypto. None support 3D Secure verification.
Wallet credits
Subscribers can pre-load OnlyFans wallet credits. This reduces individual charges on your bank statement — one larger transaction instead of many small ones.
Free accounts exist
Creators can offer free subscriptions. Revenue comes from tips, PPV messages, and custom content instead.
OnlyFans doesn't accept Apple Pay — but Apple Card works. Apple Card is issued by Goldman Sachs as a Mastercard, so it passes 3D Secure verification like any other credit card. Use the physical or virtual card number, not the Apple Pay tap-to-pay feature.
Does OnlyFans Take Apple Pay?
No. OnlyFans doesn't accept Apple Pay, and probably won't anytime soon. The reason is technical: Apple Pay uses tokenized payments that bypass the 3D Secure verification step. OnlyFans (and Mastercard) require 3D Secure for all adult platform transactions. Apple Pay can't do that. Same goes for Google Pay and Samsung Pay — same tokenization issue, same result. But there's a workaround most guides miss. Your Apple Card — the actual card number, not the Apple Pay feature — works fine. Apple Card is a Mastercard issued by Goldman Sachs. It supports 3D Secure like any standard credit card. Enter the card number manually on OnlyFans instead of trying to use the tap-to-pay wallet.
- Apple Pay: No (no 3D Secure support)
- Google Pay: No (same tokenization issue)
- Samsung Pay: No (same issue)
- Apple Card (manual entry): Yes — it's a standard Mastercard
- Any Visa/Mastercard in Apple Wallet (manual entry): Yes
How to Pay for OnlyFans Without a Credit Card
Don't have a credit card? Or want to keep OnlyFans off your bank statement entirely? There are a few workarounds. Prepaid Visa and Mastercard gift cards work — but only if they support 3D Secure verification. Cheap gas station gift cards usually don't have 3D Secure. You need a prepaid card from a bank or fintech that supports online verification. What about bank statement privacy? Charges from OnlyFans show up as 'Fenix International Limited' or 'OnlyFans' on your statement. Our team confirms it: on the bank statement it's going to show payment of Fenix International. And no — OnlyFans creators can't see your real name, email, or payment details. They only see your display name and username. For the full picture on whether OnlyFans is safe — including data privacy, scam risks, and platform protections — we break it all down separately.
Prepaid Visa/Mastercard
Cards from Green Dot, NetSpend, or Serve support 3D Secure. Register the card online first — OnlyFans runs a $0.10 verification charge to confirm it works.
The PayPal workaround
OnlyFans doesn't accept PayPal directly. But you can buy a prepaid Visa with PayPal funds, then use that card on OnlyFans. Extra step, but it works.
Virtual debit cards
Services like Privacy.com create virtual card numbers linked to your bank. They support 3D Secure and keep your real card details hidden from OnlyFans.
Not all prepaid cards work on OnlyFans. The card MUST support 3D Secure verification. If you get a 'payment declined' error, the card likely doesn't have 3D Secure — try a different card from a major issuer.
How Creators Get Paid on OnlyFans
Here's the actual process from earning money to it landing in your bank account. I walk our creators through this every time they sign up — and the 7-day hold is always the first surprise. For a full picture of where the money comes from, check our revenue breakdown guide.
of earnings go to the creator
OnlyFans standard rate
minimum withdrawal amount
OnlyFans payout policy
mandatory pending period
OnlyFans earnings hold
Earn money from subs, tips, PPV, or customs
Every transaction triggers a 7-day pending period. This isn't optional — OnlyFans holds all earnings for 7 full days before they become available for withdrawal. In some high-risk countries, it's 21 days.
Set up your payout method
Go to Settings > Banking and add your bank details. Options include direct deposit (US), bank transfer (international), or e-wallets like Paxum and Skrill. You'll need to verify your identity first.
Request a payout or set up auto-pay
Once funds clear the 7-day hold, request a manual payout or set automatic payouts — daily, weekly, or monthly. We do weekly payouts for all our creators. Minimum withdrawal is $20 ($200 for wire transfers).
Money arrives in your bank
Timing depends on your method and location. ACH direct deposit hits in 1-2 business days. International transfers take 3-5 days. E-wallets like Paxum can arrive in under 24 hours. In our experience, it could take anywhere from 1 hour to a few business days.
OnlyFans Payout Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
The official answer: 1-5 business days after you request a payout. The real answer: it depends on your method, your country, and sometimes just luck. I've tracked these across dozens of creator accounts — the table below reflects real-world timelines, not just what OnlyFans puts on their FAQ page. One thing Reddit gets right: holiday payouts and month-end payouts are slower. We've seen mass delays where every creator on the platform gets hit at once — not individual account issues, but payment processor bottlenecks. If your payout says 'processed' but money hasn't arrived after 5 business days, open a support ticket. But know that OnlyFans support is... not fast. Our recommendation: set up weekly automatic payouts. Don't let large balances build up. If something goes wrong with one payout, you've only lost a week's earnings, not a month's.
| Payout Method | Processing Time | Minimum | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACH / Direct Deposit | 1-2 business days | $20 | US-based creators (fastest) |
| Bank Transfer (SEPA) | 2-3 business days | $20 | EU/UK creators |
| International Wire | 3-5 business days | $200 | Non-US/EU (expensive) |
| Paxum | Under 24 hours | $20 | International, fast |
| Skrill | 24-72 hours | $20 | International alternative |
Real-world payout timelines from B9 managed accounts, 2026
Which Banks Work Best for OnlyFans Creators?
This is the part nobody tells you before you start earning. Not every bank is friendly to adult industry income. Some will freeze your account without warning — and you'll have zero access to your money until they decide to release it. I tell every creator we onboard: open two to three different bank accounts. If one gets closed, you can immediately switch your payout to another. For Canadian creators: OnlyFans requires 9-digit routing numbers. Canadian routing numbers are sometimes 8 digits — add a leading zero. This undocumented quirk causes failed payouts every month. Your number should look like 0XXXXXXXX. Who actually processes the payments? OnlyFans' parent company is Fenix International Limited. They use a mix of Stripe, CCBill, and Merrick Bank. That's why your bank statement might show different entity names depending on the transaction.
The long-term play: set up an LLC and open a business checking account. Creators who did this report zero bank issues — business accounts expect varied income sources. It also separates personal from business finances for taxes.
✓Pros
- Bank of America — consistent, no flagging issues reported
- Wells Fargo — handles OF payouts without problems
- Local credit unions — less automated fraud detection, more personal
- Karat — built for creators, next-day deposits
- Wise — great for international creators, low conversion fees
✕Cons
- Chase — known to freeze accounts receiving adult industry payments
- Citi — automated flagging systems trigger on OF deposits
- US Bank — inconsistent, some creators fine, others frozen
- Ally Bank — online-only banks have aggressive fraud filters
OnlyFans Payout Problems: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Things go wrong. Here's what to do when they do. The most common payout issues I see across our managed accounts:
Payout shows 'processed' but money never arrives
This happens more than OnlyFans admits. 'Processed' on their end doesn't mean your bank received it. Wait 5 business days, then open a support ticket. Check your bank for any incoming transfers held for review.
Withdraw button is grayed out
Usually means your identity verification isn't complete, your earnings are still in the 7-day hold, or your balance is below the $20 minimum. Check Settings > Banking for any pending verification steps.
Payout sent to wrong bank account
The nightmare scenario — and it happens. Reddit has confirmed cases of OnlyFans sending payouts to old or deleted bank details. Always double-check your banking info after account changes. If it happens, screenshot everything and file a support ticket immediately.
Payment declined for subscribers
Almost always a 3D Secure issue. The card doesn't support it, or the bank blocked the verification pop-up. Try a different card, use a prepaid Visa, or contact the bank to allow transactions with Fenix International.
OnlyFans withholds ZERO for taxes. Every dollar in your payout is pre-tax income. If you're in the US, expect to owe 15.3% self-employment tax on top of your income tax rate. Set aside 25-30% of every payout. For the full breakdown, check our guide to OnlyFans tax obligations.
Mistakes to Avoid
✕ Ignoring the 7-day pending period
New earnings aren't immediately available. Plan your cash flow around the pending period.
✕ Using banks that block adult payments
Some banks refuse adult industry payments. Research your bank's policies or use a creator-friendly alternative.
✕ Forgetting about taxes
OnlyFans doesn't withhold taxes. Set aside money for tax obligations or face penalties.
✕ Not keeping records
Track every earning and expense. You'll need this for taxes and financial planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
The 20% cut stings — but OnlyFans' brand recognition, subscriber base, and payment infrastructure make it the highest-converting platform for creators. Every other option we've looked at drops revenue harder than the 20% saves. We broke down the exact dollar math across every major platform in our OnlyFans alternatives guide — the numbers might surprise you. Set up your banking right from day one. Open multiple accounts. Set aside 25-30% for taxes. And don't let large balances sit on the platform — weekly payouts keep your risk low. If you're earning but want to keep more of what you make, see our full earnings breakdown to find out where your real revenue opportunities are. Most creators undercharge on PPV and customs — that's where the money multiplies.
