Starts atFree, ~10% fee
- Free plan
Head-to-head
Passes vs Patreon: where should a creator sell memberships?
At a glance
Starts atFree, 10% fee
- Free plan
Both are free to join and take 10% of what you earn. Passes is built around direct fan sales: subscriptions, paid DMs, 1:1 video calls, livestreams and pay-per-view posts. Patreon is a membership home with posts, chats, newsletters and video. Patreon also lists payment processing, currency and payout fees on top.
Quick verdict
Side-by-side comparison
| Detail | Passes | Patreon |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to start | Free | Free |
| Platform fee | 10%, you keep 90% | 10% on new creator plans (ShortStack data) |
| Other fees | None listed on the Passes site | Payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees |
| Subscriptions | Yes, $5 to $100 in the calculator | Yes, membership tiers |
| Paid DMs and calls | Yes: paid DMs, mass DMs, 1:1 video calls | Not covered in this check |
| Other sales | Livestreams, merch, digital, pay-per-view, tips | One-time payments, chats, newsletters, video |
| Best for | Fan monetization through direct contact | Membership communities |
Which one for a Shorts or TikTok creator?
On $1,000 a month of subscriptions, both take $100. Patreon then adds processing and payout fees. Passes lists no other fees on its site.
- Fans want to talk to you: Passes, with paid DMs and calls.
- Fans want posts and bonus videos: Patreon.
How to choose
- List what you will sell: access, messages, calls or extra videos.
- If messages and calls, try Passes.
- If posts and community, try Patreon.
- Compare the full fee, not just the 10%.
Questions people ask
Does Passes take less than Patreon?
Both take 10%. Patreon lists more fees on top. Passes says you keep 90%.
What can you sell on Passes?
Subscriptions, paid DMs, 1:1 calls, livestreams, merch and digital products, pay-per-view content and tips.
Is Patreon free to start?
Yes. You pay when you earn.
Related: Passes, Patreon, Ko-fi vs Patreon, tip and fan support tools.
Sources: passes.com, patreon.com/pricing. Patreon's pricing page blocked our checker (HTTP 403), so Patreon facts come from ShortStack data. Checked on 16 October 2026. Based on published plans and terms, not a hands-on test.