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If you are a content creator deciding where to build your subscription business, OnlyFans and LoyalFans are probably both on your radar.
They look similar on the surface. Both let you charge for subscriptions. Both take a 20% cut. Both support adult content. But the way they work day to day is quite different, and that difference matters for your growth and income.
This guide compares LoyalFans and OnlyFans across everything that actually matters to creators: how you get discovered, how you get paid, what features you have access to, and which platform fits different situations.
No platform is universally better. The right choice depends on where you are in your creator journey and what you need most right now.
Before diving deep, here is a high level overview:
| Feature | OnlyFans | LoyalFans |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue split | 80% creator / 20% platform | 80% creator / 20% platform |
| Brand recognition | Very high | Moderate |
| Internal discovery | Almost none | Strong (For You page, search, spotlights) |
| Minimum payout | $20 | $50 |
| Payout frequency | Daily available | Twice monthly |
| Tiered subscriptions | Limited | Built in |
| Live streaming | Basic | More robust |
| Free DMs | No (tips required) | Yes |
| Referral program | 5% lifetime | 5% lifetime |
The revenue split is identical. The major differences are discoverability and features.
OnlyFans launched in 2016 and became the dominant subscription platform for adult creators. The platform has over 4 million creators and 377 million registered fan accounts as of 2024.
The name recognition is massive. When people think of subscription content platforms, they think of OnlyFans first. This brand awareness is a genuine business advantage because potential subscribers already understand what the platform is and how it works.
OnlyFans generated approximately $6.6 billion in gross revenue in 2024, with creators earning around $5.3 billion after the platform's cut.
LoyalFans positions itself as a creator focused alternative to OnlyFans. The platform launched later and has a smaller user base, but it has built features specifically designed to address pain points creators experience on OnlyFans.
The main differentiator is discoverability. LoyalFans has internal discovery features that help creators get found by users browsing the platform, whereas OnlyFans essentially requires creators to bring their own traffic.
LoyalFans is smaller but growing, particularly among creators who want organic discovery rather than relying entirely on external marketing.
Both platforms let you make money the same basic ways: subscriptions, pay per view content, tips, and live streams. But the details differ.
Both OnlyFans and LoyalFans use an 80/20 split. You keep 80% of everything you earn; the platform keeps 20%.
This is standard across most subscription platforms. Some competitors offer slightly better splits (85/15 or even 90/10), but OnlyFans and LoyalFans are aligned at 80/20.
The split applies to:
There are no hidden fees beyond the 20% on either platform.
Both platforms let you set your own subscription price with considerable flexibility.
OnlyFans:
LoyalFans:
The key difference is LoyalFans' native tiered subscription feature. You can create Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers (or whatever you want to call them) with different prices and access levels built directly into the platform.
On OnlyFans, you can sort of create tiers by using different account levels or exclusive content, but it requires workarounds. LoyalFans has it built in.
Tiered subscriptions can significantly increase revenue by giving your most dedicated fans a way to pay more for premium access.
PPV content sent through direct messages is a major revenue stream on both platforms. Many top creators earn more from PPV than from subscriptions.
Both platforms handle this similarly:
There is no significant difference in PPV functionality between the platforms.
Both platforms allow fans to tip on posts, in messages, and during live streams.
LoyalFans allows free direct messaging, which means fans can start conversations without paying. This creates more opportunity for engagement that can lead to tips and PPV purchases.
OnlyFans often requires fans to tip to initiate conversations or to message certain creators, depending on settings. This creates a barrier to casual engagement but also generates tip revenue from the messaging itself.
Which approach is better depends on your strategy. Free messaging creates more conversations. Paid messaging monetizes the conversations themselves.
Both platforms offer live streaming, but LoyalFans has invested more heavily in this feature.
OnlyFans live streaming:
LoyalFans live streaming:
If live streaming is a significant part of your content strategy, LoyalFans offers a better experience.
Both platforms offer identical referral programs: 5% lifetime commission on any creator who signs up using your referral link.
If you refer a creator who goes on to earn $10,000 per month, you earn $500 per month from that single referral, indefinitely.
This is a meaningful passive income opportunity for creators who build networks or create content about the industry.
This is the single biggest difference between the platforms and deserves detailed attention.
OnlyFans has almost no internal discovery. The platform does not have:
Your OnlyFans profile is essentially invisible to users on the platform unless they have your direct link.
This means all your growth on OnlyFans must come from external sources:
For creators with existing audiences, this is fine. If you already have 100,000 Twitter followers, you can funnel them to OnlyFans effectively.
For creators starting from zero, the lack of discoverability makes OnlyFans extremely challenging. You are competing for attention on external platforms against millions of other creators, all trying to drive traffic to their OnlyFans.
LoyalFans was built with internal discovery as a core feature.
For You Page: LoyalFans has an algorithmic feed that recommends creators to users based on their interests and behavior. This is similar to TikTok's For You page or Instagram's Explore tab.
Search and Browse: Users can search for creators by name, category, or keyword. They can browse categories to find creators in niches they are interested in.
Creator Spotlights: LoyalFans features creators on the homepage and in promotional placements, giving visibility to both new and established accounts.
Trending Sections: The platform highlights trending creators, giving successful accounts additional exposure.
This internal traffic is a genuine game changer for creators without large external followings. You can gain subscribers from people browsing LoyalFans itself, not just people you personally drove to the platform.
OnlyFans' lack of discovery is both a weakness and, in some ways, a strength.
The weakness: You must drive all your own traffic. No organic discovery.
The potential strength: Because subscribers came specifically for you (not from browsing), they may be more loyal and engaged. They chose you specifically rather than stumbling across your profile.
LoyalFans' strong discovery helps new creators grow but also means subscribers might be more casually browsing and less committed.
There is no right answer here. The value of each approach depends on your situation.
OnlyFans: $20 minimum LoyalFans: $50 minimum
OnlyFans' lower threshold is better for new creators who want access to earnings quickly.
OnlyFans: Daily payouts available (with a waiting period for new creators) LoyalFans: Twice monthly on a set schedule
OnlyFans offers more flexibility here. If cash flow matters to you, being able to withdraw daily is a significant advantage.
Both platforms offer standard payment methods including direct bank transfer and various e-wallet options depending on your location.
Both have established reputations for reliable payments, though you will find complaints online about both platforms (as you will for any payment platform).
OnlyFans has a pending period for new creators (typically 7 days) before payouts become available. After that, daily withdrawals are possible.
LoyalFans processes payouts on a fixed schedule, typically around the 1st and 15th of each month.
Both platforms support the same basic content types:
Neither platform restricts adult content (within legal limits), which is why both have become popular for adult creators.
OnlyFans:
LoyalFans:
For creators with extensive content libraries, LoyalFans' organizational tools can save significant time.
Both platforms allow you to schedule posts in advance, which is essential for maintaining consistent posting without being online constantly.
OnlyFans:
LoyalFans:
The free DM feature on LoyalFans is notable. More conversations can mean more opportunities to sell PPV content and build relationships that lead to tips.
Both platforms require rigorous identity verification for creators:
This is non-negotiable on both platforms and protects everyone involved.
Both platforms offer:
Neither platform can fully prevent content from being leaked by determined bad actors, but both provide tools to address leaks when they happen.
Geo-blocking: Both platforms let you block users from specific countries or regions. This is commonly used to prevent people you know in real life from finding your content.
Username privacy: Both platforms allow you to use a stage name rather than your legal name publicly.
OnlyFans has a strong reputation for reliability. The platform:
The main concern with OnlyFans is the 2021 incident where the platform announced it would ban adult content, then reversed the decision within days. This created uncertainty about the platform's long term commitment to adult creators. Since then, OnlyFans has maintained its policies, but some creators remain wary.
LoyalFans has a more mixed reputation that deserves honest acknowledgment.
Positives frequently mentioned:
Concerns that appear in reviews:
If you search for LoyalFans reviews on sites like Trustpilot, you will find both positive and negative experiences. This is true for virtually any platform, but the volume of concerns about operational issues is worth noting.
Regardless of which platform you choose:
Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Consider being active on multiple platforms.
Keep records. Track your earnings, save payment confirmations, document everything.
Withdraw regularly. Do not let large balances accumulate. Withdraw earnings on a consistent schedule.
Follow the rules. Account issues often stem from policy violations. Understand and follow the terms of service.
Build external audience. Your social media following and email list are assets you control regardless of what happens with any platform.
Different creators have different needs. Here is how to think about the choice:
You already have a significant social media following. If you have tens of thousands of followers on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or other platforms, OnlyFans' brand recognition makes it easy to convert that audience to subscribers. People know what OnlyFans is. There is no explanation needed.
Brand recognition matters to you. OnlyFans is the name everyone knows. When you tell someone you are on OnlyFans, they understand immediately. This social proof can matter.
You want maximum payout flexibility. OnlyFans' daily payout option and $20 minimum threshold give you more control over your cash flow.
You are established and focused on monetization, not discovery. If your challenge is converting an existing audience rather than building one, OnlyFans' monetization tools are proven and effective.
You are starting from scratch without a large following. LoyalFans' internal discovery gives you a real chance to gain subscribers organically. On OnlyFans, starting from zero is extremely difficult without external traffic.
Discoverability is your biggest challenge. If you struggle to get eyeballs on your content, LoyalFans' browse features, For You page, and search functionality can help.
You want built in tiered subscriptions. If offering multiple subscription levels is part of your strategy, LoyalFans has this feature natively.
Live streaming is a core part of your content. LoyalFans has invested more in live streaming features.
You value free direct messaging. The ability for fans to message you without paying first creates more conversation opportunities.
Many successful creators do not choose one or the other. They use both.
The dual platform strategy:
Running two platforms is more work, but it also means:
Regardless of which platform you choose, it helps to have realistic expectations.
Data from our research on OnlyFans earnings (which likely applies similarly to LoyalFans):
These numbers are sobering. Most creators earn modest amounts. A small percentage earn significant income.
Success on either platform requires:
The platform you choose matters, but it matters less than the effort and strategy you bring to content creation and promotion.
Whether you choose OnlyFans, LoyalFans, or both, external discovery still matters.
Discovery platforms like OnlyFinds help potential subscribers find creators across platforms. With over 249,000 indexed profiles, these platforms serve as search engines for subscription content.
For creators, being discoverable on these platforms means:
For subscribers, discovery platforms make it easy to find creators by category, location, price, and other filters rather than relying on random social media discovery.
If discoverability is a challenge for you (and it is for most creators), leveraging every available discovery channel makes sense.
Regardless of platform choice, successful creators typically maintain:
Twitter (X): The most OnlyFans friendly major social platform. Adult content is allowed with appropriate settings.
Reddit: Niche subreddits can drive significant targeted traffic.
Instagram: Requires more careful content choices but can drive mainstream audiences.
TikTok: High discovery potential but strict content policies require creativity.
Personal website or link aggregator: A landing page you control that links to all your platforms.
Your external presence is something you own and control. Platform policies can change, accounts can have issues, but your email list and social followings go with you.
Here is a simple framework for deciding:
If you have an existing audience of 10,000+ followers: Start with OnlyFans. Its brand recognition makes conversion straightforward. You can add LoyalFans later if you want organic discovery.
If you are starting from scratch or have a small following: Start with LoyalFans. Its discovery features give you a real chance to grow without relying entirely on external marketing.
If you are serious about building a creator business: Consider using both from the start. Diversification protects you and maximizes your reach.
If you are just testing the waters: OnlyFans' lower payout threshold ($20 vs $50) means you can access your first earnings faster.
There is no wrong choice. Both platforms have helped creators build successful businesses. The right platform is the one that fits your current situation and goals.
OnlyFans strengths:
OnlyFans weaknesses:
LoyalFans strengths:
LoyalFans weaknesses:
Identical between platforms:
Looking to discover creators on OnlyFans, LoyalFans, or other platforms?
OnlyFinds indexes over 249,000 creator profiles across platforms. Search by category, location, price, and more to find creators worth subscribing to.
Whether you prefer OnlyFans, LoyalFans, or want to explore both, smart search beats random scrolling.
This comparison is based on publicly available information about both platforms as of 2025. Platform features and policies change over time. Always verify current terms directly with each platform before making business decisions.