CreatorTake › Patreon vs Substack
Patreon vs Substack (2026): which keeps you more?
Last updated June 2026 · ~5 min read
On fees, it's almost a tie — both take about 10% plus processing. So the real decision isn't the cut; it's the product. Here's how they compare, with calculators for each.
The fees, side by side
| Patreon | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 10% (standard plan) | 10% |
| Payment processing | ~2.9% + $0.30 | Stripe ~2.9% + $0.30 + billing |
| You keep (all-in) | ~85–88% | ~83–86% |
| Monthly fee | None | None |
| Built for | Memberships, perks, community | Paid email newsletters |
Rates as of 2026; legacy Patreon creators may have 5–8% plans. Verify current terms on each platform.
The fee is a near-tie — so decide on the product
Choose Substack if…
- Your core output is writing / email, and you want a frictionless paid-newsletter flow.
- You value built-in discovery (recommendations, the Substack network) and a simple reader experience.
Choose Patreon if…
- You offer tiered perks, community chat, early access, podcasts or video.
- You want richer membership tooling and to own the relationship across formats, not just email.
Bottom line: you'll keep roughly the same share either way (~85%). Pick the one whose format matches how you create — and remember the 10% becomes the bigger question only at high volume, where some creators move to lower-fee tools.
Run your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
Is Patreon or Substack cheaper?
Nearly identical — both ~10% plus processing, so you keep roughly 83–88% either way. The fee shouldn't decide it; the product should.
Can I move between them later?
Yes, though you'll migrate your subscriber list and billing. Many creators start on one and add or switch as their format evolves. Run both calculators to model your take-home first.
What about lower-fee alternatives?
At higher volumes, tools like Ko-fi (0% on tips) or self-hosting can beat 10%. Compare with our Ko-fi calculator.