Patreon: 10% + processing est.
A planning estimate combining a 10% standard platform rate with typical processing.
Head-to-head fee guide
Patreon vs Substack fees
Compare membership-first creator tools with newsletter-first paid publishing.
Pa
VSPatreon
10% + processing est.Su
Substack
10% + processing est.Same sale, different result
Take-home examples at five sale amounts.
Each row models one transaction at the displayed gross amount and applies the published baseline shown above. Any modeled monthly charge is included once.
| Gross revenue | Patreon keeps | Substack keeps | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $8.41 | $8.41 | $0.00 |
| $50.00 | $43.25 | $43.25 | $0.00 |
| $100.00 | $86.80 | $86.80 | $0.00 |
| $500.00 | $435.20 | $435.20 | $0.00 |
| $1000.00 | $870.70 | $870.70 | $0.00 |
Verify the assumptions
What each baseline represents.
Use the detailed guides and official pricing pages before making a final decision.
Substack: 10% + processing est.
A planning estimate combining Substack’s revenue share with typical Stripe processing.
Model your own costs
Order count, product cost, shipping, advertising, and overhead can reverse a headline-fee winner.
ClearFeeMath verdict
Their baseline percentage economics can look similar, so the decision is usually driven by format: Patreon for membership communities, Substack for email-led publishing.
Choose Patreon when…
Creators offering tiered memberships, community access, and mixed media benefits.
Choose Substack when…
Writers and publishers building a newsletter-centered paid audience.
Common questions
Which takes more, Patreon or Substack?
Both combine a platform share with processing in common setups. Exact costs depend on plan, payment size, currency, and payout method.
Can I move subscribers later?
Migration options and subscriber portability differ. Check export, payment-token portability, and customer reactivation requirements before choosing.