How Much Does OnlyFans Take? Complete Fee Breakdown & Hidden Costs (2025)
If you're creating content on OnlyFans or considering joining the platform, understanding exactly how much OnlyFans takes from your earnings is crucial for realistic income planning. While the headline figure of "20%" is widely known, the complete picture includes payment processing fees, currency conversion charges, payout delays, and tax implications that can significantly reduce your take-home earnings.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every fee, explains hidden costs most creators overlook, compares OnlyFans to competitor platforms, and provides strategies to maximize your actual earnings after all deductions.
The Official OnlyFans Fee Structure
OnlyFans operates on a straightforward revenue-sharing model where the platform takes a fixed percentage of all creator earnings. Here's the official breakdown:
The 20% Platform Fee
OnlyFans charges a flat 20% commission on all creator earnings, regardless of your subscriber count, content type, or earnings level. This applies universally to:
- Monthly subscriptions: When fans pay your subscription price
- Tips: When subscribers send you tips
- Pay-per-view content: When fans purchase PPV messages or posts
- Messages: When subscribers pay to unlock paid messages
- Live streams: Tips and paid access during live broadcasts
- Custom content requests: When fans pay for personalized content
This means if a subscriber pays $10 for your monthly subscription, you receive $8, and OnlyFans keeps $2. If you earn $5,000 in a month, OnlyFans takes $1,000, leaving you with $4,000 before any additional fees or taxes.
What the 20% Fee Covers
OnlyFans justifies its 20% commission by providing several services included in this fee:
- Platform infrastructure: Website hosting, servers, bandwidth, and technical maintenance
- Payment processing: Integration with multiple payment providers worldwide
- Content delivery: Video streaming, image hosting, and file storage
- Security: Content protection, anti-piracy measures, and account security
- Customer support: For both creators and subscribers
- Legal compliance: Age verification, regulatory compliance, and content moderation
- Payout processing: International money transfers to creators
While 20% might seem high compared to traditional employment where you receive 100% of your salary, it's comparable to or better than many platform-based creator economies and significantly better than traditional adult entertainment industry standards.
Additional Fees Beyond the 20%
The 20% platform fee is only the beginning. Several additional costs reduce your actual take-home amount:
Payment Processing Fees
While OnlyFans covers some payment processing costs within their 20% fee, subscribers may encounter credit card processing fees depending on their payment method and location:
- Domestic credit cards: Typically no additional fee to subscribers (absorbed by OnlyFans)
- International credit cards: May include 2-5% foreign transaction fees (paid by subscriber)
- Alternative payment methods: May include additional processing costs
Importantly, these fees typically don't reduce your earnings as a creator—they're usually added to the subscriber's total cost. However, higher total costs for subscribers can reduce conversion rates and limit your earnings potential indirectly.
Payout/Withdrawal Fees
Getting your money from OnlyFans to your bank account involves additional fees that vary by payout method:
Bank Transfer (Direct Deposit/ACH - US):
- Domestic transfers: Usually free or minimal ($1-2)
- Minimum payout: $20
- Processing time: 3-7 business days
International Bank Transfer (Wire Transfer):
- Fee: Typically $1-50 depending on country and bank
- Minimum payout: $20
- Processing time: 5-10 business days
- Additional bank fees: Your receiving bank may charge $10-40 in intermediary fees
E-wallet Services (Paxum, etc.):
- Transfer to e-wallet: $1-10
- Withdrawal from e-wallet to bank: Additional 1-5% fee
- Processing time: 1-5 business days
For international creators, withdrawal fees can consume 3-10% of earnings, especially for smaller monthly amounts. A creator earning $500/month who pays $25 in withdrawal fees loses an additional 5% beyond the 20% platform fee.
Currency Conversion Fees
OnlyFans processes transactions in USD, GBP, or EUR depending on your account setup. If your bank account uses a different currency, you'll face conversion costs:
- Standard bank conversion rates: Typically 2-4% above market rate
- Third-party processor rates: 1-3% markup
- Hidden exchange rate margins: Can add 1-5% in total costs
For creators in countries with less common currencies (like Brazilian Real, Indian Rupee, or Philippine Peso), currency conversion can reduce earnings by 3-6% on top of all other fees.
VAT and Sales Tax
Depending on subscriber location, Value Added Tax (VAT) or sales tax may apply:
- EU subscribers: VAT rates of 19-27% added to subscription price
- UK subscribers: 20% VAT added
- Other regions: Various sales tax requirements
Important: VAT is typically added on top of your subscription price and paid by the subscriber, not deducted from your earnings. However, it increases the total cost for subscribers, potentially reducing conversion rates. In some cases, you may be responsible for VAT reporting and payment depending on your tax residency status.
Real Earnings Example: The True Take-Home Amount
Let's walk through a realistic scenario to see how fees impact actual earnings:
Scenario: Mid-Tier International Creator
Gross monthly earnings on OnlyFans: $3,000
OnlyFans 20% platform fee: -$600
Subtotal after platform fee: $2,400
Withdrawal fees (international wire): -$25
Currency conversion (4% on $2,375): -$95
Intermediate bank fees: -$20
Net payment received: $2,260
Self-employment tax (varies by country, example 15%): -$339
Income tax (varies by country, example 20%): -$452
Total take-home after all costs and taxes: $1,469
Total deductions: $1,531 (51% of gross earnings)
This means for every $3,000 earned on OnlyFans, this creator actually keeps $1,469 after all fees and taxes—only 49% of gross earnings. While the 20% platform fee is accurate, it only tells part of the story.
Scenario: US-Based Creator (Lower Total Fees)
Gross monthly earnings: $3,000
OnlyFans 20% platform fee: -$600
Subtotal after platform fee: $2,400
Bank transfer fee (ACH): -$0
Currency conversion: $0 (USD account)
Net payment received: $2,400
Self-employment tax (15.3%): -$367
Income tax (estimated 15%): -$360
Total take-home after costs and taxes: $1,673
Total deductions: $1,327 (44% of gross earnings)
US-based creators typically retain 56% of gross earnings compared to 49% for international creators, primarily due to eliminated currency conversion and lower withdrawal fees.
Comparison to Other Platforms
Understanding OnlyFans fees in context requires comparing to competitor platforms:
Adult Content Platforms
Fansly:
- Platform fee: 20% (same as OnlyFans)
- Payout minimum: $20
- Payout methods: Similar to OnlyFans
LoyalFans:
- Platform fee: 20% (10% for creators with 1,000+ subscribers)
- Advantage: Lower fees for successful creators
- Disadvantage: Longer payout hold (14 days vs. 7 days)
JustForFans:
- Platform fee: 25%
- Higher than OnlyFans but includes more creator tools
ManyVids:
- Platform fee: 20-40% depending on content type
- Video sales: 20%
- Custom videos: 40%
Non-Adult Creator Platforms
Patreon:
- Platform fee: 5-12% depending on tier
- Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- Total effective fee: 8-15%
- Advantage: Lower total fees
- Disadvantage: Less effective for adult content
Ko-fi:
- Platform fee: 0% for donations
- Shop transactions: 5%
- Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30
- Advantage: Lowest fees for creators
- Disadvantage: Smaller monetization potential
Substack:
- Platform fee: 10%
- Payment processing: ~3%
- Total effective fee: ~13%
- Best for: Writers and newsletter creators
Traditional Adult Industry
Compared to traditional adult entertainment industry standards, OnlyFans' 20% fee is highly competitive:
- Adult film studios: Performers typically receive 30-50% of revenue (studio keeps 50-70%)
- Cam sites: Models earn 30-50% of gross (site keeps 50-70%)
- Clip sites: Creators receive 40-60% (site keeps 40-60%)
- OnlyFans: Creators receive 80% (platform keeps 20%)
From this perspective, OnlyFans offers one of the most creator-friendly revenue splits in adult content monetization.
Hidden Costs That Reduce Your Net Income
Beyond direct fees, several hidden costs impact your actual earnings:
1. Payout Hold Period
OnlyFans holds payments for 7 days after a transaction before making funds available for withdrawal. This creates several financial challenges:
- Cash flow delay: Earnings from January 1-7 aren't available until January 8-14
- Chargebacks protection: Protects OnlyFans from fraudulent transactions but delays creator access to money
- Working capital requirement: Creators need savings to cover expenses during initial growth
While not a "fee" per se, the 7-day hold effectively functions as an interest-free loan to OnlyFans and can create cash flow stress for creators relying on platform income for living expenses.
2. Chargeback Fees and Risks
When subscribers dispute charges (chargebacks), creators face potential losses:
- Chargeback fee: $20-50 per disputed transaction
- Revenue reversal: Original payment amount returned to subscriber
- Content still accessed: Subscriber may have downloaded content before disputing charge
High chargeback rates can also result in account restrictions or termination. Creators should maintain thorough records of all transactions and interactions to dispute fraudulent chargebacks.
3. Equipment and Production Costs
While not OnlyFans fees, content creation requires business investments:
- Camera and lighting: $500-$3,000 initial investment
- Props and costumes: $50-$500 monthly
- Editing software: $20-$50 monthly subscriptions
- Internet upgrade: $50-$100 monthly for better upload speeds
- Marketing/promotion: $100-$1,000 monthly for ads and promotion
These costs reduce net profit significantly, especially in the first 6-12 months before earnings stabilize.
4. Time as a Hidden Cost
Most creators invest 20-50 hours weekly on content creation, marketing, and fan engagement. If we value time at minimum wage ($15/hour in many US states):
Monthly time investment: 120 hours (30 hours/week Ă— 4 weeks)
Opportunity cost: $1,800 (120 hours Ă— $15)
For creators earning less than $1,800/month after fees, traditional employment might provide better financial returns. Only when earnings significantly exceed opportunity costs does OnlyFans become financially superior to traditional work.
Tax Implications: The Biggest "Fee" Most Creators Overlook
Taxes often represent the largest reduction to take-home income, yet many new creators fail to plan for them properly.
United States Tax Obligations
Self-Employment Tax: 15.3% on net profit (covers Social Security and Medicare)
Federal Income Tax: 10-37% depending on total income
State Income Tax: 0-13% depending on state (California highest at 13.3%)
Estimated total tax burden: 25-50% of net income
Example for a creator earning $50,000 annually after OnlyFans fees:
- Self-employment tax: $7,065 (15.3% of $46,200 after deduction)
- Federal income tax: ~$5,000-$8,000 (varies by deductions)
- State tax (California example): ~$2,000-$3,000
- Total tax: $14,000-$18,000 (28-36% of earnings)
International Tax Obligations
Tax rates vary dramatically by country:
- UK: 20-45% income tax + 12% National Insurance
- Canada: 15-33% federal + 5-25% provincial tax
- Australia: 19-45% income tax
- Germany: 14-45% income tax + social contributions
- Philippines: 0-35% income tax (relatively creator-friendly)
- Brazil: 0-27.5% income tax + social contributions
Many countries also require VAT/GST registration once earnings exceed certain thresholds (€10,000-€85,000 in EU countries), adding administrative complexity and potential additional costs.
Tax Deductions That Reduce Your Tax Bill
Smart creators minimize taxes through legitimate business deductions:
- Home office deduction: Portion of rent/mortgage for dedicated workspace
- Equipment and supplies: Cameras, computers, software, props, costumes
- Internet and phone: Business-use percentage
- Marketing expenses: Paid promotions, website costs, social media tools
- Professional services: Accountant, lawyer, business coach fees
- Travel: Content creation trips (must be primarily for business)
- Education: Courses on content creation, marketing, business skills
Effective use of deductions can reduce taxable income by 20-40%, saving thousands in annual tax liability. Consulting a tax professional familiar with creator economy taxation is a worthwhile investment.
Strategies to Maximize Your Earnings After Fees
1. Minimize Withdrawal Frequency
Instead of withdrawing earnings weekly or biweekly, accumulate larger amounts before withdrawal to reduce per-transaction fee impact:
Weekly withdrawals ($500 each, $20 fee): 4 withdrawals Ă— $20 = $80/month in fees (16% of $500 average)
Monthly withdrawal ($2,000, $20 fee): 1 withdrawal Ă— $20 = $20/month in fees (1% of $2,000)
This strategy works if you have sufficient savings to cover living expenses between withdrawals.
2. Choose Optimal Payout Methods
Research the lowest-cost withdrawal method for your location:
- US creators: ACH direct deposit (usually free)
- UK/EU creators: SEPA transfer (usually €0.50-€2)
- International creators: Compare e-wallets vs. wire transfers for your specific country
3. Use Currency Accounts Strategically
International creators can reduce currency conversion costs by:
- Opening USD, GBP, or EUR bank accounts (if available in your country)
- Using services like Wise (formerly TransferWise) for better exchange rates (typically 0.5-1% vs. 3-5% at traditional banks)
- Timing withdrawals when exchange rates are favorable
4. Maximize Revenue Per Subscriber
Since OnlyFans takes 20% regardless of price point, maximize the amount each subscriber spends:
- Strategic PPV content pricing
- Custom content offerings at premium prices
- Tip menus with appealing rewards
- Bundles and packages that increase transaction values
A subscriber paying $50 total (subscription + PPV + tips) generates $40 for you, while a $10 subscriber generates only $8—same 20% fee, but 5× absolute earnings.
5. Reduce Business Expenses
Lower costs increase net profit without changing revenue:
- Learn free editing tools instead of expensive software subscriptions
- Use natural lighting instead of professional equipment (when starting)
- Leverage free marketing channels (Reddit, Twitter) before paid advertising
- Trade skills with other creators (editing help, promotion sharing) instead of hiring services
6. Plan for Taxes Year-Round
Avoid tax surprise by:
- Setting aside 25-35% of each withdrawal in a separate tax savings account
- Making quarterly estimated tax payments (required in US and many countries)
- Tracking all deductible expenses throughout the year
- Working with an accountant experienced in creator taxation
Is the 20% OnlyFans Fee Worth It?
Whether OnlyFans' 20% commission provides good value depends on what you're comparing it to and your specific situation.
What You Get for 20%
- Massive built-in audience: 230+ million registered users on OnlyFans
- Brand recognition: OnlyFans is synonymous with creator subscription platforms
- Payment processing: No need to set up merchant accounts or payment systems
- Content hosting: Unlimited video and image uploads
- Customer support: For both creators and subscribers
- Legal protection: Platform handles DMCA, compliance, and regulatory requirements
- Simple interface: Easy to use with minimal technical knowledge
Alternatives to Consider
If OnlyFans' 20% feels too high, consider alternatives:
Build your own website:
- Platform fee: 0% (you own everything)
- Costs: Website hosting ($20-$100/month), payment processing (2.9% + $0.30), membership software ($50-$200/month)
- Total fees: ~5-10% of revenue
- Disadvantages: Must bring 100% of your own traffic, handle all technical issues, manage payment disputes, ensure legal compliance
This option works best for established creators with existing audiences and technical capabilities, not beginners.
Use multiple platforms:
- Diversify across OnlyFans, Fansly, Patreon, etc.
- Cross-promote to build audiences on each
- Advantage: Reduced platform risk, broader audience reach
- Disadvantage: More work to manage multiple platforms
Common Questions About OnlyFans Fees
Can OnlyFans change their 20% fee?
Yes. OnlyFans can modify their fee structure with notice to creators. While the 20% rate has remained consistent since launch, there's no guarantee it won't change. Always read platform updates and terms of service changes.
Do all earnings get charged 20%, even tips?
Yes. The 20% platform fee applies to all money that flows through OnlyFans, including subscriptions, PPV content, messages, tips, and any other monetization method. The only exception is money paid directly to you outside the platform (which violates OnlyFans terms of service).
Can I negotiate a lower rate with OnlyFans?
No. OnlyFans applies the 20% rate uniformly to all creators regardless of earning level, subscriber count, or content type. Unlike traditional sponsorships where you might negotiate better rates with higher performance, OnlyFans maintains consistent pricing across all users.
Do subscribers see the platform fee?
No. When a subscriber pays $10 for your content, they pay $10. They don't see that you receive $8 and OnlyFans keeps $2—that split happens on the backend. However, subscribers do see additional charges like VAT or currency conversion if applicable to their location.
What happens to fees if I get chargebacks?
If a subscriber successfully disputes a charge, OnlyFans reverses the entire payment, including both your 80% portion and their 20% fee. You lose 100% of that transaction's revenue. Additionally, you may be charged a chargeback processing fee ($20-$50) depending on your payment processor.
Final Thoughts on OnlyFans Fees
OnlyFans' 20% platform fee is transparent and competitive within the creator economy landscape. However, understanding the complete cost structure—including withdrawal fees, currency conversion, taxes, and opportunity costs—is essential for realistic financial planning.
For US-based creators, expect to keep approximately 55-60% of gross earnings after all fees and taxes. International creators should plan for 45-55% retention. These numbers improve slightly as your earnings increase due to fixed costs (like withdrawal fees) becoming smaller percentages of larger earnings.
The 20% fee provides good value if you leverage OnlyFans' built-in audience, brand recognition, and infrastructure. It becomes less attractive if you already have a large independent following and could monetize through lower-fee platforms or your own website.
Ultimately, the question isn't whether 20% is "a lot"—it's whether the remaining 80% (minus additional fees and taxes) provides sufficient income for your time investment and financial goals. For many creators, the answer is yes, especially when compared to traditional employment or alternative content monetization methods. For others, the fees and time requirements make it financially unviable.
Calculate your own break-even point, account for all fees and taxes, value your time realistically, and make an informed decision based on your unique circumstances rather than headline earning stories from top 1% creators.
For more guidance on maximizing your OnlyFans earnings, explore our complete guide on comprehensive money-making strategies and browse top creator rankings to learn from successful creators in your niche.