Patreon has been a go-to platform for creators to monetize memberships and build direct relationships with their audiences. From exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access to private communities, it’s helped countless creators earn recurring income.
But in 2025, more creators are looking for alternatives with lower fees, more customization, or better control over their audience. Whether it’s because you want to own your member data, reduce reliance on a single platform, or simply try a different business model, migrating away from Patreon can be a smart move.
This guide walks you through the best alternatives and a clear, step-by-step plan to move your community and income without losing your supporters.
Why Creators Are Leaving Patreon in 2025
Patreon is still one of the biggest names in creator monetization, but it’s not without limitations:
- High fees: Patreon takes 8% (Pro plan) to 12% (Premium plan) of your revenue, plus payment processing fees.
- Limited branding: You can’t fully customize your page to match your personal brand.
- Platform dependency: Patreon owns the relationship with your supporters, you’re building on rented land.
- Restricted product types: Great for memberships, but less flexible for selling courses, events, or other digital products.
Top Patreon Alternatives in 2025
Here are some of the top platforms creators are switching to in 2025:
1. SchoolMaker
Best for: High-quality cohort-based learning
SchoolMaker helps you sell more courses by focusing on better learner outcomes and engagement.
- Progress tracking, certificates, and analytics
- Custom branded portals
- Built-in community and messaging
- Drip content and accountability tools
Starts at $29/month
2. Circle.so
Best for: Community-first memberships
- Fully branded community spaces
- Built-in payments via Stripe
- Host courses, events, and discussions all in one place
- Supports free and paid memberships
Starts at $89/month
3. Podia
Best for: All-in-one creator business
- Sell memberships, courses, digital downloads, and coaching
- Built-in email marketing and storefront
- No transaction fees on paid plans
Starts at $39/month
4. Memberful
Best for: Running memberships from your own website
- Integrates with WordPress and custom sites
- Full control over branding and member experience
- Works with Stripe for payments
Starts free, then 4.9% transaction fee on paid plans
5. Beehiiv
Best for: Newsletter-first creators
- Monetize through paid subscriptions, digital products, or sponsorships
- Direct audience ownership through email lists
Free tiers available; paid plans start around $25/month
Step-by-Step Patreon Migration Plan
Switching platforms can feel overwhelming, especially when your recurring income is on the line. Here’s how to do it with minimal risk.
Step 1: Audit Your Patreon Setup
Before you move, take note of:
- Membership tiers and pricing
- Benefits offered at each tier
- Supporter list (names, emails, pledge history)
- Any content or posts you want to keep
- Payment history for accounting purposes
This list will guide what to recreate on your new platform.
Step 2: Export Your Data
Patreon allows you to export some data:
- Supporters list: Download a CSV with names, emails (if they opted in), and pledge amounts.
- Content: Save all images, videos, and post copy you want to reuse.
- Financial reports: Export monthly earnings and transactions for your records.
Note: You can’t auto-migrate payment info, supporters will need to re-subscribe on your new platform.
Step 3: Set Up Your New Platform
Once you’ve chosen your alternative, build your new setup:
- Recreate membership tiers (pricing, perks, access levels)
- Upload your saved content
- Customize branding with your logo, colors, and domain
- Connect payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, etc.)
- Set up welcome emails or onboarding flows for new members
- Consider adding extra value to users, like live events or exclusive spaces, to encourage sign-ups.
Step 4: Invite Your Supporters
This is the most important step, getting your current Patreon supporters to move over.
- Send a Patreon post explaining the change and why it’s happening
- Provide a simple link to your new platform
- Offer an incentive (e.g., first month free, bonus content, or an exclusive livestream)
- Follow up with reminders before shutting down your Patreon page
Step 5: Update All Links
Make sure all public-facing links now point to your new platform:
- Social media bios
- Email signatures
- Website navigation
- YouTube descriptions or podcast show notes
If possible, pin a post to your Patreon page during the transition with instructions for joining you elsewhere.
Step 6: Run Both Platforms Temporarily
To avoid sudden income drops, run Patreon and your new platform simultaneously for 2–4 weeks.
This gives you time to:
- Onboard existing supporters
- Test payment processing and member access
- Smooth out any technical issues
Step 7: Close Patreon When You’re Ready
Once the majority of your supporters have moved over and you’re confident in your new setup, you can close your Patreon account.
Make a final farewell post thanking supporters for the journey, and inviting anyone left to join you in your new home.
Bonus Tips for a Smooth Patreon Migration
- Over-communicate: Tell your audience multiple times across multiple channels.
- Add something new: Make the move feel like an upgrade for them, not just a platform change.
- Test your onboarding: Sign up as a member to ensure everything works as expected.
- Use the switch as a rebrand moment: Refresh your visuals, perks, or pricing.
Conclusion
Migrating from Patreon in 2025 is a big move, but it can also be a very good for your brand and revenue. The key is choosing the right platform, planning carefully, and keeping your supporters informed every step of the way.
Your relationship with your audience is the real asset, not the platform you host them on. Make the move with care, and you’ll not only maintain your income, but also create a better experience for your biggest fans.
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