Yes, Patreon is free to join. Fans can follow creators and join free memberships without paying, and creators can set up a page and list work for sale at no upfront charge. Patreon earns by taking fees from paid memberships and one-time purchases, so creators only pay when a supporter pays them.
Patreon gets asked about from two sides: fans wondering if they have to pay to see a creator's posts, and creators wondering what it costs to start. The answer is free on both counts, with one big condition for creators. Here's how each side works, plus a change for older creator accounts that has a deadline coming up.
Is Patreon free for fans?
Yes. Patreon's help centre says all fans can join for free if a creator has a free offering on their page. You'll know a creator offers it if you see a Join for free button. Some creators only show their paid options prominently, so it isn't always obvious.
Joining is quick. If you don't have an account, Patreon says you only need to enter your name and email address, with no password to create. Existing users are asked to sign in.
What you get for free depends on the creator, but Patreon lists the basics:
- Updates about the creator's posts sent to your inbox
- Access to posts the creator makes for free members, for all members, or publicly
- No commitment to upgrade, for as long as the creator offers the free option
- The option to upgrade to a paid tier at any time from Your creators
One thing to know: Patreon says that when you join for free, the creator can see your email address and your member profile name if you have an account.
Is Patreon free for creators?
Setting up is free. Patreon's fees FAQ says it's free to list your work for sale on Patreon, including digital goods, posts and collections, and fees are only applied to successfully processed payments. If nobody pays you, you don't pay Patreon.
Once members pay, several fees can apply, according to Patreon:
| Fee | What Patreon says it covers |
|---|---|
| Platform fee | A percentage of successfully processed payments, set by your plan |
| Payment processing | The cost of processing members' payments; varies by location, currency and payment method |
| App Store fee | Applies when a member buys through Apple's in-app purchase in the iOS app, replacing Patreon's processing fee |
| Currency conversion | Applies when a member pays in a different currency from your payout currency |
| Payout fee | Charged when you transfer your balance to PayPal, a bank or Payoneer |
Patreon says creators who published their page after 4 August 2025 are on its standard plan, and those who published before then keep their existing rate. If you unpublish your page, or Patreon unpublishes it, you move onto the standard plan. For the exact percentages by plan, check your Plan details page in Patreon, as the rates differ for legacy creators.
The deadline older creators need to know
Here's the date that matters this autumn. Patreon's help centre says all creators still on legacy billing must switch to subscription billing by 1 November 2026. If you've been on Patreon for years and haven't touched your billing settings, check them now so your members aren't caught out by the change.
If you are still choosing a platform, read how Ko-fi compares with Patreon.
Free memberships as a growth tool
Patreon pitches free memberships as a way to bring your most engaged fans into your community before they're ready to pay. You can write posts for free members only, public posts, or posts for all members, and creators use them for monthly newsletters, episode transcripts, livestreams and freebies. Free members show up in your audience records and in Insights.
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That makes a free tier a sensible first step if you're building an audience. It's a similar idea to a free newsletter that later adds a paid option, and if that model appeals, my Substack marketing strategy guide shows how it plays out there.
Free for fans doesn't mean free content everywhere
A common mix-up is thinking a free membership opens everything a creator posts. It doesn't. Patreon says free members get access to posts made for all members, free members only, or the public. Posts for paid tiers stay locked. Creators can also limit comments on public posts to paid members, and Patreon says your account email must be verified before you can comment at all. So if a post shows a lock, it's for a paid tier, and you'd need to upgrade from Your creators to see it.
How to start on Patreon without paying
- Create a creator account and set up your page.
- Add a free membership option so fans can join without committing.
- Post something for free members straight away so new members see value from the first day.
- Add paid tiers when you have something worth paying for, and describe exactly what each tier gets.
- Check which plan you're on in Plan details before your first payout.
If you're not sure Patreon is the right home for your community, my comparison of Patreon alternatives covers the other membership platforms creators use.
My verdict
Patreon is free for fans and free for creators to start, and you only pay when supporters pay you. Add a free tier from day one, because it lets people try you before they buy. If you've been on Patreon a while, the job for this week is checking your billing setup before the 1 November 2026 deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I join Patreon for free?
Yes. If a creator offers a free option you'll see a Join for free button. New users only need a name and email address.
Does it cost anything to start a Patreon page?
No. Patreon says it's free to list your work for sale, and fees only apply to successfully processed payments.
Can creators see who joins for free on Patreon?
Yes. Patreon says the creator sees your email address and your member profile name if you have an account.
What is the Patreon legacy billing deadline?
Patreon says all creators still on legacy billing must switch to subscription billing by 1 November 2026.
How long can I stay a free member on Patreon?
As long as you like, as long as the creator keeps offering the free option. There's no commitment to upgrade.
