Substack suits writers whose paid product is a newsletter. Patreon suits creators who sell a mix of memberships, video, audio and one-off digital products. As of October 2026 both keep 10% of what fans pay on their standard plans, and both add payment processing on top, so the choice comes down to what you make and how your fans like to receive it.
On the headline fee, these two now look the same. Patreon moved new creators to a standard 10% plan, which matches Substack's 10% cut of paid subscriptions. The differences are in the processing fees, the formats each one is built for, and one Patreon rule that existing creators need to know. I read the Substack Help Center article on what it costs, plus Patreon's pricing page and its creator fees guide in the Patreon Help Center.
Substack and Patreon side by side
| Substack | Patreon | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to start | Free to publish | Free to start |
| Platform fee | 10% of paid subscription revenue | 10% on the standard plan |
| Card processing (US) | 2.9% + $0.30 per payment through Stripe, plus 0.7% for recurring billing | 2.9% + $0.30 for cards and Apple Pay |
| Built for | Newsletters, with paid subscriptions | Memberships, one-time purchases, video and community |
| Video | Not covered in the fee article I read | Hosting up to 100 hours a month if you have paying fans |
| Custom domain | One-time $50 | Hosted creator page |
How Substack's fees work
Publishing on Substack is free, however many readers you have. Once you switch on paid subscriptions, Substack keeps 10% and Stripe charges its own fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per payment for US cards, plus a 0.7% Stripe Billing fee on recurring payments. Readers pay the monthly, annual or founding member price you set. Subscriptions bought in Substack's iOS app may cost readers more to cover Apple's fees, but Substack's 10% is based on your web price.
How Patreon's fees work
Patreon is free to start, and new creators pay a 10% platform fee. Processing comes on top and depends on your payout currency and how fans pay. For US dollar payouts, Patreon lists 2.9% + $0.30 for cards, and 3.9% + $0.30 for PayPal or Venmo payments from outside the US. For creators paid out in pounds, it lists 3.4% + £0.35, and there's a 2.5% currency conversion fee when a fan pays in a different currency from yours.
The legacy plan rule Patreon creators should know
If you published your Patreon page on or before August 4, 2025, you may still be on an older plan: Founders at 5%, Pro at 8% or Pro + Merch at 11%. Patreon says you keep that plan only while your page stays published. If you unpublish it, even briefly, or Patreon unpublishes it, you move to the standard 10% plan when you republish. Patreon's advice is to use the pause tool instead of unpublishing.
Micropayments and small tiers on Patreon
The creator fees guide also explains that legacy-plan creators with tiers priced at $3 or less pay micropayment rates, 5% + $0.10 for cards on US dollar payouts. Under the standard 10% plan, Patreon says the same processing rates apply to all payments whatever the amount. If you run very low-priced tiers, check which plan you're on before you set prices.
If you're thinking about income more widely, here's my breakdown of how much Patreon takes, and if you're UK-based, see how Substack works for UK writers.
My advice on Substack or Patreon
If your work is writing and your readers want it in their inbox, Substack is the natural home, and it costs nothing until you charge. If you make video, audio or a mix of formats, or you want to sell one-off products alongside memberships, Patreon fits better. And if you're an existing Patreon creator on a legacy plan, never unpublish your page: pause it instead, or you'll lose that lower rate.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Substack or Patreon take more?
On standard plans, both keep 10% as of October 2026: Substack of paid subscription revenue and Patreon on its standard plan. Both add payment processing fees on top.
How much does Substack charge?
Publishing is free. With paid subscriptions, Substack keeps 10%, and Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per US card payment plus 0.7% for recurring billing.
What are Patreon's fees for new creators?
Creators who published after August 4, 2025 are on Patreon's standard 10% plan, plus processing fees such as 2.9% + $0.30 for cards on US dollar payouts.
Can I lose my Patreon legacy plan?
Yes. Patreon says unpublishing your page, even briefly, moves you to the standard 10% plan when you republish. It suggests using the pause tool instead.
Does Substack charge for a custom domain?
Substack lists an optional custom domain as a one-time $50.
