From Patreon to Just For fans, here are the alternatives for erotic creators fleeing OnlyFans
OnlyFans, a platform that amassed a base of more than 130 million users mostly because of adult content creators, announced that it will ban sexually explicit content effective October 1. OnlyFans said it is making the changes “to comply with the requests of our banking partners and payout providers,” in a statement.
“OnlyFans will prohibit the posting of any content containing sexually explicit conduct,” the company said in a statement. “In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the platform, and to continue to host an inclusive community of creators and fans, we must evolve our content guidelines.”
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According to OnlyFans, creators will continue to be allowed to post content containing nudity “as long as it is consistent with our Acceptable Use Policy.” As per reports, OnlyFans has enabled thousands of sex workers to earn substantial incomes in return for handing over 20 percent of their earnings to the company. Internal figures suggest about 16,000 creators earn at least $50,000 annually from the site.
Earlier this month more than a hundred US congressmen and women demanded a department of justice investigation into OnlyFans, relating to the alleged presence of underage material on the site. While the platform has said it will inform more on guidelines in the near future, content creators find themselves in flux. So, what is the alternative for sex workers and adult content creators, should OnlyFans make it more difficult for them to earn a living?
Here are some similar websites that are popular:
1. AVN STARS
AVN Stars is a social media network that was created by the AVN Media Network, headquartered in Chatsworth, California, a group that is supposedly “the world’s largest consolidator of adult entertainment news, content, and information,” and the “definitive source for all that is adult entertainment.” AVN Stars is similar to OnlyFans in many ways.
The website, as per Follower.co, is clean and easy to use, has a wealth of tools that content creators can take advantage of, and has policies in place to help protect the content that you create. Creators can post videos, photos, and more, which they can either monetize through a subscription or charge on a per-clip basis. One can even connect their premium Snapchat account to their AVN Stars account.
Like OnlyFans, AVN Stars takes 20 percent of the cut. But unlike OnlyFans, there are no maximum fee limits on AVN Stars. One can reportedly charge anything, as long as it’s at least $2. Another advantage that AVN Stars reportedly has over OnlyFans is that content creators can request a payout whenever they want and payments normally take a few hours to a maximum of 2 days, even internationally -- OnlyFans allows payout every 21 days.
2. Patreon
Of course, every content creator in the world has heard of Patreon. The pun in the company’s name is fitting considering money from subscribers in this site helps fund thousands and thousands of YouTubers, Twitch streamers, Instagrammers, and more — making it a sort of patron saint for all kinds of content creators. But is it an alternative to OnlyFans? Yes, and no.
Patreon charges a fee between five and 12 percent of earnings, depending on whether one has a basic platform, a Pro, or a Premium one. Added payment processing fees ultimately however ensure creators end up paying close to 20 percent, the same as OnlyFans. But, there are limitations to the kind of content one can put on the platform.
The platform says it strives “to create a community that is inclusive and diverse, we want to consider the different ages and sensitivities within our patron base.” So, creators can post “nude creations” on Patreon of both real and fictional subjects, but they have to mark posts with mature themes as “Patron Only” and ensure their page is flagged as 18+. However, Patreon does not allow “pornographic material or sexual services”. The platform defines this as “real people engaging in sexual acts such as masturbation or sexual intercourse on camera”.
3. Just For Fans
This sex worker-run adult fan site where viewers can check out their favorite adult models’ photos, videos, and cam shows is definitely an alternative to OnlyFans, even if it doesn’t quite have the same reach. Launched by sex worker Dominic Ford, it is predominantly meant for adult industry members, an advantage over OnlyFans, which has reportedly tried to keep pornography out of its official pitches.
As per the Daily Dot, the site, which supposedly functions like a mix between ManyVids and Tumblr, differs from its competitors by offering a more comprehensive adult experience — watching performers’ cams, purchasing clips, ordering items from stars, paying for sexting, buying access to performers’ Instagram or Snapchat, and more.
Where OnlyFans has an advantage, however, is the payment. As per Follower.co, Just For Fans keeps 30 percent of the creators’ earnings compared to 20 percent in the case of OnlyFans. Also, OnlyFans has a minimum payout of $20. Just For Fans allows for a $50 minimum. So it would be a bit more difficult to earn that much if you started off on the latter platform.