YouTube Memberships vs Patreon vs ForSubs: Complete 2026 Comparison
YouTube Memberships vs Patreon vs ForSubs: Complete 2026 Comparison
Here's an uncomfortable truth: most of your fans will never pay you.
YouTube Memberships, Patreon, Ko-fi—they all assume fans will pull out their credit cards. But the average channel converts 1-2% of subscribers to paying members. That means 98% of your audience gets nothing special.
This comparison isn't just about fees. It's about reaching different segments of your audience.
YouTube Memberships: The Zero-Friction Option
How it works: Fans click "Join" directly on your channel. They pay $0.99-$499.99/month. YouTube handles everything.
The fees: YouTube takes 30%. If you charge $4.99, you keep $3.49. On iOS, Apple might take another cut from YouTube's share, but that doesn't directly affect your payout.
Requirements: You need 1,000 subscribers, be in the YouTube Partner Program, and be 18+.
What you can offer:
- Loyalty badges (8 levels based on membership duration)
- Custom emoji for live chat
- Members-only videos, posts, and Shorts
- Early access to videos
- Members-only live chat
What you can't offer:
- File downloads (no PDFs, no presets)
- In-person 1:1 meetings
- Contests with random winners
- Content for children
Best for: Live streamers who want Super Chat integration, creators who don't want to manage external platforms.
The trap: The "content treadmill." Members expect exclusive content. You end up making two channels worth of videos—one for everyone, one for members. It's exhausting.
Patreon: The Creator Control Option
How it works: Fans create a Patreon account and subscribe to your page. You set the tiers. They pay monthly.
The fees:
- Patreon takes 8% (Pro) or 12% (Premium)
- Plus payment processing (~2.9% + $0.30)
- Effective total: 12-15% of revenue
Requirements: None. Start with zero subscribers.
What you can offer: Almost anything—downloads, Discord access, exclusive posts, physical merch, video content, you name it.
Best for: Creators who want full control, higher revenue margins, and direct access to supporter emails.
The trap: Friction. Fans have to leave YouTube, create a new account, enter payment info. Many drop off. And you still end up on the content treadmill, just on a different platform.
ForSubs: The Free Subscriber Layer
How it works: Fans verify their YouTube subscription via Google OAuth. If subscribed, they unlock the perk instantly. No payment required.
The fees: Free plan available (1 perk, 25 unlocks/month). Paid plans start at $19/month for more perks and unlocks.
Requirements: None. Works with any channel size.
What you can offer:
- Digital downloads (PDFs, presets, sample packs)
- Discount codes for your store
- Hidden links to unlisted content
- Private event access
- Community invites (Discord, Telegram)
Best for: Rewarding the 99% of subscribers who won't pay but are still loyal. Building an email list. Creating a "taste" that converts to paid membership later.
The key difference: ForSubs doesn't process payments. It verifies subscriptions and delivers perks. It's not competing with Patreon for your paying fans—it's serving the fans who won't pay but still deserve recognition.
The Comparison Table
| Feature | YouTube Memberships | Patreon | ForSubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 30% | 8-12% | Free tier / $19-39/mo |
| Payment Processing | Included | ~3% extra | N/A (no payments) |
| Minimum Requirements | 1,000 subs + YPP | None | None |
| Fan Friction | Low (cards saved) | High (new account) | Very low (Google login) |
| Audience Reached | Paying members only | Paying patrons only | All subscribers |
| File Downloads | Not allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Email Collection | No | Yes | Optional |
The Real Question: Who Are You Serving?
Here's how to think about it:
Your top 1-2%: These fans will pay $5-50/month. Patreon or YouTube Memberships work. They want the deepest access, the most exclusive content.
Your next 10-20%: They won't pay monthly, but they'll download a free preset, grab a discount code, or join your Discord. ForSubs serves this group.
The remaining 80%: They watch your videos, sometimes comment, occasionally share. They're valuable, but they're not going to verify or pay for anything. Regular YouTube content serves them.
The mistake most creators make? Treating everyone like that first 1-2%. They push Patreon to an audience that isn't ready to pay, get disappointed by low conversion, and give up.
The Layered Approach
Smart creators don't choose one platform. They layer them:
Layer 1 (Free subscribers): ForSubs perks. A sample pack, a PDF guide, a discount code. Low friction. Build the relationship.
Layer 2 (Engaged fans): Discord community or email list. Capture them somewhere you control.
Layer 3 (Paying supporters): YouTube Memberships for live stream perks. Patreon for deep-dive content. Courses or products for one-time purchases.
Each layer feeds the next. Someone downloads your free sample pack → joins your Discord → eventually becomes a Patreon supporter.
Which Should You Start With?
Start with ForSubs if: You have fewer than 1,000 subscribers (can't use YouTube Memberships yet), you want to build an email list, or your audience is resistant to paid subscriptions.
Start with YouTube Memberships if: You're a live streamer who needs Super Chat, you have 1,000+ subscribers, and you don't mind the 30% cut.
Start with Patreon if: You create long-form exclusive content, you want maximum revenue per supporter, and your audience is already comfortable with subscription models.
Or start with all three. They're not mutually exclusive. Different tools for different fans.