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Does OnlyFans Accept PayPal? Payment Options Explained

Alex KataevbyAlex Kataev·Aug 27, 2024
In Short

OnlyFans does not directly accept PayPal as a payment method. The platform primarily uses credit cards and other approved payment processors. Creators should avoid using PayPal for off-platform transactions, as it's against OnlyFans' terms and can result in account suspension.

OnlyFans payment options and policies

  • No direct PayPal support: OnlyFans does not officially support PayPal as a payment method for subscriptions or tips
  • Primary payment method: OnlyFans uses Stripe as their main payment processor due to their high transaction volume and special arrangements
  • Credit cards: The platform primarily accepts credit card payments for subscriptions and other transactions
  • Off-platform payments discouraged: OnlyFans monitors conversations and flags certain words, including "PayPal" and "Venmo", as suspicious activity

Reasons for not accepting PayPal

  • High chargeback rates: Adult content transactions historically have very high chargeback rates due to clandestine transactions and forgotten automatic subscription payments
  • Payment reversals: PayPal allows for easy payment reversals, which can be problematic for content creators
  • Terms of service conflicts: PayPal's terms of service often conflict with adult content platforms, making it difficult to use for such transactions

Alternative payment options for creators

  • Cashapp: Considered a low-risk option with only one reported incident of payment reversal in 4 years of use by some creators
  • Venmo: Can be used as an alternative, but may be higher risk for large payments
  • Off-platform transactions: While some creators use alternative payment methods, this practice is not allowed by OnlyFans and can result in account suspension

OnlyFans revenue model

  • Commission structure: OnlyFans takes a 20% commission on all earnings, including subscriptions, pay-per-view content, and tips
  • Creator earnings: Creators receive 80% of their earnings, which can be withdrawn to their bank accounts
  • Platform growth: In 2022, OnlyFans generated $5.55 billion in gross site volume, with creators earning $4.46 trillion (80% of gross site volume)

Comparison with alternatives

  • Fansly: Charges a 20% commission, similar to OnlyFans
  • Patreon: Takes 5-12% commission depending on earnings, potentially lower than OnlyFans
  • Scrile Connect: Offers 0% transaction fees, allowing creators to keep 100% of their earnings