How to Create a Paid Subscription Platform Like OnlyFans (We did)

Despite the harsh market rivalry in this domain, the emerging platforms target niches with improved content creator statistics, monetization programs, and online invoicing options. This article discusses content creation platform development, emphasizing best practices, market trends, and the necessary steps in developing an efficient user-generated content platform.

What Is a User-Generated Content Platform?

A user-generated content platform is an online system where individuals can produce and share content while monetizing their audience. Such systems support various content formats, including video, audio, written, and live streaming content. Depending upon the business model, these systems can earn money through subscription products, tip systems, commercials, or pay-per-view content.

Some of the most trending platforms for earning on paid content are:

• OnlyFans

A subscription-based platform primarily focused on adult content but also used by fitness trainers, chefs, and musicians.

• Patreon

Allows creators to offer exclusive content to their audience via a tiered subscription system.

• Ko-fi

Enables fans to support creators with one-time payments, memberships, or direct sales.

• Twitch

A live-streaming platform where creators earn through subscriptions, donations, and advertisements.

• Substack

Focused on written content, allowing journalists and bloggers to monetize their work through paid subscriptions.

• Gumroad

A digital storefront where creators sell content, courses, and digital downloads.

Each user-generated content platform has a distinctive business model with diverse benefits to every target market and content type. OnlyFans takes only commission fee equal to 20% earnings while Patreon takes a percentage based on the use subscription plan, and Ko-fi offers a free tier with a 5% fee on sales or a paid plan with no fees. OnlyFans clone models prove to be most desirable to content monetization startup founders who venture in this profitable content market.

Key Stages in Your Own Content Monetization Platform Development

Building a platform for selling content by subscription requires careful planning, investment, and a clear strategy. Below are the essential steps:

• Conduct market research

Research market trends, determine the market competitors, and decide audience requirements before initiating the development. Identify gaps in current platforms and find the unique value to be delivered by your platform.

• Choose a Business Model

Your paid subscription platform can operate in various ways:

Tiered subscriptions – Different levels of access based on pricing tiers.

Pay-per-view content – Users pay to unlock specific content.

Advertising-based monetization – Offering free content with ad placements.

Hybrid models – Combining multiple revenue streams.

• Decide Must-Have Features

A user-generated content platform should include:

Secure user authentication and role-based permissions

Content hosting and media management tools

Real-time mux for live broadcasts

Tipping, online invoicing, and payment integrations

Content creator statistics dashboard for analytics

• Hire a Development Company

Collaborate with a team experienced in content monetization platforms development to ensure robust architecture and security.

• Content Creation & Management

Enable creators to manage their content efficiently, with tools for scheduling, editing, and monetization.

• Monetization Strategies for Users

Offer multiple options, such as donations, locked content, and premium memberships, to maximize earnings.

• Launch an MVP

Develop a Minimum Viable Product to test the platform’s core functionalities and gather user feedback.

• Final Product Launch

Refine the platform based on feedback and scale up with enhanced features, marketing, and customer support.

How We Built a Platform for Content Monetization

• Challenges

The project faced budget constraints and the priority had to be placed upon the development of a specific set of features in order to launch it initially. We employed design-first approach in this dynamic project which allowed us to have flexibility in case things changed. Moreover, managing expectations was crucial, as we worked closely with a client who had a clear vision but needed realistic timelines.

• Key Features

The platform included a social networking system with in-built news feeds, live broadcasting support, messaging functionality, and user profiles. We added a flexible subscription system where content producers can configure various subscription levels for content access. We employed MUX for live broadcasts to empower content producers to perform live broadcasting in private and public modes with live audience participation. Secure payment processing was implemented by integrating billing in the broadcasting system while ensuring smooth revenue flow. We include the content creator statistics dashboard to monitor content performance and audience trends for better content optimization. The admin panel was built to facilitate content moderation and resolve disputes.

• Tech Stack

We utilized Ruby on Rails for backend development, React.js for frontend, while the database was done in PostgreSQL. AWS was used as cloud infrastructure to maintain scalability and security. Payment gateway included live billing and invoicing systems to support an efficient user experience.

• Design Approach

Our design-first approach placed UX in priority for intuitive functionality and visual balance. The dark mode option was integrated to better visualize content and avoid eye fatigue during nighttime uses. By highlighting usability, accessibility, and interactive design, we reached an engaging experience both for creators and fans.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website Like OnlyFans?

The cost of developing a platform like OnlyFans depends on multiple factors, including feature complexity, development time, technology choices, team composition, and compliance with financial regulations. While a basic MVP can start at around $30,000 to $100,000, a full-scale platform with advanced capabilities can exceed $500,000.

• Planning and Market Research

Before development begins, extensive market research is necessary to analyze competitors, identify target users, and define the platform’s core business model. This stage helps determine pricing strategies, compliance requirements, and feature prioritization. Research from Statista shows that the global creator economy reached a valuation of over $104 billion in 2022, with increasing demand for platforms offering subscription-based content.

• UI/UX Design and Development

A successful app should have an intuitive interactive user interface. UI/UX design includes wireframing, prototyping, and design visuals, which take months to go through iteratively. Backend and frontend programming is carried out to integrate user authentication, user management, content hosting, payment gateway management, and live broadcasting. Depending upon complexity, development can take between 6 months to over a year, which can significantly influence costs.

• Payment Processing and Compliance

Integrating secure payment gateways is part of every paid subscription system. OnlyFans utilizes third-party payment processors such as Stripe, PayPal, CCBill, and cryptocurrency solutions. Payment standards such as PCI DSS and GDPR also drive development complexity and cost. Compliance laws in jurisdictions such as GDPR in EU and CCPA in California call for additional security practices and regulatory governance. Transaction security is one of the largest fears in digital systems to have an impact on consumer trust and loyalty.

• Streaming and Monetization Features

Live streaming is a significant cost driver in most systems as they should integrate hi-definition, low-latency videos. This is where systems like MUX, Wowza, or Twilio get employed to support live interactivity. Tiered subscription systems, tip systems, and content paywalls also add complexity. However, live engagement increases revenue potential, as seeen in really well-performing platforms like Twitch and Patreon.

• Infrastructure and Maintenance

Hosting, cloud storages, and content distribution systems (CDNs) have unparalleled leverage over infrastructure cost over the long term. AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean provide flexible infrastructure in price brackets between $1,000 to $5,000 each month, depending upon volume of traffic and storages required. Maintenance, performance tunings, and security patches ensure performance upon launch. Cloud spending is certain to continue growing in this direction, rendering infrastructure optimality essential to scalability.

• Marketing and User Acquisition

Building a user-generated content platform is beneficial in marketing. Social promotions through influencers, social media, and SEO stimulate subscriber content creator engagement. First-wave promotions range in price between $20,000 to $100,000, depending on scale and audience. Platforms making investments in promotions led by content advertising and partnerships have highest return on investments.

• Total Estimated Cost

A basic MVP with essential subscription management functionality, payment support, and user-profile support can cost between $30,000 to $100,000. A complete system including live broadcast support, tools support through analytics, and automatic payouts can cost between $150,000 to $250,000. A complete enterprise-grade system including recommendations through algorithms fueled by AI can exceed $500,000. All these prices depend upon development locations, tech stacks used, and future scalability requirements. 

• Final Considerations

Building a platform for content monetization requires strategic planning, technical expertise, and ongoing investment. Successful platforms balance innovation, security, and user engagement to maximize profitability. Partnering with an experienced development team ensures efficient implementation while maintaining compliance with global standards. Choosing the right approach from the start can significantly impact long-term success if you’re looking to create a paid subscription platform for selling content.

Conclusion

Developing a paid subscription platform for selling content requires strategic planning, a clear business model, and experienced developers. Whether you aim to build a niche user-generated content platform or a large-scale content monetization platform, choosing a reliable development team is crucial.

At Evrone, we have over 15 years of experience in content monetization platforms development, including streaming services and platforms that pay content creators. If you're ready to launch your paid content platform, contact us today to turn your idea into reality!