What is OnlyFans App and Why is it Popular?

Since its launch in 2016, OnlyFans has become one of the most discussed subscription-based platforms. Although it is mainly known for adult content, the platform also attracts fitness coaches, musicians, chefs, and lifestyle influencers.

By 2025, OnlyFans will be a key player in the creator economy, with millions of active users and billions paid to creators.

This article explains what the OnlyFans app is, how it makes money, what regulatory challenges it faces, and what it takes to build an app like OnlyFans in today’s digital landscape.

What is the OnlyFans app?

At its heart, OnlyFans is a creator-to-fan subscription platform. Instead of relying on ads or sponsorships, creators earn directly from their fans, giving them more control over pricing and content.

Some defining aspects include:

• Exclusive Content Access – Fans pay for gated photos, videos, and live streams.
• Direct Monetization – Income comes directly from fans instead of third parties.
• Global Reach – Creators from all over the world can monetize their audience.
• Diverse Niches – Though famous for adult content, it’s also used in fitness, cooking, and music.

In 2025, the platform boasts 200M+ registered users and 3M+ active creators, making it one of the largest digital subscription ecosystems.

Key takeaways:

Only Fans is a boon for creators. Most other social networking sites, including pornography, do not allow producers to publish and monetize material such as movies, images, and one-on-one chats. After a 20% reduction, they should be able to keep roughly 80% of their revenue.
Through this commission-based model, OnlyFans gives performers a part of their revenue, giving content creators more power.
It attracts millennials and young adults as its primary target audience.
Celebrities also turn to this application, adding to its popularity.

How Does OnlyFans Work?

OnlyFans mission is to give creators a place to create and share unique, premium services that they can’t get anywhere else. After creators set their page free or paid, fans can pay to gain access to exclusive material. Even though authors can create accounts for free, OnlyFans only pays out 80% of their money, keeping 20% as a fee.

1. OnlyFans requires users to be at least 18 years old and sign up with a government-issued photo ID
2. OnlyFans also secures each creator’s branded content.
3. The content on the site will be blacked out whenever a user attempts to take a screenshot.

User flow of OnlyFans application:

• User registration and signs up to create a profile
• Browse profiles of creators they are interested in
• Pay for subscription to view selected creator’s content
• Promote your content (if you sign up as a creator) on social platforms
• Get paid for your efforts

How Does OnlyFans Make Money?

The platform’s revenue strategy is what has made it both sustainable and attractive to creators. OnlyFans has diversified ways for creators to earn while maintaining a commission model.

Key Revenue Streams

• Subscriptions – Fans pay recurring monthly fees for access.
• Pay-Per-View (PPV) – Special content can be locked behind one-off payments.
• Tips – Fans can send direct financial appreciation.
• Live Streams – Real-time interactions with monetization options like tipping.

OnlyFans itself takes a 20% commission on all earnings. This is seen as creator-friendly compared to platforms that keep larger shares. The remaining 80% goes directly to creators, fueling loyalty and platform growth.

Safety Policies and Content Moderation

Operating in adult content requires strict safety practices. Over the years, OnlyFans has invested heavily in trust, compliance, and moderation.

Core Safety Measures

• Age Verification – Both creators and fans must pass KYC (ID-based verification).
• Content Moderation – AI and human reviewers check uploads for violations.
• Secure Payments – Payouts linked to verified bank accounts only.
• Piracy Protection – Partnerships with DRM and anti-piracy companies to prevent leaks.

These measures are critical not only for compliance but also for keeping users confident that their content and payments are secure.

Regulatory Considerations in 2025

Any platform like OnlyFans must deal with regional laws and financial regulations. This has become more complex as governments scrutinize adult content online.

Some regulatory challenges include:

• Financial Restrictions – Banks treat adult platforms as high-risk, with stricter terms.
• App Store Policies – Apple and Google ban explicit content, forcing OnlyFans to rely on web apps.
• Regional Laws – Some countries ban adult content outright (e.g., UAE, India).
• US Laws – Compliance with acts like FOSTA-SESTA, which regulate online sexual content.

Entrepreneurs aiming to build an OnlyFans-style app need to embed compliance from day one, ensuring age checks, licensing, and moderation are robust.

Who Uses OnlyFans?

OnlyFans is open to the public. On OnlyFans, you may find writers, poets, motivational speeches, writers, artists, chefs, and others. The site serves information that is produced for sex workers, porn stars, and many others.

OnlyFans is popular amongst sex workers and amateur sex traffickers who upload files and photos and communicate with their fans through direct messaging. It allows them to submit content restricted on other social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram.

During the epidemic, the use of OnlyFans skyrocketed, as adult-film stars, models, fitness instructors, and chefs all used it to charge fans for exclusive courses or private messaging.

Other sites attempting to profit from fan experiences compete with it. Cameo, for example, allows celebrities to sell personalised messages to followers. Cameo’s parent company, Baron App Inc., announced in March that it had raised $100 million in a funding round from investors including SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund 2. Cameo previously announced this week that basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson would join its board of directors.

Latest Trends and Statistics About OnlyFans (2025 Update)

OnlyFans has continued evolving, especially in light of regulatory scrutiny and changing creator needs.

Key developments include:

• Stricter Global ID Verification – Rolled out in 2024 to ensure safety.
• Non-Adult Expansion – Growth of communities in fitness, coaching, and music.
• Piracy Protection – New DRM partnerships to safeguard creator content.
• Market Growth – Creator economy projected to surpass $50B by 2030, with OnlyFans leading the charge.

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Traditional Platforms vs. OnlyFans-Style Platforms

The differences between traditional social media and subscription apps like OnlyFans highlight why the latter has become so appealing.

Feature	Traditional Social Media	OnlyFans-Style Platforms
Monetization	Ads, brand deals, sponsorships	Direct fan subscriptions, tips
Ownership	Content controlled by platform	Creator-controlled content
Audience	General public	Paying, exclusive community
Compliance Focus	Advertiser-driven rules	User-defined with compliance

User Growth

OnlyFans continues to grow rapidly in 2025. Some recent data highlights:

• Monthly Active Users: The platform has crossed 25 million monthly active users, a 12% increase compared to 2024.
• Content Creators: Over 3.2 million creators are currently active, creating content across various niches beyond adult entertainment.

Revenue Insights

• Platform Revenue: In 2024, OnlyFans generated over $5.3 billion in gross revenue, with an estimated $6 billion expected in 2025.
• Creator Earnings: On average, creators earn $180 per subscriber per year, with top creators earning millions annually.

Content Diversification

• While adult content remains a significant part of the platform, fitness influencers, chefs, musicians, and artists now account for 35% of new creator signups in 2025.
• Popular fitness creators use the platform to provide personalized training plans and live classes.
• Musicians have started using OnlyFans to share exclusive album releases, behind-the-scenes content, and live performances.

Market Trends

1. Increased Competition: Platforms like Patreon and Ko-fi are adapting features similar to OnlyFans, leading to heightened competition.
2. Web3 Integration: OnlyFans is exploring blockchain integration for content ownership and monetization.
3. Brand Collaborations: In 2025, several creators have partnered with brands to promote products via exclusive OnlyFans content.
4. AI-Powered Tools: Creators are leveraging AI-driven analytics on OnlyFans to optimize their content strategies.

 

How Much Can You Earn on OnlyFans?

OnlyFans sets the lowest and highest subscription prices. The minimum monthly subscription plan price is $4.99, and the maximum monthly subscription plan price is $49.99. Starting at $5, artists can also set up tips or paid private messaging. Paid tips and personal messages can help creators increase their profits and engage their followers and grow a dedicated following.

The fees she charges for commissioned work communicated via private messaging are where she makes the most of her money. Huldt has over 1100 subscribers on OnlyFans, according to Business Insider, and earns over $100,000 a year.

Despite having a significant Instagram following before joining OnlyFans, Huldt told Business Insider that she works on OnlyFans material seven days a week to keep her profits up.

Many online sex workers who have developed a presence on OnlyFans agree with this. Many of them discuss how difficult it is to make a respectable living on the platform because a large part of it is about establishing a following. Beyond that, you’ll need to devote time and effort to consistently producing material for some time before the account begins to generate a sufficient profit.

Here is a list of the top 8 OnlyFans earners based on the monthly income, the whole 1% accounts make around 33% of the site’s revenue.

1. Bella Thorne

When Bella Thorne signed up for OnlyFans, she made a considerable splash, earning $1 million on her first day. The Disney actress made news after breaking through in her first 24 hours on the platform. Through the exclusive subscription service, she currently earns almost $11 million per month.

2. Blac Chyna

Blac Chyna is the top OnlyFans earner, reportedly receiving $20 million every month from the service. From her business operations, including beauty products and services, the reality television personality has an estimated net worth of $1.6 million.

3. Mia Khalifa

Mia Khalifa built a reputation for herself in the porn industry as a former adult movie star. She’s had a lot of success on OnlyFans, where most of her followers are fans from her adult industry days. Her OnlyFans page makes her almost $6.42 million per month.

4. Pia Mia

Pia Mia’s OnlyFans page, where she posts provocative images and videos, earns around $2.22 million per month.

5. Gem10

According to the New York Post, Gem101 earns 270 times more than the average doctor with 20 years of expertise, who makes $9,152 per month.

6. MilaMondell

Mila Mondell is an OnlyFans teen content maker specializing in giving explicit content to her subscribers and viewers. Her page includes a $20 monthly subscription fee and is anticipated to generate $1.9 million per month in revenue.

7. Safaree Samuels

OnlyFans was founded in 2020 by rapper Safaree Samuels, who began uploading his amateur sex movies on the platform. After getting famous after appearing on the television program “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” in 2016, the rapper now has an estimated value of $3 million. He supposedly gets $1.91 million each month from his stuff on OnlyFans.

The paywall of porn

OnlyFans bills itself with a content-subscription business that allows creators to commercialize their work directly.

The New York Times even said that OnlyFans had “forever transformed sex business.”

Of course, there is a kernel of truth in the impression. Many of the most popular creators on OnlyFans are women who cater to men willing to pay for images, video files, or a conversation.

However, a small but rising number of other content creators are using OnlyFans to supplement their income, collect funds for a good cause, or engage with their fans in new ways.

Queen B and Cardi B on OnlyFans

When Beyoncé mentioned OnlyFans in her remix of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” earlier this year, the site noticed a 15 percent increase in visitors.

Then there was Cardi B’s ‘WAP.’ Her marketing strategy featured an OnlyFans page with exclusive access used behind videos and photos, ushering in a new wave of celebrity A-listers to the site.

Peeking into the economics of OnlyFans

OnlyFans has no outside investors, despite being one of the most talked-about yet under-the-radar tech firms. But, according to Tim, it is already profitable and has no plans to raise more.

OnlyFans claimed a 75 percent increase in “model sign-ups” in early April, despite global unemployment skyrocketing owing to the coronavirus.

However, even before the pandemic, the corporation was growing. According to reports, the platform paid £641k in corporate tax in 2018, implying revenue of roughly $5 million.

Growing beyond sex

OnlyFans’ popularity has grown to the point where more than just adult entertainers, fitness enthusiasts, and celebrities are signing up and creating accounts to make additional money, raise money for charity, or engage with their fans in new ways.

The platform’s benefits, such as the ability to give independent, exclusive content directly to a group of potentially high-paying customers while bypassing traditional go-betweens, have attracted non-sexual content creators.

OnlyFans said that Michael B. Jordan and his new mustache, which he christened ‘Murphy,’ will be making an appearance to help fund a barber school.

Vice, a verified media outlet, was the first to start on OnlyFans recently.

NEVERMIND, an Emmy-nominated singer who is also on OnlyFans, has earned a whole new set of admirers due to the site, indicating a demand for spiritual music.

Building an OnlyFans-Style App

Creating a subscription content platform requires careful planning. It’s not just about replicating features but also about ensuring security, compliance, and scalability.

Must-Have Features

• User Profiles & Verification – Accounts for both creators and fans, tied to ID checks.
• Subscription Management – Multiple tiers, recurring billing, and bundles.
• Content Protection – DRM, watermarking, and screenshot prevention.
• Payment Integrations – Stripe, crypto payments, or processors that allow adult industries.
• Community Tools – Messaging, live streaming, and tipping systems.

Technology Stack

• Frontend – React Native or Flutter for cross-platform compatibility.
• Backend – Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails with microservices.
• Database – PostgreSQL or MongoDB for secure and scalable storage.
• Hosting – AWS, GCP, or Azure with CDN for smooth streaming.

Development Costs

• MVP app with subscriptions – $80K–$120K.
• Feature-rich app with DRM & moderation – $150K–$300K.
• Enterprise platform with global reach – $400K+.

Final Thought

OnlyFans is a subscription-based content service. Creators can put their work behind a paywall, allowing fans to access it in exchange for a monthly charge or a one-time donation.

OnlyFans authors can submit a variety of content that appeals to their target audience. Because OnlyFans has few limits, it’s easy for content providers to offer pornographic material, which the site has become renowned for.

For more information, contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is OnlyFans only for adult content?

No, while OnlyFans gained popularity for adult content, it has diversified into other niches like fitness, cooking, music, and art. Many creators use the platform to share non-explicit, exclusive content with their followers.

2. How much does it cost to use OnlyFans?

Subscription costs vary depending on the creator. Typically, subscriptions range from $5 to $50 per month, with some creators offering additional pay-per-view content.

3. Can I build a platform like OnlyFans?

Yes, with the right development team and strategy, you can create a subscription-based platform similar to OnlyFans. Focus on essential features, user security, and a niche audience to stand out.

4. What are the revenue models for an app like OnlyFans?

Revenue models include subscription fees, pay-per-view content, tips, premium content bundles, and brand collaborations.

5. How does OnlyFans ensure content security?

OnlyFans employs robust content moderation tools, copyright protection mechanisms, and secure payment gateways to ensure user and content security.

6. Is OnlyFans planning to use blockchain technology?

Yes, OnlyFans is exploring blockchain integration to improve content ownership and monetization transparency.