The Downside of OnlyFans: Why Creators Are Leaving the Platform

For a long time, OnlyFans was the go-to platform for adult content creators. However, over the past couple of years, many have chosen to move on from the oversaturated OF site and explore opportunities elsewhere. While it is unlikely that OnlyFans will ever go away, other platforms have emerged that are highly competitive and offer a different experience for creators and users alike. Here are some of the top reasons why you may consider avoiding OF as a content creator.

Too Much Competition

Because OnlyFans grew so fast, the site has been overrun with models in every content niche. As a result, it can be really challenging to build a loyal audience as a new creator. With so many options to choose from, users may never find your page. Establishing a solid presence requires a lot of creativity and marketing, and those efforts might seem overwhelming for someone entering the adult content space as a side hustle. 

Piracy and Privacy Concerns

Many OnlyFans models are frustrated with the platform’s lack of accountability when it comes to piracy. Creators have their content stolen and then reposted without their permission. Piracy is against the terms and conditions of OnlyFans, but the site hasn’t implemented much action against the theft of content other than blocking offending users. This has forced many OnlyFans creators to take action into their own hands, like adding watermarks to their photos or videos.

In addition, there has been a rise in fake accounts. Meaning that an unknown person or group of people are creating false profiles and using stolen content to make money. OnlyFans has a policy against this, but the consequences of violating this rule are minimal. 

Restriction Rumors

OnlyFans started as a platform that catered to adult content. Over time, the site has grown to host other creators like comedians, fitness coaches, and even cooking connoisseurs. There have been rumors that the increased offerings could mean changes to OF’s content restrictions. At this point, this chatter is all online speculation. OnlyFans still supports SFW and NSFW content. However, some adult models don’t want to take the risk and have become building audiences on other fan sites.

Payments & Withdrawals

When you earn money on OnlyFans, that revenue is held for verification for a period of time. Then it is available for withdrawal. This delay can be challenging for new content creators who need their money as soon as possible. In addition, OnlyFans keeps 20% of all earnings as a commission fee for using the platform. This fee offsets the fact that it is free to create and run an OnlyFans page. However, many adult models believe 20% is too much and don’t want to lose out on such a significant chunk of their earnings. 

Limited Sales Opportunities

The primary way to make money on OnlyFans is through subscriptions, PPV, exclusives, custom content, and tips. However, many creators are seeking additional opportunities, such as the option to sell products directly to their fans. OnlyFans has not responded to this demand and does not appear to be considering opening up other revenue channels for models. 

Top 3 OnlyFans Alternatives

If not Onlyfans, then where? We compiled a list of the top five adult fan sites that compete with OnlyFans. Check out what sets these platforms apart to see if your content might benefit from exposure on these alternative websites.

FanCentro

Considered one of OnlyFans’ top competitors, FanCentro is a fast-growing adult fan site. Founded in 2017, FanCentro was built with the intention of helping creators maximize their income. 

FanCentro’s audience is primarily English-speaking, with users signing in from the USA and the UK. Most subscribers are under the age of 40. The benefits of joining this platform focus on the site’s usability and the numerous opportunities for creators to sell content.

Creator-Focused – FanCentro offers a variety of managing and marketing tools to optimize your profile. From tracking earnings to organizing subscriber lists, the creator dashboard is full of data and easy to navigate.

Monetization – Creators can sell PPV, customs, messaging services, clips, and live stream experiences. Plus, FanCentro supports personalized subscriber experiences, meaning you can cater to the desires and passions of each of your supporters.

Content Migration – FanCentro was started after OnlyFans, and in an effort to get more adult content creators to join their platform, FanCentro implemented free content migration services. That means you can easily and efficiently move your photos and videos from your OnlyFans profile to your FanCentro profile.

JustForFans

JustForFans is exclusively used for adult content. You won’t have to worry about future content restrictions or other industries overwhelming the platform. What really sets JustForFans apart from OnlyFans is the site’s emphasis on privacy, security, and fan engagement. 

The user base for JustForFans is much broader than FanCentro, which is especially beneficial to creators who are not English-speaking or want to appeal to a more diverse audience. Unfortunately, JustForFans does have significant commission fees. However, this hasn’t deterred OnlyFans models from leaving OF and joining this platform instead. 

Direct Messaging – JustForFans’ most popular feature is its direct messaging. Creators can chat with fans right on the platform, making the messaging experience seamless and engaging. Like OnlyFans, JustForFans allows creators to sell PPV content, exclusives, and live streams.

Subscription Tiers – Cater to every fan’s budget with JustForFans’ tiered subscription offers. You can set different price points based on your content offerings. This option is a great way to overcome price objections and build long-term loyalty.

Security – JustForFans’ takes the privacy and security of its creators and users very seriously. The site has invested in premium technology to protect content from pirates and foster a safe environment for every content niche and fetish.

Fansly

Fansly knows that without dedicated subscribers, your content won’t perform. As a result, this platform emphasizes the user experience. From its easily navigated interface to its fan engagement features, Fansly delivers a much more optimal fan experience than OnlyFans. 

Fansly’s audience is growing but at a slower rate than OnlyFans, FanCentro, and JustForFans. The benefit of this is that there is less competition. However, it may limit earning opportunities, especially for OnlyFans models, who are used to having thousands of subscribers. 

Engagement – Fansly allows subscribers to like and comment on posts. This feature is excellent for encouraging engagement. It creates a more social experience and fosters a sense of community that is missing from most other adult fan sites.

Subscription Tiers – Creators can offer multiple subscriptions at different price points so that users can engage with their favorite models regardless of their budget. This monetization option is the top way creators make money on Fansly.

Usability – Fansly makes it simple to upload and post content. There is no learning curve for the platform, so whether you are a new creator or a seasoned model, launching your Fansly profile is super easy. 

Analytics – Fansly wants creators to know how well their content is doing. As a result, the platform implemented a robust analytics dashboard. Models can efficiently tailor their content based on performance, allowing them to optimize engagement and maximize revenue.

Finding Your Space in the Adult Content World

As the adult content industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that OnlyFans may no longer be the best fit for every creator. Whether due to fierce competition, privacy concerns, or limited earning opportunities, many adult content creators are seeking out alternative platforms that better align with their needs. From enhanced security features to specialized monetization options, sites like FanCentro, JustForFans, and Fansly offer unique benefits that can help you grow your audience and maximize your revenue. At CreatorTraffic.com, we understand the challenges of building and maintaining a successful presence online. No matter which platform you choose, we are here to support your growth with tailored paid advertising solutions, making it easier for you to connect with your ideal audience and achieve your financial goals.

Explore all of the options for subscription platforms and discover how they compare to OnlyFans. We took the most popular OnlyFans alternatives and found their pros and cons. So before you commit to OnlyFans, consider these other options and find an adult subscription platform that aligns with your goals as a creator!

Fancentro Pros and Cons

Fancentro is very similar to OnlyFans. The platform allows NSFW content and puts full control of content creation and posting in the hands of creators. Models earn money through subscriptions, one-on-one chats, live streams, and selling exclusive content. 

Pros of Fancentro

The most significant benefit of using Fancentro is the modern platform. It is very user-friendly for both creators and fans. Most notably, Fancentro has an excellent filtered search query that makes it easier for models to connect with fans who crave their content. 

In addition, Fancentro allows all types of content, including explicit adult content. Post whatever you want as often as you want. Plus, Fancentro lets models set their own pricing, so the earning potential is limitless. Fancentro also offers a very lucrative referral program as an extra revenue option for creators.

Cons of Fancentro

Fancentro and OnlyFans are very comparable, and the only major difference is popularity. Simply put, Fancentro isn’t as well known as OnlyFans, so that means there are fewer users. However, on the flip side, there are also fewer content creators, which translates to less competition. 

Fansly Pros and Cons

Fansly has consistently been OnlyFans’ number-one competitor. The platform’s popularity grew after a rumor that OnlyFans was going to ban erotic content, encouraging several creators to switch to Fansly. While it is much newer than OnlyFans, Fansly has experienced exponential growth and continues to emerge as a major platform in the adult content space. 

Pros of Fansly

On the surface, OnlyFans and Fansly seem very similar. Both offer numerous revenue streams, including PPV, subscriptions, and custom content. However, a standout feature of Fansly is the option to sell real merchandise directly to fans. In addition, Fansly has a tiered subscription model, so there is a larger earning potential for models.

Fansly has a top-notch search tool that uses a high-tech algorithm to help profiles get more views. OnlyFans is often critiqued for only showing top-earning or celebrity pages, making it harder for new creators to build a fan base. However, Fansly takes the opposite approach and evens the playing field for models, whether they are new to adult content or seasoned pros.

Cons of Fansly

The biggest negative aspect of choosing Fansly over OnlyFans is the number of users. OnlyFans has a much larger audience, meaning a higher chance of finding subscribers. However, as OnlyFans continues to change and update its policies, more and more people are switching subscription platforms. It is expected that viewership will shift to less restrictive platforms like Fansly.

JustforFans (JFF) Pros and Cons

JustforFans is another uncensored adult content site that gives OnlyFans a run for its money. Much like OnlyFans, JFF gives models the freedom to post explicit content and make lots of money. 

JustforFans Pros

The major pro of working with JustforFans over OnlyFans is the revenue opportunities. In addition to subscriptions, PPVs, and tips, JFF lets models sell custom content directly to fans. It can be a physical item or a personalized video. Either way, you can capitalize on a fan’s dedication and give them something unique (for the right price, of course!). 

In addition, JustforFans lets you text with subscribers. Their messaging feature gives a more personal touch to creator-fan relationships and lets you get to know subscribers better. However, JFF texting is a lot more time-consuming than OnlyFans DMs, so it is important to keep that in mind before offering that service.

JustforFans Cons

The obvious disadvantage to using JustforFans is the commission fee. OnlyFans lets creators keep 80% of all earnings. In comparison, JFF charges a 30% commission fee, meaning models only keep 70% of the money paid by fans. 10% might not seem like a lot, but if you build up a huge audience, that extra cut can make a huge difference. 

Patreon Pros and Cons

Patreon is a subscription site best known for its use by podcasters and YouTube sensations. However, the platform also offers many opportunities for adult content creators. 

Pros of Patreon

Patreon offers different tiers of subscriptions so more dedicated fans can pay extra to unlock more content. Just like OnlyFans, viewers can tip on Patreon, adding more money to your pocket. Most of Patreon’s content is text, videos, and pictures, so it is ideal for creators who prefer a more streamlined approach. 

In addition, Patreon has lower commission fees—only 10-12% compared to OnlyFans’ 20%. The opportunity to keep more earnings is enticing for many content creators.

Cons of Patreon

The biggest obstacle to being an adult content creator on Patreon is building an audience. OnlyFans’ entire platform is dedicated to adult content, so users visit the site expecting to find that. In comparison, Patreon features creators from all types of industries, so there isn’t a built-in audience. It is up to the creator to drive people to their page. 

Because Patreon is strictly subscription-based there are less revenue opportunities. For example, you can’t sell PPV or exclusives so you’d need to be comfortable producing content for subscriptions only. 

Fantime Pros and Cons

Fantime is a newer subscription site that became popular after WWE star Mandy Rose was fired for posting explicit content on her Fantime page. This scandal generated a lot of interest and caused web traffic to the platform to soar. While its popularity is much lower than OnlyFans’, that is expected to change.

Pros of Fantime

The main difference between OnlyFans and Fantime is the customization and branding options. Fantime lets you completely personalize your profile, much like building your very own website. From choosing brand colors to setting a logo or icon, Fantime has a much more entrepreneurial aspect. 

However, as far as content and earning money go, Fantime and OnlyFans are very similar. Fantime supports subscriptions, PPV, and messaging. Like OnlyFans, creators pay a 20% commission on all earnings.

Cons of Fantime

Aside from lower traffic numbers, Fantime’s disadvantage is the variety of content. Unlike OnlyFans, it’s not just adult content creators. There are also people who share cooking, comedy, and fitness. As a result, it might take a little longer to build a subscriber base. 

Advertising on Adult Fan Sites

Whether you stick to OnlyFans or try an alternative platform like Fansly or JustforFans, promote your profile with CreatorTraffic. CreatorTraffic is the best advertising network for adult content. Build a campaign based on target keywords and appear at the top of search results. Every ad is linked to your adult fan site profile, so it’s super easy for fans to find you and subscribe. Take the guesswork out of advertising and build your audience fast with CreatorTraffic!