You are not alone in this world of struggle! Luckily you have the best platforms i.e. Patreon vs YouTube for Membership that can help you more to get support from your content.
Are you struggling with the same situation?
patreon vs youtube membership
As you know that creating content is never an easy task.
There is another problem where you feel the need for the right selection from Patreon vs YouTube membership.
But I am here for you my dear!
So let’s get started and compare them!
What is Patreon?
I know you are looking for the best platform that helps you to share the best exclusive content with your fans. Then Patreon is the best platform that can also help you to connect with them deeply.
You can offer various membership tiers, each with its own rewards and benefits with Patreon.
Another thing is that you can communicate with your patrons directly and it will help you to build a strong community.
The factor while choosing Patreon is that it takes a cut of your earnings.
What is YouTube Membership?
On the other hand, YouTube can support you too much when you already have a trusted audience.
With YouTube membership, you can offer exclusion content to your subscribers without any platform fees.
The bad news is that you do not have too much control over membership tiers and benefits on YouTube as you would with Patreon.
Features Comparison
To compare Patreon vs YouTube Membership, it is best to consider the various features and benefits each platform offers.
Both platforms allow you to offer exclusive content to your fans but Patreon has more flexibility when it comes to membership tiers and benefits.
patreon user interface
youtube membership user interface
YouTube Membership also has some limitations in the case of branding and customization options.
Patreon vs YouTube: Membership Tiers and Levels
Patreon and YouTube Membership both offer content creators the ability to offer multiple membership tiers or levels that provide different benefits and access to exclusive content.
Example
A creator on Patreon may offer a basic membership level that includes access to a private community forum while a higher tier may offer private access to live streams or personalized messages from the creator.
Similarly, a creator on YouTube Membership may offer different tiers with the access to exclusive videos or merchandise discounts.
Successful Creators on Both Platforms
Creators who offer multiple membership levels include popular YouTubers such as PewDiePie and Shane Dawson who offer various membership tiers on their channels.
Like YouTube, Patreon creators e.g. Amanda Palmer and CGP Grey also offer multiple membership levels to their patrons.
Offering multiple membership tiers can have advantages and disadvantages.
If we take a look on one side, it can provide additional revenue streams and allow creators to offer different levels of access to their members.
On the other hand, it would be challenging to manage. It can create confusion among members.
Related Posts
Access to Exclusive Content
One of the main benefits of both Patreon and YouTube Membership is the ability for creators to offer exclusive content to their members.
This can include,
Early access to videos
Exclusive blog posts
Behind-the-scenes footage
Q&A sessions
Patreon is particularly effective for creators to offer a wider range of exclusive content.
This platform allows more flexibility in terms of the types of content that can be offered.
Example
Creators can offer access to exclusive podcasts, music downloads or physical merchandise as part of their membership tiers.
YouTube Membership, on the other hand, is best for creators who just want to focus on video content.
This platform helps the creators to offer exclusive videos to their members and also access to members-only live streams.
Patreon vs YouTube Membership: Payment Processing and Fees
When we talk about payment processing then we see that both Patreon and YouTube Membership offer different payment processing options.
It can impact the fees that would be charged from creators and the value for their members.
You can process your payment through PayPal and Stripe on Patreon while YouTube Membership uses Google Pay for that.
The fees charged by each platform also differ.
Patreon charges a 5% fee on each pledge made to a creator and additionally the fees for payment processing.
YouTube Membership, on the other hand, takes a 30% cut of membership revenue but also covers payment processing fees.
These fees can impact the earnings of creators as well as the perceived value for their members.
It is important for content creators to carefully consider the fees before choosing one platform to use.
Here is a pricing comparison table for Patreon and YouTube Membership,
Criteria
Patreon
YouTube Membership
Platform Fees
5-12% of earnings
None
Payment Processing Fees
Varies based on payment method
30% per transaction
Note: Patreon’s platform fees vary depending on the creator’s membership level and the payment method used. The range is from 5% to 12% of earnings.
YouTube vs Patreon: Branding and Customization Options
We all know in this age that branding and customization are critical parts of business to building a strong following and revenue.
We must consider both Patreon and YouTube Membership that offer some level of branding and customization options so that we can improve our platform’s look and interaction with fans.
On Patreon, creators can customize their page with a banner image, profile picture and a description of their work.
They can also choose to offer different tiers of membership which can be customized with different benefits and rewards.
On YouTube Membership, creators can add branding to their membership offerings like custom badges or emojis.
However, the level of customization available on YouTube Membership is more limited than on Patreon.
Are you worried about integration? So you must keep in mind that both Patreon and YouTube Membership can integrate with other platforms such as social media or e-commerce sites.
This is almost sufficient to help creators to reach a wider audience. Also, it can build a stronger brand.
Patreon allows creators to connect with a range of platforms including Twitch, WordPress, and Discord. You can also integrate with social media platforms like Facebook.
This allows creators to promote their content and merchandise on a wider range of channels.
YouTube Membership, on the other hand, is more limited in terms of cross-platform integration.
But it can integrate with other YouTube features such as Super Chat and Channel Memberships.
Pros and Cons of Patreon
Now is the best time to discuss the pros and cons of Patreon.
I want to say that it offers a lot of benefits for content creators such as the ability to communicate directly with patrons and build a community around your work.
However, the fees can be high and it might take some time to build a following on the platform.
Pros and Cons of YouTube Membership
As Patreon has pros and cons, YouTube has also some pros and cons. As we have already discussed, YouTube Membership might be a great option for you If you already have a following on YouTube.
It is super easy to set up. There are no platform fees and it allows you to offer exclusive content to your subscribers.
However, there are limitations when it comes to payment options and customization.
Patreon vs YouTube Membership: Which Platform Is Best for You?
Ultimately, the platform which is best for you will depend on your specific needs and goals as a content creator.
I would suggest that If you are looking to build a community around your work and you want to offer a wide range of benefits to your fans then definitely go for Patreon.
On the other hand, if you already have a following on YouTube and want to offer exclusive content to your subscribers, YouTube Membership might be the way to go.
Comparison Table: Patreon vs YouTube Membership
Here is a concise comparison table highlighting the similarities and differences between Patreon and YouTube Membership,
Criteria
Patreon
YouTube Membership
Purpose
Monetize content through membership
Monetize content through membership
Exclusive content
Yes
Yes
Membership tiers
Yes
Yes
Payment options
Credit Card, PayPal, and other options
Credit Card and Google Pay
Fees
5%-12% (depending on membership level)
None
Direct communication with members
Yes
No
Customization options
Yes
Limited
Built-in audience
No
Yes
Integration with other platforms
Yes
Limited
Similarities
Both platforms allow content creators to monetize their work through membership programs.
They both offer exclusive content to members.
Membership tiers are available on both platforms.
Differences
Patreon offers more payment options compared to YouTube Membership.
YouTube Membership has no platform fees, while Patreon takes a cut of earnings.
Patreon allows for direct communication with members, while YouTube Membership does not.
Patreon offers more customization options than YouTube Membership.
YouTube Membership has a built-in audience, while Patreon does not.
FAQs
Let’s discuss some best questions related to youtube vs patreon comparison!
Particularly, I would say that this question has no direct answer. But generally I would say that Patreon is best for more custom rewards and membership tiers while YouTube Membership is for more exclusive content. It is important what you prefer and consider your goal.
How do the fees compare between the two platforms?
Patreon charges a 5% commission on all pledges plus payment processing fees while YouTube Membership takes a 30% cut of membership fees. Carefully consider these fees and their impact on your earnings before choosing.
Important Points for Patreon vs YouTube Membership Comparison
Here are some additional points important to include in a comparison between Patreon and YouTube Membership,
Patreon allows creators to set up multiple membership tiers with different benefits and pricing options while YouTube Membership only offers one membership level.
Patreon has a more robust set of community-building features e.g. the ability to create private forums, polls and live streams exclusively for members while YouTube Membership is more focused on offering exclusive content.
Patreon offers creators more control over their brand and the appearance of their membership page while YouTube Membership is more limited in terms of customization options.
YouTube Membership requires creators to have at least 30,000 subscribers to be eligible for the program while Patreon has no such requirement.
Patreon allows the creators to charge based on every separate content. It helps them more than the monthly subscription model. Monthly recurring income is best for those who do not publish regular content.
YouTube takes a cut of advertising revenue generated from a creator’s videos while Patreon does not.
Patreon allows creators to offer physical rewards to members such as merchandise or exclusive experiences which is not currently possible on YouTube Membership.
These points can provide you a more comprehensive understanding of the differences between the two platforms. It will help you a lot to make an informed decision about which one is best suited for their needs.
Common Mistakes By Creators While Working With These Membership Platforms
Here are some common mistakes that content creators can make while working with Patreon and YouTube Membership,
Mistakes with Patreon
Setting unrealistic funding goals that may turn off potential patrons
Not offering enough perks or exclusive content to justify the membership cost
Ignoring or not engaging with patrons, which can lead to decreased support and interest
Failing to regularly post updates or content, which can cause patrons to feel like they are not getting their money’s worth
Not properly promoting their Patreon page to their audience, leading to low visibility and limited support
Mistakes with YouTube Membership
Not properly utilizing the exclusive content feature, which can lead to limited value for members
Focusing solely on the membership program and neglecting other revenue streams, such as advertising or merchandise sales
Setting the membership cost too high or too low, which can affect the perceived value and potential interest from members
Not regularly posting exclusive content, which can cause members to feel like they are not getting their money’s worth
Ignoring or not engaging with members, which can lead to decreased support and interest
By being aware of these common mistakes, content creators can avoid them and maximize their success on both Patreon and YouTube Membership.
Conclusion
I have reached the point of concluding all the facts and stats that whether you choose Patreon or YouTube Membership, both platforms can monetize your content and build a sustainable income stream.
You should keep in mind all these features, pros and cons of each platform. You should choose the best match with your goals and needs as a content creator.
Please share and comment below if you have any query or noticed any problem with information we discussed!
Meet Mr. Afzal, Also the founder as well as author of Comparlify (comparison-based website). I am writing comparisons for a long while on many websites and struggling hard for you so that you can be awesome in Course Creation.
