OnlyFans has transformed from a niche platform launched in 2016 into a global powerhouse for content creators, boasting over 3 million creators and 240 million users as of 2025. While often associated with adult content, it supports diverse niches like fitness, cooking, music, and education.
Creators earn through subscriptions, tips, pay-per-view (PPV) content, live streams, and more, with OnlyFans taking a 20% cut. Earnings vary wildly—from modest side income to multimillion-dollar fortunes—depending on factors like audience size, niche, and marketing efforts.
This article explores potential earnings, real-life examples, tips for success, and the pros and cons of building a career on the platform.
Understanding OnlyFans Earnings
How OnlyFans Works
OnlyFans operates on a subscription model where fans pay a monthly fee (typically $4.99–$49.99) for exclusive access to a creator’s content. Free accounts are also possible, relying on PPV posts, tips, or live streams for revenue. Creators can monetize through:
- Subscriptions: Core recurring income.
- Tips: Fans tip for custom requests or appreciation, often via tip menus.
- PPV Content: Locked posts or messages that fans pay to unlock.
- Live Streams: Ticketed or tip-based sessions for real-time interaction.
- Custom Content and Messaging: Personalized videos or chats for extra fees.
- Merchandise and Collaborations: Selling branded items or partnering with others.
Payments are processed securely, and creators keep 80% of earnings after platform fees. Success requires consistent content creation and promotion on external platforms like Reddit, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).
Factors Influencing Earnings
Earnings aren’t guaranteed and depend on several variables:
- Audience Size and Engagement: Larger, loyal fanbases drive higher tips and subscriptions.
- Niche Selection: Popular niches like adult content or fitness yield more, but competition is fierce.
- Content Quality and Frequency: High-quality, regular posts (e.g., daily updates) boost retention.
- Promotion Strategies: Effective marketing on social media or collaborations can skyrocket growth.
- Pricing and Monetization Mix: Balancing affordable subscriptions with premium PPV maximizes revenue.
- Experience Level: New creators often earn under $200/month initially, while established ones scale up. Market saturation in 2025 means standing out requires creativity and persistence.
Average and Potential Earnings on OnlyFans
The average OnlyFans creator earns $150–$180 per month, totaling around $2,000 annually. However, this figure is skewed by the platform’s top-heavy distribution: the top 1% earn 33% of total revenue, often exceeding $10,000 monthly, while the top 10% make $1,000–$10,000. Many creators, especially beginners, earn as little as $24/month.
Potential earnings can be life-changing for top performers. In 2025, elite creators in the top 1% report $15,000–$80,000 monthly, with some surpassing $100,000. Annual figures for superstars reach tens of millions, though these are outliers requiring massive audiences (e.g., 150,000+ subscribers).
Male creators average less but succeed in niches like LGBTQ+ or fitness, while women dominate overall. Realistically, consistent effort can yield $500–$1,000/month for mid-tier creators, but building to that takes 6–12 months.
Real-Life Examples of OnlyFans Creators
OnlyFans success stories span niches, but adult content remains dominant. Here are diverse examples from 2025 data, including niches and earnings (monthly or annual where specified).
Sophie Rain: $43 Million Annually
Sophie Rain, a 23-year-old glamour model, tops the 2025 rich list with provocative photos and videos. Charging $30/month, she has 150,000 subscribers and earns via subscriptions, PPV, and tips.
Her strategy includes cross-promotion on social media, leading to $2.3 million monthly on average. Niche: Adult glamour. This highlights how viral social media presence can explode earnings in competitive spaces.
Bella Thorne: $37.3 Million Annually
Actress Bella Thorne joined in 2020 and earns through exclusive behind-the-scenes and adult content. With millions of followers from her Hollywood career, she monetizes via high-subscription tiers and custom requests. Her first year alone netted $11 million, scaling up in 2025.
Niche: Celebrity adult. Thorne’s story shows how pre-existing fame accelerates growth, though it drew controversy for overshadowing non-celebrity creators.
Iggy Azalea: $36 Million Annually
Rapper Iggy Azalea pivots to OnlyFans for music teasers, glamour shots, and adult videos. Earning $3 million monthly, she uses the platform for direct fan engagement, bypassing traditional labels. Niche: Music-influenced adult. Her success demonstrates blending entertainment niches with exclusive content for diversified income.
Bhad Bhabie (Danielle Bregoli): $34 Million Annually
The “Cash Me Outside” viral star earns through lifestyle posts, music previews, and adult content at $23.99/month. She made $1 million in her first six hours in 2021 and continues strong in 2025. Niche: Viral celebrity with adult elements. This example illustrates quick monetization from internet fame.
Bryce Adams: $6.4–$9 Million Annually
Bryce Adams runs three profiles for varied adult content, earning $6.4 million in one year via subscriptions, tips, and PPV. She focuses on authenticity and fan interaction. Niche: Adult. Adams’ multi-profile approach shows strategic scaling without celebrity status.
Makayla Samountry: $15,000 Monthly ($200,000+ Total)
Writer and creator Makayla Samountry earns without full nudity, starting at $478/month and scaling to $15,000 through teasing content and engagement. Her niche appeals to fans seeking intimacy without explicitness. Niche: Soft glamour/lifestyle. This proves viability beyond adult extremes.
Non-adult examples include fitness trainers earning $1,000–$10,000/month via workouts and meal plans, or chefs like those on OFTV sharing recipes for tips. These earn less on average but face lower stigma.
Tips to Maximize Earnings on OnlyFans
To boost income, focus on proven strategies:
Niche Down and Build Authenticity
Choose a passion-aligned niche (e.g., fitness, cosplay, or feet content) to stand out. Genuine enthusiasm attracts loyal fans. Develop a unique angle, like anonymous content without showing your face using masks or voice changers.
Promote Aggressively
Use Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, and X for promotion—post teasers and link to your page. Collaborate with other creators for shoutouts or co-streams. Schedule posts at peak times and track what works.
Diversify Revenue Streams
Combine subscriptions with PPV ($5+ per item), tip menus (e.g., $10 for custom shoutouts), and live streams (set tip goals). Offer bundles or discounts for first-month subs to hook fans.
Engage and Retain Fans
Respond to messages promptly (or use ghostwriters ethically), run polls, and host Q&A sessions. Build community through exclusive perks. Consistency is key—post 3–5 times weekly.
Invest Wisely
Start with basic equipment (phone camera, good lighting) and reinvest earnings. Save 30% for taxes, as creators are independent contractors. Use tools like scheduling apps for efficiency.
Stay Safe and Compliant
Verify age/ID upon signup. Use geoblocking for privacy and set boundaries to avoid burnout.
Pros and Cons of Making Money on OnlyFans
| Aspect | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Income Potential | High earnings possible (e.g., millions for top creators); direct fan support creates stable revenue. | Unstable for most—averages are low, and income fluctuates with trends or platform changes. |
| Flexibility and Control | Be your own boss; set prices, schedules, and content types from home. | Requires constant promotion and engagement; no passive income without effort. |
| Creative Freedom | Share any content (adult or SFW); build authentic connections. | Social stigma, especially for adult niches, can harm personal/professional life. |
| Accessibility | Easy signup (18+ with ID); no upfront costs beyond content creation. | Privacy risks like leaks, doxing, or harassment; content can spread uncontrollably. |
| Community and Support | Direct fan interaction fosters loyalty; tools for polls and lives. | High competition (thousands join daily); emotional toll from trolls or boundary violations. |
| Long-Term Impact | Can launch independent brands or websites. | May limit future careers (e.g., teaching, military); 20% platform fee plus taxes. |
Conclusion
Earning on OnlyFans can range from a modest $150/month to millions annually, but success demands strategy, consistency, and resilience. While top earners like Sophie Rain and Bella Thorne inspire, most creators thrive by niching down, engaging fans, and diversifying income. Weigh the pros of flexibility against cons like stigma and privacy risks before diving in.
If you’re passionate and prepared to promote, OnlyFans offers real potential—but treat it as a business, not a quick win. Start small, learn from examples, and adapt as you grow.
Myself Aditya and I am from Mumbai, India. As an intern, I joined the local news agency in Mumbai named “The Mumbai News”. Now I am working with various News Agencies and I provide them reports from Mumbai and other parts of India.
