How to Create a Website Like OnlyFans: A Complete Guide

Creating a website like OnlyFans is a great way to monetize content creation. 

Definitely, OnlyFans’ meteoric rise as a content subscription service has been astounding.  According to the 2023 annual earnings report, the platform amazed everyone with a whopping 28% increase in user accounts and  3,05,000 million fans within a year. 

This proves that the titan of the creator industry hasn’t lost its wings! And it is definitely the right moment to step in and spawn a new chapter and create your subscription platform.

By the end of this blog, you’ll know “how to create a website like OnlyFans” and even the perfect solution to scale your business idea! So, are you ready to reiterate history?

OnlyFans: What is it & How Does it Work?

OnlyFans, founded in 2016, is a social content subscription website that monetizes by selling exclusive content to its subscribers. The platform is owned by Ukranian-American based businessman Leonid Radvinsky and the parent company Fenix International Limited.

The OG platform was a brainchild of British businessman Tim Stokely. And essentially shaped his idea of a paid Instagram or X feed. 

Now, when someone asks the question – “What’s OF?” It’s the “naughty adult content” that immediately hits your mind!

Spoiler alert — it’s beyond that!  

The platform sets the stage for creators from diverse industries, including music, fitness, art, gaming, etc. It’s a marketplace that connects fans to their favourite stars through exclusive content.

OnlyFans Business Model

Before delving into how to create a website like OnlyFans, let’s take a look at its business model.

OnlyFans stands as a powerhouse in the creator economy!

In 2023, the platform amassed a record-breaking $6.6 billion in revenue, all thanks to its robust business model. The primary growth drivers were the underserved adult creator, the low barrier to entry for creators, and of course the perfect timing.

So, how is the OnlyFans business model empowering?

Unlike other social media platforms, OnlyFans democratizes content creation. Creators can sell their exclusive content for a subscription fee. 

The consumer is at the heart of the subscription model!

And creators share content fans love — photos, videos, bundles, audio files, live streams, interactive polls.

Apart from the subscriptions, they can also earn from pay-per-view content, direct messaging, tips, merchandise, and livestreams.

OnlyFans operates on a commission model. The platform takes a decent 20% sales cut from creator earnings, while the remaining 80% of proceeds go to the creators. 

Traversing OnlyFans Landscape: Statistics, Revenue, Profits

OnlyFans is one of the most successful companies in the UK and among the influential companies in the tech industry. 

 

Now, let’s break down the stunning economics of the entertainment trailblazer!

• In 2023, the platform earned a record-breaking revenue of $6.6 billion, a $1 billion surge from $5.5 billion the previous year. 
• In  2024, OnlyFans raked in $6.3 billion, a $300 million growth from five million years ago.
• OnlyFans has generated $20 billion in revenue only from one-off transactions, thus driving 88% growth.
• The OnlyFans 2023 pre-tax profit was $658 billion compared to $525 million from the previous year.
• It’s one of the most successful platforms since companies like DeepMind (founded in 2010) and viral social media platform TikTok (founded in 2016).
• The number of creators and users increased by 29.42% and 27.73% YoY respectively.

(Source: UpMarket, Fortune, Statista)

How to Build a Website Like OnlyFans: Easy 7-Step Guide

1. Invest in Market Research
2. Adopt a Business Model
3. Get Through the Legal Work
4. Decide the Must-Have Features
5. Leverage the Right Development Approach
6. Consider Content Creation & Management
7. Launch & Market 

Building an OnlyFans alternative is certainly a profitable idea. 

Like any other business, you need to walk past the roadblocks and challenges to start your subscription website successfully. Follow our advice and carve a unique roadmap to create a website like OnlyFans. We show you how to not just survive the headwinds, but thrive in the creator economy!

1. Invest in Market Research

First, grasp your niche market landscape. Ensure there’s enough demand for your product, stay adept with new trends, know the target audience and monitor your competitors.

The basic idea of market research is to know what your consumers are looking for! 

Here’s how you can have a sneak peek into the minds of your audience:

Analyze Trends

Look at the hottest trend in the market now! Keep a pulse on consumer trends and patterns to master the industry’s learning curve! 

The OnlyFans landscape has several key players, and following them blindly doesn’t guarantee you long-term success! 

Perform a quick trend analysis to understand consumer, seasonal, geographical and technological trends. Use tools like Google Trends and Exploding Topics to track the latest industry trends. 

Identify Your Niche

Honing a specific niche is non-negotiable. Choose a niche that aligns with your passion, expertise and experience. 

Analyze the industry gaps early in your business and transform them into growth opportunities. Profitable niches to build a website like OnlyFans are fitness, music, or art.

Founder of Trax.so, a musical community selling on Web 3.0 space says, “We were eager to harness the power of Web 3.0 in the music industry, and that turned out to be an essential differentiator in our business, traversing the less-travelled road made all the difference.”

A unique business proposition even makes your marketing journey less bumpy!

Competitor Analysis

What are your competitors up to now? Performing competitor analysis can help to discover strengths and even shortfalls of their product.

Go through platform reviews and testimonials. Convert their setbacks into opportunities for growth. Look at their platform features, pricing, messaging, marketing, and retention strategies.

Tap into specific customer segments and better position yourself in the market. Put on your Sherlock hats and use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Moz to discover new clues! 🕵️

For example, a quick competitor analysis of OnlyFans gives you prominent players like Fansly, FanFix, and Patreon.

1. Adopt a Business Model

A business model essentially decides how the platform drives revenue!

Commissions are an integral part of the OnlyFans business model. The 80-20% commission model is quite equitable, where the platform takes 20% from creator earnings.

Now, let’s discuss the major monetization strategies for OnlyFans creators:

• Subscriptions 

Creators can offer subscriptions to fans to access exclusive content. The price limit for an OnlyFans subscription is between $4.99 and $49.99 per month. While price-based tiers are common, include benefit-based tiers that reward your loyal fans!

• Pay-Per-View Content

Here, creators can keep the best for PPVs! It works great for high-valued or exclusive content. Creators can lock behind-the-scenes content, themed shoots or package bundles for a fixed fee. 

• Tips

The tipping is a morale boost for creators! While fans can show their appreciation for their favourite stars, the latter can double their income. The minimum tipping amount on OnlyFans is $5, while $100 is the upper limit.

• Direct Messaging

In this age of personalization, direct messaging values customer preferences. Fans can request for custom content like a photo, video, or audio. Creators can sell the content as PPV or sexting and for a fixed price.

• Live Streams

Hosting live streams is a great way to entertain and connect with fans! Gated live events and tipping goals offer ways to monetize the live experience.

• Affiliate Marketing and Partnerships

Collaborating with niche brands helps to expand your reach and diversify your income!

2. Get Through the Legal Work

Navigating through the legal landscape is essential but it could be tricky! But, skipping the legal stuff poses a significant risk.

Set Up Ownership Structure

The common business structures are sole ownership, partnership, corporation and limited liability company. And the structure influences tax and liability sharing of your business.

Content Policy & Privacy

The content policy depends on your industry and the data you collect. Ensure your website adheres to data security laws like GDPR, copyright and plagiarism requirements, anti-spam laws, and disclaimers. Outline clear terms of service, user agreements, shipping and refund policies.

Compliance with Laws

Before launching your OnlyFans-like website, ensure it complies with region-specific laws. Check the entertainment law, copyright infringement and compliance with financial transactions.

Payment Processing Gateway

Choose trusted payment gateways like Stripe(non-adult) and CCBill(adult) for convenient platform transactions.  

With the evolving landscape of payments, local payment gateways are emerging as a dominant force. Businesses must integrate the unparalleled convenience of these payment methods to thrive as an industry leader.

“Integrating the Boleto/Pix payment method was essential to thrive in the growing Brazilian creator economy.  Surprisingly, we saw increasing conversion rates with this for our multi-language Portuguese community platform,” says the founder of Fogy.com.

Identity & Age Verification Process

Identity & age verifications are increasingly significant for creator platforms. You can reduce frauds, impersonation, and authenticity issues by integrating with reliable identity verification providers. Ondato, Jumio, Veriff, SumSub, ID.me, etc., are few of the best identity verification softwares.

3. Set Up the Website Fundamentals

Before we move on to designing and development, let’s get the groundwork done! Your OnlyFans website is a resounding community! To make your website accessible, you need a domain name and hosting server.

Choosing Domain Name 

Imagine a GPS coordinates that guides you to your destination. That’s exactly what a domain name does – it creates an identity for your website. Remembering the IP-address could be nerve-wrecking. A domain-name makes your website name memorable and discoverable.

Once you have decided your domain name, check if it’s available on popular domain registrars like Go Daddy, Namecheap, Google Domains. You can purchase it if it’s available or look for another alternative!

Hosting Server

Next, you need a hosting server to go live! Your website performance depends on your hosting server.  

It’s where your website is going to be stored on the internet and made accessible to all!

Choose one based on your traffic, project type, storage, bandwidth, and budget. If you’re into NSFW content, ensure you choose a hosting that supports such content. Digital Ocean, AWS, and Hostinger are the key players in the hosting space.

4. Decide the Must-Have Features

A well-designed website makes your first impression worthwhile! Aim for a user-friendly, minimalistic and easily navigable clone site. 

The features of an OnlyFans-like website are categorized into User Panel, Admin Panel, and Creator Panel.

Key Features for Creators

Here are essential features for creator panel:

• Login/Social Logins – Ensure a secure and seamless login for creators that offers them enough access controls. Include social media sign-ups like Google and X for quick access.  
• Profile Management – An appealing creator boosts profile discoverability. Offer profile customization to add or modify creator details.
• Subscription Management – Creators can create customized subscription plans and free trials for their fanbase. This allows them to manage and track their active subscriptions and send timely reminders. 
• Content Management – A robust content management interface helps to create, manage and organize diverse content types. This includes photos, videos, audio and text posts.
• Live Streaming – Hosting free and gated livestreams are a great way to  connect and entertain your fanbase. 
• Chat – Private chats and mass messages allow monetizing by sharing PPV content and sexting.
• Payout Request – Tracking payout status and initiating requests is what encourages creators for content creation.
• Earning Report –  Detailed analytics offers a complete breakdown of earnings and commission and thus, evaluates your performance.
• Store Management –  Manage your physical products and digital downloads and track the order status.
• Optional features like geo-blocking, top fan badges, content scheduling tools, creator community

Key Features for Users

Here are the essential features for users:

• Login/Social Logins –  A quick and safe user sign up helps users to connect with their favourite stars without any risk of security. 
• Profile Management – Users can create their profile and add essential details and preferences. 
• Search and Filter Creators – With the creator discovery tool, users can search creators based on specific categories, characteristics, or keywords.
• Subscription Access – Users can choose from monthly or yearly subscriptions or free trials and savour the exclusive access.
• Payment History & Payout Methods – This feature allows users to check payment history, choose payment methods, and track order status. 
• Messaging – Chats and mass messages forges a deeper creator-fan relationship.
• Engagement with Creators – Users can browse newsfeeds, like posts, comment, or tip and engage with their favourite stars.  
• Order History – Tracking your orders status and refund requests is easier for users. 
• Push Notifications – Get real-time notifications about content updates, subscriptions, live streams.  
• Optional features include social media sharing, stories, post-scheduling

Key Features for Admin

Here are the essential features for admin: 

• Admin Dashboard – Get a bird’s eye view of your business. Manage users, creators, earnings, commission, and orders from a single dashboard.
• User Management –  Admin can add new users, edit profiles, track subscription status.
• Creator Management – Admin can create, approve and manage creator profiles, handle subscriptions, and even change their password.
• Content & Store Management – Admin can access all the photos, videos, and posts and moderate them as per platform policies.
• Managing Commissions – Set standardized commission rate commission for creator earnings.
• Payout Request Management – Admin can manage the creator payout requests and update their status.
• Analytics & Platform Integration – Access user, payments, subscriptions and earnings reports and evaluate  business  performance.  Grow your business with appropriate third-party integrations. 
• Creator Categories – Add, modify and manage different creator categories as per various niches.
• Platform Settings – Personalize your branding by changing logo, favicon, footer, font color, etc.  
• Manage menu & pages – Manage static pages like terms & policy without relying on third-party developers.
• Optional features include email templates, social logins, coupon management, creator listing

Above all, come up with unique features that make your platform stand out! 🥇

5. Leverage the Right Development Approach

Choosing the right development approach is essential in how to create a website like OnlyFans.

There are two approaches to build your OnlyFans-like website:

Building from Scratch

The first approach involves building a custom-built product from scratch. This needs complete ownership of the development process: from requirement analysis to maintenance. 

While you get freedom with functionality and scalability, it sure is time-consuming. If you aren’t adept with coding, you need to hire a dedicated tech team who will get the web development done for you.

Now, this requires a high budget and an extensive timeline. The overall development cost ranges from $50,000 to $70,000 and requires 6 to 12 months(approx).

Given below is a detailed breakdown of the OnlyFans development cost:

Development Process	Development Time (40 hours/week)	Total Cost ($40 per hour)
Planning & Research	2 – 4 weeks	$5,000 – $10,000
Design	4 – 6 weeks	$7,000 – $12,000
Development	12 – 24 weeks	$15,000 – $35,000
Testing and QA	4 – 8 weeks	$5,000 – $6,000
Deployment	1 – 2 weeks	$5,000 – $8,000
Maintenance	2 – 4 weeks	$6,000 – $6,000
Total Development Cost	6 – 12 months	43,000 – 77,000

The development cost might vary and depends on factors like feature complexity, developer cost, location, tech stack, and development platform.

Pros

• Tailored features
• High scalability
• Meets specific business needs

Cons (Perils of going from zero to the moon)

• Needs a high budget for building from scratch
• Involves longer development cycles
• Requires specialized technical expertise
• Risk of potential delays and improper management

The custom development approach is not the best scenario if you’re looking to save your money and time! So, let’s look for an alternative approach!

Using an OnlyFans Clone Script 

The old-school approach of building from scratch isn’t always feasible! If you’re looking for an affordable solution, clone scripts end your quest!

As the readymade script is available, all you need is a few tweaks to customize the template as per your business needs. Thus, you save your time on extensive research and reduce the overall development cost by using the pre-existing frameworks.

The development cost with a clone script depends on your business needs. Figure out the essential add-ons and integrations to enhance your website and gain competitive edge! Typically, the costs are one-time payment and don’t incur any hidden costs.

Pros

• Cost-effective 
• The agile approach aids in quick launch & deployment
• Highly- customizable and scalable solution
• No technical skills required
• Expertise from industry leaders
• Focus more on customization and growing your business

Cons

• No significant downsides for this approach

Custom Development Vs. Ready-made Clone Scripts: Which is the Best Fit?

Deciding the right developmental approach is a monumental decision for your business.

Let’s draw in a quick comparison to make your decision easier!

Aspects	Custom Development	OnlyFans Clone script
Time	Time-consuming involves 6-12 months	Time-effective; market-ready product can be launched within few weeks
Cost	High-budget to build a full-fledged platform	Cost-effective and incurs a one-time cost
Coding skills	Needs coding skills or dedicated tech team	Doesn’t require coding skills
Testing	The MVP or first version needs to be tested and  improved with real-world user feedback before launch	The MVP is a proven industry business model and already tried-and-tested
Development cycles	The development cycles are prolonged and often don’t involve customization	As the base product is already ready, the development cycle involves customization.
Reliance on software developer	Dependency on the software developer	Open-source code reduces the reliance on vendors
Review before purchase	Possible to test and run the software only once it’s ready	Test and run the software before purchasing

Now, the ball is in your court! The choice is purely yours and depends on your business needs, budget, and available timeline. As you weigh both the approaches, clone scripts seem to have a competitive edge!

Fanso.io is one of the best clone scripts to build a website like OnlyFans. The highly-customizable script and cutting-edge technology helps you build a powerful community platform. No forced branding, the white-label script helps to build your own OnlyFans like website!

Here’s a recent testimonial from one of our amazing clients:

6. Consider Content Creation & Management

Creators are the backbone of your creator platform. Your platform’s success depends on hiring the right creators!

Strategies for Recruiting Content Creators 

Finding creators for your platform is an ongoing pursuit! To attract creators, your platform needs a unique business proposition. Step into their shoes and understand their pain points, expectations, and challenges. 

A worthy and steady pay is one of the first things creators look for.  Make sure you don’t miss out on that!

Following are the diverse platforms to find the right creators:

• Social media platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
• Niche creator communities & subreddits
• Influencer marketing platforms like Upfluence, GRIN, NeoReach, etc.
• Creator Conventions, meetups & virtual events

Content Management System 

Content sure is the king, but it’s also valuable! 

A content management system(CMS) streamlines the creation, uploading and management of your exclusive content. 

Here’s what to look for while choosing a CMS for your subscription website:

• A user-friendly interface with intuitive drag-and-drop features ideal for beginners
• Robust security features protecting from data breaches and addresses vulnerabilities
• Integrates with popular payment gateways for recurring payments, refunds, etc
• Offers content access and permissions based on the user’s subscription tier
• Analytics to monitor key metrics like churn rate, engagement rates, payments, etc.
• Scalable enough to handle high traffic and content needs

Content Moderation Policies

Creating a safe environment for users must be your priority! The moderation team must check whether user-generated content complies with the content guidelines and legal standards. Look for child exploitation, explicit non-consensual acts, violence or hate speech, etc.

7. Launch & Market Your Website

You can’t just transition from development to launch with a simple “flip.” A successful launch involves getting in front of your audience!

For easier understanding, let’s divide it into three phases: pre-launch, launch, and post-launch!

Before Raising the Curtains: Pre-Launch Marketing Tactics 👀

• Pre-launch Testing 

Your software is a set of user experiences; make everything seamless! Before the final launch, ensure your platform clears all the crucial tests: usability, functionality, security, performance, compatibility, etc. 

• Content and Image Optimization

Slow page loading is a major turn-off for your website visitors. Optimizing your images and content reduces the page loading time. Use compressed images, alt text for images and improve content readability for better user experience.

• Check Mobile Compatibility

In this smartphone age, mobile compatibility is not an option; but a necessity. Ensure your website is mobile friendly and has responsive design with cross-browser support.

• Re-check Domain Settings & SSL Configurations

Thoroughly check your domain name configuration & valid SSL certificate before launching your website.

• Setting Up Analytics & Tracking Tools

Integrate your website with Google Analytics & Google Search Console to monitor website performance, user behaviour, engagement patterns, etc. 

The Actual Show: Hitting the Final Launch 🚀

Now, it’s time to go live and make the final debut! If you’re planning to create some community buzz, leverage PR or influencer marketing! This helps to increase your platform visibility and drive more traffic! 

• PR strategies

Public Relations(PRs)  are a powerful marketing tool to create brand awareness and reach a wider audience. Announce your platform launch, updates, or even strategic partnerships with relevant tech and creator press releases.

Creator conferences and industry events like VidSummit, TwitchCon, Creator Conf are great for launching your OnlyFans-like website. Participate in such events, virtual or in-person meet-ups.  Showcase your platform features, network with investors and creators to create enough hype! 

• Influencer Marketing

Influencer collaborations are a game-changer! Partner with relevant niche influencers; ask them to endorse your website. Tap into their existing audience and, in exchange, offer them a decent commission. 

Collaborating with influencers helps you build credibility, targeted marketing, and high engagement. The early hype often boosts the sales and drives revenue! Partner with influencers who easily jive with your target audience and brand message.

Cross the Chasm: Post Launch Strategies 🌉

Your work doesn’t stop after hitting the launch pad! Now, it’s time for some word-of-mouth marketing!

Include the following marketing strategies to drive more traffic:

• Social Media 

Create enriching communities where you share compelling content and engage with the audience. Share product updates and demos to keep your audience in loop. 

• Email Marketing 

Email marketing is an age-old tactic still alive and ever-evolving! Start with setting goals and create campaigns with clear CTAs. Try your hands on newsletter, promotional mails, reengagement emails, etc.

• Referral Programs

Platforms like OnlyFans and Fansly have attractive referral programs to draw in more creators and fans. Referrals help creators to earn more and also draws in genuine creators to your audience. A sure win-win!

Ready to Create Your OnlyFans-Like Website?

Building your subscription site like OnlyFans is a sustainable business model. You can earn recurring revenue from exclusive content and also set stage for aspiring content creators beyond the traditional gatekeepers.

We have covered everything from market research to promotional strategies in this “how to create a website like OnlyFans.” First, choose a profitable niche that aligns with your passion and expertise. 

Above all, choose the right development approach that helps to transform your million-dollar business idea into reality!

While the custom development vs. ready-made clone script dilemma is inevitable! Leveraging ready-made scripts like Fanso.io is a smart business move and helps to build an astounding community of subscribers and fans. Sounds interesting, right? So, let us help you get started!😀

FAQ-Related to How to Create a Website Like OnlyFans

1. How much does it cost to make a website like OnlyFans?

Creating a website like OnlyFans from scratch costs around $50,000 to $70,000 and takes around 6 -12 months. The overall cost varies on several factors, such as design complexity and UI, development rates, team size, etc.

2. How to make a website like OnlyFans?

To build a website like OnlyFans, follow these steps:

• Invest in Market Research
• Adopt a Business Model
• Get Through the Legal Work
• Decide the Must-Have Features
• Leverage the Right Development Approach
• Consider Content Creation & Management
• Launch & Market

3. Is it profitable to create a website like OnlyFans?

Yes, it’s definitely profitable to create a website like OnlyFans. With a phenomenal $6.6 billion revenue, the OnlyFans model still holds immense revenue potential. The subscription model, diverse monetization strategies, and loyal fanbase are major catalysts for recurring revenue.

4. What technologies do you need to build an OnlyFans clone website?

To build a website like OnlyFans, you need the following technologies:

Front-end Development: 

• CSS/React Framework – Ant Design
• Language – NextJS, ReactJS

Back-end Development:     

• Programming Language – NodeJS, NestJS
• Database – MongoDB, Redis
• Web Server – Nginx

5. How do you attract creators and subscribers to your OnlyFans website?

Influencer partnerships, social media outreach, content creator communities and subreddits, SEO and  paid ads are great to attract users to your platform. Further, you can also gain competitive advantage by offering high revenue share, user-friendly platform features, and prioritizing the security of creators.