01
Instagram Subscriptions, read at the source
Here's what Instagram's own help center and creator terms say, read on 9 Nov 2026, with Apple's and Google's fee pages for the in-app cut.
We make Hotly, so weigh that. Every Instagram, Apple and Google detail below is from their own pages.
| What it covers | Instagram Subscriptions |
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| Who can offer it | A professional account with at least 10,000 followers, 18 or older, in one of 50 listed countries |
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| What fans pay | A monthly price you set, through Apple's or Google's in-app purchase |
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| What comes off | Instagram says Google and Apple deduct 30%. It "currently receives no portion" |
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| Bought during a Live | 100% of the revenue to you, "minus applicable taxes and fees" |
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| Changing your price | Applies to new subscribers only. Existing ones keep their price |
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| Free trials | 14 days, turned on automatically after 3 days' notice, unless you opt out |
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| Discounts | "Next 5": about 50% off for your next five subscribers, for as long as they stay |
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| When you're paid | Around the 21st of each month, for the month before |
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| Minimum payout | $5 in the US. Outside the US, $25, or $100 by wire transfer |
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| Without a payout account | Up to $500 per tool, and earnings are forfeited after six months |
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Instagram, Apple and Google details checked November 2026: Instagram Subscriptions eligibility, Instagram Subscriptions pricing, Enable Instagram Subscriptions, Manage your subscription, Instagram Subscription creator terms, About payouts on Instagram, Instagram Gifts, Add a website to your profile, Apple: auto-renewable subscriptions, Google Play service fees. Terms change - check them before you decide.
02
What you keep
About 70%. Instagram's pricing page says "Google and Apple deduct 30% of all in-app purchases in fees. Instagram currently receives no portion of in-app purchase fees." So on $2,000 a month from subscribers, plan on $1,400.
The store's cut may be lower for some fans. Apple's own page says subscriptions pay 70% "during a subscriber's first year of service", and 85% once they've had "one year of paid service". Google Play lists 10% plus a 5% billing fee for subscriptions in the US. Instagram doesn't say which rate applies to your subscribers, so 70% is the safe number.
Taxes and fees come off first. Instagram's creator terms say your share is "a percentage" of "Net Revenue": what's left after store fees "and of any other fees or taxes incurred by Meta".
03
Instagram's 0% is for now
The terms leave room for a Meta cut. "Meta may in the future change the revenue share provisions", the creator terms say, and "at the end of the Term, Meta may deduct for itself a revenue share of Net Revenue."
Discounts come out of your share. Meta can offer discounted subscriptions "at its discretion", and then "Your Share will be reduced accordingly".
Read the terms before you build on it. They're short, and they're the version in force: effective 15 October 2025.
04
Who can offer it
10,000 followers, 18 or older. You need "a professional account on Instagram with at least 10,000 followers", to be 18 or older, and to meet Instagram's monetisation policies. Subscriptions are available in 50 countries, including the US and UK.
Some accounts can't. "Accounts that primarily post content focused on children are not eligible to offer subscriptions."
Under 10,000? Instagram Gifts on reels start at 500 followers. Our guide to how many followers you need covers what's open to you at each size.
05
Setting and changing your price
You pick a monthly price in your professional dashboard. Your followers "will automatically be notified in three days", or straight away if you tap Notify now.
Changes only apply to new subscribers. "If you change your monthly price, it will only apply to new subscribers and existing subscribers will continue to pay the existing subscription fee."
Trials and discounts are built in. Instagram turns on 14-day free trials automatically, with 3 days' notice, unless you opt out. Its "Next 5" promo gives about 50% off to your next five subscribers, for as long as they stay subscribed.
06
When Instagram pays you
Around the 21st, for the month before. "Earnings made in January will be paid out around 21 February." Subscriptions, badges and gifts are paid together.
After a minimum. In the US, "you'll be paid once a month after you've reached the minimum balance of USD 5." Outside the US it's $25, or $100 by wire transfer. Anything less carries over.
Set up a payout account early. Without one, you can earn "up to USD 500 per monetisation tool", and if you haven't added one within six months, you forfeit those earnings.
07
Where Hotly fits
Hotly is premium conversations. Fans pay your price to write to you, one note at a time or every week, and you reply when it suits you. There's no follower minimum, and you share it as a link in your bio: Instagram lets you add up to five.
What it costs. On Hosted you pay $5.99 a month and keep 80% of what fans pay. On Hosted Plus you pay $9.99 a month and keep 90%. Hosted keeps more than Instagram's 70% once fans pay you about $60 a month, and Hosted Plus from about $50. That covers Stripe's card fees, hosting and upkeep, and fans pay your price with nothing added. The commission halves for every 5 creators you invite who join and pay, down to 5%. Your share is paid out once a month through Stripe to your bank, with no payout fee, from $1.
Where Instagram wins. Fans never leave the app, subscribing is a tap, and there's no monthly fee. If you have 10,000 followers and want to sell exclusive posts and lives, it's built for that. Hotly gives you 30 days free if you want to try both.