01
How each platform pays you out
Here's how often each platform pays, the minimum, what a payout costs and what can hold one up, from its own pages, read on 9 Nov 2026. Patreon's are from US search results for its support pages, because patreon.com can't be opened from here.
We make Hotly, so weigh that. Every other platform's details are from its own pages.
| Platform | How often | Minimum | What a payout costs | What can hold it up |
|---|
| Ko-fi | As fans pay, into your PayPal or Stripe | Not stated | Your processor's own fees | Your processor's rules |
|---|
| Fanfix | Weekly, per its FAQ. Its terms say about 30 days after month end | Not stated | Not stated | Banking or tax details in Stripe |
|---|
| Passes | Every 1 to 4 weeks, or on request | $50 | Free in 2 to 5 business days, +6.5% next day, +10% instant | Earnings still pending or under review |
|---|
| Buy Me a Coffee | On request | $10 | 0.5% payout processing | A review of your first payout |
|---|
| Patreon | On request, or monthly | $10 to PayPal | $0.25 to a US bank, 1% to PayPal | A 5-day hold on your first payout |
|---|
| OnlyFans | On request | Not stated in its terms | Currency conversion, if needed | A review of your account |
|---|
| Instagram | Once a month, around the 21st | $5 in the US | Not stated | No payout account |
|---|
| Hotly | Once a month | $1 | No payout fee | Not stated |
|---|
Ko-fi, Fanfix, Passes, Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, OnlyFans and Instagram details checked November 2026: Ko-fi terms, Ko-fi: Patreon alternative, Fanfix FAQ, Fanfix creator terms, Passes payouts, Buy Me a Coffee: payouts, Buy Me a Coffee: payouts with Stripe, Buy Me a Coffee: charges on a payment, Buy Me a Coffee terms, Patreon: paying out your earnings, Patreon creator fees overview, OnlyFans terms of use, About payouts on Instagram. Terms change - check them before you decide.
02
Who pays fastest
Ko-fi, because it doesn't hold your money. Its terms say Ko-fi does "not process or hold payments. Payments are made directly from Supporters to Creators using third-party payment providers chosen by the Creator." Its site puts it as "Immediately into your own account."
Fanfix pays weekly. "Monetized earnings are processed every Wednesday" and "typically deposited every Friday into your bank account", per its FAQ. Its creator terms set a slower default, about 30 days after each month ends.
Passes pays the same day, if you pay for it. Instant costs 10% and next business day 6.5%. A free payout takes 2 to 5 business days.
Instagram and Hotly pay once a month. Instagram pays "around the 21st every month for earnings made in the previous month". Hotly pays your share out once a month through Stripe to your bank, with no payout fee, from $1. That's slower than most here.
03
The minimum before you're paid
From $1 to $50. Hotly pays from $1. Instagram pays US creators "once a month after you've reached the minimum balance of USD 5", or $25 outside the US ($100 by wire). Buy Me a Coffee lets you cash out "once your outstanding balance reaches $10 or more". Patreon's PayPal payouts start at $10. Passes needs "at least $50 in eligible earnings".
OnlyFans doesn't say. Its terms say your balance "must meet the minimum payout amount requirement", without the amount.
04
What getting paid costs
Passes charges for speed. 6.5% for next business day, 10% for instant, nothing if you wait 2 to 5 business days. On a $500 payout, instant costs $50.
Patreon charges by method. 25 cents to a US bank through Stripe, and 1% to PayPal, capped at $20.
Buy Me a Coffee passes on Stripe's. "Stripe also applies a 0.5% fee for payout processing."
Currency conversion costs everywhere. OnlyFans says a converted payout "will include currency conversion fees". Hotly takes no payout fee.
05
What holds a payout up
First payouts. Patreon holds your first payout for 5 days after you add a payout method or get your first payment. On Buy Me a Coffee, "When you request payout for the first time, your account goes into a review queue automatically", and it "may take up to a total of 7 - 14 days".
Missing details. Instagram won't pay without a payout account, and if you don't add one within six months, you forfeit what you earned. Fanfix's FAQ says late payouts are most often banking details or tax information in Stripe.
Reviews. Passes' available balance leaves out earnings "still pending, under review, affected by chargebacks". Buy Me a Coffee "may delay or hold payouts while we investigate, while we wait for verification or tax details". Fanfix and OnlyFans can both hold earnings while they review a suspected breach: see Fanfix vs OnlyFans.
06
Patreon payouts in detail
You choose manual or automatic. Patreon's support pages describe paying out by hand, once every 24 hours, or on a monthly schedule. A payout takes 1 to 5 days to arrive.
The method sets the fee and minimum. A US bank through Stripe costs 25 cents a payout. PayPal costs 1%, at least 25 cents and at most $20, with a $10 minimum. Outside the US, Payoneer is another option, with its own fees.
New accounts wait 5 days. The first payout is held for 5 days after you add your first payout method or receive your first payment, and changing your payout details starts another 5-day hold. These are from search results for Patreon's support pages, which we couldn't open directly.
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.
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%. 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 others win. Ko-fi pays as fans pay, Fanfix pays weekly, and Passes can pay you the same day. If speed matters most, Hotly isn't the fastest here. What it does have is a $1 minimum and no fee to be paid.