# Hotly vs Fanfix

Fanfix and Hotly both run on paid messages and locked content. Fanfix is an invite-only, safe-for-work platform that keeps 20% of creator revenue and sets minimum prices. Hotly is open source: you set your own price, it's hosted from $5.99/mo, and you can take the code with you.

## Side by side

| | Hotly | Fanfix |
|---|---|---|
| What fans pay for | A message you answer | Memberships, messages, locked content |
| Paid messages | Yes - the core product. Fans pay $5-$20 per message. | Yes, with a minimum price set by Fanfix. |
| Locked media | Yes. Send a locked photo, set the price. | Yes |
| Platform fee | Hosted: $5.99/mo + 20% commission, or $9.99/mo + 10% commission - servers, updates and backups included. Self-hosting the code: 0% commission, ~$430/mo to run. | 20% of creator revenue. |
| Payouts | Stripe, straight to your bank. | Via Stripe. Fanfix's FAQ says weekly; its terms say ~30 days after month end. |
| Open source | Yes. Apache 2.0 License - take the code with you anytime. | No |
| Signup | Request a hosted plan, no card - the team emails you to set it up. Or run the code on your own Linux server. | Invite-only. 18+, verified social handles. |

Fanfix details checked September 2026: [Fanfix creator terms](https://auth.fanfix.io/creator-terms-of-use), [Fanfix FAQ](https://fanfix.io/faqs).

## Pick Fanfix if...

- You want memberships and paid DMs from a platform with a large existing creator network.
- You're fine with an invite and a minimum message price.

## Pick Hotly if...

- You don't want to wait for an invite.
- You want to set your own price - $5 for fan notes, $20 for brand pitches.
- You want open-source code, so you're never locked in.

## Questions

**Is Hotly a Fanfix alternative?**
Yes. Both sell paid messages and locked content. Hotly is open source, so anyone can run it; Fanfix is invite-only.

**Which takes a smaller cut?**
Fanfix keeps 20%. Hotly Hosted Plus is $9.99/mo + 10% commission; Hosted is $5.99/mo + 20% commission.

**Do I need an invite to use Hotly?**
No. Request a hosted plan - no card needed - and the team emails you to set it up.

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**Start:** https://www.hotly.com/hosted?ref=hosted