For years, Patreon has been the go-to for writers who wanted to earn directly from their readers. Whether you’re a novelist, blogger, journalist, or poet, Patreon has offered a way to set up subscriptions, post exclusive work, and build a community.
But in 2025, many writers are moving away from Patreon. High platform fees, limited customization, and sometimes clunky user experience have left plenty of creators looking for better options. Thankfully, today’s creator economy offers writers more alternatives than ever, platforms that cater specifically to writers or offer more flexibility for building a sustainable writing career.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 8 best Patreon alternatives for writers in 2025, covering their pricing, pros and cons, and why they might be the right fit for your work.
Comparison of Patreon Alternatives for Writers
1. Substack
Best for: Writers who want to run paid newsletters with built-in discovery
Pricing: Free to start (10% fee on paid subscriptions)
Substack has completely changed how writers build and monetize audiences. With a strong focus on newsletters, it has become the top choice for journalists, bloggers, and essayists who want a direct relationship with their readers.
Why Writers Love Substack:
- It has a built-in discovery network, meaning readers can stumble upon your work even if you’re just starting out.
- The writing and publishing experience is distraction-free, helping you focus on what you do best, writing.
- Mobile apps and reader-friendly layouts make your work look polished without extra effort.
Pros:
- Excellent reader experience
- Strong network effects (new readers can find you)
- Easy setup for paid newsletters
- Engaged community of readers
Cons:
- Limited to newsletters (not ideal if you want multimedia)
- 10% fee on subscriptions
- Few customization options
2. Ko-fi
Best for: Writers who want a flexible tip jar and membership system
Pricing: Free with 5% fee, or Ko-fi Gold ($12/month) with 0% fees
Ko-fi is an incredibly popular alternative for writers who want simplicity. Originally designed as a virtual “tip jar,” Ko-fi now supports memberships, one-off donations, digital downloads, and even commissions.
Why Writers Love Ko-fi:
- It is fast to set up, you can create a page and start accepting support in minutes.
- Membership options allow you to release serialized fiction, essays, or poetry to subscribers.
- Perfect for indie authors who also want to sell ebooks, zines, or PDFs directly.
Pros:
- Zero fees on donations
- Supports tips, memberships, and products
- Extremely user-friendly
- Supportive creative community
Cons:
- Basic analytics on free tier
- Limited design customization
- Lacks built-in discovery
3. Buy Me a Coffee
Best for: Writers who want a polished, professional presentation
Pricing: Free (5% fee on transactions)
Buy Me a Coffee offers a modern and professional way to accept support. Its clean design is especially appealing for writers who want to showcase their work and build confidence with new supporters.
Why Writers Love Buy Me a Coffee:
- Writers can create membership tiers for serialized content, early access chapters, or behind-the-scenes insights.
- Email tools are built-in, so you can stay in touch with readers without third-party software.
- Its “Extras” widget makes it easy to sell digital goods like short story collections or ebooks.
Pros:
- Professional, mobile-optimized design
- Membership and extras support
- Seamless integration with social media
- Email marketing included
Cons:
- Higher transaction fees than Ko-fi
- Limited page customization
- Customer support can be slow
4. Ghost
Best for: Writers who want a full-fledged publishing platform
Pricing: From $9/month (0–2% fees depending on plan)
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform that gives you the power of a blog, newsletter, and membership site rolled into one. It is highly customizable, making it perfect for writers who want to control their brand and build a sustainable publishing business.
Why Writers Love Ghost:
- You own your platform entirely, no lock-in like with Patreon or Medium.
- Membership and subscription tools are built right in.
- Ghost integrates with email marketing, letting you publish both blogs and newsletters.
Pros:
- Full content management system (CMS)
- Email + membership tools combined
- Strong customization options
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Requires some technical knowledge
- Not as simple as Ko-fi or Substack
- Smaller built-in discovery than Medium or Substack
5. Medium Partner Program
Best for: Writers looking for built-in discovery and organic reach
Pricing: Free to join (revenue based on member reading time)
Medium is still one of the largest platforms for writers in 2025. Its Partner Program allows you to monetize based on how long paying Medium members spend reading your work.
Why Writers Love Medium:
- You don’t need an audience to start, Medium’s algorithm can push your stories to thousands of readers.
- It is excellent for thought pieces, essays, and personal storytelling.
- The publishing interface is clean and distraction-free.
Pros:
- Massive built-in audience
- Strong discovery through recommendations
- Great writing experience
- No upfront cost
Cons:
- Earnings can be unpredictable
- Limited branding control
- Heavy reliance on Medium’s algorithm
6. SchoolMaker
Best for: Writers who want to create courses and build a community
Pricing: From $29/month
SchoolMaker is a course creation platform that combines online courses,communities, consultations and more to help course creators drive more course sales and better student outcomes. If you’re a writer who wants to teach courses and build a community, SchoolMaker is the best choice.
Why Writers Love SchoolMaker:
- Provides professional course creation and coaching tools
- Users can build a community and do consultations
- Zero transaction fees
Pros:
- All-in-one course creation platform
- Free migration support
- Excellent customer service
Cons:
- Not a good fit for writers who don’t want to create courses
7. Podia
Best for: Writers who want to sell courses, ebooks, or memberships
Pricing: $39–$89/month (5% transaction fees on paid plans)
Podia is an all-in-one platform designed for creators who want more than tips or subscriptions. It lets you build courses, sell digital products, and run memberships, making it great for writers who want to diversify their income streams.
Why Writers Love Podia:
- You can sell writing courses, guides, or premium content bundles.
- Built-in email marketing makes it easy to nurture your reader base.
- Doubles as a website builder if you want to centralize your online presence.
Pros:
- All-in-one platform (courses, memberships, products)
- Strong customer service
Cons:
- Higher monthly pricing
- Limited customization
- Community tools are basic
8. Memberful
Best for: Writers who already own a website
Pricing: $49/month + 4.9% transaction fee + Stripe fees
Memberful integrates seamlessly with your existing website, allowing you to add memberships and gated content. For writers with their own blogs or personal sites, this gives you full control over branding and experience.
Why Writers Love Memberful:
- Lets you monetize directly from your own site.
- Supports digital downloads like ebooks or PDF collections.
- Provides complete white-label control.
Pros:
- Full branding control
- Works perfectly with WordPress
- Reliable checkout system
- Supports podcasts and downloads
Cons:
- Higher costs than simpler platforms
- Requires some technical setup
- No built-in discovery
Conclusion
In 2025, writers don’t need to feel stuck with Patreon’s limitations. There are more creator-first platforms than ever, each with unique strengths. Whether you want simplicity, discovery, or full ownership of your content, the options above give you the tools to grow and monetize your writing career on your terms.
The best platform for you depends on your goals, whether that’s building a loyal subscriber base, teaching writing skills, or reaching thousands of new readers.
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