OnlyFans has grown to 305 million users worldwide with about one billion monthly website visits as of January 2024. The numbers look impressive, but the reality of creator success tells a different story.
The platform features 4.19 million creators, yet creators earn just $150-180 per month on average. Most accounts make less than $151 monthly. The platform generated $6.63 billion in revenue for the fiscal year ending November 2023. The top 1% of OnlyFans earners take almost one-third of the platform's total revenue.
Our analysis will show you the latest OnlyFans earnings statistics and success rates. You'll learn what realistic income expectations look like and what sets top earners apart from regular creators. The data will help you understand the platform's real economic picture, whether you want to become a creator or just want to know how the platform works.
OnlyFans success rates in 2025: What the data shows
The wealth gap on OnlyFans tells a clear story in 2025. Success remains limited to a small group of creators, while most struggle to make good money.
Average number of subscribers per creator
Most OnlyFans creators have a small following. Data shows the average account has about 21 subscribers. This small subscriber count explains a lot about how money gets distributed on the platform.
Converting social media followers to paying subscribers happens at just 1-1.5%. A creator with 10,000 social media followers might get around 100 subscribers, while someone with 100,000 followers could attract 1,000 subscribers.
Keeping subscribers matters just as much as getting them to make steady money. The best creators watch their engagement numbers like comments, direct messages, tips, and pay-per-view purchases to see what their audience likes. Better retention shows their content strategy works and can boost earnings through renewals and extra purchases.
The platform grew incredibly fast between 2019-2023. Creator accounts jumped from 348,000 to 4.1 million – a massive 1,082% increase. OnlyFans added 936,000 new creator accounts in just one year, growing from 3.2 million in 2022 to 4.1 million in 2023.
Percentage of creators earning over $1,000/month
The money reality for most OnlyFans creators is different from the success stories you hear about. The data shows about 15% of creators make more than $1,000 monthly. Only about 10% earn over $50,000 per year.
The platform's earnings follow a classic power law distribution:
- The top 1% of creators earn 33% of all platform revenue
- The top 10% of creators capture about 73-75% of total earnings
- Nearly half of all creators earn under $100 monthly
Looking at monthly earnings ranges, about 25% of creators make between $100 and $500 per month. The median monthly income is around $50, which falls way below the platform average. Many creators use OnlyFans as extra income rather than their main source of money.
OnlyFans approved just 36% of creator account applications in February 2025. This shows how the platform has become more selective as it grows.
What defines a 'successful' creator in 2025?
OnlyFans success comes in different levels in 2025:
The elite group includes about 300 creators who earn over $1 million yearly. These top 0.1% earners generate about 76% of total platform revenue, with average monthly earnings of $146,881. Many are celebrities with big followings or creators who excel in specific niches.
Mid-tier success includes creators earning $1,000 to $10,000 monthly. These creators have built loyal fans numbering in the hundreds or low thousands through steady content and engagement.
Most creators fall into the entry-level group, earning $100 to $1,000 monthly. Even at this level, creators who know how the platform works can still make decent extra money.
The most successful creators in 2025 share some key traits: they post regularly, talk directly with subscribers, make quality content for their niche, and market well on other platforms. Top earners treat their OnlyFans like a business, not a hobby.
Direct messages bring in most of the money, generating nearly 70% of creator earnings. Subscriptions make up just 4.11% of revenue. This shows how the best creators make money through personal interactions rather than just collecting subscription fees.
How much do people make on OnlyFans?
The financial picture on OnlyFans shows a platform with extreme income inequality. Most creators make between $150 and $180 monthly, adding up to about $2,000 yearly—nowhere near the life-changing income that media stories often paint.
Average OnlyFans income by creator tier
OnlyFans creators split into three distinct earning categories:
Top-tier creators (0.1% of accounts) are the platform's elite, making an astounding $146,881 monthly on average.
These 300 creators make over $1 million yearly, with standout cases like Sophie Rain who made $43 million in just one year. Celebrities and established influencers dominate this space by using their existing audiences and brand recognition.
Mid-tier creators (about 1-5% of accounts) make between $1,000 and $10,000 monthly. These creators have built loyal fanbases of at least 100+ subscribers and make money through various revenue streams beyond simple subscriptions.
Average creators (the vast majority) make between $100 and $1,000 monthly, and almost half make under $100 per month. A creator with 5,000 social media followers might convert about 50 subscribers, generating $400 monthly after OnlyFans takes its 20% commission.
Earnings distribution: Top 1%, 10%, and the rest
OnlyFans income follows a classic power law distribution where money piles up at the top:
- The top 1% of creators make about 33% of all platform revenue
- The top 10% of creators take roughly 73-75% of total earnings
- The elite 0.1% alone generate about 76% of all platform income
This inequality becomes even more striking since only 4.2% of subscribers actually pay anything. Most creators compete for a small piece of the remaining 27% of platform revenue.
Direct messages generate almost 70% of creator earnings, while subscriptions make up just 4.11% of total revenue. This shows how successful creators put customized interactions ahead of passive subscription models.
How much can you make on OnlyFans realistically?
New creators without established followings usually make less than $200 monthly, and many make less than $100. Here's what you can expect based on social media following conversions:
- 5,000 followers → ~50 subscribers → ~$400/month ($4,800/year)
- 10,000 followers → ~100 subscribers → ~$800/month ($9,600/year)
- 25,000 followers → ~250 subscribers → ~$2,000/month ($24,000/year)
- 100,000 followers → ~1,000 subscribers → ~$8,000/month ($96,000/year)
Each subscriber brings in just $2.06 on average. Marketing efficiency plays a vital role—acquisition costs need to stay under $2.00 per subscriber to make a profit.
Male creators typically earn less than female creators, though they can still make good money. Women earn about 78% more than men on the platform, but male creators in the top tier can make between $1,500 and $7,500 monthly.
Your success depends on treating OnlyFans like a business rather than a casual attempt. Top earner Monica Huldt puts it this way: "I would never advise someone doing it if they only wanted to do it like two days a week or something. It's not a part-time thing in your mind. You wouldn't make enough money".
Creators who stay consistent, keep their audience engaged, and create quality content can make good money on OnlyFans. In spite of that, the platform's economics suggest most creators should see it as extra income unless they break into the top 10% of earners.
OnlyFans top earners: Who’s making millions?
OnlyFans has a small, elite group of creators who dominate the platform's earnings. Most content creators struggle to make good money, and only a select few reach the top.
Top 10 creators and their monthly income
The highest earners on the platform make incredible monthly revenues compared to the median creator income of $50. Blac Chyna leads the pack with about $20 million monthly, making her one of the platform's biggest earners. Bella Thorne comes next with $11 million per month, and Cardi B pulls in around $9.5 million monthly.
Other top earners include:
- Mia Khalifa: Estimated $6.4 million monthly
- Bhad Bhabie (Danielle Bregoli): Made $49 million in 2023
- Belle Delphine: About $1.2 million monthly
- Gem101: Around $900,000 monthly
- Pia Mia: Estimated $650,000 monthly
- Megan Barton Hanson: About $600,000 monthly
- Erica Mena: Roughly $350,000 monthly
These numbers paint a different picture compared to the platform's average of $150-180 per month. Bhad Bhabie made news in 2023 when she earned $1 million in just six hours after launching her OnlyFans account.
What sets top earners apart?
The remarkable success of leading OnlyFans creators comes from several factors. A pre-existing fan base proves to be the biggest advantage. Most top earners brought their social media followers to the platform, giving them instant subscribers.
These performers stand out through:
- Strategic content diversification – They mix standard posts with premium pay-per-view content and custom messages
- Consistent posting schedules – They upload new content 3-5 times weekly
- Exceptional audience engagement – They respond quickly and create custom content
- Professional content quality – They invest in good equipment and editing
- Effective cross-platform promotion – They use other social media to bring followers to OnlyFans
The top creators run their OnlyFans like a real business, not a side gig. They track finances carefully, hire support teams, and create smart marketing plans.
Celebrity vs. non-celebrity creators
The way celebrity and non-celebrity top earners succeed shows interesting patterns. Celebrities often get huge interest at first but must work to keep subscribers if their content isn't great.
Non-celebrity creators build lasting businesses by growing their audience steadily.
To cite an instance, Bella Thorne and Bhad Bhabie used their fame to earn millions right after launch. Meanwhile, creators like Gem101 built success over years through steady content and community building.
These two groups make money differently. Celebrities charge subscription prices 2-3 times higher than others because of their names. Non-celebrity accounts get 70% of their money from direct messages and custom content, building closer connections with fans.
New creators can learn from these differences. Success comes from steady engagement, patient audience building, and personal connections—traits that all successful non-celebrity creators share, no matter what content they make.
Gender and earnings: The income gap on OnlyFans
The gender income dynamics on OnlyFans show an interesting twist compared to traditional industries. Female creators earn 78% more on average than male creators. This reverse pay gap affects both who joins the platform and how much they can earn.
Female vs. male creator earnings
OnlyFans presents a fascinating contrast to regular job markets when it comes to earnings between genders. Women make more money on the platform by a lot. Female creators typically earn $1,000-$3,000 monthly, while male creators in certain niches can make $1,500-$7,500 monthly.
Here's how the earnings break down:
- Female creators average $180 per month while male creators make $150
- The median monthly earnings show women make $2,500 compared to men's $1,200
- Women's earnings are 2.7 times higher than men's across all levels
- Female creators generate about 84% of the platform's total earnings
The gap gets smaller at the top earning levels. Men hold about 25% of top earner positions, and make up roughly 30% of the top 1% creators. This shows that male creators who break through can reach similar levels of success.
Why women dominate the platform
Women make up most of OnlyFans creators – between 70-84% of accounts. This huge difference comes from several connected factors.
The audience makeup explains a lot – about 80% of OnlyFans subscribers are male. This creates a natural market for female-created content and better chances for women creators to succeed.
Women also rely more on OnlyFans as their main source of income – 73% compared to 50% of male creators. This higher financial stake means they invest more time and resources to succeed on the platform.
Content categories play a role in gender distribution too. Male creators often do well in specific areas like fitness, gaming, and photography. Female creators face more competition in popular categories. This competition pushes them to develop better marketing strategies, which helps them earn more.
Is the gap closing in 2025?
Recent trends point to small changes in the platform's gender balance. During the pandemic, the number of male creators grew three times faster than female creators – 450% versus 150%. This rapid growth might slowly reduce the representation gap.
Male creators now find success in specialized niches where dedicated fans will pay premium prices. This smart positioning helps them compete despite women's natural advantage on the platform.
The earnings gap on OnlyFans reflects market forces rather than bias. As one analysis puts it, "This isn't a 'gender pay gap,' this is just women earning more commission on sales because they have more buyers". The difference comes from who subscribes and what they want to see, not platform rules.
The trends in 2025 suggest small steps toward balance, especially among top earners. But with most subscribers being male, women creators will likely keep their economic edge in OnlyFans' unique creator economy.
Barriers to success: Approval rates and account removals
Getting your OnlyFans account approved is a huge challenge. OnlyFans statistics show that strict verification processes and frequent account removals make it hard to earn money on the platform.
Creator application approval rates
The competition to become an OnlyFans creator keeps getting tougher. The platform received about 179,522 creator account requests in February 2025. However, they approved just 36% of these applications. These numbers show how OnlyFans has raised its standards as it grows.
The numbers were even lower in January 2025. Out of 214,312 submitted creator accounts, only 32% got the green light. Looking at the second half of 2024, OnlyFans got around 1.1 million creator account requests. They ended up approving just 396,272 of them.
The strict verification process needs creators to submit these details:
- Full legal name
- Verified email address
- Mailing address
- Date of birth
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Clear selfie while holding photo ID
- Social media account handles
- Banking details
These tough acceptance rates limit competition among creators who make it through these original barriers.
Reasons for account rejections
OnlyFans turns down applications for many technical and compliance reasons. Poor quality selfies are the biggest problem, along with expired IDs. Many rejections happen because the submitted information doesn't match official documents, especially names and addresses.
Social media verification often fails when linked profiles don't have recent photos matching how applicants look, or when accounts seem inactive. You need public profiles with at least 3-4 recent photos and some activity (posts from the last week and more than 5 followers).
The platform won't accept any mentions of escort services, in-person "meetups," or sexual services. Any hints about using PayPal or CashApp will also get your application rejected right away.
Joint accounts need extra checks. Applications with multiple people must include verification for everyone, plus signed release forms.
How many accounts get deleted or banned?
OnlyFans keeps a close eye on existing accounts and removes those that break platform rules. They removed 2,385 creator accounts in February 2025 alone for breaking their Terms of Service.
The numbers get bigger. They shut down 29,747 accounts to stop fraud and terminated 3,735 more for other reasons. That adds up to 35,867 account removals in just one month.
The platform uses both AI systems and human moderators to enforce its guidelines. Content violations can happen in surprising ways. Some creators get flagged for squirting (mistaken for urine), while others get suspended for having gun posters in their backgrounds.
The numbers have changed over time. July 2023 saw a huge spike with 18,567 terminated accounts. Monthly removals in 2024 usually ranged between 3,000-7,500 accounts.
OnlyFans works hard to keep users on their platform and prevent revenue loss. Even suggesting communication outside the platform can get your account flagged or permanently banned.
These strict rules and how they're enforced add to the platform's challenges. It makes building a steady income as a creator even harder than it already is.
OnlyFans earnings statistics by country and age
Geographic location and age play a vital role in determining how much creators earn on OnlyFans. OnlyFans statistics show remarkable differences in success rates between regions and age groups.
Top earning countries on the platform
The United States leads OnlyFans revenue generation with an impressive 48.82% of total platform visitors and about 66% of the platform's total revenue. The United Kingdom takes second place with 6.62% of traffic. Germany (4.82%), Canada (5%) and Australia (3%) round out the top five markets.
American creators make up the largest share of the platform's talent pool with 1.1 million creators in 2025. This is a big deal as it means that they far outnumber creators from the United Kingdom (280,000), Canada (175,000), and Australia (140,000). Creator earnings hit a record USD 6.60 billion in 2023, showing a 19% increase from the previous year.
Cyprus stands out with the highest number of creators per capita – 3,850 female creators per 100,000 women. The country's tax benefits likely explain this unexpected concentration.
Age groups with highest earnings
The 18-34 age group has 62.27% of OnlyFans' audience, making them key to creator success. Here's how it breaks down:
- 18-24 year olds: 29.64% of active users
- 25-34 year olds: 31.25% of active users
- 35-44 year olds: 17.30%
The average paying subscriber falls between 35-44 years old. This suggests older users spend more money despite younger users making up most of the traffic. Most creators (70%) are 18-35 years old. The sweet spot lies in the 25-34 age bracket, where audience size matches spending power.
Mobile vs. desktop usage trends
OnlyFans users prefer mobile devices, with 85.02% accessing the platform on their phones as of June 2025. Desktop users make up just 15.55% of traffic, following wider digital usage patterns.
Different regions show varying usage patterns. Latin American countries like Mexico and Brazil see over 90% mobile usage. The contrast becomes clear when comparing countries – 92.81% of Mexican users browse on mobile while only 16.07% of US visitors use desktop.
Mobile's popularity shapes how creators plan their content. Successful accounts optimize their material for smartphone viewing and interaction. These geographic and age-related patterns show why understanding regional and age-specific priorities remains key to maximizing earnings on OnlyFans in 2025.
Conclusion
The economic reality of OnlyFans is nowhere near the success stories making headlines. The platform generates billions in revenue with a massive user base, but most creators make less than $200 monthly. A small elite group commands extraordinary wealth.
The platform's ecosystem shows extreme income inequality. The top 1% of creators take one-third of all revenue, and all but one of these creators in the top 10% collect nearly three-quarters of earnings.
Even so, these statistics provide a good view for anyone thinking about joining the platform. Success on OnlyFans demands treating it as a serious business, not just a casual side hustle.
The top performers stand out through consistent posting, professional content quality, and building strong audience relationships. On top of that, direct messages generate almost 70% of creator earnings. This shows how tailored interaction works better than passive subscription models.
Gender plays a big role in earnings expectations. Female creators earn more than male creators overall, though men can still succeed in specific niches. Location matters too. American creators dominate revenue generation and maintain the largest presence on the platform.
Content quality matters, but many practical barriers limit creator success. The platform's strict verification process turns down most applicants. Only about one-third of creator account requests get approved. Active moderation removes thousands of accounts monthly, which makes sustainable earnings even harder to achieve.
New creators should have realistic expectations about OnlyFans. Of course, some select few earn life-changing income, but most participants should expect modest extra earnings. Creators who understand the platform's economics, put in consistent work, and build real connections with subscribers can generate meaningful income. This is a big deal as it means that most won't reach the millions mentioned in viral success stories.
OnlyFans offers a real chance at success, but everything depends on beating the odds that put most accounts in the lowest earning brackets. The platform rewards those who distinguish themselves through exceptional content, engagement, and marketing. This separates the small group who thrive from the majority who struggle to gain ground in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
FAQs
Q1. What percentage of OnlyFans creators are considered successful?
Only about 1% of OnlyFans creators earn significant income. The top 1% of creators capture approximately 33% of all platform revenue, while the majority earn less than $200 per month.
Q2. How much can an average creator realistically expect to earn on OnlyFans?
The average OnlyFans creator earns between $150-$180 per month. However, earnings vary widely based on factors like follower count and content quality. Most creators should view it as supplemental rather than primary income.
Q3. What sets top-earning OnlyFans creators apart from others?
Top earners typically have large existing followings, post high-quality content consistently, engage actively with subscribers, diversify their content offerings, and treat their OnlyFans presence as a serious business venture rather than a casual side project.
Q4. Is there a gender pay gap on OnlyFans?
Yes, female creators on OnlyFans tend to earn significantly more than male creators. On average, women earn about 78% more than men on the platform. However, male creators can still achieve substantial earnings in certain niches.
Q5. How difficult is it to get approved as an OnlyFans creator?
The approval process for OnlyFans creators has become increasingly selective. In recent months, only about 36% of creator account applications have been approved. The platform requires comprehensive personal information and enforces strict content guidelines for approval.
