Free vs Paid OnlyFans: Which Strategy Makes More Money?

This is the most common question we get: "Should I make my OnlyFans free or paid?" The answer isn't what most people think.

After managing 200+ accounts with both strategies, we've crunched the numbers. Here's what actually makes more money.

The Short Answer

Free accounts make more money—but only if you know how to monetize them properly.

The average free account with good PPV strategy makes 2-3x more than a paid account at the same subscriber count. But there's a catch: you need volume.

Free OnlyFans: The Volume Game

The Pros

• Lower Barrier to Entry: People will click a free link 10x more than a paid one
• Massive Subscriber Counts: Free accounts can hit 10K+ subscribers easily
• Higher PPV Potential: More subscribers = more PPV sales
• Better for Social Media: Easier to promote ("Free link in bio!")

The Cons

• Lower Quality Subscribers: Many will never buy anything
• More Chatting Required: You need to convert free subs to paying customers
• Higher Churn Rate: Free subs unsubscribe more easily

The Math

Free account with 5,000 subscribers:

• Subscription revenue: $0
• PPV sales (10% conversion at $20 average): $10,000
• Tips & customs: $2,000
• Total: $12,000/month

Paid OnlyFans: The Premium Model

The Pros

• Guaranteed Revenue: Every subscriber pays upfront
• Higher Quality Fans: Paid subs are more engaged
• Less Chatting Required: They're already invested
• Better Retention: Paid subs stick around longer

The Cons

• Lower Subscriber Counts: Harder to grow
• Price Sensitivity: Too high and no one subscribes, too low and you leave money on the table
• Harder to Promote: "Pay $10 to see my content" is a tough sell on social media

The Math

Paid account at $10/month with 500 subscribers:

• Subscription revenue: $5,000
• PPV sales (20% conversion at $15 average): $1,500
• Tips & customs: $1,000
• Total: $7,500/month

The Hybrid Strategy (Best of Both Worlds)

Here's what top earners actually do: Run both accounts simultaneously.

How It Works

1. Free Account: Your main funnel for social media traffic
2. Paid VIP Account: Exclusive content for your biggest spenders

You promote the free account on social media, then upsell engaged fans to your paid VIP account with exclusive perks.

The Results

• Free account: 8,000 subscribers, $15K/month from PPV
• Paid VIP account: 200 subscribers at $25/month = $5K + $3K PPV
• Combined Total: $23,000/month

Which Should YOU Choose?

Choose FREE if:

• You have a large social media following (50K+)
• You can post viral content consistently
• You have a chatting team or agency
• You're comfortable with high-volume sales

Choose PAID if:

• You have a smaller, engaged following
• You prefer quality over quantity
• You're managing everything yourself
• You want predictable monthly income

Pricing Your Paid Account

If you go paid, here's the sweet spot:

• $4.99-$7.99: High volume, lower quality
• $9.99-$14.99: The sweet spot for most creators
• $19.99-$29.99: Premium positioning, lower volume
• $30+: Only works if you're already famous

The Biggest Mistake

Most creators make their account free but don't have a PPV strategy. This is the worst of both worlds—you get tons of subscribers but make no money.

If you go free, you MUST have:

• Professional chatters sending PPV daily
• High-quality locked content
• Tiered pricing ($5, $15, $30+ options)
• Consistent posting schedule

Conclusion

Free accounts have higher earning potential, but only with proper monetization. Paid accounts offer stability but cap your growth.

The real winners? Creators who run both and have professional teams managing the complexity.

Don't leave money on the table. Choose the strategy that fits your current situation, then scale from there.