This isn't a sales pitch for agencies. It's an honest analysis. At Take Profit, we turn away creators who'd be better off solo—because forcing partnerships that don't make financial sense hurts everyone.
The truth is: some creators net more with an agency, and some net more going solo. The difference comes down to 5 key factors we'll break down with actual numbers, calculators, and a decision framework you can use today.
The Core Trade-Off: Money vs. Time
Every agency vs. solo decision ultimately comes down to this equation:
Solo: You keep 80% of revenue (after OF fee), but invest 20-40+ hours/week
Agency: You keep 45-55% of revenue, but invest 5-15 hours/week
The question isn't just "which pays more" but "which pays more per hour of your time" and "what could you do with that freed-up time?"
Side-by-Side Comparison
🔵 Going Solo
✓ Advantages
- Keep maximum revenue (80% after OF cut)
- Complete creative control
- No contract commitments
- Direct relationship with fans
- All decisions are immediate
- Learn valuable business skills
✗ Challenges
- Time-intensive (20-40+ hrs/week)
- Must learn marketing, chatting, pricing
- Burnout risk from doing everything
- Limited by your own expertise
- No team support or backup
- Slower growth without systems
🩷 With Agency
✓ Advantages
- Professional chatting = higher ARPU
- 24/7 coverage you can't do alone
- Expertise in scaling strategies
- More time for content creation
- Data-driven optimization
- Less burnout, better work-life balance
✗ Challenges
- 30-50% commission on revenue
- Must vet carefully (scam risk)
- Less direct fan control
- Contract commitments
- Communication overhead
- Finding the right fit takes time
The Time-Value Calculator
Time is the hidden variable most creators forget. Calculate your effective hourly rate in each scenario:
⏱️ Hourly Value Calculator
When Solo Makes More Sense
Based on our data, going solo typically wins when:
| Scenario | Why Solo Wins | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Early stage (<$2k/month) | Not enough revenue to justify agency fees; need to prove demand first | New creators, first 3-6 months |
| Already efficient systems | If you've already built strong chatting and marketing systems, agency adds less value | Experienced creators with VAs |
| Unlimited time availability | If OF is your sole focus and you can work 40+ hours/week, you maximize solo revenue | Full-time creators without other income |
| Niche expertise | If your niche is so specific that no agency has relevant experience | Unique/specialized content creators |
| Control-focused | If direct fan relationships and creative control are non-negotiable priorities | Brand-conscious creators |
When Agency Makes More Sense
| Scenario | Why Agency Wins | Typical Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Plateaued at $3-10k/month | Revenue ceiling often caused by limited time or expertise—agency breaks through | Established creators stuck in growth |
| Chatting is the bottleneck | If DM response time >2 hrs or you hate chatting, professional team 2-3x PPV revenue | Creators with engagement but low PPV |
| Limited time availability | If you can only dedicate 10-15 hrs/week to OF, agency maximizes that time | Part-time creators, multiple income sources |
| Marketing knowledge gap | If you don't know Reddit, Twitter, TikTok strategies, agency brings expertise | Creators with good content but no traffic |
| Burnout risk | If doing everything yourself is unsustainable, agency extends your career longevity | Creators working 40+ hrs feeling exhausted |
Interactive Decision Helper
Answer these 5 questions to get a personalized recommendation:
🎯 Should You Use an Agency?
Your Recommendation
Real Numbers: Case Comparison
Here's how the same creator profile would perform in each scenario based on our data:
| Metric | Solo Path | Agency Path |
|---|---|---|
| Starting revenue | $6,000/mo | $6,000/mo |
| Month 6 revenue | $9,500/mo (+58%) | $18,200/mo (+203%) |
| Platform fee (20%) | -$1,900 | -$3,640 |
| Agency fee (35%) | $0 | -$6,370 |
| Net to creator | $7,600 | $8,190 |
| Hours/week invested | 35 hours | 12 hours |
| Effective hourly rate | $54/hr | $171/hr |
Key insight: In this scenario, the agency path nets $590/month more and saves 23 hours/week. But if the agency only delivered 50% growth instead of 203%, solo would win on net income (though still lose on hourly rate).
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds?
Some creators choose a middle path:
- Hire chatters only: Keep marketing in-house, outsource just the messaging (15-20% fee)
- Use a VA: Hire an individual assistant instead of an agency ($500-1500/month flat rate)
- Seasonal agency use: Work with an agency during growth pushes, go solo during maintenance phases
- Consulting only: Get strategy advice without ongoing management (hourly or project-based)
These hybrids can make sense if you have specific bottlenecks but don't need full-service support.
How Take Profit Thinks About This
We're honest: we don't want creators who'd be better off solo. It leads to frustration on both sides. During our strategy calls, we actively discourage partnerships when:
- You're earning under $2k/month (build demand first)
- You have unlimited time and enjoy all aspects of the business
- Your main bottleneck is content ideas (we can't help with that)
- You're not ready to trust a team with fan interactions
When we do partner, creators typically see 80-150% revenue growth, with net income increasing even after our fee—while working half the hours.
Not Sure Which Path Is Right?
Get a free, no-pressure assessment. We'll analyze your account, run the numbers, and give you our honest recommendation—even if that's "stay solo for now."
Get My Free Assessment →Frequently Asked Questions
Is an OnlyFans agency worth it?
It depends on your time, skills, and current revenue. Agencies are typically worth it for creators earning $3k+/month who have limited time or lack marketing/chatting expertise. For creators under $2k/month or those with abundant time, going solo often nets more.
How much more can I make with an agency?
Results vary widely, but data from reputable agencies shows 50-200% revenue increases are common for good fits. However, after the agency's 30-50% cut, your net increase might be 20-100%. The key is whether the growth percentage exceeds the fee percentage enough to net positive.
Can I try an agency and then go solo later?
Yes, but read your contract carefully. Look for 30-day exit clauses and understand any restrictions. Some creators use agencies to scale quickly, learn their strategies, then transition back to solo management.
Take Profit Team | OnlyFans Strategy, Analytics & Optimization