A comprehensive study analyzing over one million OnlyFans subscribers has shed new light on the platform’s revenue dynamics and user behavior, revealing that a small group of users and creators dominate the site’s economy. The research was conducted in partnership with data firm OnlyTraffic and examined 58.9 million transactions totaling more than $2 million.
Subscriber Spending: Few Pay, Fewer Spend Big
Despite its large user base, OnlyFans sees actual spending from a small minority. Of the 1,003,855 subscribers analyzed, only 4.2%—roughly 42,162 individuals—made any purchases. The remaining 95.8% of users spent nothing. On average, paying subscribers spent $48.52 per creator.
Further analysis revealed that just 0.01% of subscribers, often referred to as “whales,” were responsible for 20.2% of the platform’s revenue. This group, which includes users spending between $1,397 and $59,030, contributed $412,823 in total, underscoring their outsized impact.
Creator Earnings: The Top Tier Takes the Majority
The study reviewed earnings data for 2,982 OnlyFans creators. Results show a stark revenue concentration: the top 0.1% of creators earn an average of $146,881 per month and account for 76% of all income on the platform. Earnings drop sharply beyond this elite group. Creators ranking between the top 0.1% and 1% average $33,984 monthly, while those in the bottom 50% make approximately $24.
Across the board, creators earn an average of $2.06 per subscriber. Given that most users do not spend, creators are advised to keep their subscriber acquisition costs below this figure to remain profitable.
Revenue Drivers: Messaging Outpaces Subscriptions
Contrary to popular belief, subscriptions are not the primary revenue source for OnlyFans creators. Messaging accounted for 69.74% of all transaction revenue, followed by tips at 21.65%. Subscriptions and resubscriptions made up just 4.11% and 3.84%, respectively. Revenue from posts and live streams was minimal, with streams contributing only 0.01%.
These findings emphasize the importance of personalized engagement. Direct messaging, especially within the first 48 hours of a new subscription, when 83.3% of spending occurs, is key to converting subscribers into paying customers.
Timing Matters: Weekends and Immediate Engagement Boost Revenue
The study found that weekends are a crucial revenue period, accounting for 29.7% of all transactions. When including Fridays, this figure rises to 44.3%. Saturday alone generated 15.4% of weekly income.
Additionally, subscriber engagement tends to fade quickly. Only 17.19% of users initiate a conversation with a creator, and just 4.2% ultimately make a purchase. This means that 12.99% of subscribers who interact do not convert into paying customers—a significant opportunity gap for creators.
Implications for Creators: Focus on Early and Personalized Interaction
The report suggests that creators should prioritize immediate, personalized engagement and implement aggressive early-stage conversion tactics. Welcome messages, custom offers, and targeted weekend campaigns may improve earnings. Emphasizing communication can help bridge the gap between casual subscribers and paying customers.
After analyzing the spending habits of 1,003,855 OnlyFans subscribers across 58,947,698 transactions, the study reveals that OnlyFans’ economy is heavily dependent on a narrow group of high-earning creators and big-spending subscribers.
- The top 0.1% of creators capture 76% of all revenue, earning on average $146,881 monthly.
With just a fraction of users driving most revenue, success on the platform is closely tied to engagement strategy and early conversion efforts. For creators, the data highlights a need for sharp marketing acumen, efficient subscriber management, and a strong focus on cultivating high-value fans.