For creators looking to build and monetize communities or content, choosing the right platform is crucial. Skool and Patreon offer different approaches to monetization - one focused on integrated community features and the other on content-based memberships. This comparison breaks down their pricing models and key features to help you make an informed decision.
Skool is an all-in-one platform that combines community, courses, and events in a single interface with a flat monthly fee and low transaction fee.
Platform Fee: 2.9% - transaction fee
Payment Processing: 0% + $0 (domestic)Included in platform fee
Posts, comments, likes, mentions, real-time interactions
Integrated courses with progress tracking
Scheduling with timezone conversion
Points, levels, and rewards system
One-click broadcasting to all members
For a creator with $1,000 in monthly revenue
Patreon is a content-focused membership platform that helps creators build recurring revenue through patron relationships and exclusive content delivery.
Platform Fee: 8% - Pro Plan (varies by plan)
Payment Processing: 2.9% + $0.3 (domestic)Varies by payment method and region
Native tools for posts, videos, podcasts
Multiple subscription levels with different benefits
Tools focused on creator-fan engagement
Well-known brand with existing audience
For a creator with $1,000 in monthly memberships on the Pro plan
Your choice between Skool and Patreon should depend on your specific needs and content strategy:
- Choose Skool if you want an integrated platform that combines community, courses, and events in one place with lower transaction fees (2.9%). Skool is ideal for creators who value community engagement, interactive courses, and gamification features to build a cohesive learning environment.
- Choose Patreon if you're primarily a content creator focused on publishing exclusive content, building fan relationships, and leveraging an established platform with built-in discovery. Patreon is better for creators who prefer a percentage-based fee structure with no monthly costs.
For creators with higher monthly revenue, Skool's fixed monthly fee plus low transaction rate might be more cost-effective than Patreon's percentage-based model. However, creators just starting out might prefer Patreon's no-monthly-fee approach despite the higher percentage.