The best alternative to Patreon

The best alternative to Patreon

The best alternative to Patreon

  • EzyCourse Team

  • 22 Mar 2023

  • 8 minutes

Are you a content creator looking for the best membership platform to monetize your work? While Patreon is a popular choice, there are plenty of Patreon alternatives that offer even more features for creators to experiment with. In this article, we'll unpack what Patreon is all about and offer suggestions and introduce you to the best alternative to Patreon in the market - EzyCourse. 


EzyCourse is mainly a platform for creators. EzyCourse focuses on community building and allows creators to monetize their work through courses, appointments, and various other product options. With EzyCourse, creators can also create their own community networks that evolve with their business, making it a powerful Patreon alternative. So, let's dive in and explore the best alternative to Patreon.


If you’re looking for some support in building your online community, then come and join our EzyCourse Creators Group on Facebook and meet other new and established community owners! We’d love to have you in.


Patreon Features & Functionality 


Patreon has gained popularity over the years as an easy and reliable platform for creators to monetize their content and connect with their audience. However, it may not be the best option for every creator. Let’s take a closer look to understand why: 


No built-in marketing tools: It can be challenging to build an audience or community on Patreon without an existing following. It lacks effective promotional tools, and projects have low discoverability.


Uncapped fees: Patreon takes a percentage of your income (either 5%, 8%, or 12%, depending on the plan you sign up for), which means high-earners could potentially pay out hundreds of dollars per month in fees.


Subscriptions-only: Patreon is designed for recurring monthly subscriptions, which may deter some potential supporters from donating.


Less control and ownership: Since Patreon is a third-party platform, creators don't have as much control or ownership over their community as they would if they built it on their own website.


Bad for branding: If you use Patreon, your audience will be directed to Patreon for your content instead of your own branded website, which could hurt your brand identity.


In conclusion, while Patreon may be an ideal platform for some creators, it's important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it's the best option for your needs. Consider exploring other alternatives if you're looking for more control and flexibility over your community and revenue.


What to look for in an alternative to Patreon? 


Customizable branding

One of the biggest advantages of having a Patreon alternative is the ability to customize the platform to match your brand. Patreon doesn't allow for much customization beyond a profile picture and banner, so creators often feel restricted in terms of branding their page.


A good Patreon alternative should allow you to customize your site colors, fonts, and imagery, giving you complete freedom to build your brand your way. This can help you create a more cohesive brand experience for your members and make your page stand out from the crowd. 


The best Patreon alternatives will give creators the flexibility to fully customize their branding, so that their paid membership site can match their existing website or social media presence. This is especially important for creators who have already established a strong brand identity and want to maintain that consistency across all platforms.


Multiple payment options support

Another important factor to consider when looking for a Patreon alternative is payment options. While Patreon offers a variety of payment options for supporters, including credit cards and PayPal, some people prefer alternative payment methods.


One of the most important aspects of any paid membership site is the payment processing. You want to ensure that your members have a seamless experience when it comes to paying for your content, and that you receive your payments in a timely and secure manner.


The best alternatives to Patreon will offer a wide variety of payment options. This flexibility can make it easier for supporters to contribute to your page and can help you reach a wider audience.


Transparent fee structures

One of the biggest criticisms of Patreon is its fee structure. Patreon charges a 5% fee on all pledges, as well as payment processing fees that can add up to an additional 5%. This can make it difficult for creators to accurately calculate how much they will earn from their page each month.


When considering a Patreon alternative, it's important to look for platforms with transparent fee structures. Look for platforms that clearly outline their fees and payment processing charges so you can accurately calculate how much you will earn from your page.


Flexible pricing options

Another important feature to look for in Patreon alternatives is the ability to offer flexible pricing options to your members. While Patreon offers some basic tiers for membership, it falls short in terms of allowing creators to fully customize their pricing options.


The best Patreon alternatives will allow you to create multiple tiers of membership with different pricing options and benefits, so that you can offer a range of options to your members. This is important for creators who want to cater to different levels of support, or who want to offer special promotions or discounts to their members.


When it comes to finding the right Patreon alternative for your needs, there are a lot of factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for robust community features, customizable branding, or flexible pricing options, there are great alternatives such as EzyCourse out there that can help you build a thriving paid membership site. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on your specific needs as a creator, so it’s important to do your research and find the platform that works best for you.


What’s the best alternative to Patreon? 


EzyCourse is a fantastic alternative to Patreon, with several unique features that set it apart from the rest. Here are some reasons why EzyCourse might be the best alternative for you:


More flexibility and control over branding and monetization options

Unlike Patreon, EzyCourse offers creators complete control over their branding and the ability to customize their monetization options. This means you can build your own unique online presence and monetize it in ways that work best for your specific content and audience. 


Dedicated customer support

EzyCourse offers dedicated customer support via live chat, phone and Zoom/Meet to help you with any issues or questions you may have. This means you can get help quickly and efficiently, without having to spend hours searching through support forums or waiting for a response from customer service.


Recurring payment options with customizable membership tiers

EzyCourse allows you to set up recurring donation options with customizable membership tiers, just like Patreon. This means you can offer your supporters different levels of access and rewards based on their level of support, and they can choose how much they want to donate each month.


Ability to sell standalone products

EzyCourse also allows you to sell standalone digital products, such as ebooks, courses, and other products. This means creators can sell e-books, courses, or any other digital/physical product, video libraries, appointments, communities and group or private chats, all directly through their website, rather than relying on a third-party platform.


EzyCourse is the best alternative to Patreon for creators who want more flexibility and control over their branding and monetization options, lower transaction fees, dedicated customer support, a custom website builder, recurring payment options, and the ability to sell standalone products.


Conclusion 

While Patreon is a great platform for creators to monetize their work, it has not been keeping up with the changing needs of modern creators. EzyCourse is the best alternative to Patreon because it offers creators the ability to build their own communities around their businesses, creating a space for supporters to connect, form relationships, and keep the conversation going. This is crucial, as community is the lifeblood of any creator's business, and a strong community can keep a creator's business going long after the latest piece of content is released. 


With EzyCourse, creators have access to a range of features, including paid memberships, branded apps for both Android and iOS, live lessons with Zoom/Meet polls and lesson-wide discussion, customizable online courses, appointments and much more all for just a fraction of the cost. By utilizing EzyCourse’s advanced features, creators can focus on creating awesome content instead of constantly trying to satiate their audience's demands. So why not start your free trial today and see how EzyCourse can help take your business to the next level!