CompareUpdated October 2026
How Drate compares.Your site, your app, your look.
What you get and what you pay, next to the platforms creators ask about most.
Compare all.
Drate’s free plan includes everything in its column unless it says otherwise.
| Feature | drate. | Patreon | Ko-fi | Fourthwall | Substack | Gumroad | Whop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your home | |||||||
| Your own website, domain and look | Included | Patreon page on your domain | ko-fi.com page | Included | $50 custom domain | Included | whop.com page |
| Your branded iOS & Android app | On Pro | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Memberships & content | |||||||
| Monthly & yearly memberships | Included | Included | Monthly only | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Fixed-length passes | Included | Gifts only | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Included | Included |
| Members-only posts, video & downloads | Included | Included | Video via embeds | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Courses & content library | Included | Collections | Gallery albums | Video series | Sections & archive | Included | Included |
| Members community feed | Included | Included | Polls & DMs | Comments & DMs | Included | Product chat | Included |
| Paid coaching & bookings | Included | Not offered | Via commissions | Not offered | Not offered | Included | Included |
| Discord roles by membership | Included | Included | Included | Included | Invite link perk | Invites, no roles | Included |
| Keep Patreon connected | Included | n/a | Not offered | Import only | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Merch | |||||||
| Merch store | Included | Digital only | Self-shipped | Included | Not offered | Self-shipped | You fulfill orders |
| Print on demand, no inventory | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Connect Shopify or Etsy | Included | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
| Money | |||||||
| Monthly price | $0 or $12 | $0 | $0 or $12 | $0 or $19 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Fee on membership sales | 5%, or 0% on Pro | 10% for new creators | 5%, or 0% on Gold | 5% on every plan | 10% | 10% + 50¢ | 0%, plus Whop’s processing |
| Who pays you | Your Stripe, directly | Patreon | Your PayPal or Stripe | Fourthwall, monthly | Your Stripe (web sales) | Gumroad | Whop, fee per withdrawal |
From each platform’s public pricing pages, checked October 2026. Prices don’t include card processing.
Good to know.
Anything else? Start free and look around. There’s nothing to cancel.
Is Drate really free?
Yes. Build your site, publish content and sell memberships and merch without paying anything up front. Free takes 5% of sales; Pro is $12 a month and takes nothing.
How long does it take to set up?
Minutes. Pick a starting point, add your name and choose your look, and your site is ready. Nothing is public until you publish.
Can I sell merch on Drate?
Yes. Design products in Drate and they’re printed and shipped on demand, so there’s no inventory to buy. Already sell on Shopify or Etsy? Connect your store and show those products on your site.
Do my members get an app?
Yes, on Pro. Members get an iOS and Android app in your theme, with your posts, library and community.
Can I bring members from another platform?
From Patreon, yes: connect it and map your tiers, and patrons get access right away. From anywhere else, publish your content on Drate and share your new home with your audience.
How did you check these comparisons?
From each platform’s public pricing and feature pages, in October 2026. Prices and features change, so check the latest before you decide.