Short version: Patreon has the audience, SubscribeStar has the tolerance and the lower fee. Most serious adult game creators run both, and sell finished games as one-time purchases elsewhere.
Side by side
| Patreon | SubscribeStar | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 10% for creators who joined after Aug. 4, 2025 (5–12% on legacy plans) | About 5% |
| Payment processing | Extra, varies by country and amount | Extra |
| Adult content | Allowed with strict rules, enforced through account reviews | Allowed, more permissive |
| Audience | Very large, mainstream | Smaller, adult-heavy |
| Risk | Policy changes, account suspensions | Payment provider changes |
| Best for | Reach and steady pledges | Backup and fewer restrictions |
What neither does well
Both are built for subscriptions. Neither is a store: players who want to buy your finished game once, without following you month after month, have nowhere obvious to go. That audience is often larger than your patron base.
A setup that survives bans
- Patreon for reach and early builds.
- SubscribeStar mirrored, so patrons can move if needed.
- One-time sales of finished versions on stores that welcome adult games, like DuskPlay.
- Your own list: newsletter or Discord, so no platform owns your audience.
FAQ
Is SubscribeStar better than Patreon for adult games?
SubscribeStar is generally more tolerant of adult content and takes a smaller cut (about 5% plus processing, versus 10% plus processing for new Patreon creators). Patreon has a much bigger audience and better discovery.
Can I use both?
Yes, and many creators do: Patreon for reach, SubscribeStar as a backup and for content Patreon doesn't allow.