All creators still using legacy billing will be required to switch to subscription billing by November 1, 2026. If you'd like one-to-one assistance during this transition, you must contact Support via your settings by September 30th, 2026.
Subscription billing offers a more predictable model for you and your members, and unlocks features like Free trials, Autopilot, Gifting, Discounts, and Tier Repricing.
How subscription billing works
- Nothing changes for your existing members. They’re still charged on the 1st of each month
- Your payout schedule doesn’t change, and you can still withdraw from your account balance at any time (including a lump sum payout at the same time each month)
- New members pay when they join and monthly on that same date instead of on the 1st of each month. For example, a member who signs up on April 12 is charged again on May 12. Members can visit their Membership settings tab and click on the View details button to see their next charge date
- If a member upgrades they’ll get charged the outstanding amount straight away and unlock access to the higher tier immediately. Their billing date will not change
- If a member downgrades, they’ll remain on their original tier until the next billing date
Considering the switch to subscription billing? See how WhatchaGot2Say improved retention with subscription billing in this Patreon for Creators article. Currently, Patreon for Creators is only available in English.
How to move to subscription billing
To switch to subscription billing, visit your Billing and payouts page and click "Switch to subscription billing now”. Then click Save.
Control how Apple’s fee is applied to your prices
Switching to subscription billing does not mean all fans will be required to use in-app purchases. Due to current U.S. court rulings, iOS users in the U.S. can continue to sign up through Patreon’s mobile web checkout, which is not subject to Apple’s App Store fee.
As a result, most new U.S. members will still join through web checkout rather than Apple’s in-app purchase system.
For those fans purchasing via Apple's in-app system, creators can choose to:
- Increase the prices of the memberships and digital goods sold in the iOS app. This will help creators earn approximately the same across platforms in spite of the Apple fee, and is the default option
- Keep prices the same across all platforms. This means that the creator absorbs the Apple App Store fee themselves and therefore earns less from sales in the iOS app
You can switch from the default setting of increasing the prices of membership and digital goods sold in the iOS app by visiting your Billing and payouts settings. You can adjust this setting at any time.
Visit our How iOS in-app purchases work on Patreon page to learn more about our approach to the Apple App Store fee requirement.
What can I expect after moving to subscription billing?
Nothing changes for your existing members when you migrate from 1st-of-the-month billing to subscription billing.
Breakdown of how subscription billing compares to your previous billing model:
| Was monthly charge upfront | Was monthly non-charge upfront | Moved to subscription billing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How are new members charged when they join? | When they join, and then monthly on the 1st | Nothing when they join, and then monthly on the 1st | When they join, and then monthly on that same date |
| How are existing members charged? | 1st of each month | 1st of each month | Members are still charged on the 1st of each month |
| When can I pay out my account balance? | As soon as funds are settled, with the option of auto-payout on the 5th | As soon as funds are settled, with the option of auto-payout on the 5th | As soon as funds are settled, with the option of auto-payout on the 5th |
How to adjust your benefit delivery for Subscription Billing
Moving to subscription billing means new members are billed on the date they join rather than on the 1st of the month. To adapt, you can shift how you deliver benefits:
- Batch delivery: Deliver benefits on a set cadence (e.g., every Sunday or twice a month). Use the Benefit eligibility status tool in your Audience relationship manager to see which members paid within that window
- End-of-month delivery: Use the Benefit eligibility status tool in your Audience relationship manager to download a list of all members who paid that month, and deliver benefits to everyone on the 30th or 31st. This gives you flexibility and keeps delivery consistent
Either method ensures that benefits go only to members who’ve paid, regardless of their join date.
Hear from creators who have found success and growth with switching to subscription billing:
- Learn how a former CUF creator saw higher retention rates when he moved to subscription billing
- Why Knitty Magazine moved to subscription billing, and what advice she’d give to others
- Learn how a TTRPG creator saw higher earnings after moving to subscription billing from per-creation
- Discover how a 3D printer streamlined benefit delivery after moving to subscription billing from per-creation
- Get tips from a former per-creation creator on how he talked about the changes with his community
Need help with the switch?
If you’re planning to migrate and want help reviewing your pricing or communicating changes to your members, reach out to our Product Support team before September 30, 2026.