What does your platform really cost you?
Put in what you earn in a month, and see a year of platform fees on Substack, Patreon, Gumroad, Teachable, Kajabi and others next to one flat price.
- Platform fees only
- Entry plans, billed monthly
- A flat price to compare with
- Median of 10 platforms$2,478 a year
- Sherpo Pro$588 a year
- Sherpo Lite$228 a year
At this size, Substack, Patreon, Gumroad, Teachable Starter and Udemy each cost more than $2,478 a year.
This calculator compares a year of platform fees across creator platforms. Substack and Patreon take 10% of what you sell, Gumroad takes 10% plus $0.50 a sale, Teachable Starter takes 7.5% plus $39 a month, and Sherpo charges a flat $19 or $49 a month with 0% of sales.
- Substack, Patreon
- 10% of sales
- Gumroad
- 10% + $0.50 a sale
- Teachable Starter
- $39 a month + 7.5%
- Sherpo
- $19 or $49 a month, 0%
A year of platform fees, at your revenue.
Percentage fees look small at the start, but a percentage grows with every sale and a flat price does not. Move the slider to see the difference.
These figures are for $2,500 a month in $50 orders. Turn on JavaScript to put in your own numbers.
Used for per-sale fees, like Gumroad’s.
- Substack$3,000 a year
- Sherpo Lite$228 a year
You keep, every year$2,772more of your own revenue, as Sherpo takes 0% of your sales
Platform fees only, on entry plans with monthly billing. Card processing is charged by the payment provider on most platforms (around 2.9% + $0.30 with Stripe), so it is left out on both sides. Skool and Udemy include it in their own fee; the note under each says how it is counted. Sherpo’s figure is the plan price; estimate extra storage and AI video minutes.
What each platform charges.
A monthly price, a cut of what you sell, or both. The last column puts them on the same footing.
| Platform | Plan price | Cut of your sales | At $2,500 a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherpo Lite | $19 a month | 0% | $228 a year |
| Sherpo Pro | $49 a month | 0% | $588 a year |
| Substack | Free | 10% | $3,000 a year |
| Patreon | Free | 10% | $3,000 a year |
| Gumroad | Free | 10% + $0.50 a sale | $3,300 a year |
| Teachable Starter | $39 a month | 7.5% | $2,718 a year |
| Kajabi Basic | $179 a month | 0%, or 2% through another processor | $2,148 a year |
| Podia Mover | $49 a month | 5% | $2,088 a year |
| Thinkific Basic | $54 a month | 0%, or 5% through Stripe | $648 a year |
| Skool Hobby | $9 a month | 10% + $0.30 a sale (7.1% counted) | $2,238 a year |
| Udemy | Free | 63% | $18,900 a year |
| Stan Creator | $29 a month | 0% | $348 a year |
A business earning $2,500 a month in $50 orders. For Skool, the table counts only the part of its fee above a standard 2.9% card rate. For Udemy, it counts the 63% Udemy keeps on sales made on its marketplace (3% when the buyer uses your own link). Open a platform’s link for the full comparison. Half of the 10 platforms cost more than $2,478 a year. Against that figure, Sherpo Lite costs 91% less, and Sherpo Pro 76% less.
How the numbers are worked out.
The same rules for every platform, so the bars can be compared.
Platform fees only
The calculator counts what the platform itself charges: its plan price and its cut of your sales.
Card processing is left out
Left out on both sides, since the payment provider charges it on most platforms. Skool and Udemy include it in their own fee; the calculator shows how each is counted.
Entry plans, billed monthly
Each platform is counted on the cheapest plan that lets you sell, at its monthly price.
Questions about platform fees.
Still curious? Talk to us
How much does Substack take?
Substack takes 10% of paid subscriptions. On $2,500 a month, that is $3,000 a year, before card processing.
How much does Patreon take?
Patreon takes a 10% platform fee on pages launched after August 4, 2025. On $2,500 a month, that is $3,000 a year.
How much does Gumroad take?
Gumroad takes 10% plus $0.50 on each direct sale. On $2,500 a month in $50 orders, that is $3,300 a year.
How much does Teachable charge?
Teachable Starter is $39 a month plus a 7.5% transaction fee. On $2,500 a month, that is $2,718 a year.
Does Kajabi charge transaction fees?
Not with Kajabi Payments. Through another processor, Kajabi adds 2% of every sale. Kajabi Basic is $179 a month, or $2,148 a year. Sherpo Pro costs $588 a year.
What does Sherpo charge?
A flat $19 a month on Lite or $49 a month on Pro, and Sherpo takes 0% of your sales on both. That is $228 or $588 a year.
How are payment processing fees handled?
Card processing is charged by the payment provider on most platforms, so the calculator leaves it out on both sides. Skool and Udemy include it in their own fee, and the note under each says how it is counted.
When does a flat price cost less than a percentage?
From about $190 a month in sales. Above that, Sherpo Lite at a flat $19 costs less than a 10% fee. Above $490 a month, so does Sherpo Pro. The gap grows with every sale.
Which Sherpo plan should I compare with?
Sherpo hosts your site on every plan. Lite, at $19 a month, if that is enough. Pro, at $49 a month, if you want your own domain, white-label or a self-hosted option in your own codebase.
Can I move from my current platform?
Yes. Contact us and tell us what you are moving. Our team handles the move with you, content and customers included.
Keep what you earn.
Start your free trial, and pay one flat price whatever you sell.
- 14-day free trial
- Sherpo takes 0% of your sales
- Help moving over