What this calculator does
Paid newsletters and memberships turn readers or fans into monthly income. This calculator estimates what you keep each month after the platform's fee and card processing, with members on monthly and discounted yearly plans. It shows a 12-month outlook with new members and cancellations, the level where growth levels off and how many paying members reach your goal.
How it is worked out
A monthly member pays the price each month; the platform keeps its percentage, the card processor takes its percentage plus a fixed fee per payment. A yearly member pays 12 months at the discount once a year, so the fixed fee is paid only once. The calculator blends the two by your share of yearly members. For example, 200 members at $8 a month, 30% of them yearly with a 15% discount, a 10% platform fee and 2.9% + $0.30 for cards, bring in about $1,287 a month after fees, or $6.44 per member.
The 12-month outlook adds your new paying members each month and removes the share who cancel. When the two balance, growth levels off at new members ÷ cancellation rate: with 20 new members a month and 5% cancelling, that is 400 members.
Platform fees
- Substack keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its card processing fee on top; Substack's fee table lists 2.9% + $0.30 for U.S. cards.
- Patreon charges a 10% platform fee to creators who published their page after August 4, 2025, plus payment processing; pages published earlier may keep a legacy rate, shown in your plan settings.
- Payments made inside a phone app can carry an extra app-store fee, so add it to the platform fee if many members pay that way.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Substack take?
Substack keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its own processing fee on each payment. Publishing for free costs nothing.
Should I offer a yearly plan?
Yearly plans bring money in up front and pay the fixed card fee only once, but at a discount. Try different shares and discounts in the calculator to see the effect.
What is a normal cancellation rate?
It varies a lot by topic and price. Use the figure from your own dashboard; even a few percent a month makes a big difference over a year.
Is membership income taxable?
Yes, in the U.S. it is usually self-employment income. The creator tax calculator estimates the tax; this is general information, not tax advice.