Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform that provides creators with the business tools needed to run a subscription service and build direct relationships with their most engaged fans.
WildApricot
WildApricot is a cloud-based membership management software designed to help nonprofits, associations, and clubs automate tasks like member registration, website updates, event scheduling, and secure payment processing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Patreon | WildApricot |
|---|---|---|
| Website | patreon.com | wildapricot.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 60 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Patreon
Patreon helps you build a sustainable income by offering exclusive content and community access to your most passionate fans. Instead of relying on unpredictable ad revenue or algorithms, you can establish a direct recurring payment model that puts you in control of your creative business. You can offer different membership tiers, each with its own set of unique rewards and price points.
The platform handles the complexities of payment processing, recurring billing, and benefit delivery so you can focus on your craft. Whether you are a podcaster, video creator, musician, or visual artist, you can use the built-in communication tools to message your patrons, host private communities, and share early access to your work. It scales with your growth, offering advanced tools for professional creators and teams.
WildApricot
WildApricot is an all-in-one platform designed to take the manual labor out of running a membership-based organization. Whether you manage a small hobby club or a large professional association, you can automate your most time-consuming tasks like processing renewals, sending automated reminder emails, and managing member databases. You get a centralized hub where member information stays current without constant data entry.
The platform also provides tools to grow your community and generate revenue. You can build a professional, mobile-friendly website using drag-and-drop tools, host event registrations with online payments, and send polished email newsletters to your entire contact list. By consolidating your website, database, and finances into one system, you eliminate the need for multiple disconnected tools and keep your organization running smoothly.
Overview
Patreon Features
- Tiered Memberships Create multiple membership levels with different price points and exclusive rewards to cater to your diverse fan base.
- Direct Messaging Communicate directly with your patrons through private messages and email notifications to build deeper personal connections.
- Exclusive Content Feed Share posts, videos, and audio files that are only visible to specific membership tiers or your entire patron community.
- Insights and Analytics Track your earnings, patron growth, and engagement levels with detailed dashboards to help you make informed business decisions.
- Automated Benefits Deliver rewards like Discord roles or private RSS feeds automatically when a fan joins a specific membership tier.
- Mobile Creator App Manage your community, post updates, and respond to comments on the go with the native iOS and Android apps.
WildApricot Features
- Member Database. Maintain a secure, searchable database where members can update their own profiles to keep your records accurate.
- Website Builder. Create a professional website with ready-to-use themes and a drag-and-drop editor—no coding or technical skills required.
- Automated Renewals. Set up automated membership renewal reminders and recurring payments so you never have to chase down dues manually.
- Event Management. Organize events with online registration forms, automated confirmations, and integrated payment processing for tickets.
- Email Marketing. Design and send professional newsletters or automated announcements to specific member segments using customizable templates.
- Online Payments. Accept credit card payments securely for memberships, events, and donations directly through your WildApricot website.
Pricing Comparison
Patreon Pricing
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited community posts
- Direct fan messaging
- Basic analytics
- Native video (limited)
- Mobile app access
- 8% of monthly income
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Membership tiers
- App integrations
- Priority customer support
- Special offers tool
- Workshop access
WildApricot Pricing
- Up to 50 contacts
- Basic website builder
- Online membership database
- Community support forum
- WildApricot branding on site
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 100 contacts
- Unlimited administrative users
- Online payment processing
- No WildApricot branding
- Custom domain name support
Pros & Cons
Patreon
Pros
- Reliable recurring monthly income for creators
- Easy setup for tiered membership levels
- Strong integration with Discord for communities
- Excellent brand recognition among potential supporters
- Direct ownership of your fan email list
Cons
- Platform fees can feel high as income grows
- Limited customization for page design
- Mobile app interface can be occasionally buggy
WildApricot
Pros
- All-in-one functionality eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions
- Generous 60-day free trial provides ample testing time
- Automated renewal emails significantly reduce administrative workload
- Member self-service portal keeps database information current
Cons
- Website customization options can feel restrictive for designers
- Learning curve for setting up complex event workflows
- Pricing jumps can be steep when crossing contact limits