Charles Esther
Tim Stokely, the cofounder of OnlyFans, has returned to the creator economy with the launch of a new subscription platform called Subs.
This new venture aims to host both adult and non-adult content, offering creators a more dynamic way to build and monetize their audiences.
With a focus on usability and discoverability, Subs is poised to be more than just a competitor to OnlyFans — it is Stokely’s vision of what a comprehensive creator platform should look like in 2025.
What Makes Subs Different from OnlyFans
While OnlyFans revolutionized online monetization, it has been criticized for its limitations in helping creators organically grow their audiences.
Subs seeks to solve that problem.
It will feature an Instagram-style Explore feed and a YouTube-like Shows feature, both of which are designed to be ad-free and serve as discovery tools that guide users toward premium content such as subscriptions, one-on-one calls, and private messages.
These additions mark a clear shift from OnlyFans’ static paywall model.
Stokely believes that combining free and paid content in a structured way will offer more value to creators and fans alike.
A Platform Built With Creators in Mind
“Creators need more than just a paywall,” Stokely told Business Insider.
He’s building Subs as a hub where creators can access everything they need in one place — from content sharing to monetization tools.
Unlike OnlyFans, Subs introduces live one-on-one calls, a monetization stream popularized by platforms like Cameo but previously unavailable on OnlyFans.
Stokely sees these calls as a “lucrative new revenue stream” that could command premium rates for creators.
Returning to the Industry With a Refined Vision
Stokely stepped down as CEO of OnlyFans in 2021, but he never fully left the creator economy.
He spent time relaxing and reconnecting with friends and family, but messages from creators kept pulling him back in.
“I get messages every day from creators,” he said. “It wasn’t long before I got pulled back in.”
Since leaving OnlyFans, he has explored other ventures, including joining an airline startup in 2024 and cofounding a creator app called Zoop, which attempted to bid for TikTok in collaboration with a crypto foundation.
Challenges Ahead for Subs
Subs does face some limitations.
Due to its inclusion of adult content, the platform can’t exist on the Apple or Google app stores, which prohibit pornography.
Instead, Subs will operate strictly as a web app.
While this restricts reach on mobile platforms, Stokely views it as a positive, noting it allows creators to avoid app store fees and maintain higher earnings.
This setup mirrors competitors like Passes and Fanfix, which also use web-based billing systems.
However, it may present hurdles in attracting non-adult creators who prioritize ease of access via app stores.
Monetization and Revenue Model
Subs offers creators an 80% revenue share, matching the rate offered by OnlyFans.
Creators can also earn additional income through referral commissions.
The platform is already onboarding talent through agencies, and early adopters include lingerie expert Saterra St. Jean and podcaster Alex Chisnall.
It welcomes a wide range of creators, from musicians and athletes to podcasters and adult content creators.
The Road Ahead
Stokely is betting on a model that blends discoverability, diverse monetization, and multi-niche flexibility.
The Shows feature could be a game-changer — allowing creators to layer free content with a seamless path to paid engagement.
“It’s about giving creators everything they need in one place,” Stokely emphasized.
With Subs, he is attempting to do just that.
The platform aims to empower creators like never before, and if successful, it could redefine how creators engage with their audiences and monetize their content in the post-OnlyFans era.
