Verdict. Pick channel memberships if your viewers already watch you on YouTube and you want the lowest-friction way to sell perks. Joining happens right on your channel, and YouTube handles billing and card fees. The cost is steep. YouTube keeps 30%, three times Patreon's standard rate, and your members stay inside YouTube. Use it alongside an off-platform membership, not instead of one.
- Founded
- 2018 (Launched as Sponsorships for select channels in January 2018 and renamed channel memberships in June 2018.)
- Headquarters
- San Bruno, California, US
- Best for
- YouTubers whose viewers want perks without leaving YouTube
- Plans from
- Free
- You keep from $1,000
- $700 on Channel memberships
Who can join. You must be 18+, live in a supported country and have 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in 365 days or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days. Made-for-kids channels and some music channels are excluded.
YouTube channel memberships pricing and fees
You keep 70% of membership revenue after taxes and fees, YouTube keeps 30%, and YouTube covers card processing.
| Plan | Price | Fee on sales | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel memberships | $0/mo | 30% of membership revenue | Up to 6 levels, priced from $0.99 to $499.99 a month in the US. |
On $1,000 of monthly sales at $10 each, the cheapest option is the Channel memberships plan. You'd pay about $300 in platform and card fees, 30% of revenue, and keep $700. Compare that with every other platform.
Payment processing. YouTube processes every payment and currently covers all transaction costs, including credit card fees. Your 70% is calculated after applicable taxes and fees are deducted.
Payouts. Earnings are paid through AdSense for YouTube. Last month's finalized earnings post between the 7th and 12th, and payment is issued between the 21st and 26th once your balance passes the threshold, $100 for USD accounts. Smaller balances roll over.
What you get with YouTube channel memberships
- Up to 6 price levels
- 1 to 5 perks per level
- Loyalty badges
- Custom emoji
- Members-only posts and videos
- Membership analytics in YouTube Studio
- Prices from $0.99 to $499.99 a month
YouTube channel memberships pros and cons
What we like
- Viewers join right on your channel, without leaving YouTube.
- YouTube covers card fees, so there is no processing charge on top of its 30%.
- You qualify at 500 subscribers, half the threshold for ad revenue.
- Payments arrive with your AdSense earnings, so there is nothing new to set up.
What gets in the way
- YouTube keeps 30%, three times Patreon's standard 10% rate.
- You need 500 subscribers plus 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views first.
- Members exist only inside YouTube. Lose the channel and you lose the membership.
- Payouts need $100 in a USD account and arrive once a month.
- Made-for-kids channels and some music channels cannot use it.
Who should skip YouTube channel memberships
If you want to keep more than 70% or own your member list, run a Patreon, Memberful or Fourthwall membership instead.
YouTube channel memberships alternatives
| Platform | Score | Keep from $1,000 | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ko-fi | 7.9 | $929 | Artists and streamers who mostly take tips and commissions |
| Fourthwall | 6.8 | $891 | YouTubers and streamers selling merch alongside memberships |
| Memberful | 6.6 | $843 | Publishers and podcasters who want a fully branded membership |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 6.4 | $886 | Writers and makers who want a simple tip jar |
Head to head: Patreon vs YouTube channel memberships.
See all 6 membership platforms ranked.
YouTube channel memberships questions
How much does YouTube take from channel memberships?
YouTube keeps 30%, and creators get 70% of membership revenue after applicable taxes and fees are deducted. YouTube currently covers transaction costs, including credit card fees. If your channel belongs to an MCN, the network may take an extra share, so you can end up with less than 70%.
How many subscribers do you need for channel memberships?
500. You also need 3 public uploads in the last 90 days and either 3,000 watch hours on long-form videos in the last 365 days or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. You must be 18 or older, live in a supported country and not be set as made for kids.
How much can you charge for a YouTube membership?
In the US you can set levels from $0.99 to $499.99 a month, using YouTube's fixed price points. You can offer up to 6 levels, each with 1 to 5 perks, and higher levels include the perks of cheaper ones. YouTube has been rolling out pricing updates gradually since May 2025.
When do YouTube membership earnings get paid?
Monthly, through AdSense for YouTube. Last month's finalized earnings post between the 7th and 12th, and payment goes out between the 21st and 26th if your balance is above the threshold, $100 for USD accounts. Smaller balances roll over to the next month until you reach it.
Sources
We checked these pages on October 20, 2026. Platforms change fees often, so confirm on the official page before you commit.
- YouTube Help: Analyze and manage your channel memberships program
- YouTube Help: How to earn money on YouTube
- YouTube Help: Overview of the expanded YouTube Partner Program
- YouTube Help: Channel memberships eligibility
- YouTube Help: YouTube Partner Program overview and eligibility
- YouTube Help: Pricing for channel memberships in North America
- YouTube Help: Channel membership perks
- YouTube Help: Payment timelines for AdSense
- AdSense Help: Payment thresholds
- YouTube Official Blog: VidCon 2018, helping creators earn more
- Wikipedia: YouTube