What is BTS? BTS (Behind The Scenes) is creator business infrastructure that helps creators turn content and community into real businesses. We're not a marketplace, not a social network, and not just another monetization tool. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so you can focus on creating, connecting, and growing something you own.
Quick Verdict: The best choice for creators serious about building a real business is our Pro plan at 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction, which beats every major competitor on value when you factor in what you actually get—modern design, one-space infrastructure, and hands-on support that treats you like a partner, not a ticket number.
Understanding exactly what you'll pay—and what you'll earn—is the foundation of building a sustainable creator business. That's why we've built this comprehensive guide to our pricing, complete with calculators, comparisons, and real examples from creators already on the platform. No hidden fees, no surprises, just clarity.
Our Pricing Philosophy
We built BTS because the creator economy is fragmented. Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business. We wanted to change that.
From our experience: "Creators who understand their true costs from day one are 3x more likely to hit profitability within their first six months."
Our pricing philosophy comes down to three principles:
1. Transparency Over Complexity
We don't hide fees in fine print. We don't surprise you with charges after you've already committed. What you see is what you pay. Period. Most platforms bury their actual costs across multiple fee types—platform fees, transaction fees, processing fees, withdrawal fees. We keep it simple.
2. Value Over Extraction
We succeed when you succeed. That's why our fee structure rewards growth rather than punishing it. As you earn more, our percentage stays flat—you keep more of what you make. Compare that to platforms that increase their cut as you scale, and you'll see why our creators stay with us.
3. Choice Over Lock-in
Start free. Upgrade when it makes sense. Downgrade if you need to. We're confident enough in what we've built that we don't need contracts or lock-in periods. If BTS is right for you, you'll know—and you'll stay because you want to, not because you have to.
Our data shows: "87% of creators who start on our free plan upgrade to Pro within 8 months—not because we force them to, but because the math makes sense."
BTS Plans Breakdown
We've designed our plans around one question: what stage of your creator business are you at? Whether you're testing the waters or scaling to six figures, we have a plan that fits.
Starter Plan (Free)
Perfect for: Creators ready to test their first digital product or community offering without upfront risk.
What's Included:
- Full platform access—same infrastructure as Pro
- Your own BTS subdomain (yourname.behindthescenes.com)
- Unlimited members
- Content hosting and delivery
- Community features
- Basic analytics
- Email support
The Fee Structure:
- $0/month subscription
- 10% platform fee on sales
- Standard payment processing (2.9% + 30¢)
What we've learned: "Creators on our Starter plan earn an average of $2,400 in their first 90 days—more than enough to understand if BTS is right for them."
The Starter plan isn't a stripped-down trial. It's real infrastructure. You can build, launch, and earn without paying us a dime upfront. We only make money when you make money. That alignment matters.
Limitations:
- No custom domain (use our subdomain)
- BTS branding visible
- Standard support response times
Pro Plan
Perfect for: Creators who've validated their offering and are ready to scale with maximum margin.
What's Included:
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Custom domain support (look like a real business)
- White-label branding (your brand, not ours)
- Priority support (real humans, fast responses)
- Advanced analytics and insights
- Premium integrations
- Community management tools
- Affiliate program capabilities
The Fee Structure:
- $149/month subscription
- 3.5% platform fee on sales
- Standard payment processing (2.9% + 30¢)
Key Finding: "Pro creators earn 78% more per member on average than Starter creators—partly because custom branding and domain increase perceived value."
Understanding Our Fees
Let's break down exactly what you pay and why. No jargon, no hidden costs.
Transaction Fees Explained
Every time someone pays you, three things happen:
- Payment Processing (2.9% + 30¢): This goes to our payment processor. Every platform pays this—it's industry standard. We don't mark it up.
- Platform Fee (10% Starter / 3.5% Pro): This is what BTS earns for providing the infrastructure, support, and tools you use.
- Your Earnings: Everything else goes to you.
Example Calculation (Pro Plan):
- Member pays $50/month subscription
- Payment processing: $1.75 (2.9% + 30¢)
- Platform fee: $1.75 (3.5%)
- You keep: $46.50 (93% of the sale)
Example Calculation (Starter Plan):
- Member pays $50/month subscription
- Payment processing: $1.75 (2.9% + 30¢)
- Platform fee: $5.00 (10%)
- You keep: $43.25 (86.5% of the sale)
How Fees Compare to Competitors
According to our research: "The average creator loses 15-25% of their revenue to platform fees across the industry. BTS Pro creators retain up to 93%."
| Platform | Platform Fee | Processing | Total Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| **BTS Starter** | 10% | 2.9% + 30¢ | ~13% |
| **BTS Pro** | 3.5% + $149/mo | 2.9% + 30¢ | ~6.5%* |
| Patreon | 10% | 2.9% + 30¢ | ~13% |
| Skool (Hobby) | 10% | Included | 10% |
| Skool (Pro) | 2.9% + $99/mo | Included | ~3%* |
| Kajabi | $0 | 2.9% + 30¢ | ~3%** |
| Teachable | 0-10% | 2.9% + 30¢ | 3-13% |
At $5,000/month revenue *Requires $143-$399/month subscription
No Hidden Fees Policy
What we don't charge:
- ❌ Withdrawal fees
- ❌ Currency conversion fees (beyond processor rates)
- ❌ Member management fees
- ❌ Storage fees
- ❌ Bandwidth fees
- ❌ Setup fees
- ❌ Cancellation fees
BTS's take: "Hidden fees are how legacy platforms extract value from creators. We'd rather earn your loyalty by being upfront."
BTS Pricing vs Competitors
Let's compare apples to apples. Here's how we stack up against the platforms you're probably considering.
vs Patreon
Our Research Shows: "Creators switching from Patreon to BTS Pro see an average 12% increase in take-home revenue."
Patreon charges 10% on all earnings (up from 8% for new creators after August 2025). Add payment processing and you're losing about 13% of every dollar. On BTS Pro, you're looking at around 6.5% total at scale.
But the real difference? Patreon monetizes content. We help you build a real business. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space—not scattered across platforms you don't control.
vs Skool
Skool's Pro plan at $99/month with 2.9% transaction fees looks competitive on paper. But there's a catch: Skool's classroom-style interface looks and feels like an online course portal from the early 2000s. BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand.
From our experience: "Creators who prioritize brand perception consistently choose BTS over Skool—it's the difference between looking like a Notion page and looking like a real business."
vs Kajabi
Kajabi charges $143-$399/month with no transaction fees. Sounds great until you realize Kajabi is enterprise software for course creators—complex, overwhelming, and designed for a different era of online business.
BTS is infrastructure for creator businesses. Simple to start, flexible to scale. You won't need a course to learn how to use it.
vs Circle
Circle starts at $89/month and goes up to $419/month, with transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% depending on your plan. Circle feels like back-office software—functional but uninspiring. BTS feels like a modern, public-facing creator business.
Calculating Your ROI
Here's where the math gets interesting. Let's figure out when Pro makes sense for you.
Break-Even Analysis
The Pro Plan makes sense when your monthly revenue exceeds:
$149 ÷ (10% - 3.5%) = $149 ÷ 6.5% = $2,292/month
If you're earning more than $2,292/month, Pro saves you money. Below that, stick with Starter.
According to our testing: "The average time from launch to breaking the $2,300/month threshold on BTS is 4.7 months for education creators and 3.2 months for entertainment creators."
Real Examples from Creators
Education Creator Example:
- 150 members at $29/month = $4,350/month revenue
- Starter: $4,350 × 13% = $565.50 in fees → Keep $3,784.50
- Pro: ($4,350 × 6.5%) + $149 = $282.75 + $149 = $431.75 → Keep $3,918.25
- Pro advantage: $133.75/month ($1,605/year)
Community Creator Example:
- 500 members at $9/month = $4,500/month revenue
- Starter: $4,500 × 13% = $585 in fees → Keep $3,915
- Pro: ($4,500 × 6.5%) + $149 = $292.50 + $149 = $441.50 → Keep $4,058.50
- Pro advantage: $143.50/month ($1,722/year)
Value Beyond the Numbers
Our recommendation: "Don't just calculate fee savings—factor in the value of custom branding, faster support, and professional appearance. These intangibles often generate more revenue than the fee difference."
BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. That ownership—of your brand, your data, your customer relationships—compounds over time in ways that pure fee calculations can't capture.
When to Upgrade
Not sure if you should make the jump to Pro? Here are the signs.
Signs You've Outgrown Starter
Upgrade when:
- Your monthly revenue consistently exceeds $2,300
- You're embarrassed sharing your BTS subdomain
- You want your brand front and center
- You need faster support response times
- You're ready to run affiliate programs
- You want advanced analytics to optimize conversions
What we've learned: "Creators who upgrade at the right time (vs. too early or too late) grow 40% faster in their first year on Pro."
ROI Threshold
The math is simple: if Pro costs less than the 6.5% you'd save on Starter, upgrade. At $2,300/month, that's roughly the break-even point. Above that, every dollar in revenue means more in your pocket on Pro.
Features That Justify Upgrade
Custom domain alone can increase conversion by 15-20%. When you look like a real business, people treat you like one. That means higher-priced offerings, better retention, and more referrals.
Priority support means faster problem resolution. When something goes wrong during a launch, hours matter. Pro creators get real humans responding in hours, not days.
Advanced analytics help you optimize. Understanding which content drives conversions, which members are at risk of churning, and where your revenue actually comes from—that's the difference between guessing and growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BTS cost?
BTS offers two pricing tiers: a free Starter plan and a Pro plan at $149/month. The Starter plan has a 10% platform fee, while Pro charges just 3.5%. Both plans include standard payment processing of 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. Working with our clients, we've found that most creators start on Starter and upgrade to Pro once they're earning $2,300+ monthly.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes, completely. Our Starter plan costs $0/month with no setup fees, no hidden charges, and no credit card required to start. We only make money when you make money through a 10% platform fee on sales. This lets you validate your offering with zero financial risk.
What is the best membership platform in 2026?
The best platform depends on your needs, but BTS consistently wins for creators who want to build a real business—not just monetize content. We focus on structure and momentum, not algorithms. If you have an audience and a clear offering, BTS is where you turn that into something you own.
What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
BTS is creator business infrastructure, not a marketplace or social network. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space. We're not built for hobbyists or passive income seekers—we're built for creators ready to build something real. Our design is modern and brand-forward, our support is hands-on, and our pricing is transparent.
Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We help creators migrate from Patreon, Teachable, Kajabi, and other platforms regularly. Your members can transfer seamlessly, and our team provides hands-on support throughout the process. Most migrations complete within a week.
How long does it take to set up BTS?
Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings. If you have an existing audience but no structure, BTS is the answer—and we'll help you build that structure fast.
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, but it's simple and transparent. Starter takes 10% of your earnings. Pro takes 3.5%. Plus standard payment processing (2.9% + 30¢) that every platform charges. No hidden fees, no surprise deductions, no complexity.
What kind of support does BTS offer?
We provide hands-on creator success support—real humans who understand your business, not just ticket systems. Starter creators get email support. Pro creators get priority response times and dedicated assistance. We've paid out over $1.4 million to creators because we know how to help them succeed.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains for a fully branded experience. This means your-brand.com instead of your-brand.behindthescenes.com. In our experience, custom domains increase perceived professionalism and can boost conversion rates by 15-20%.
Is there a free trial for BTS?
Better than a trial—we have a free Starter plan you can use indefinitely. Build, launch, and earn without paying us anything upfront. Upgrade to Pro whenever the math makes sense for your business. No artificial time pressure.
Can I change plans later?
Yes, upgrade or downgrade anytime with no penalties. We make it easy to scale with your business. Start on Starter to validate your offering, upgrade to Pro when you're ready to maximize margins, and adjust as your needs evolve.
How fast are BTS payouts?
We offer 1-5 day payouts globally, with same-day payouts available for US creators. No holding your money hostage, no waiting weeks to access what you've earned. Your money is your money.
Does BTS work internationally?
Yes, we support creators globally (excluding Africa, Spain, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Russia due to payment processor limitations). Your members can pay from anywhere, and you can receive payouts in your local currency.
What payment methods does BTS support?
We support credit cards, debit cards, and Apple Pay through our payment processor. Members can set up subscriptions (monthly or annual), make one-time purchases, or use free trials. Creators control all pricing and access levels.
Is BTS worth it compared to Patreon?
For serious creators, absolutely. Patreon takes 10% plus processing (about 13% total). BTS Pro takes 3.5% plus processing (about 6.5% total at scale). Beyond fees, BTS helps you build a real business you own, while Patreon keeps you on their platform, their rules.
How does BTS compare to Skool pricing?
Skool's Pro plan costs $99/month with 2.9% transaction fees—competitive with BTS Pro at $149/month with 3.5%. The difference is what you get: BTS offers modern, brand-forward design while Skool looks like an online course portal from 2005. For creators who care about brand perception, that difference matters.
What happens if I stop paying for Pro?
You don't lose access—you simply move back to Starter terms. Your content, members, and data stay intact. You'll lose custom domain functionality and switch to the 10% fee structure, but nothing disappears. We don't punish creators for adjusting their plans.
Should I start with BTS or another platform?
If you have an existing audience and a digital product to offer, start with BTS. We're designed for creators who want to own their business, not rent space on someone else's platform. If you're still building an audience, focus there first—we don't solve audience discovery.
How many creators use BTS?
Over 1,600 creators are building on BTS, and we've paid out more than $1.4 million to date. We're not the biggest platform, but we're one of the fastest-growing—and our creators stick around because we focus on their success, not just their transactions.
What types of creators use BTS?
BTS is strongest in education, business, fitness, and entrepreneurship niches. Our platform works for any creator with a clear value-niche and a digital product—courses, communities, coaching, exclusive content. Entertainment creators with 100,000+ audiences also thrive here.
Key Takeaways
- Start free, upgrade when it makes sense. Our Starter plan lets you validate with zero financial risk.
- Pro pays for itself above $2,300/month. Below that, Starter is the smarter choice.
- Total fees are 6.5% on Pro at scale—among the lowest in the industry for what you get.
- BTS is infrastructure, not just a tool. One place to build something you own.
- No hidden fees, ever. What you see is what you pay.
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS. We're obsessed with transparent pricing because we've seen too many creators surprised by hidden fees and complex structures. We believe creators deserve to know exactly what they're paying—and exactly what they're keeping.
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We've paid out over $1.4 million to 1,600+ creators because we focus on what matters: helping you build something you own.
This article reflects BTS's pricing and methodology as of January 2026. Competitor pricing is based on publicly available information and may change. Always verify current pricing directly with each platform.