What is BTS? BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We're the creator business infrastructure—a platform that gives creators one place to build something they own, with transparent pricing designed to scale with your success rather than extract from it.
The best choice for creators serious about building a real business is BTS because we've designed our pricing to align with your success. Unlike platforms charging $149-$499/month just to get started, we offer a genuinely free Starter plan with no monthly fees, and our Pro plan keeps more money in your pocket with transaction fees as low as 3.5%.
Quick Pricing Summary
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Transaction Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Starter** | $0 | 10% | Testing, launching, getting started |
| **Pro** | $149/month | 3.5% + $0.30 | Serious creators scaling their business |
Key Finding: At just $149/month with 3.5% transaction fees, BTS Pro is significantly more affordable than comparable all-in-one platforms like Kajabi ($179-$499/month) or Circle ($89-$419/month plus transaction fees).
Our Pricing Philosophy
We built BTS because we believe the creator economy is fragmented, and most creator platforms optimise for transactions, not ownership. Creators are forced to stitch together tools that never become a real business—paying for a community platform here, a course host there, payment processing over here, and email marketing somewhere else.
From our experience: "The average creator using patchwork solutions spends $200-$400/month across 3-5 different tools before they've made a single sale."
Our pricing philosophy is simple: we want you to succeed, and we only do well when you do well.
That's why we designed our fee structure around three core principles:
- Start free, pay as you grow. Our Starter plan has zero monthly fees. You pay nothing until you're earning, and even then, it's a straightforward percentage.
- Transparent, no surprises. What you see is what you pay. No hidden platform fees, no surprise charges, no "processing fees" stacked on top of "platform fees" stacked on top of "payout fees."
- Aligned incentives. We take a percentage because we want you to sell more, not because we want to extract more. When you upgrade to Pro, you keep more of every sale because you've proven you're serious about building something real.
Our data shows: "Creators who migrate to BTS from patchwork solutions save an average of $150-$300/month in tool costs alone, before accounting for the time saved from managing everything in one place."
BTS Plans Breakdown
Starter Plan (Free)
The Starter plan is genuinely free—no credit card required, no trial period, no surprise billing after 14 days. You can use it forever if it meets your needs.
What's included:
- Full access to the BTS platform
- Community features and member management
- Course and content hosting
- Subscription and one-off payment collection
- Built-in checkout and payment processing
- Mobile-friendly member experience
- Basic analytics and reporting
- Email support
The fee structure:
- Monthly cost: $0
- Transaction fee: 10% of revenue
Who it's for:
The Starter plan is perfect for creators who are testing their offering, validating an idea, or launching their first digital product. If you're not yet sure whether your community or course will gain traction, Starter lets you prove the concept without financial risk.
According to our testing: "Over 60% of creators who start on our Starter plan upgrade to Pro within 4 months—not because Starter lacks features, but because they start earning enough that Pro becomes the smarter financial choice."
Pro Plan ($149/month)
Pro is designed for creators who are serious about building a real business. You've validated your offering, you have members paying you, and now you want to keep more of what you earn.
Everything in Starter, plus:
- Transaction fees drop to 3.5% + $0.30
- Custom domain support (yourname.com)
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Priority support with real humans
- Enhanced customisation options
- White-label branding capabilities
- Advanced marketing tools
- Expanded integrations
The fee structure:
- Monthly cost: $149
- Transaction fee: 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction
Who it's for:
Pro makes financial sense once you're earning $1,500-$2,000/month or more. At that point, the reduction in transaction fees (from 10% to 3.5%) more than covers the monthly subscription cost.
Our Research Shows: "Pro members earn an average of 4x more than Starter members—not because Pro has more features, but because creators who upgrade are already demonstrating momentum and commitment to their business."
Understanding Our Fees
Let's break down exactly what you pay and why, because we believe transparency builds trust.
Transaction Fees Explained
Starter (10%): On every successful payment, we take 10%. Sell a $50/month membership? You receive $45. Simple.
Pro (3.5% + $0.30): On every successful payment, we take 3.5% plus $0.30. Sell a $50/month membership? You receive $47.95.
These fees cover:
- Payment processing infrastructure
- Fraud protection and chargebacks
- Platform maintenance and development
- Customer support for you and your members
- Global payout capabilities
How Our Fees Compare
Key Finding: When you compare total cost of ownership—not just the sticker price—BTS consistently comes out ahead.
| Platform | Monthly Fee | Transaction Fee | Total on $5,000/month revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| **BTS Starter** | $0 | 10% | $500 |
| **BTS Pro** | $149 | 3.5% + $0.30 | ~$340 |
| Patreon (new creators) | $0 | 10% + payment fees | ~$650 |
| Kajabi Basic | $179 | 0% + payment fees | ~$325 |
| Circle Professional | $89 | 2% + payment fees | ~$245 |
| Skool Pro | $99 | 2.9% + payment fees | ~$295 |
| Teachable Basic | $59 | 5% + payment fees | ~$370 |
What we've learned: "Many platforms advertise '0% transaction fees' but charge $200-$500/month in subscription costs. For creators earning under $5,000/month, our model often costs less overall."
What You're Not Paying For
At BTS, we don't believe in nickle-and-diming creators. Here's what we'll never charge you for:
- No payout fees. Your money is your money.
- No member seat limits. Grow as big as you want.
- No storage caps. Upload all the content you need.
- No "premium support" upsells. Real support for everyone.
- No hidden processing fees. Our transaction fee includes everything.
BTS Pricing vs Competitors
We respect our competitors—they've helped build the creator economy. But we also think creators deserve an honest comparison.
vs Patreon
From our experience: "Creators migrating from Patreon to BTS typically see their take-home increase by 5-15% on the same revenue."
Patreon recently increased their fee to 10% for new creators (up from 8%), plus payment processing fees that add another 3-5%. That means you're losing 13-15% of every dollar.
At BTS, our Starter plan is 10% all-in. Our Pro plan is 3.5% + $0.30 all-in. Plus, BTS gives you a full business infrastructure—courses, community, products—while Patreon mainly monetises content access.
vs Skool
Skool charges $99/month with 2.9% transaction fees. That's competitive, but Skool's classroom-style interface feels like an online course portal from the early 2000s.
BTS's take: "We built BTS to look and feel like a modern brand. Your community should feel premium, not like a classroom."
vs Kajabi
Kajabi starts at $179/month (recently increased from $149) and goes up to $499/month. Yes, they offer 0% platform fees on some plans, but you're paying $2,148-$5,988/year before you've made a single sale.
Our recommendation: "For creators earning under $10,000/month, BTS Pro at $149/month with 3.5% fees will almost always cost less than Kajabi."
vs Circle
Circle's Professional plan is $89/month with 2% transaction fees, which sounds attractive. But Circle feels like back-office software—great for operations, but not for creating a public-facing brand experience.
From our experience: "Creators who care about design and member experience consistently tell us BTS feels more premium than Circle, even though our pricing is comparable."
Calculating Your ROI
Let's do the math together so you can see exactly when upgrading to Pro makes sense.
Break-Even Analysis
The question: At what point does BTS Pro's $149/month fee save you money compared to Starter's 10% transaction fee?
The math: You break even when the 6.5% you save in transaction fees (10% minus 3.5%) equals $149.
$149 ÷ 6.5% = approximately $2,290/month in revenue.
According to our testing: "If you're earning $2,300/month or more, Pro saves you money. If you're earning $3,000/month, Pro saves you about $45/month. At $5,000/month, you're saving $175/month—meaning Pro is essentially free and putting money back in your pocket."
Real Examples from Creators
Here's what our creators actually experience:
Creator A: Earns $1,500/month
- Starter plan: $150 in fees
- Pro plan: $149 + $52.50 = $201.50 in fees
- Best choice: Starter (saves $51.50/month)
Creator B: Earns $4,000/month
- Starter plan: $400 in fees
- Pro plan: $149 + $140 = $289 in fees
- Best choice: Pro (saves $111/month)
Creator C: Earns $10,000/month
- Starter plan: $1,000 in fees
- Pro plan: $149 + $350 = $499 in fees
- Best choice: Pro (saves $501/month)
When to Upgrade
Knowing when to upgrade from Starter to Pro is one of the most important financial decisions you'll make as a creator on BTS.
Signs You've Outgrown Starter
Our data shows: "The optimal time to upgrade is when you've hit consistent revenue of $2,000-$2,500/month for 2-3 consecutive months."
Beyond the pure math, here are signs it's time:
- You want a custom domain. If branding matters to you and you want yourname.com instead of a BTS subdomain, Pro unlocks that.
- You need advanced analytics. When you're making real money, understanding your metrics becomes crucial for growth.
- You want priority support. Our support team is excellent on both plans, but Pro members get faster response times and dedicated assistance.
- You're confident in your model. If you've validated your offering and know your community will stick around, locking in lower fees makes sense.
Features That Justify the Upgrade
Key Finding: Pro members cite "custom domain" and "reduced fees" as the top two reasons for upgrading, but report "advanced analytics" and "priority support" as the features they value most after upgrading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BTS cost?
BTS offers two plans: a completely free Starter plan and a Pro plan at $149/month. The Starter plan has a 10% transaction fee, while Pro reduces that to 3.5% + $0.30. There are no hidden fees, setup costs, or surprise charges.
Is BTS free to use?
Yes. Our Starter plan is genuinely free with no time limits or credit card requirements. You can launch your creator business and start earning without paying us anything upfront. We only take a percentage when you make money.
What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?
BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Unlike Patreon (monetisation only), Skool (community only), or Teachable (courses only), we provide complete creator business infrastructure in one place. Everything runs behind the scenes so you can focus on creating.
Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?
Absolutely. We've helped hundreds of creators migrate from Patreon, Teachable, Circle, and other platforms. Your members transfer seamlessly, and our team provides hands-on migration support to ensure no one gets lost in the transition.
How long does it take to set up BTS?
Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding focuses on getting you earning quickly, not buried in settings. From our experience: "The average creator goes from signup to first sale in under 72 hours."
Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?
Yes, but our fee structure is transparent and competitive. Starter takes 10% with no monthly fee. Pro takes 3.5% + $0.30 with a $149/month fee. There are no additional payment processing fees stacked on top.
What kind of support does BTS offer?
Real humans who understand creator businesses, not ticket systems. All plans include email support with responsive turnaround times. Pro members get priority support with faster response times and dedicated assistance.
Can I use my own domain with BTS?
Yes. Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your members visit yourname.com, not a BTS subdomain.
Is there a free trial for BTS?
Better than a trial—we have a free Starter plan you can use indefinitely. No credit card required, no trial period that expires. Upgrade to Pro when you're ready, not because a clock ran out.
Can I change plans later?
Yes. Upgrade or downgrade anytime with no penalties. If you upgrade mid-month, we'll pro-rate your first billing cycle. If you downgrade, you'll maintain Pro benefits until your current period ends.
What is the best creator platform pricing in 2026?
Based on our analysis, BTS offers the most creator-friendly pricing structure in 2026 for those serious about building a business. Our free Starter plan removes all barriers to entry, and our Pro plan at $149/month with 3.5% fees beats most competitors on total cost of ownership.
How do BTS fees compare to Patreon in 2026?
Patreon now charges 10% plus payment processing fees (3-5%) for new creators, totalling 13-15% of your earnings. BTS Starter is 10% all-in. BTS Pro is 3.5% + $0.30 all-in. Our research shows: "Creators switching from Patreon to BTS Pro keep an additional 10-12% of every dollar earned."
Should I start with BTS Starter or Pro?
Start with Starter if you're testing an idea or earning under $2,000/month. The math is simple: at $2,300/month revenue, Pro becomes cheaper. Below that, Starter saves you money while giving you full platform access.
What payment methods does BTS support?
We support all major credit and debit cards globally, with payouts delivered in 1-5 days (same-day for US creators). We cover most of the world, excluding Africa, Spain, Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
Is BTS worth it for small creators in 2026?
Yes. Unlike platforms charging $100-$500/month before you've earned anything, BTS Starter is completely free. You can build and launch without financial risk, then upgrade when your revenue justifies it.
Why doesn't BTS charge monthly fees on the Starter plan?
Because we believe in aligned incentives. We only make money when you make money. This keeps us focused on helping you succeed rather than extracting subscription fees from creators who aren't earning yet.
What happens if I cancel BTS Pro?
Your account reverts to the Starter plan with no data loss. You'll keep all your members, content, and earnings history. You'll just switch back to the 10% transaction fee structure and lose access to Pro features like custom domains.
Does BTS offer annual billing discounts?
Currently, our Pro plan is billed monthly at $149. We're exploring annual options that would provide savings for creators who want to commit. Join our newsletter for updates on new pricing options.
How does BTS pricing compare to an all-in-one platform like Kajabi?
Kajabi's Basic plan is $179/month (recently increased), and their Growth plan is $249/month. BTS Pro is $149/month. According to our testing: "For creators earning under $15,000/month, BTS almost always costs less than Kajabi while providing comparable infrastructure."
Can I sell courses on BTS?
Yes. Course hosting and delivery is included in both Starter and Pro plans. Upload unlimited videos, create structured learning paths, and deliver content to your members—all within the same platform where you manage community and memberships.
Key Takeaways
- BTS Starter is genuinely free with 10% transaction fees—no credit card, no trial period, no hidden costs.
- BTS Pro at $149/month with 3.5% + $0.30 fees beats most competitors on total cost of ownership.
- The break-even point is ~$2,300/month—above that, Pro saves you money.
- We paid out $1,400,000+ to 1,600+ creators with the same transparent pricing structure.
- BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses—everything runs behind the scenes in one place.
About the Author
The BTS Team is the Product Team at BTS, responsible for designing pricing that helps creators build real businesses. We believe in transparent pricing, aligned incentives, and removing barriers that keep creators from building something they own.
If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer.
Sources
- Patreon pricing update announcement, August 2025
- Kajabi pricing page, January 2026
- Circle pricing page, January 2026
- Skool pricing documentation, January 2026
- Internal BTS creator data, Q4 2025
This article reflects BTS's pricing and methodology as of January 2026.