Tim Stokely, founder of the multi-billion-dollar platform OnlyFans, launched Subs.com in May to address persistent challenges in the creator economy. The mobile-first subscription platform unifies tools for creators across all categories—from podcasters and fitness coaches to musicians and adult content creators—while offering an 80% commission rate. 

"I'm a creator economy tech founder and entrepreneur with a focus on one thing: helping creators monetize," says Tim, who led OnlyFans from 2016 to 2021.

The creator economy has changed considerably since Tim founded OnlyFans "as a simple subscription tool from my brother's kitchen table, nothing fancy, just a product that worked." Despite OnlyFans' eventual success as "one of the biggest social media platforms in the world," Tim identified ongoing problems: platform restrictions, limited discovery tools, and fragmented revenue streams that make building sustainable careers difficult.

"After leaving OnlyFans, I stayed close to the creator community, listening to their frustrations and ideas," Tim explains. "What I heard consistently was a need for something more inclusive, with better discovery and all the tools creators rely on in one place. Many felt their content was restricted from reaching new audiences." 

This feedback directly shaped Subs.com's development into a platform where creators can build sustainable businesses, regardless of their content category.

Subs.com’s Solution Approach

Tim designed Subs.com as an integrated platform with multiple interconnected features. "Subs is the ultimate creator hub, blending discovery, content creation, messaging, and monetization in one seamless platform," he says. "It's everything creators need to turn their content into a business, and their audience into income."

At the core of the platform are two key discovery mechanisms. The "Explore" feature enhances visibility through public, bite-sized content, helping creators reach new audiences. Meanwhile, "Shows" enables long-form storytelling through videos or podcasts with subscription options immediately available to viewers. 

These features are accessible to all creators creating what Tim describes as "a level playing field that lets creators experiment, engage, and build their business without barriers."

The platform also facilitates direct creator-audience relationships through 1:1 video and audio calls, creating additional revenue streams beyond standard subscriptions. A collaboration feature called "Collabs" enables revenue splits between creators, fostering community and cross-promotion.

What distinguishes Subs.com from competitors is its approach to inclusive growth. "Unlike platforms that limit features by content type, we let every creator, big or small, in any vertical, use 'Shows' for long-form storytelling and Explore for short-form discovery," Tim notes.

The Economic Model for Creators

Subs.com's financial structure prioritizes creator earnings while supporting platform growth. To reiterate, creators receive 80% commission on Subs, comparable to the rate Tim established at OnlyFans. This revenue model is supplemented by a unique referral system.

"Our first-of-its-kind, two-tier referral program adds up to 7.5% for referrers, with no cap," Tim explains. This program rewards both creators and agencies who bring others to the platform, creating an additional income stream and organic growth mechanism.

As Tim notes, the platform's economic approach directly addresses subscription fatigue—the concern that audiences can only support so many creators through monthly payments. "People talk about subscription fatigue, but we see it differently. When creators deliver real value, audiences are still willing to subscribe," he argues.

By combining subscription revenue with income from 1:1 calls, collaborations, and referrals, Subs.com enables creators to diversify their revenue streams. "It's about helping them grow with more options, deeper engagement, and stronger long-term returns," he adds.

Applying Lessons from OnlyFans

Tim's experience building OnlyFans into a global platform has deeply informed his approach to Subs.com. 

"My experience at OnlyFans gave me insight into what creators really need to succeed," he reflects. "I saw the value of authentic interaction over mass content, the importance of building trust through safety and compliance, and the need for tools that are intuitive and reliable."

These insights have translated into specific design decisions for Subs.com. The platform separates public-facing content from age-restricted material, with "public-facing content like Explore and Shows is safe for work, which supports discovery and keeps visitors protected, while adult content is kept behind secure, age-restricted areas."

Safety and trust remain central concerns, with Tim implementing AI-powered moderation tools that work in conjunction with human review. "AI is working behind the scenes on Subs to support both creators and the platform. It powers real-time content moderation across text and media, identifying potential violations instantly to maintain a safe environment," he explains. "All flagged content is then reviewed by our in-house Trust & Safety team, who serve as a critical second line of defence to ensure accuracy, fairness, and context in every decision."

Early Adoption and Success Stories

Though Subs.com launched just a month ago, Tim reports encouraging adoption across diverse creator categories. "We're seeing strong early traction across a range of creator types. Long-form storytellers are killing it with 'Shows', while fitness coaches, musicians, and influencers are using Subs to build engaged audiences," he shares.

One early success story centers on DJ Van Snyder. "From revisiting the site of his first rave to dropping official music videos and bold new remixes, he's using Subs to amplify his sound and connect with his audience in fresh, creative ways," Tim shares.

The platform is also attracting agencies looking to manage multiple creators, suggesting potential for scaled adoption. "Agencies are also leveraging the platform to manage and monetize talent at scale, which speaks to its flexibility and broad appeal," Tim notes.

Tim notes that these early wins appear particularly important for creative professionals facing industry challenges. "This is a tough time for creatives, with many being squeezed by algorithms, ad models, and shrinking payouts," he observes. "Subs gives them new revenue streams and a direct way to showcase their work, build a following, and take back control."

On a Mission to Empower Creators

As Subs.com enters its growth phase, Tim outlines a development roadmap focused on enhancing creator capabilities while maintaining platform stability.

"We're entering a high-growth phase. Over the next 12 to 18 months, we're focused on expanding the platform with richer features, smarter AI tools, and deeper workflows for agencies and creators alike," he explains. "We're also doubling down on safety, trust, and long-term stability."

This strategy reflects Tim's broader perspective on where the creator economy is heading. "Creators are looking to diversify, seeking more discovery, and aiming to build their brands into long-term businesses," he observes. "The next phase is about platforms that truly support growth, sustainability, and creative freedom."

For Tim, who built OnlyFans from a simple subscription tool to a platform that changed creator monetization, Subs.com represents the next step in empowering digital creators. "That's why I've launched Subs.com; a new subscription platform built to serve all creators better," he says. "Mobile first, brand-friendly, and designed for long-term growth, Subs gives creators more ownership, better margins, and the freedom to build on their own terms."

This vision—of creators building sustainable businesses on their own terms—drives Tim's work in the creator economy. As he puts it: "I believe the future of media belongs to individuals and platforms should support that shift."