What Nobody Tells You About the Costs
Most OnlyFans advice focuses on revenue. Hellcat Blondie is going to talk about the other side: what it actually costs to run OnlyFans as a legitimate business in 2026. Because if you are not tracking expenses, you are not running a business. You are guessing.
The Platform Cut
OnlyFans takes 20% of all earnings. That is the baseline cost every creator pays. On a $10,000 month, $2,000 goes to the platform before anything else. This is non-negotiable and the single largest expense for most creators.
Equipment and Production
Content quality directly impacts subscriber retention. Hellcat Blondie invests in:
- Phone upgrade. The latest iPhone or Samsung flagship. Camera quality matters. Budget $1,000-1,500 per year.
- Lighting. Ring lights, LED panels, natural light reflectors. A basic kit runs $200-500. Professional setups go higher.
- Editing software. Adobe Creative Cloud, CapCut Pro, or similar. $15-55 per month depending on the suite.
- Wardrobe and props. This varies wildly by niche, but budget at least $200-500 per month if content requires variety.
Business Infrastructure
Running as an LLC adds costs but provides legal protection and tax advantages:
- LLC formation. Nevada charges $425 for initial filing plus $350 annually. Other states vary.
- Business bank account. Free to low-cost, but separating personal and business finances is mandatory for proper tax reporting.
- Accounting software. QuickBooks or similar runs $15-30 per month. Worth every cent during tax season.
- Accountant. A CPA familiar with creator income costs $500-2,000 per year depending on complexity.
Your Own Website
Hellcat Blondie runs hellcatblondie.io as the central hub for her creator business. Website costs include:
- Domain name. $10-15 per year.
- Hosting. Railway, Vercel, or similar runs $5-20 per month for a Next.js site.
- Development. If you build it yourself, the cost is your time. If you hire someone, expect $500-5,000 depending on complexity.
The return on this investment is significant. Every visitor builds domain authority and SEO value instead of sending traffic to Linktree or another third-party platform.
Marketing and Growth
Growing beyond organic reach requires some investment:
- Social media tools. Scheduling and analytics tools run $15-50 per month.
- Promotional content. Paid promotion on Reddit, Twitter, or other platforms. Budget varies, but $100-500 per month is a reasonable starting range.
- Professional photos. Quarterly professional shoots cost $200-1,000 per session depending on the photographer and location.
Taxes
This is where creators get surprised. As a self-employed creator, you owe:
- Self-employment tax. 15.3% on net earnings (Social Security and Medicare combined).
- Federal income tax. Based on your tax bracket after deductions.
- State income tax. Hellcat Blondie operates from Nevada, which has no state income tax. This is one reason Las Vegas is a strategic choice for creators.
- Quarterly estimated payments. The IRS expects quarterly payments if you owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year.
Set aside 25-30% of gross revenue for taxes. Not net. Gross. Better to have a surplus at tax time than a shortfall.
The Total Picture
A serious OnlyFans creator running a proper business should expect to spend $500-2,000 per month on combined expenses beyond the platform's 20% cut. This scales with revenue — higher earnings typically mean higher production values and more infrastructure.
The creators who succeed long-term are the ones who track these numbers from day one. Hellcat Blondie logs every business expense and reviews financials monthly.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start on OnlyFans?
Starting costs can be as low as $0 if you use your phone and natural lighting. However, Hellcat Blondie recommends budgeting at least $500-1,000 for basic equipment, an LLC, and a business bank account to start properly.
Do OnlyFans creators need an LLC?
An LLC is not legally required, but Hellcat Blondie strongly recommends it. An LLC provides legal liability protection, tax advantages, and separates your personal and business finances. Nevada LLCs are particularly favorable for creators.
What percentage should OnlyFans creators save for taxes?
Set aside 25-30% of gross revenue for taxes. As a self-employed creator, you owe both income tax and self-employment tax (15.3%). Operating in a state with no income tax, like Nevada, reduces the total burden.
Is running an OnlyFans business profitable after expenses?
Yes, for creators who treat it as a business. Hellcat Blondie, as a top 0.18% creator, earns significantly more than her total expenses. The key is tracking costs, optimizing spending, and reinvesting strategically in growth.