Leaky Paywall vs SubscribeStar (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Leaky Paywall if

• Fits if you publish on WordPress and want a metered paywall
• Works for a small publisher that can accept a revenue share while starting

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you're off WordPress, as it runs only inside it
• Pricey if you earn a lot, since the free edition takes 10% of new paid subscriptions
• Watch out: recurring plans, free trials, coupons and group subscriptions are Pro
• Watch out: payments go through Stripe, and Pro prices weren't readable

Pick SubscribeStar if

• Fits if you are a creator who wants subscriptions with no monthly fee
• Works for people who want to choose who pays the processing fee

Look elsewhere if

• Watch out: a rolling reserve of 10% of earnings is held, and more if refunds or chargebacks run high
• Pricey if you use the API, which can add 3% to 5%
• Watch out: fees are set per creator and the page says they may change
• Skip it if you want one clear rate, since processing runs from 3% + $0.30 to 10% + $0.40

Leaky Paywall

• Prices for the paid plans could not be read: the vendor's site refused automated access, so only the free edition is listed.
• The free edition takes a 10% revenue share on new paid subscriptions; Pro reduces or removes it.
• Runs only inside WordPress, and paid subscriptions are processed through Stripe.
• Recurring subscriptions, free trials, coupons and group subscriptions are Pro features.

SubscribeStar

• Fees are set per creator and the platform may change them; the pricing page says to review it periodically.
• A rolling reserve of 10% of earnings is held, and a higher reserve can apply when refund or chargeback rates exceed stated limits.
• Creators using the API can face an extra fee of 3% to 5% according to the pricing page.
• The homepage headline reads 'Free Today' for musicians, visual artists and educators, but the pricing page does not explain it.

Leaky Paywall

Metered and hard paywalls

Choose metered, hard, or dynamic and hybrid paywalls, and restrict by post, category, tag, taxonomy, post type or content block.

Registration wall

List Builder prompts anonymous readers to register or log in, and registered readers can be exported or sent through Zapier.

Subscription levels

Create free, premium, annual or VIP levels, with Stripe checkout including Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Publisher dashboard

A dashboard inside WordPress shows revenue trends, new registrations, paid subscription activity and top content.

Pro revenue tools

Pro adds recurring subscriptions, free trials, coupons, group and IP-based subscriptions, and churn risk alerts.

Extensions and integrations

The listing names more than 50 extensions, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Zapier and WooCommerce.

SubscribeStar

Subscriptions for creators

Creators set a subscription price and a schedule, and subscribers are charged on that schedule.

Transaction fee model

A creator picks whether payment processing costs are covered by the creator or passed on to subscribers.

Tax handling

Where applicable the platform calculates, collects and remits VAT, GST, sales tax and similar levies.

Statistics

The site advertises comprehensive statistics and analysis for creators.

Wallet and payouts

Payouts carry a fee that depends on the withdrawal method, currency and country; the site also links to a wallet.

Leaky Paywall

• Free$0

  Paywalls, unlimited subscription levels and Stripe checkout, with a 10% revenue share on paid subscriptions.

SubscribeStar

• Star (creator)$0

  5% platform service fee. Payment processing runs from 3% + $0.30 to 10% + $0.40, paid by the creator or the subscriber depending on the fee model chosen.