OnlyFans vs. Porn: The Unexpected Truth About Who Really Holds the Power

March 7, 2025
KELLI ROBERTS

From Mom to Millionaire: How One Woman Conquered OnlyFans (Without Ever Doing Porn)

OnlyFans is big business. It’s talked about in mainstream media the same way as Walmart and Starbucks—except instead of selling groceries or coffee, it’s selling direct-to-consumer content, often of the adult variety.

Over the past few years, OnlyFans has exploded in popularity, transitioning from a niche platform into a mainstream cultural phenomenon. With an estimated 468 million subscribers visiting the site each month, 4.5 million of them are creators. Of those, 70% post adult content.

Some say OnlyFans creators are the modern-day porn stars. But is that true? There’s a distinct difference, and that difference comes down to money.

The Financial Reality of Traditional Porn

There’s a long-standing assumption that porn stars make big bucks. But the reality is quite different. Before the rise of OnlyFans, adult performers were often at the mercy of production companies and directors when it came to their earnings.

A traditional boy/girl scene in the industry typically paid anywhere from $600 to $1,100 per scene. The rate largely depended on how well-known the performer was, with new girls earning the lower end of the spectrum and the biggest stars commanding higher rates.

While there are 30 days in a month, most performers didn’t work every day. In fact, most were lucky to book two or three scenes per week, while some reported getting as few as four or five per month. When you factor in expenses such as:

Agent fees (10%-15%)
STD testing ($155 every other week)
Model house fees ($35-$50 per day)

…it quickly becomes evident why many traditional porn stars struggled financially. The glamorous image associated with the industry often didn’t reflect the reality of inconsistent work and heavy financial burdens.

The OnlyFans Revolution: Forget Porn, THIS is How Women Are Building Real Connections (and Fortunes) Online.

OnlyFans has flipped the script on adult entertainment earnings, allowing performers to control their content, pricing, and audience. Some creators now make more per month than a traditional porn star would have made in an entire year.

Of course, not every OnlyFans creator is raking in millions—just like not every traditional porn star was shooting 20+ scenes a month. Success on OnlyFans requires strategic marketing, consistent content production, and regular engagement with subscribers.

But for those who master the platform, the financial rewards can be staggering. Hundreds of OnlyFans content creators make over $1 million a year, with a select few earning more than $1 million per month. But is it really different than traditional porn? Very much so!

Getting to Know a Top OnlyFans Creator: Rachelle Renee (@rachellerenee)

To understand what it’s like to be a successful OnlyFans creator, I sat down with Rachelle Renee—a beautiful blonde who has never filmed a traditional adult film.

She's what they call a top 1% creator, meaning she's mastered the art of being a successful OnlyFans girl.

Her career has been built entirely on OnlyFans, and her earnings reflect the power of independent content creation.

So, what does a typical day look like for her? How does she balance content production, fan interaction, and business strategy?

Rachelle Renee: I think like a lot of girls, I started doing Only fans during Covid. As a mom, I needed to find a way to support my boys and at that time there weren’t a lot of options.

Have you ever thought about doing traditional porn?

Rachelle Renee: No, not even once. I like my life as it is now. I like the connection I have with my subscribers. It’s very personal. Very intimate. It’s like the men that watch my videos know me and I know them, we have a connection.

What kind of content do you offer- just solo?

Rachelle Renee: I have some videos that are just me, and sometimes I make videos with my ex. I’ll hook up with him every now and then, but he has to agree to let me film it for my OnlyFans.

Ha! Lucky guy.

Source: Rachelle Renee's OnlyFans (@rachellerenee)

So, is that what you spend most of your time on – filming?

Rachelle Renee: Oh, goodness, no. Making videos or taking pics for my OnlyFans doesn’t take up much time at all. I spend most of my time either posting on social media or chatting with my fans. I spend hours a day in my DMs on OnlyFans.

Tell me about your social media.

Rachelle Renee: I post videos on social media to bring in new subscribers. I have TikTok, Facebook, Instagram. I don’t do Twitter for some reason, I just never really got into it. I post what I guess some people call thirst traps, and then when they subscribe to my Onlyfans page, they get a little more. Okay, a lot more.

Source: Rachelle Renee's OnlyFans (@rachellerenee)

What are some of the craziest things people have asked you to do on OnlyFans?

Rachelle Renee: I don’t do custom video requests anymore simply because I just don’t have the time. I legitimately am a mom so I only have so many hours in a day so I think that cuts back on some of the insane requests that I hear about from other creators.
But I’ve had a few guys ask me to do things I just wouldn’t ever consider. A lot of it has to do with race play. They want me to call them the N-word or something along those lines. Some people want me to put weird stuff on my boobs for them. Needless to say, I politely declined all of those offers.

What's one thing you wish more people understood about OnlyFans creators?

Rachelle Renee: I wish people understood the emotional labor involved. We're not just performers; we're building connections with our subscribers. We're answering their messages, listening to their stories, and trying to create a positive experience for them. That takes a lot of energy and empathy. It's rewarding, but it's also demanding.
But also, I wish people understood that there's a real person behind the screen. I'm a mom, I have a life outside of OnlyFans, and I can't be online 24/7. I genuinely care about my subscribers and try to respond to everyone, but I'm just one person. I appreciate their patience and understanding when I can't get back to them immediately.

Have you ever found you have a real connection with one of your subscribers?

Rachelle Renee: Oh for sure! I've definitely developed genuine connections with some of my subscribers. It's not just about sending them content; it's about the shared sense of humor, the intellectual conversations, or maybe even just a feeling of mutual respect and understanding. It's those deeper connections that make this job so rewarding.
It's amazing when you find subscribers who really get you, who appreciate your sense of humor or your perspective on things. It becomes a reciprocal relationship where you're both getting something out of the connection. It's not just me performing; it's a genuine exchange of energy and ideas.
I've made some really special connections on there. I can't go into too much detail, of course, but let's just say there are certain names that pop up in my DMs and make my day. It's that spark of connection that makes this more than just a job.
Obviously, I'm not going to name names, but there are a few subscribers who I just click with. It's not just about the sexy stuff (although, that's definitely part of it!). We have a genuine rapport, and I feel like they really understand and appreciate me for who I am. Honestly, sometimes the conversations get so intense and intimate, I feel more turned on chatting with them than I do filming.

What’s the best way for someone to get your attention in the DMs?

Rachelle Renee: I really appreciate it when someone takes the time to read my bio or watch a few of my videos before reaching out. It shows that they're genuinely interested in getting to know me, not just sending a mass message to every creator. A heartfelt message that shows you've put some thought into it is always appreciated.
A genuine compliment that isn't generic goes a long way. Tell me something specific you liked about a recent post, or share a thoughtful question related to my content. A little humor never hurts, either.
Don’t just say “hi” and hope for the best. Take a moment to type out what’s really on your mind. The best way to get my attention is to be yourself and show me a bit of your personality. If you can make me laugh or pique my curiosity, you're already halfway there.