Top 10 Patreon Earners in 2025 and Lessons for Brands

Imagine having thousands of fans who pay you every month for exclusive content. That’s the reality for the top 10 Patreon earners in 2025. These creators – ranging from podcast hosts to game developers – have turned their loyal followings into serious monthly income. In this post, we’ll countdown the biggest Patreon success stories of the year and explain what e-commerce brands and Amazon sellers can learn from their influencer marketing savvy. You’ll see how micro influencers and content creators build engaged communities, deliver valuable content (often user-generated or behind-the-scenes), and monetize their audiences in the creator economy. By the end, you’ll understand how these Patreon creators’ tactics can inspire your own marketing strategy.

Patreon is a platform where fans subscribe to creators for perks and content. It boasts millions of active patrons globally, providing a viable income stream beyond ads or merchandise sales. Notably, eight out of the top ten Patreon creators host podcasts, showing that consistent, niche content and community engagement are a winning combination.

Let’s dive into the list of top Patreon earners and see what makes each of them so successful – and what lessons their success holds for brands.

Top 10 Patreon Earners in 2025

Below we profile ten of the highest-earning creators on Patreon as of 2025. These creators span true crime, politics, comedy, gaming, and more – but all have one thing in common: they’ve rallied a passionate community willing to pay for insider access. (Fun fact: podcasts dominate – most names here built their fame through podcasting, proving how powerful audio content and community can be.)

1. True Crime Obsessed

True Crime Comedy Podcast – This hit podcast turns true-crime documentaries into hilarious commentary, and fans can’t get enough. True Crime Obsessed has over 49,000 paying patrons, contributing an estimated $140k–$350k per month. How did they do it? By offering tons of bonus episodes, live show videos, and other exclusive content that regular listeners crave. With multiple membership tiers (from $5 up to $20/month), TCO converts casual true-crime fans into superfans who happily pay for extra “non-garbage” content. The takeaway: niche content + consistency = a loyal community. True Crime Obsessed proves that if you deliver unique value (in their case, deeper dives into crime series with humor), supporters will financially back you.

2. Chapo Trap House 

Political Comedy Podcast – Chapo Trap House is an irreverent left-wing politics podcast that has built a massive audience through its uncensored, take-no-prisoners commentary. It boasts about 45,000 patrons as of late 2025, translating to roughly $190k in monthly revenue. Fans subscribe to get weekly bonus episodes and the full back-catalog of the show’s content. Chapo’s success shows the power of strong community identity: their patrons feel like part of an in-group, supporting a show that skewers mainstream politics from a niche point of view. For brands, this highlights how tapping into a specific worldview or community (in a genuine way) can inspire intense loyalty. Chapo Trap House turned an underground comedy vibe into a top Patreon earner by serving content their audience can’t find elsewhere.

3. DarkCookie – Summertime Saga 

Indie Game Developer (Adult Content) – Patreon isn’t just for podcasts. DarkCookie, the creator of the adult visual novel game Summertime Saga, leads the gaming category on Patreon with tens of thousands of patrons. He has around 33,000 paying supporters who fund the game’s development and get early access to new releases. In fact, DarkCookie is the top adult-game creator on the platform, with over 25,000 patrons even back in 2021 (and even more now). Fans pledge at tiers from $1 to $20 per month to see sneak peeks, vote on story developments, join private Discord communities, and essentially become part of the game’s creation process. This demonstrates how even NSFW or niche game content can thrive with a devoted audience. Lesson: If you offer your super-fans VIP access (like beta versions, direct interaction, or a say in development), they’ll happily support your project financially. It’s a model e-commerce brands can note – think early access programs or premium fan clubs for your most passionate customers.

4. Jeff Wittek

YouTuber & Comedian Jeff Wittek leveraged his YouTube fame to rapidly monetize on Patreon. Known for his comedy talk show Jeff’s Barbershop and part of the Vlog Squad, Jeff pivoted to Patreon to share unfiltered content (including a raw docuseries about a stunt-gone-wrong accident). The result was astounding: his Patreon gained 37,000+ subscribers in just 10 days after launch, generating at least $2.2 million in annualized revenue. Fans were eager to pay $5+ for uncensored videos and early access to episodes that couldn’t be shown on YouTube. Although patron numbers may fluctuate over time, Jeff’s case shows the explosive potential of migrating an existing audience to a paid platform. By offering something exclusive (in his case, behind-the-scenes injury footage and bonus content), he became one of Patreon’s top earners virtually overnight. Takeaway for brands: If you have a loyal following on free platforms, don’t underestimate their willingness to support premium content. Creating a VIP subscription or paid community (even for a limited campaign) can unlock significant revenue if the perceived value is high.

5. You’re Wrong About

Educational History Podcast – Who says educational content can’t be wildly popular? You’re Wrong About is a journalist-driven podcast that reexamines misunderstood events and figures, and it has turned nerdy fascination into big Patreon bucks. The show has about 23,000 patrons funding it, with estimated earnings in the mid five-figures per month. Listeners subscribe to get bonus episodes and to support the hosts’ in-depth research that debunks myths and “wrong” public perceptions. The success of You’re Wrong About underlines that quality content and trust are key: the hosts established themselves as credible and engaging, so fans feel their patronage is like supporting good journalism. For e-commerce marketers, this illustrates that educational or informative content can build a dedicated following. Brands that provide real value (think how-to guides, insights, or meaningful stories) can similarly foster loyalty – an audience that learns from you is an audience that will stick around and even invest in your offerings.

6. The Tim Dillon Show 

Comedy Podcast – Comedian Tim Dillon’s Patreon-only show is often cited as one of the highest-earning comedy podcasts. The Tim Dillon Show attracts over 42,000 patrons, with an estimated $220,000 in monthly income. What drives this success? Tim delivers a weekly bonus episode to subscribers – essentially an entire extra show – plus additional content like behind-the-scenes sketches for higher tiers. His brand of absurd, unapologetic humor about “the end of the world” has a cult following, and Patreon lets him monetize that following directly. Notably, Tim Dillon was once reported as Patreon’s top-paid creator, earning around $216k per month. Marketing insight: Consistency and personality are crucial. Tim’s patrons pay because they know they’ll get fresh content every week that they can’t hear elsewhere. Brands working with influencers or creators should similarly prioritize regular content cadence and a distinct voice – it keeps the audience engaged and coming back (or in this case, continually subscribing).

7. Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast 

Comedy Podcast – This duo might just be the biggest Patreon success story yet. Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast has become the #1 creator on Patreon by subscriber count, boasting roughly 124,000 paying members (yes, six figures!) as of 2025. That subscriber base translates to an estimated few hundred thousand dollars per month in earnings. Matt McCusker and Shane Gillis grew a massive fanbase with their no-holds-barred comedic commentary, and after a burst of mainstream exposure (Shane’s Netflix special and SNL controversy), they funneled that attention into Patreon sign-ups. They offer multiple tiers (from $1 “poor” fans to $50 “G.O.D. Level” superfans) with perks like weekly bonus episodes, archived shows, and even secret podcast techniques (in true tongue-in-cheek fashion). The key to their success is community – they’ve fostered a sense of belonging among fans (even giving their community a nickname: the “Guillotine Gang” or the “D.A.W.G.Z.” in their lingo). Patrons feel like they’re part of an exclusive club, supporting creators who aren’t beholden to any corporate sponsor. For brands, Matt & Shane illustrate the power of authentic branding and inside jokes that make supporters feel like insiders. They also prove that audience loyalty can snowball – once you hit critical mass, growth can become exponential through word-of-mouth. (Imagine 100k people each telling a friend about your product – that’s the kind of viral loyalty we see here.)

8. Flagrant 2 (Andrew Schulz & Akaash Singh) 

Comedy Podcast – Flagrant 2 (now often just called “Flagrant”) is another edgy comedy podcast that has turned free laughs into serious income. Known for being “unfiltered and unapologetic”, hosts Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh use Patreon to give fans an extra dose of their raunchy humor. Their Patreon shows over 25,000 members and around $57,000 in monthly revenue. What are these fans paying for? Subscribers get a second weekly episode that’s only on Patreon, access to the entire back catalog of shows, and even perks like merch discounts or having their name shouted out as a producer at higher tiers. Schulz, a savvy digital marketer in his own right, famously turned down network deals to stay independent – Patreon is one way he monetizes that independence by connecting directly with his audience. The lesson here is that going direct-to-consumer works for content just as it does for products. By cutting out middlemen and delivering content straight to fans, Flagrant 2 retains creative control and reaps nearly all the financial rewards. For e-commerce and Amazon sellers, think of this as analogous to building a direct customer list or community: you’re not just relying on the “algorithm” to reach people, you have them subscribed (literally) to your brand. Bottom line: a bold brand voice combined with exclusive perks can convert casual viewers into paying superfans.

9. Yagami Yato 

ASMR Audio Creator – Yagami Yato is a voice actor and ASMR artist who demonstrates that even very niche creators can find patronage. She produces anime-inspired ASMR roleplay audios (including romantic and 18+ content) that have earned her a devoted following. At one point, Yagami Yato was among Patreon’s top creators in the Audio category, reportedly earning up to $20–30K per month from a few thousand patrons. Her Patreon offers a range of tiers (five levels from $1 to $100) that grant access to exclusive audio libraries, early listening, the ability to vote on character scenarios, and even the chance to co-create a custom audio for top-tier supporters. This tiered approach – offering everything from basic community access to high-touch personal experiences – shows how monetizing fandom can scale. While her patron count (~3–4k active paying members) is smaller than the giant podcasts above, the intensity of her fans’ support is huge. Yagami Yato’s success highlights the power of niche: she serves an underserved content niche (anime audio roleplays), and fans reward her authenticity and engagement with their support. For brands, the takeaway is find your niche and super-serve it. A smaller, passionate audience often beats a large, passive one. In fact, micro influencers often drive higher engagement rates than mega-celebrities – sometimes up to 60% more, thanks to their personal touch. Yagami Yato treats her supporters like friends contributing to a creative journey, a model any brand community can learn from.

10. Not Another D&D Podcast (NADDPOD)

Comedy Adventure Podcast – Rounding out our list is Not Another D&D Podcast, an actual-play tabletop RPG show that has transformed geeky fun into a Patreon powerhouse. NADDPOD – featuring comedians playing through a wild Dungeons & Dragons campaign – has over 38,000 patrons subscribing for bonus content. By 2023 it was estimated to earn around $80k–$200k per month, and its growth has only continued as the popularity of D&D surged. What do patrons get? “Short Rest” behind-the-scenes podcasts, exclusive side adventures, live show recordings, special merch, and more. Essentially, NADDPOD turned their fictional universe into a club that fans want to join. This underscores a key principle of user-generated content and community: people love to feel involved in a story. NADDPOD patrons proudly sport their community names (the “Two Crew” at $2 tier, etc.) and even receive physical rewards like quarterly merch boxes at higher tiers – blending digital and tangible perks. The success here is a blueprint for how storytelling and interactivity can drive engagement. Brands can emulate this by creating a narrative around their products or by gamifying the customer experience. If a D&D comedy show can make six figures a month by rewarding its audience’s enthusiasm, imagine what a creative e-commerce brand could do with a loyalty program that rewards its biggest fans with special experiences or swag.

Wrapping up this list, it’s clear that each of these creators delivers something extra – whether it’s extra content, extra access, or an extra personal connection. Their fans aren’t just consuming content; they feel like part of a movement or community.

Conclusion to Top 10 Patreon Earners in 2025 and Lessons for Brands

The top Patreon earners of 2025 illustrate how the creator economy is driven by passion, authenticity, and community. They’ve cracked the code on monetizing content and audience engagement, in ways that traditional advertising can only envy. In summary, the success of these Patreon creators boils down to engagement and value – two things every e-commerce brand or Amazon seller should prioritize. They’ve proven that if you engage your audience authentically and offer real value, revenue will follow. The same principles that make a Patreon campaign thrive can supercharge your influencer marketing or customer retention strategy.

As you strategize for growth, think about how you can apply these lessons. Maybe it’s starting a VIP Facebook group for your brand’s best customers, launching a subscription box, or partnering with content creators to generate buzz. If you’re looking for a way to get started, consider collaborating with micro influencers who align with your niche – they often have tightly-knit audiences just like the Patreon stars above. (For example, Stack Influence helps brands connect with vetted micro influencers to create authentic UGC at scale – a strategy that drives engagement and trust.) The creator economy is booming, and brands that embrace this collaborative, community-driven approach will be the ones to win in 2025 and beyond. Now is the time to turn your customers into fans and your fans into a source of sustainable growth.