How Disciple and Patreon compare
Disciple does the thing most community platforms charge a premium for: every plan includes your own iOS and Android app listed under your name, a synced web version, and no Disciple branding anywhere your members look. Groups, feeds, DMs, events, native video, livestreaming, courses, push notifications to segments, and a customer success manager who helps you through the app store submission. Associations, training providers, nonprofits, and membership brands that want an icon on the member's phone are who it is built for.
Patreon turned fans into patrons. Membership tiers, members-only posts, community chats, a shop for one-off items, and native podcast and video delivery give creators steady income from the people who care most. It is the default word for creator memberships, and the tools have grown up with it.
Where they are different
Disciple
- Disciple lives behind a login and a home screen icon.
- Disciple reaches members with push notifications and hands email to Mailchimp or ConvertKit.
- Disciple starts at $599 a month for a branded app with unlimited members.
- Disciple has courses, livestreams, tiers, and in-app purchases.
Patreon
- Patreon lives at patreon.com/yourname and gates most content.
- Patreon takes a percentage of membership revenue.
- Patreon messages patrons in-app.
Choose Disciple when your members should open an app with your name on it, and a private community with groups, events, and paid tiers is the whole point.
Choose Patreon when recurring fan support with tiers and members-only perks is the model.
Compare features
What's on Disciple and Patreon
A check means that capability is available. Disciple and Patreon are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Custom domainDisciple: IncludedPatreon: Not included
Public content
- Shop pagesDisciple: Not includedPatreon: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceDisciple: IncludedPatreon: Included
- Marketing emailsDisciple: Not includedPatreon: Included
Messaging
- Built-in chatDisciple: IncludedPatreon: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsDisciple: IncludedPatreon: Included
Team
- Admin usersDisciple: IncludedPatreon: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Disciple or Patreon, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Disciple or Patreon may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Disciple vs Patreon pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Disciple
Current plans and prices
See what Disciple charges on their pricing page.
Patreon
Current plans and prices
See what Patreon charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Disciple and Patreon
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Disciple or Patreon?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Disciple or Patreon when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Disciple and Patreon are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Disciple or Patreon?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Disciple or Patreon for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Disciple and Patreon?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Disciple and Patreon set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Disciple or Patreon to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.