Tarun Nagar 
Are you looking to find quick and effective ways of connecting creators to their fanbases, a largely untapped opportunity within the fast-growing creator economy? If yes, you must stop right there. Passes is a platform where creators can monetize their content while engaging more deeply with their audiences.
By 2024, the value of the creator economy will have surpassed $250 billion, and it continues to grow exponentially. With millions bringing in money through their hobbies, more and more specialized platforms catering to funneling fan support are significantly in demand. This is a golden chance for entrepreneurs to invest in.
In this blog, we aim to equip you with a blueprint detailing all the steps and defining market features, requirements, and considerations when venturing into the dynamically growing creator-fan platform market. We will discuss everything from carving out niches to incorporating innovative features that please fans and creators alike. So, let’s get this blog started.
What are Passes?
Passes is a mobile application that was launched in April 2025 and acts as a creator fan platform. It allows fans to interact with creators through exclusive content such as livestreams and personalized chats. Creators earn money by selling memberships and merchandise and creating customized services.
The app centers on direct fan interactions and monetization of revenue for creators, featuring anti-screenshot technology for content security. The number of downloads since the launch in April 2025 is still increasing.
What is a Fanbase Platform?
A fanbase platform is an online space designed to nurture a community centered around a specific creator, brand, or area of interest. It provides tools for interaction, sharing exclusive content, and often includes monetization features to support creators directly.
Unlike general social media platforms, a fanbase platform fosters deeper engagement, giving fans unique rewards and opportunities to connect both with the creator and fellow fans. This model offers a powerful framework if you plan to develop a social networking app like Band.
How Does the Passes App Work?
Before we take you to build an app like Passes, you must know how it works. Here is the step-by-step guide on how the passes app works:
- Creator Sign-up: Creators complete registration and profile creation by configuring subscription tiers, which determine the content and pricing provided.
- Content Creation: Creators post exclusive content (videos, images, text, live streams) to be accessible for paying subscribers.
- Fan Discovery: Fans search for creators they look up to, browsing public profiles along with available subscription options.
- Subscription: Fans choose a subscription tier and pay to gain access to the creator’s exclusive content.
- Content Access: Advantages, including messaging and real-time participation, are available to users as gated content can be accessed within the app.
- Monetization: Content creators can receive revenue directly from subscriptions as well as tips or optional other purchases done through the platform.
Why Entrepreneurs Want to Invest In Developing an App Like Passes: A Creator Fan Platform
Know why you should invest in creating a creator fan platform like passes in 2026. Yes, don’t miss the opportunity and learn about these 5 exciting reasons.
1. Tapping into the Creator Economy
The creator economy is rapidly expanding, and platforms like Passes are leveraging this momentum to empower creators. Entrepreneurs now recognize the demand for tools that help creators monetize their content and engage directly with fans. If you’re looking to develop a website like Fansly, there’s a growing opportunity to cater to this new market by offering unique features.
2. Direct Fan Engagement
The Passes social media platform fosters direct interaction between the creators and fans, thus improving community loyalty. Entrepreneurs can leverage the alternative value of social engagement and flavor brand loyalty by characterizing the connection with fans and monetization.
3. Recurring Revenue Streams
Passes platforms for creators thrive on subscription-based models that provide creators with stable, predictable income. This model contrasts with traditional, volatile profit channels, aligning much better with long-term business growth strategies.
Entrepreneurs building in this space can replicate this stability when they build an app like Instagram but tailor it toward fan-driven interactions.
4. Diverse Monetization Options
The basic subscription drives the value of Passes. However, boundaries can be created for tiered service offerings where users can subscribe for extra services. Add-ons like direct tipping and custom-tailored provide more willing opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to scale revenue in flexible fashions.
5. Untapped Niche Potential
Passes social media app is a one-of-a-kind solution with untapped markets, albeit competing with known players, while the creator economy has wide gaps. Other siblings to Passes could identify underserved niche segments or specialized offerings that create unique positioning and competitive differentiation.
Why Fans/Creators Love This App So Much?
What’s got fans buzzing and creators cashing in? It’s the magic of apps like Passes! Here’s why everyone’s hooked, from VIP perks to instant fame and digital love!
1. Direct Monetization for Creators:
Passes provide creators with a better opportunity to earn income by monetizing exclusive content like memberships, paid DMs, live streams, and merchandise much more effectively than traditional social media platforms.
2. Exclusive and Personalized Content:
Fans can interact and foster deeper connections with the creators they admire by accessing unique behind-the-scenes content, personalized interactions, and even one-on-one calls.
3. Enhanced Engagement and Community:
The app enhances engagement with more personalized group chats and direct messaging, creating a stronger sense of community between creators and their die-hard fans.
4. Creator Empowerment and Entrepreneurship:
Passes motivates creators to be entrepreneurs by providing business-scaling tools while allowing them to manage fan interactions, like a CRM for DMs, streamlining business fan relations, and diversifying revenue sources.
5. Safety and Content Control:
Anti-screenshot and watermarking features grant creators control over their content anti-screenshot technology while protecting the platform’s income… The PG-13 protection attracts various creators and fans.
10 Alternatives to Passes
If you want to build a fanbase platform, you must learn about these incredible alternatives of passes.
Platform |
Launch Date |
Estimated Downloads |
Available Platforms |
Founder(s) |
| Patreon | May 2, 2013 | 3 million monthly active patrons | Web, iOS, Android | Jack Conte, Sam Yam |
| OnlyFans | July 2016 | 220 million registered users | Web, Android (via browser), iOS (via browser) | Tim Stokely |
| Fanbase (Isaac Hayes III) | 2018 | – | iOS, Android | Isaac Hayes III |
| Ko-fi | 2017 | – | Web | Simon Ellington, Nigel Pickles |
| Substack | 2017 | – | Web, iOS, Android | Chris Best, Hamish McKenzie, Jairaj Sethi |
| Buy Me A Coffee | 2018 (approx.) | – | Web | Not publicly available |
| Memberful | Acquired by Patreon in Aug 2018 | – | Web | Not publicly available |
| Locals | 2020 | – | Web, iOS, Android | Dave Rubin |
| Steady | 2016 (approx.) | – | Web | Not publicly available |
| Supercast | 2019 | – | Web | Jason Sew Hoy |
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6 Steps to Build An App Like Passes
Building applications like Passes or fan platforms requires strategic planning and expertise in social networking app development. Here are six major steps that will help translate your ideas into a working application:
Step 1: Define Your Niche and Features
To build an app like passes, define a specific niche for the creator you want to target (musician, educator, artist) and outline the app’s potential features before reaching out to any development companies.
Will it center on exclusive content, live streams, tailored interactions, or all of the above? Identifying the value proposition, features needed, and development goals is critical because it will help set boundaries and articulate effectively.
Step 2: Research and Select a Development Company
Let’s move to the second messaging app development stage to choose a few social networking app development companies that focus on similar applications and have a proven record with clientele. Make sure to check if they have portfolios that contain apps that enable social networking or monetizing content.
Check their ability with user profiles, content management, subscriptions, payment integration, real-time chat, etc. Ask multiple companies for their proposals so you can analyze the difference in expertise, methods, estimated time, and costs.
Step 3: Detailed Planning and Design
As soon as you decide on a development partner, make sure to reach out and negotiate the nitty-gritty details of the planning. This step involves preparing wireframes to sketch the user journey alongside the user interface (UI).
User experience (UX) involves a seamless and engaging experience for content creators and their admirers. Additionally, the app’s technical architecture is outlined.
This phase ensures that all participants have the same understanding of the fundamental structure, functions, and graphic design characteristics of the app before development.
Step 4: App Development
Let’s move to the fourth Passes clone app development process, which has now commenced. This process focuses on mobile devices using the iOS and Android platforms.
Hire a dating app development company to encompass front-end development (what the users see and engage with), back-end development (server-side logic and database), and third-party service integration.
During this phase, communication and reporting of development updates are critical for tracking project timelines and addressing any issues.
Step 5: Testing and Quality Assurance
In the fifth stage, rigorous testing must be performed to build an app like Passes, considering the seamless execution of the app and user experience. The development company should conduct other types of testing, such as unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance tests (UAT).
Your participation in UAT is important to incorporate user feedback that can help identify any bugs or suggest improvements that can be made before the launch.
Step 6: Deployment and Ongoing Support
Move to the last Passes clone app development process. Once all testing stages are completed, the app will be available in app stores. In addition, the social media app development company should be available to provide ongoing support by offering services for bug fixes, app updates, and adapting the app to expand user numbers.
Consider it a long-term collaboration in which constant improvements and new features are developed based on user feedback and market needs.
Features of Creator Fan Platforms like Passes
Grab this amazing list of both panel features of the fanbase platform, like passes. We have tried covering it all for you, and it’s essential to advance. Go note it now.
1. Creator Panel Features:
i. Profile Customization:
Branded links and bios allow creators to personalize their profiles, helping them establish an identity that potential fans can easily discover.
ii. Content Creation & Management:
If you develop a social media website, it enables effortless content uploads like videos, images, audio, and text posts, as well as content organization and scheduling for their exclusive fan base.
iii. Subscription Tier Management:
Fans who are willing to support creators have multiple options. They set different appreciation tiers with unique access, pricing, and variety for each level.
iv. Direct Messaging with Fans:
This feature permits private chats with individual fans or groups, cultivating community while granting them the opportunity to provide personalized interactions and feedback.
v. Analytics & Insights Dashboard:
This dashboard provides creators with metrics regarding subscriber growth, content performance, and revenue generated, giving them the power to analyze their audience and adjust their strategies accordingly.
vi. Payment & Payout Management:
Safely oversees the payment of subscriptions, tips, and other revenue streams while giving creators transparent tracking and simple withdrawal options.
vii. Live Streaming Capabilities:
Passe’s alternatives enable lively video or audio sessions to be organized and hosted by their subscribers in real time, allowing for real-time interaction and engagement.
viii. Exclusive Content Gating:
Creators can easily restrict content to particular users, giving the material output to only paying subscribers in specific tiers, allowing them to reward their die-hard fans.
2. Fan Panel Features:
i. Creator Discovery & Following:
Followers can easily track down and follow their preferred creators, receiving notifications for upcoming content and alerts for new posts from the creators they support.
ii. Subscription Management:
A social media platform like Meetup allows fans to manage their payment methods and upgrade and downgrade their subscriptions as desired.
iii. Exclusive Content Access:
Supporters become subscribers exclusively for certain creators, which enhances their experience and privileges.
iv. Direct Interaction with Creators:
Passes alternatives enable fans to send direct messages to creators (if enabled), participate in live chats, and potentially receive personalized responses.
v. Content Liking & Saving:
People can also show appreciation for content by liking it and adding it to personal collections for viewing later.
vi. Notifications & Updates:
Passes alternatives inform fans of new content, live streams, announcements, and other important information about the creators they follow.
vii. Payment Options & History:
Build an app like OnlyFans that allows fans to tip the creators and pay for subscriptions while showing full concern for safety and convenience.
viii. Community Forums & Discussions:
Certain platforms offer community spaces that encourage interaction among fans, enhancing the feeling of camaraderie and shared passion for their favorite creators.
Advanced Features of Like Passes
Having a list of essential features of a social networking app development like passes is good, but you know what makes it more achievable for you to have advanced functions. Yes, you heard it right. Here are seven advanced features for a platform like Passes:
i. Tiered Content Bundling:
Creators offer curated bundles of diverse content within specific subscription tiers, providing enhanced value and encouraging higher-tier subscriptions.
ii. Personalized Fan Experiences:
AI-driven content recommendations and tailored interactions based on fan preferences and engagement history deepen user loyalty.
iii. Creator Collaborations & Cross-promotion:
This pass provides alternatives enabling creators to easily collaborate on content and promote each other’s pages, expanding their reach.
iv. Interactive Live Events with Gated Access:
Enhanced live streaming features with Q&A, polls, and exclusive access for specific subscriber tiers.
v. NFT Integration for Exclusive Digital Assets:
Creators can offer unique digital collectibles as part of their subscriptions or standalone purchases.
vi. Automated Marketing & Engagement Tools:
Features like automated welcome messages, personalized thank-yous, and scheduled promotional posts streamline creator workflows.
vii. Affiliate Marketing Opportunities for Creators:
Enables creators to earn additional revenue by promoting relevant products or services to their audience.
How Can AI Impact Creator-Fan Platforms Like Passes With Its Functionality?
AI can enhance user-creator platforms like Passes in multiple ways. AI can sift through huge amounts of data and produce personalized recommendation systems that enable fans to receive a feed of relevant creators and content, enhancing discovery and engagement.
For creators, AI tools can automate content generation for basic posts and forecast the schedule to optimize reach. In addition, AI can provide insights into what the fans prefer, guiding creators to make tailored content.
AI chatbots can cater to basic fan queries, relieving creators of more meaningful relationships. Apart from these, AI development company can help identify and reward top fans, strengthening community ties and loyalty and enhancing the experience of using the platform for both creators and the audience.
Cost to Build an App Like Passes
Depending on the required features, the cost to build an app like Passes can vary drastically from around $8,000 to $30,000. Here are 10 factors that significantly influence the cost to develop an app like Passes:
1. App Complexity and Features
The more features you integrate (live streaming, direct messaging, NFT support, advanced analytics), the higher the influencer marketing app development cost, as it becomes more complex and takes longer.
Feature Level |
Examples |
Estimated Cost |
| Basic | User profile, subscriptions | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Moderate | Direct messaging, basic analytics | $12,000 – $20,000 |
| Advanced | Live streaming, NFT support, real-time analytics | $20,000 – $30,000+ |
2. Platform (iOS, Android, or both)
If you develop apps for iOS and Android natively, you’ll spend double the time and Passes app development cost for a single platform. Initial spending with cross-platform frameworks is cheaper, but they offer less flexibility.
Platform Choice |
Details |
Estimated Cost |
| Single Platform | iOS or Android (native) | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Cross-Platform | Flutter, React Native | $10,000 – $18,000 |
| Both Native Platforms | Separate native apps for iOS and Android | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
3. UI/UX Design
The overall cost to develop an app like Passes is directly influenced by the need for more time and skilled designers, as appealing visuals and a user-friendly interface are crucial. The social media app development cost is also affected by complex animations and tailored interfaces.
Design Complexity |
Details |
Estimated Cost |
| Simple | Standard templates | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Moderate | Custom components, basic animations | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Complex | Highly customized UI, advanced animations | $7,000 – $12,000+ |
4. Technology Stack
Technological choices directly affect operational effectiveness and incur added expenses. More expensive developers could be required to work on specialized systems that work with certain frameworks, therefore increasing the cost to create a social media app.
Technology Type |
Details |
Estimated Cost |
| Standard Stack | MERN, LAMP, Firebase | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Advanced Stack | Blockchain, AI, WebRTC for streaming | $8,000 – $15,000+ |
5. Backend Development
Significant effort and expense are required to manage users, content, subscriptions, and payments. This emphasizes the importance of having a robust and scalable backend infrastructure.
Backend Scope |
Details |
Estimated Cost |
| Basic | User management, login, content upload | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Scalable/Advanced | Subscriptions, live content, content moderation | $7,000 – $15,000+ |
6. Third-Party Integrations
The Passes app development cost and complexity of payment integrations, including analytic and notification services, is significantly higher.
Integration Type |
Examples |
Estimated Cost |
| Basic | Payment gateway, email service | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Advanced | Analytics, real-time chat, video SDK | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
7. Development Team Location and Size
The overall Passes app development cost balance differently depending on the region. The North American and Western European teams charge a higher hourly rate compared to their Eastern European and Asian counterparts. Additionally, the size of the team impacts the social media app development cost.
Region |
Hourly Rate |
Cost Impact |
| North America / Europe | $80 – $150/hr | High ($20,000 – $40,000+) |
| Eastern Europe / Asia | $25 – $60/hr | Medium ($10,000 – $20,000) |
| In-house Team (Full) | Larger teams and higher speed | Higher Cost |
8. Testing and Quality Assurance
The cost to launch an app like Passes and deadlines allocated for the QA impact the resources and time set aside for ensuring coverage on all devices and scenarios which catch bugs.
Testing Level |
Details |
Estimated Cost |
| Basic Manual Testing | Device and OS coverage | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Automated + Manual QA | Full regression, performance & stress testing | $3,000 – $7,000+ |
9. Security Features
Paying special attention to user data and payments increases the workload complexity, leading to greater Passes app development cost. Features for Passes, like anti-screenshots, require tailored constructions, which increases the cost to create a mobile app like Passes.
Security Level |
Examples |
Estimated Cost |
| Standard | SSL, login encryption | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Enhanced | Anti-screenshot, secure content vault | $3,000 – $6,000+ |
10. Post-Launch Maintenance and Updates
Regardless of what is being maintained, modifying it to account for ongoing maintenance is often more economically viable than dealing with problems as they raise the cost to develop an app like passes.
Business strategies that take security updates, bug fixing, maintenance, and additional feature implementation into consideration are far more efficient.
Maintenance Type |
Details |
Estimated Annual Cost |
| Basic | Bug fixes, minor updates | $2,000 – $5,000/year |
| Ongoing Development | New features, performance enhancements | $5,000 – $12,000+/year |
5 Ways To Monetize Apps Like Passes
Now that you know the cost of building an app like passes, you must wonder how to get ROI. Here are five ways to monetize apps like Passes:
1. Creator Subscription Revenue Share
The platform essentially cuts the subscription fees fans pay to the creators, fueling a direct sponsorship of an incentivized pay model as the platform’s revenue increases with the success of its creators. For example, Passes could take a 10-15% cut of each creator’s monthly earnings from subscriptions.
2. Premium Platform Features
Provide expanded functionalities to creators at a higher price point. These may include reviewing more detailed metrics, customizing their pages, or receiving expedited help. For example, a separate ‘tier’, such as “Pro Creator,” could receive these additional features for a flat rate per month.
3. Transaction Fees on Tips and Purchases
Institute a modest charge for any one-off payments or tips sent by fans directly to creators. According to the Android app development company, this expands monetization opportunities beyond subscriptions. For instance, Passes could impose a 2-5% service fee on direct tipping.
4. Advertising and Brand Partnerships
Once the platform has a large audience, it can investigate the advertising model or collaborate with creators’ relevant brands. This can include outlined sponsored content or tailored marketing aimed at creator fans.
5. NFTs and Digital Collectibles
Add the option to allow creators to sell unique digital collectibles, like NFTs, to their fans directly through the platform. Passes could take a cut off these sales, thus venturing into the expanding market for digital goods within the creator economy.
How Can Dev Technosys Help You Launch An App Like Passes?
Hopefully, you liked this blog and now know how to build an app like Pass. As your partner for the creator fan platform Passes, we at Dev Technosys are excited to bring your vision to life.
The extensive experience of our social media app development team enables them to tackle the challenges of creating an app like Passes.
We can define your niche, develop user-friendly interfaces, incorporate sophisticated monetization options, and guarantee performance. Let us all work together to establish the next thriving environment for fans and their adored creators, which we will build right from and beyond.
FAQ
Q1. What Are Passes, And Why Build A Similar App?
Passes is a creator-fan engagement platform. Building a similar app lets you tap into the booming creator economy with features like subscriptions, chats, and monetization.
Q2. How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Passes?
The cost to develop an app like Passes varies based on features, platform (iOS, Android), and development method. Typically, a full-featured MVP version ranges from $8,000 to $30,000.
Q3. What Features Are Essential For A Creator-Fan Platform?
Must-have features include user profiles, subscription payments, content sharing, real-time messaging, analytics, and admin control. These drive creator monetization and fan engagement within a secure digital environment.
Q4. Which Tech Stack Is Best To Make An App Like Passes?
There are various popular stacks for launching an app like passes, such as React Native or Flutter for the front end, Node.js or Django for the back end, and Firebase or AWS for the database and cloud services—scalable, secure, and mobile-first solutions.
Q5. How Long Does It Take To Make An App Like Passes?
The time it takes to create an app like Passes depends mainly on complexity, team size, and features. A basic MVP can take 3–6 months to develop, while a fully polished app may require 8–12 months.
