If you look beyond the big names, sooner or later you'll run into 4based, a German-language fan platform aimed squarely at Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In this 4based review we explain how the platform works, what it offers creators, and why it's more of an add-on than a starting point for a Dutch creator. We base this on the platform's own current terms.
Our final verdict: 3.0 / 5. A solid idea with a fair earning model, but its reach still has to prove it can matter outside the DACH region.
What is 4based?
4based stands out from most competitors through its set-up: where OnlyFans and similar platforms put everything behind a paywall, this one works more like a social network. Profiles and individual posts are partly public, and fans can like and comment, which creates a different dynamic from the classic subscription wall. You'll find more background on the set-up and the numbers on our 4based platform page, where we look at the platform in more depth.
It's not a platform that's going to conquer the world, and it doesn't have to be. Its scale is modest next to the established players from London and Los Angeles, but the visitors it does get come with clear intent to buy. That's the heart of this story: small in reach, but not casual when it comes to spending.
Content and creators on 4based
4based revolves around a handful of proven earning models, packed into a more social wrapper. Creators build a profile, post content and decide for themselves what's free and what's locked. That gives you the following options:
- Monthly subscriptions for access to gated content.
- One-off sales of photos and videos via a built-in webshop.
- Paid private messages and pay-per-view, with a price per message that you set yourself.
- Custom requests, where fans pay to ask for specific content.
- A referral system that yields part of what the fans it brings in spend elsewhere.
4based's audience is mostly German-speaking, so content aimed at the DACH market naturally does better there than content made purely for a Dutch audience. If you're still thinking of starting, you can create a creator account there right away.
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Costs and payment methods
For fans, signing up on 4based is free: you only pay for what you choose, whether that’s a subscription, individual content or a private message. Creators pay a commission of about 20 percent, so you keep roughly 80 percent of your revenue. That's exactly what most big platforms charge too, so 4based doesn't win any points there.
Fans can pay with credit card, PayPal, SEPA, Sofort or Apple Pay. iDEAL is missing, and for a Dutch audience that's a real drawback: it's the payment method Dutch fans are generally most comfortable with. As a creator, you get paid out by SEPA transfer to your IBAN, with a minimum of around 50 dollars, or roughly 45 euros. Want to see how that compares with other platforms? Our comparison of fan platforms is a handy place to start.
Safety and reliability
Creators have to verify their identity before they can sell content, which protects both creators and fans from fake accounts and keeps minors out. Fans pay with familiar, common payment methods and the transaction goes through the platform itself, not straight to the creator. As on almost every fan platform, there's no hard guarantee that you're always chatting with the creator herself and not someone from a support team, but that applies just as much to the big names in this sector.
One practical point: 4based doesn't withhold any tax on what you earn. You're responsible for declaring your income yourself, and as a European platform it's also subject to European reporting obligations, so your revenue ends up with the Dutch tax office (Belastingdienst) anyway.
Pros and cons of 4based
Pros
- Market-standard commission of around 20 percent, comparable to OnlyFans and Fansly.
- A social, partly public feed that encourages interaction and visibility.
- Payouts via SEPA work fine with a Dutch IBAN.
- Mandatory ID verification for creators makes things safer.
- Audience with relatively high purchase intent despite the smaller scale.
Things to watch
- No iDEAL, which is a real hurdle for Dutch fans.
- Reach is limited compared with the big international platforms.
- Interface and audience are mostly German-speaking, no Dutch version.
- You need a minimum payout of around $50 before you get anything.
Conclusion: our 4based score
We give 4based a 3.0 out of 5. That score balances a fair, market-rate earnings model and smooth SEPA payouts against a platform that's still small in reach and barely registers outside the DACH region. For a Dutch creator who's serious about content, 4based is a sensible addition once you're also targeting a German-speaking audience, but it's no replacement for a platform with a bigger foundation. Thinking about starting as a creator? First read our guide to starting as a creator for a full overview of your options.
Affiliate link - FansDirect may receive a commission when you sign up.
Frequently asked questions
Is 4based worth it for Dutch creators?
That depends on your audience. Signing up and getting paid out to a Dutch IBAN works without problems, but the existing users on 4based are mostly German-speaking. For creators who are (also) aiming at the DACH market, it's a worthwhile addition alongside a bigger platform. If you only want to reach a Dutch audience, you'll get less out of it.
How much can you earn on 4based?
4based charges roughly 20 percent commission, so as a creator you keep about 80 percent of subscriptions, one-off sales, paid messages and custom requests. What you actually earn depends entirely on your pricing and how many active fans you have. The platform is smaller than the big names, so the audience is smaller too, but buyers there tend to be more purchase-ready.
What is the difference between 4based and OnlyFans?
The biggest difference is the feed: 4based works like a social network with partly public profiles and posts, while OnlyFans keeps everything behind a paywall. OnlyFans is far bigger worldwide and has no regional focus, whereas 4based deliberately targets the German-speaking DACH market. Commission is around 20 percent on both.
Can fans pay with iDEAL on 4based?
No, iDEAL is not supported. Fans pay by credit card, PayPal, SEPA, Sofort or Apple Pay. For Dutch fans used to iDEAL that is a hurdle, and it is one of the reasons the platform doesn't score higher in our review.
How reliable are payouts on 4based?
Payouts go by SEPA bank transfer to your IBAN, with a minimum of around $50 (about €45). That works for a Dutch account too, although a transfer from Germany can take a bit longer than to a German IBAN. Users report that payouts arrive reliably.
Is 4based a good first platform or more of a supplement?
More of an add-on. 4based is small compared to the big American and British platforms, so you won't easily build a large audience there organically. It works best as a second pillar next to a platform with more reach, especially if you already have fans in Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
How does 4based score according to FansDirect?
FansDirect gives 4based a 3.0 out of 5. That score comes from a market-standard commission, smooth SEPA payouts and a friendly, social approach, weighed against a limited, mostly German-speaking reach and no iDEAL.