Monthly income is the dream for most creators. A forex signals group, a weekly fitness class, a members-only Bible study, a monthly skincare box: sell it once and get paid every month.
In Ghana there's a catch. Mobile money can't be charged automatically like a card. Every renewal needs the subscriber to approve the payment, so the platform you choose has to be good at getting people to renew. This guide compares six options with that in mind.
Details for other platforms were checked on their own websites on 12 October 2026. Check each site before deciding, because plans and fees change.
What to look for
- MoMo for every payment, not just the first one.
- Renewal reminders that actually bring people back: before the due date, on the day, and once more after.
- A grace period, so someone who renews a day late doesn't lose access and leave for good.
- Automatic access: the group link, files or member page delivered after each payment.
- A clear view of who's paid, who's due and who's in their grace period, without a spreadsheet.
- Fair price changes: new members pay the new price and existing members keep theirs.
- Trials and coupons, to get people in the door.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Monthly fee | Fee on a GH₵ 100 renewal | MoMo renewals | Reminders + grace period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paylead | GH₵ 149 (Pro) or 399 (Business) | GH₵ 5 (4% + GH₵ 1) | Yes, by reminder | Yes, SMS and email, 3-day grace |
| Patreon | None | GH₵ 10 (10%) + processing | Check their site | Check their site |
| Skool | $9 (Hobby) or $99 (Pro) | GH₵ 10 on Hobby (10%), GH₵ 2.90 on Pro (2.9%) | Check their site | Check their site |
| Vendblue | Free plan available | GH₵ 6 + a fixed fee (6% + fixed) | Check their site | Check their site |
| Paystack subscriptions | None | About GH₵ 1.95 (1.95%) | No, cards only | You build them |
| MoMo by hand | None | MoMo charges only | Manual | Manual |
1. Paylead
Best for: creators in Ghana selling memberships, groups, classes or boxes to people who pay by MoMo.
Subscriptions on Paylead are built around how mobile money works.
- Any schedule: weekly, monthly, every 3 months or yearly.
- Access after every payment: your WhatsApp or Telegram group link, a private page, or files.
- Renewals by reminder: subscribers get an SMS and an email 3 days before the period ends, on the day it ends, and 2 days later. They tap the link and pay with MoMo or a card in seconds. If they're late, a 3-day grace period keeps their access while they renew.
- Free trials: give new subscribers up to 90 days free. One trial per person per plan.
- Coupons: take money off the first payment, or keep the discount on every renewal.
- Fair pricing: new prices apply to new subscribers; current ones keep theirs.
- See where you stand: monthly recurring revenue, who renewed, who's due and who's in their grace period.
- Sell it anywhere: a subscribe link for your bio, your store, a funnel, or a pricing table on your own website.
Fees: subscriptions are on the Pro plan (GH₵ 149 a month) and Business. Each payment costs 4% + GH₵ 1, processing included. Withdrawals cost GH₵ 5 and arrive the next working day.
Watch out for: renewals aren't automatic, on Paylead or anywhere else that takes MoMo. Subscribers renew from a reminder, which is why the reminders and grace period matter.
See how to sell a subscription, or start selling subscriptions →
2. Patreon
Best for: creators with a global fan base paying by card.
Patreon is the best-known membership platform for creators.
- Fees: a 10% platform fee on what you earn, plus payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees.
- Strengths: a familiar brand, and fans who already have accounts.
- Watch out for: members pay by card or PayPal, not MoMo, and payouts to Ghana go through international methods. Check Patreon's payout options for Ghana before you build on it.
Check Patreon's pricing.
3. Skool
Best for: paid communities with courses, run in dollars.
Skool combines a community feed, courses and live calls.
- Cost: Hobby at $9 a month with a 10% transaction fee, or Pro at $99 a month with 2.9%.
- Strengths: a well-designed community with courses, a calendar and leaderboards.
- Watch out for: priced in dollars and paid by card. Check which payment methods your Ghanaian members can use and how payouts reach you.
Check Skool's pricing, and see the best platforms for paid communities in Ghana.
4. Vendblue
Best for: creators selling memberships in several African currencies.
Vendblue sells memberships alongside downloads, courses and merch.
- Fees: a free Basic plan and a paid Premium plan. On cedi sales, 6% plus a fixed amount per sale.
- Watch out for: check how renewals work with mobile money, and what reminders members get.
See Vendblue's pricing.
5. Paystack subscriptions
Best for: developers billing customers by card.
Paystack has subscription plans that charge saved cards automatically, at its standard 1.95% local fee.
- Strengths: a low fee and true automatic card renewals.
- Watch out for: Paystack says recurring payments aren't currently possible on its mobile money channel, so MoMo subscribers can't renew automatically. Reminders, grace periods and access are yours to build. Building an app? See the best ways to bill customers for your app in Ghana.
6. Collecting MoMo by hand
Best for: your first 10 members.
Post your MoMo number, add people to the group when they pay, and chase them at the end of the month.
- Watch out for: it doesn't scale. By 50 members you're checking screenshots every day, removing people who didn't pay, and forgetting who's due. Most creators lose members simply because nobody reminded them.
Example: 100 members at GH₵ 100 a month
- Paylead (Pro): GH₵ 149 + 100 × GH₵ 5 = GH₵ 649 a month, with reminders, grace periods and access handled for you.
- Patreon: 100 × GH₵ 10 = GH₵ 1,000, plus processing and payout fees, and only for members who pay by card or PayPal.
- Skool Hobby: $9 + 100 × GH₵ 10 = $9 plus GH₵ 1,000, before card processing.
Based on each platform's published fees on 12 October 2026. Your numbers depend on your price and plan.
How to choose
- Your members are in Ghana and pay with MoMo: Paylead.
- Your fans are global and pay by card: Patreon or Skool.
- You're a developer billing by card: Paystack subscriptions.
- You have fewer than 10 members: collecting by hand is fine while you test, then move before it eats your evenings.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge monthly subscriptions with mobile money in Ghana?
Yes, but MoMo can't be debited automatically. Subscribers approve each payment. On Paylead they get an SMS and email reminder with a payment link before each renewal. Read how to charge monthly subscriptions in Ghana with mobile money.
How do I stop members leaving when payment is due?
Remind them more than once, give a short grace period, and make renewing take one tap. See how to keep subscribers paying with mobile money.
Can I sell access to a WhatsApp or Telegram group as a subscription?
Yes. On Paylead, add your group link as the subscription's delivery and members get it after each payment. Read how to run a paid WhatsApp or Telegram group.
Can I offer a free trial?
Yes. On Paylead, set the number of free days, up to 90. Subscribers get access straight away and pay only if they keep it.
Which Paylead plan do I need for subscriptions?
Pro (GH₵ 149 a month) or Business. See plans and fees.
Read next: the best platforms for paid communities, how to charge monthly subscriptions with MoMo and how to keep subscribers paying.
