Whop vs LaunchPass for paid Discord: which one should you use?
Updated · Paid communities
Both Whop and LaunchPass sell paid access and add or remove a Discord role automatically when a payment starts or stops. Pick LaunchPass if you want a simple paywall for a single community (it also supports Telegram and Slack); pick Whop if you want a marketplace, an app store and room to sell more products. Fees change, so compare the current numbers on each official pricing page before you decide.
| What you compare | Whop | LaunchPass |
|---|---|---|
| Core job | Storefront for digital products, memberships and communities | Paywall and subscription management for private communities |
| Discord role access | Grants a role when someone buys, removes it when access ends | Grants a role when someone subscribes, removes it when the subscription ends |
| Other platforms | Discord plus its own hub, apps and other product types | Discord, Telegram and Slack |
| Discovery | Has a marketplace where buyers can find products | No large marketplace; you bring your own audience |
| Extras | App store with add-ons (courses, content, tools) | Focused feature set: join pages, trials, coupons, member management (check current list) |
| Fees | Check current fees at whop.com | Check current fees at launchpass.com |
| Best fit | Creators selling several products or wanting discovery | One paid community that just needs a clean paywall |
How role access works on both
The model is the same: you connect the platform to your Discord server, authorize its bot, and map a product or plan to a Discord role. When a buyer pays and connects their Discord account, the bot adds the role. When the subscription is canceled, fails or expires, the bot removes it.
Your paid channels stay private because they are only visible to that role. That is what makes the paywall work, not the invite link.
- Create a paid role (for example Member) in Server Settings > Roles.
- Make your paid channels private: deny View Channel for @everyone, allow it for the paid role.
- Connect Whop or LaunchPass to your server and authorize its bot.
- Drag the bot's role above the paid role in the role list, or it cannot assign it.
- Map your plan to the paid role and run a test purchase with a second account.
Payment methods and checkout
Both run a hosted checkout so you never touch card data. Supported payment methods, currencies and payout options differ by platform and by country and change over time, so check each vendor's current help docs if you need something specific like PayPal, crypto, or local payment methods.
Marketplace vs bring-your-own audience
Whop's marketplace can send you buyers who have never heard of you, which matters if you are starting from zero. LaunchPass assumes you already have an audience (newsletter, YouTube, social) and want a clean join page to send them to.
If you already have traffic, discovery matters less than checkout simplicity and the fee you pay on every renewal.
How to compare fees without getting it wrong
Do not trust fee numbers in blog posts, including this one, because both vendors change pricing. Open Whop and LaunchPass, and for each one write down: monthly platform fee (if any), percentage per transaction, payment processing fee, and payout fee. Then model your expected monthly revenue through both.
What neither tool does for you
A paywall only controls who gets in. You still need the server itself: channels, onboarding, rules, moderation and a reason to stay. That is where most paid Discords lose members.
Quick answers
- whop vs launchpass for paid discord?
- Choose LaunchPass for a single paid community with a simple paywall (also works for Telegram and Slack). Choose Whop if you want a marketplace, an app store and several products. Compare current fees on each official site.
- Do Whop and LaunchPass remove the role when someone cancels?
- Yes. Both remove the mapped Discord role when the paid access ends, which hides your private channels from that member.
- discord server subscriptions vs third party paywall?
- Server Subscriptions are built into Discord but have eligibility and region limits. A third-party paywall like Whop or LaunchPass works on any server and gives you more checkout and product options. See our Server Subscriptions guide.
- Can I switch from LaunchPass to Whop later?
- Yes, but existing subscriptions usually do not move automatically. Plan a migration window and check each vendor's help docs for import options.
What to do next
Get a paid-membership server with the private channels, paid role and onboarding already built, then plug in Whop or LaunchPass.
Related guides
Sources
Checked: . Discord changes features and menus often; if something looks different, the official help center is the source of truth. LaunchMyServer is not affiliated with Discord.