XOE

If you've been running a paid Discord community on Whop, you've probably noticed something: the fees are higher than you expected, crypto payments feel like an afterthought, and you're stuck inside their ecosystem whether you like it or not.

You're not alone. More creators are realizing that Whop's "all-in-one" platform comes with some serious trade-offs, especially if you're building a Web3-native community.

Enter XOE. A purpose-built solution for crypto communities that want lower fees, true on-chain payments, and security tools that actually matter. Let's break down why so many communities are switching from Whop to XOE.

What is Whop?

Whop started as a marketplace for digital products and has grown into a platform where creators can sell courses, memberships, and community access. They handle payments, Discord role automation, and provide a storefront where buyers can discover new products.

Sounds great in theory. But dig into the details, and you'll find three major problems:

Fees that stack up fast (way more than the advertised 3%)
Weak crypto support (it's clearly not their focus)
Platform lock-in (they control your data, pricing, and payout timing)

Let's talk about why these issues matter, and why XOE solves them.

The Hidden Cost of Whop's Fee Structure

Whop advertises a "simple 3% platform fee," but that's only part of the story.

Here's What You're Actually Paying:

3% platform fee on all automated payments (Discord/Telegram)
2.9% + $0.30 in payment processing fees (Stripe/PayPal)
30% marketplace commission if customers find you through Whop's Discover marketplace
Extra fees for international cards, currency conversion, invoicing, and more

Real-world example: You sell a $100 monthly membership through Whop's marketplace:

Whop takes 30% marketplace fee = $30
Processing fees (2.9% + $0.30) = $3.20
You receive: $66.80 (33%+ in total fees)

Even if you drive traffic directly (avoiding the marketplace), you're still paying:

3% platform fee = $3
Processing fees = $3.20
You receive: $93.80 (6.2% in total fees)

That 3% headline? It's misleading. For many creators, total fees range from 6% to 40% depending on how customers find you.

XOE's Fee Structure (Actually Simple):

XOE (Free tier):

5% on crypto payments (USDC on Base or Solana)
No hidden charges, no marketplace cuts
You keep 95% of every payment

XOE Premium ($49/month per server):

1% on crypto payments (80% reduction from free tier)
0% platform fee on card payments (only Stripe's standard fees)
Payments go directly to your wallet or Stripe account (no delays)

Same $100 membership example with XOE Premium crypto:

Platform fee: $1
Processing (gas fees): ~$0.50
You receive: $98.50 (1.5% total fees)

The difference? You keep $31.70 more per $100 sale with XOE Premium vs Whop marketplace, or $5.30 more vs direct Whop sales.

Crypto Payments: Built-in vs Bolted-on

This is where the difference becomes obvious.

Whop's Crypto Approach:

Whop wasn't built for crypto communities. Their platform focuses on traditional payment rails (Stripe, PayPal), with crypto feeling like an afterthought:

Limited token support
Requires workarounds or third-party integrations
Not designed for on-chain verification
Crypto payments treated as "alternative" rather than primary

If your community lives on-chain (trading alpha groups, NFT projects, DeFi communities), Whop's crypto experience feels clunky.

XOE's Crypto-First Design:

XOE was built from the ground up for Web3 communities:

Native USDC payments on Base and Solana networks
On-chain verification for instant role assignment
No wallet connect friction. Members pay directly to your wallet
Web3-native features: link scanning, X username history checks, AI agent

Your members are already comfortable with wallets and on-chain transactions. XOE meets them where they are instead of forcing them through traditional payment flows.

Platform Lock-in vs Full Control

Here's the uncomfortable truth about Whop: once you're in, you're stuck.

What Whop Controls:

Your customer data (stays on their platform)
Payout timing (they hold funds, then release on their schedule)
Pricing changes (they can adjust fees at any time)
Account suspension risk (your entire business can be frozen)
Your storefront (limited to their UI and marketplace rules)

You're not just using their tool—you're building your business on their terms. If they change policies, raise fees, or suspend your account, you have limited recourse.

What XOE Gives You:

Direct payments to your wallet (crypto) or Stripe account (cards)
Full data ownership. Your members, your data
No custody risk. XOE never holds your funds
Transparent, predictable fees. No surprise policy changes
Your community, your rules. XOE works for you, not the other way around

With XOE, you're using a tool. With Whop, you're renting space in someone else's marketplace.

XOE vs Whop: A side-by-side comparison of fees, features, and platform control

Why Security Actually Matters for Crypto Communities

Whop focuses on content delivery and marketplace features. But crypto communities face different threats:

Phishing links that drain wallets
Impersonator accounts running scams
Fake collab requests from renamed Twitter accounts
Malicious sites posing as legitimate projects

XOE Premium includes security tools built for Web3:

1. Full Website & Link Scanning

Paste any URL into the XOE Premium channel and get an instant safety report. XOE checks for:

Known scam sites
Suspicious domain patterns
Malware and phishing indicators
Certificate issues

Block dangerous links before they spread to your community.

2. X Username History Checker

Before you trust someone with a partnership, role, or payout, check their X history:

See how often they've changed usernames
Identify suspicious rebrands
Spot burner accounts early

One check can save your community from costly mistakes.

3. Human Verification

Keep raids and bot accounts out of your main channels with XOE's simple verify flow. New members prove they're human before accessing your community. No more spam flooding general chat.

Whop doesn't offer any of these features. If security matters to your community (and it should), you'll need separate tools. XOE bundles them into Premium.

The Hidden Costs of "All-in-One" Platforms

Whop positions itself as an all-in-one solution, which sounds appealing. But "all-in-one" can also mean:

Forced to use their marketplace (and pay 30% for visibility)
Limited flexibility. What you see is what you get
Vendor lock-in. Hard to migrate once you're deep in their system
Feature bloat. You pay for tools you don't need
Slower updates for specific use cases (like crypto)

With XOE, you get focused tools built specifically for Discord communities that operate on-chain. No bloat. No unnecessary marketplace. Just payments, security, and automation that work.

Real-World Savings Comparison

Let's look at the math for a mid-size crypto community:

Monthly revenue: $5,000
Payment method: Mixed (crypto + card)

With Whop (mixed traffic):

Direct sales (70%): $3,500
- Platform fee (3%): $105
- Processing (2.9% + $0.30 × 35 members): $111.50
- Take-home: $3,283.50
Marketplace sales (30%): $1,500
- Marketplace fee (30%): $450
- Processing: $47.50
- Take-home: $1,002.50
Total monthly take-home: $4,286
Total fees: $714 (14.3%)

With XOE Premium (mixed crypto + card):

Crypto sales (60%): $3,000
- Platform fee (1%): $30
- Gas fees: ~$15
- Take-home: $2,955
Card sales (40%): $2,000
- Platform fee: $0
- Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30 × 20 members): $64
- Take-home: $1,936
Premium subscription: -$49
Total monthly take-home: $4,842
Total fees: $158 (3.2%)

You save $556/month with XOE Premium vs Whop mixed traffic.

Over a year: $6,672 in savings, plus you keep full control of your data and community.

Switching from Whop to XOE: Easier Than You Think

Worried about the migration? Don't be. Here's the process:

Step 1: Set Up XOE (10 minutes)

Install XOE bot in your Discord
Connect your XOE dashboard
Map your existing roles and pricing tiers
Set up payment wallets (Base/Solana for crypto) or Stripe Connect (for cards)

Step 2: Run Both Systems in Parallel (1-2 weeks)

Keep Whop running for existing members
Offer new members XOE checkout options
Test everything with a few trusted users first

Step 3: Migrate Your Community

Announce the switch in your community
Create new checkout flows with XOE
Help existing members re-subscribe through XOE (we'll help you with messaging)
Gradually phase out Whop

Need help? The XOE team offers 1-on-1 migration support. We've helped dozens of communities switch, and we'll walk you through every step.

When Whop Might Still Make Sense

To be fair, Whop isn't wrong for everyone. It might still work if you:

Sell diverse digital products (courses, software, downloads) beyond Discord access
Don't care about crypto payments
Want to lean on marketplace discovery despite the 30% cut
Need features like video hosting or advanced course builders
Primarily serve non-crypto audiences

But if you're running a crypto-native Discord community (trading groups, alpha chats, NFT projects, DeFi communities), XOE is built specifically for you.

The Bottom Line

Whop is a marketplace trying to serve everyone. XOE is a focused tool built for Web3 communities.

Choose Whop if:

You're selling courses, content, and diverse digital products
Crypto isn't your primary payment method
You're okay with higher fees for marketplace exposure

Choose XOE if:

You're running a crypto-native Discord community
You want the lowest possible fees (1% crypto, 0% card)
You need Web3 security tools (link scanning, X username checks)
You value data ownership and direct payouts
You want an AI agent that understands your community

Most communities switching from Whop to XOE see the investment pay for itself in the first month through fee savings alone. Then you get Premium features, better security, and full control, all included.

Ready to Take Control?

Thousands of crypto communities already use XOE to automate payments, manage access, and keep their servers secure. No platform fees eating into your revenue. No marketplace taking 30% cuts. No custody risk.

👉 Get started with XOE and see the difference yourself.

XOE is free to start. Connect your wallet, set up roles, and start taking crypto payments in minutes.

Want the full experience? XOE Premium ($49/month) unlocks 1% crypto fees, card payments with 0% platform fees, security tools, and your own AI agent.

No surprise fees. No lock-ins. Just you, your community, and the freedom to build on your terms.

Questions about switching? Join our Discord or check out the dashboard to see how easy setup really is.