Milkie vs Steady

Milkie is a paywall SDK for Next.js apps, provided free and licensed under MIT. Developers use its PaywallGate component to protect whole sections or selected components, so a page can contain both free and subscription-only material. A metered setup can grant visitors a limited amount of free access each month. For content that requires sign-in but not a subscription, Milkie describes an AuthGate component. It works with Stripe: users go to Stripe's hosted checkout, and webhooks update subscription status in real time. The maker's README lists support for NextAuth, Clerk, Lucia, Supabase, and other authentication providers, as well as customization of paywall interfaces, messages, and styling. Listed protections include callback URL validation, idempotency keys, PII sanitization, webhook signature verification, and email normalization. Setup calls for three API routes covering subscription status, checkout, and Stripe webhooks. Multi-tenancy, a developer dashboard, a webhook relay, and multiple subscription tiers are roadmap items.

Steady is a web and API platform for independent media makers, including magazines, newsletters, podcasts and video channels. It helps creators publish newsletters and memberships and earn directly from audiences. Newsletter sending is free without audience limits or escalating costs. Memberships use recurring billing, with monthly or annual charges, and Steady takes a 10% commission on membership revenue once earning begins; payment-provider fees and VAT also apply. The service supports full-site content gating, flexible paywalls, embedded buttons and supporter prompts. Newsletter tools can welcome readers automatically, resurface selected work and re-engage quiet subscribers. Externally hosted podcasts can be gated by membership tier and distributed through Spotify or private RSS. Steady Code adds website layers and embeds regardless of a site’s CMS. Creator income is transferred in lump sums, and failed payments are retried automatically. The Free plan is free. Custom domains are not supported.