Topmate.io: The Complete Guide to Getting Started, Earning Money & EximPe Comparison

Topmate is an all-in-one platform that lets creators monetize their expertise through 1:1 calls, webinars, and digital products. But here's the honest truth, most creators earn virtually nothing. Success requires an existing social media following and genuine expertise. Let's break down whether it's actually worth your time.

What Is Topmate.io?

Topmate is a creator economy platform launched in 2020 that lets professionals package their knowledge into sellable services. Instead of juggling multiple tools—Calendly for bookings, Stripe for payments, a separate website, you get one link that handles scheduling, payments, testimonials, and product sales.

Think of it as a storefront for your brain. A designer can sell logo consultations. A developer can offer mock interview prep. A marketer can run webinars on growth strategies. The platform handles the entire transaction flow, from booking to payment to customer feedback.

Over 300,000 creators use Topmate globally, and the platform has generated $1M+ in creator earnings. The platform was valued at ₹33.3 CR ($4M) as of January .

The Real Earnings Breakdown: What Creators Actually Make

Before considering Topmate, you need to understand the earnings distribution.

The critical insight? Nearly everyone making ₹5,000+ monthly was already successful elsewhere. They're micro-influencers, recognized engineers at FAANG, or established consultants. Topmate didn't create their income—it just gave them another distribution channel

Real Success Stories (with context):
One creator earned ₹50,000 over 10 months (70 sessions)—but he previously did career guidance.

Another made $4,000 in one week—but had 10+ years of frontend experience and ran India's largest tech community.

A consultant made $10,000 in 10 days—using AI-powered chat solutions to close deals, not just raw Topmate.

The Bottom Line: If you don't have a social media following or established expertise elsewhere, Topmate will likely earn you very little. "EASY money if you have a large following on social media. And that is why it works.

How to Start on Topmate: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create Your Account

• Sign up using Google, LinkedIn, or email
• Link your social media account
• Choose your Topmate profile URL

Step 2: Define Your Services

Select from categories like:

• 1:1 calls (most popular)
• Webinars and group sessions
• Digital products (PDFs, guides, courses)
• Package-based services (bundled offerings)
• Priority DM (answered message-based consulting)

Step 3: Set Your Availability

• Choose days and times you'll accept bookings
• Set your response timezone

Add your WhatsApp for booking notifications

Step 4: Optimize Your Profile

Profile Picture: Use a professional, high-quality headshot. Trust and credibility depend on this.

Bio: Write a 2-3 sentence summary about who you help and what transformation they get. Don't just list credentials—focus on the job-to-be-done.

Step 5: Connect Your Bank Account or PayPal

• Go to Payments dashboard
• Choose currency (INR for India)
• Add your bank account or PayPal details
• Complete one-time identity verification[topmate72420835211887570.freshdesk]​

Step 6: Set Your Pricing

• Research competitors in your niche
• Start conservative (you can raise later)
• Match pricing to the perceived value of your expertise

Step 7: Share Your Link

• Copy your Topmate profile link (e.g., topmate.io/yourname)
• Add it to LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram bios
• Include in email signatures
• Share in relevant communities (Reddit, Slack, Discord)

Commission & Fees: What Topmate Actually Takes

This matters because every rupee matters when earnings are already thin.

The Fee Structure

Example: If you book a ₹1,000 session:

• Platform takes: ₹100 (10%)
• Payment gateway takes: ₹29 (approx 2.9%)
• You receive: ₹871

Topmate moved from charging 0% to introducing commissions in 2024, which frustrated early adopters. Currently, it's a blended model—you might see both percentage and transaction-based fees combined.

International Payments & Hidden Costs

This is the section that fundamentally changes the calculus for creators receiving payments from Indian customers while based abroad—a rapidly growing segment.

The Hidden Fee Reality of Collecting Payments from India

When an Indian customer pays a creator sitting outside India via Topmate, the effective fee is NOT 10%—it's 16-18%. Here's why:

Example: $100 session from Indian customer:

Effective Fee Rate: 16-18% (Not the advertised 10%)

Monthly Income Impact

Realistic case: Designer receiving ₹50,000/month ($600/month) from Indian clients

Via Topmate:

• Platform commission: ₹5,000 (10%)
• Gateway fees: ₹1,800 (3%)
• Currency conversion loss: ₹1,200 (2%)
• Total lost to fees: ₹8,000/month (~13.3%)
• Net income: ₹42,000/month
• Annual cost: ₹96,000 in hidden fees

You're spending nearly ₹8,000 monthly to process ₹50,000 in payments. Is Topmate's convenience worth that tax?

Comparison: Topmate vs Standard Payment Processors vs EximPe

Topmate costs 3-5X more than alternatives for international payments.

The RBI Compliance Issue: Why This Matters

This is where regulatory risk enters the picture—something Topmate doesn't openly discuss.

Topmate's Missing Authorization

The Regulation: Since October 2023, the RBI requires all entities facilitating cross-border payments to obtain PA-CB (Payment Aggregator - Cross Border) authorization.

Topmate's Status: Topmate's Terms of Use (updated Dec 1, 2025) lists compliance with the Indian Contract Act, IT Act 2000, and DPDP Act—but makes NO mention of RBI PA-CB authorization or Payment Aggregator licensing.

By operating as an intermediary platform processing payments between Indian customers and creators abroad, Topmate may actually qualify as a PA-CB itself, which requires RBI authorization. Currently, no public announcement confirms Topmate holds this license.

If enforcement action occurs, creator accounts could face:

• Withdrawal delays (5-30+ days instead of promised 1-7 days)
• Account freezes with pending payments trapped
• Forced fund conversions to INR
• Unresponsive support during resolution

EximPe: The RBI-Compliant Alternative for International Payments

If you're currently using Topmate to receive payments from Indian customers while based abroad, EximPe offers a significantly cheaper, fully compliant alternative.

How EximPe Works (For Collecting Payment from India)

EximPe is an RBI-authorized Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border (PA-CB-E&I) that lets you:

• Receive payments from 150+ countries
• Collect in INR from Indian customers
• Settle in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AED, HKD to global bank accounts
• Get compliance documents (FIRA) automatically

Key Advantage: Zero forex manipulation, you get live interbank rates that is up to 50% cheaper, transparent markup, not hidden 2-3% embedded conversions.

Compliance Advantage

• EximPe: RBI PA-CB authorized (since July 2025)—zero regulatory risk
• Topmate: No PA-CB authorization—potential regulatory exposure

Common Issues with Topmate

Issue #1: Withdrawal Is Stuck

Issue #2: Buyer Never Showed Up for the Session

Issue #3: Not Getting Any Bookings

Issue #4: Buyer Is Asking for a Refund

Issue #5: Getting Fake Bookings / Spam

FAQ: Questions Creators Actually Ask