Ko-fi vs Buy Me a Coffee: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Ko-fi
Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 7.1/10)
- • You need membership sites features specifically
- • Enables creators to receive tips, offer memberships, and sell products directly from fans.
- • Creators get paid instantly into their own PayPal/Stripe accounts, with Ko-fi taking a 0-5% fee.
Buy Me a Coffee
Support for creators
Best for you if:
- • You need subscription billing features specifically
- • Creator monetization platform with 5% fee on donations and no monthly costs
- • Accept tips, memberships, and sell digital products with credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay
| At a Glance |  Ko-fi | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Membership Sites | Subscription Billing |
Rating | 78/100 | 71/100 |
| Feature | Ko-fi | Buy Me a Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 71 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Membership SitesPayment Processing | Subscription BillingCreator Platforms |
How Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee Compare
Ko-fi
Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.
Free tier available · 78/100 score
Buy Me a Coffee
Support for creators
Free tier available · 71/100 score
Ko-fi is a membership sites tool. Buy Me a Coffee is in subscription billing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Ko-fi
Want the highest-rated option?
Ko-fi: 78/100. Buy Me a Coffee: 71/100.
Go with: Ko-fi
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Ko-fi
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Ko-fi is a membership sites tool. Buy Me a Coffee is in subscription billing. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Ko-fi scores higher: 78/100 vs 71/100.
Key Takeaways
Ko-fi
- Higher score: 78/100 vs 71
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Buy Me a Coffee
- Better fit for subscription billing
The Bottom Line
Ko-fi (78/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee better?
Ko-fi scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee used for?
Ko-fi: Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.. Buy Me a Coffee: Support for creators.
What does Ko-fi cost vs Buy Me a Coffee?
Ko-fi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Buy Me a Coffee is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.