Ko-fi vs Memberful: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Ko-fi and Memberful 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 to try before committing
- • 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.
Memberful
Membership software for creators
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.9/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • Memberful is a membership platform for selling subscriptions on your website
- • It handles payments, member management, and integrates with existing sites
| At a Glance |  Ko-fi |  Memberful |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Membership Sites | Membership Sites |
Rating | 78/100 | 79/100 |
| Feature | Ko-fi | Memberful |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 79 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Membership SitesPayment Processing | Membership SitesPayment Processing |
How Ko-fi and Memberful Compare
Ko-fi
Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.
Free tier available · 78/100 score
Memberful
Membership software for creators
Paid · 79/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Ko-fi has a free tier. Memberful is paid only.
Go with: Ko-fi
Want the highest-rated option?
Ko-fi: 78/100. Memberful: 79/100.
Go with: Memberful
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Memberful
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Ko-fi is freemium. Memberful is paid. Ko-fi lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are membership sites tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Memberful scores higher: 79/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
Memberful
- Higher score: 79/100 vs 78
- Our pick for this comparison
Ko-fi
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Memberful (79/100) is our pick. Ko-fi has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ko-fi or Memberful better?
Memberful scores 79/100 in our evaluation. Ko-fi is freemium and Memberful is paid.
What are Ko-fi and Memberful used for?
Ko-fi: Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.. Memberful: Membership software for creators.
What does Ko-fi cost vs Memberful?
Ko-fi is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Memberful is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.