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Empower creators to earn income directly from their fans through tips, memberships, and sales.

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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

Creator donations

Biggest con

Payment processor fees

TL;DR - Ko-fi

  • 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.
  • Offers a free tier and a paid 'Gold' membership for reduced fees and advanced features.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams

What is Ko-fi?

Editorial review
Ko-fi is a platform designed for creators of all kinds, artists, writers, podcasters, streamers, developers, and more, to monetize their passion and connect with their audience. It provides a single hub for creators to accept tips, set up recurring memberships, sell digital and physical products, and offer custom commissions. The platform emphasizes direct payments, allowing creators to receive funds instantly into their own PayPal or Stripe accounts without Ko-fi holding or processing the money. Ko-fi differentiates itself by giving creators full control over their earnings and fan relationships. Creators set their own prices, terms, and manage communication directly. The platform offers a free account with a 5% service fee on most transactions, or a paid 'Gold' membership for $12/month that reduces service fees to 0% on all payment types. Key features include customizable pages, goal setting, exclusive content sharing, direct messaging, Twitch/YouTube integrations, and Discord role monetization. It's ideal for creators just starting out or those looking for a flexible way to earn support without the pressure of algorithms or strict content schedules. Ko-fi aims to foster a community where creators can explore their passions and be supported by their fans on their own terms.

Available on: Web

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Creator donations
  • No platform fee
  • Simple setup
  • Shop features
  • Good for small creators

Cons

  • Payment processor fees
  • Limited features
  • Basic analytics
  • Less features than Patreon
  • Smaller platform

Key Features

Creator fundingDonationsMembershipsShop featuresCommissionsNo fees on donations

Pricing Plans

Free

Free

Basic features

  • Receive donations
  • 0% platform fee
  • Basic shop
  • Ko-fi branding

Gold

$6/month

Full features

  • All Free features
  • Memberships
  • Commissions
  • No branding

How Ko-fi's pricing compares

At $6/mo, Ko-fi is the most affordable of its 3 direct competitors.

Ko-fi
$6

Entry paid plan, monthly.

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Ko-fi FAQ

What is Ko-fi?

Ko-fi is a platform for creators to receive donations, sell digital products, and offer paid memberships.

Is Ko-fi free?

Ko-fi takes 0% on donations and sales (payment processor fees apply). Gold is $6/month with extra features.

Ko-fi vs Patreon?

Ko-fi takes 0% fees on donations. Patreon takes 5-12% but has more membership features.

Source: ko-fi.com

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