Ko-fi review

Ko-fi is the cheapest way to start charging fans with no subscription at all. Its help center lists two options, both free to join: Ko-fi Free keeps one-time tips and crowdfunding goals at 0% and charges a flat 5% on monthly tips, memberships, commissions and shop sales, while Standard applies 5% to everything but adds supporter-only content, scheduled posts, custom page colors and more shop storage. Ko-fi Gold still exists for creators who want 0% service fees for a fixed monthly cost. Money lands directly in your own PayPal or Stripe account, where the processor's usual fees of around 3% plus 30 cents apply. Ko-fi works with Discord, Twitch, YouTube and other platforms and has stream alerts. It is lighter than Whop: there is no course builder and no marketplace, so it fits creators who sell memberships, art and small digital products rather than full programs.

Who it is for

Artists, streamers and hobby creators who want a free page and fee-free one-time tips.

Price

Free to join with no monthly cost; 0% on one-time tips on Ko-fi Free, 5% on memberships and shop sales.

A flat 5% service fee applies to anything else, such as shop items, memberships, monthly tips, and commissions.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• One-time and monthly tips
• Membership tiers with supporter-only content
• Shop for digital and physical products
• Commissions and crowdfunding goals
• Stream alerts and a WordPress plugin

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No monthly cost on either option
• Strength: One-time tips can stay fee-free
• Strength: Payments go straight to your own PayPal or Stripe account
• Weakness: 5% fee on memberships and shop sales
• Weakness: Course hosting is not a documented feature
• Weakness: Processor fees of around 3% + $0.30 still apply

Key facts

• Subscription: $0 per month
• One-time tips: 0% on Ko-fi Free, 5% on Standard
• Memberships and shop: 5% service fee
• Payouts: Straight to your own PayPal or Stripe account
• Ko-fi Gold: Fixed monthly cost for 0% service fees

Where it ranks

Ko-fi is No. 7 in our Best Whop Alternatives verdict.