What is Ko-fi?
Ko-fi lets artists, writers, streamers and other creators earn money directly from their audience. You get a free page where supporters can 'buy you a coffee' with a one-off tip, and you can add monthly memberships, a shop for digital or physical products and a commissions board for custom work. Payments go straight to your PayPal or Stripe account.
Ko-fi does not take a cut of one-off donations on the free plan, while memberships, shop sales and commissions carry a 5% platform fee. Ko-fi Gold is a monthly subscription that removes the platform fee and unlocks extra features. Payment processor fees from PayPal or Stripe apply on every plan.
Main Features
- Free creator page for tips and donations
- Monthly memberships with tiers
- Shop for digital downloads and physical goods
- Commissions board for custom work
- Posts and galleries for supporters
- Payments paid out through PayPal or Stripe
How to Get Started with Ko-fi
- Sign up for free at ko-fi.com
- Connect your PayPal or Stripe account
- Set up your page, then add memberships, a shop or commissions if you want
- Share your Ko-fi link on social media and your website
Ko-fi Pricing
Ko-fi is free to join and takes 0% on one-off donations. Memberships, shop sales and commissions have a 5% fee on the free plan, which Ko-fi Gold removes for about $12 a month. Payment processor fees always apply.
Who Should Use It?
- Digital artists and illustrators
- Writers and comic creators
- Streamers and video makers
- Indie game developers
- Podcasters and musicians
Ko-fi Alternatives
- Beehiiv: Build and monetise a newsletter audience
- Tally: Create free online forms, including order and payment forms
- Repurpose IO: Share your content across social platforms automatically
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ko-fi free?
Yes. Ko-fi is free to join and takes no fee on one-off donations. Other sales have a 5% fee unless you pay for Ko-fi Gold.
How do I get paid on Ko-fi?
Money goes directly to your connected PayPal or Stripe account, rather than being held by Ko-fi.
What is Ko-fi Gold?
Ko-fi Gold is a paid monthly plan, about $12 a month, that removes Ko-fi's platform fee on memberships, shop sales and commissions and adds extra features.