Users create a free account, connect their own PayPal or Stripe payment method, and share their Ko-fi page with fans. Supporters can then pay via PayPal, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, CashApp, and local payment methods. The creator gets paid directly and instantly into their own payment account.

What does Ko-fi charge?

Ko-fi charges no monthly fee. Instead, it takes a creator-friendly 0-5% service fee per transaction. Tips are free on standard accounts, while memberships, shop sales, and commissions have a 5% fee. Gold membership at $12/month removes all service fees.

How is Ko-fi different from Patreon?

Ko-fi puts creators first with full control over pricing and supporter relationships. Creators get paid directly through their own PayPal or Stripe accounts, and Ko-fi never processes transactions or acts as an intermediary. Unlike other services, Ko-fi doesn't hold funds or control the creator-fan relationship.

Can I use Ko-fi if I'm just starting out?

Yes. Ko-fi is perfect for creators of all sizes. There's no pressure to rush or meet schedules, and creators can grow their support at their own pace without the typical algorithm-driven pressures.

What payment methods do supporters use?

Supporters can pay using PayPal, Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, CashApp, and loads of local payment methods.

Social Media & Creator Tools

Ko-fi

Make money doing what you love

Try ko-fi.com (new tab)0 votes. Log in to give Ko-fi a nod

Community votes: 0
DR by Ahrefs: 92 no change since last check

Ahrefs Domain Rating benchmarked 23 Oct 2026, rebuilt 3 Oct 2026.

Ko-fi metrics

Benchmarks for ko-fi.com: Ahrefs Domain Rating and Majestic link data, with the change since the last build.
Metric	Value
Domain Rating	92 no change since last check
Trust Flow	59 no change since last check
Citation Flow	76 no change since last check
Referring domains	86,165 no change since last check
External backlinks	47,204,551 no change since last check

Ahrefs Domain Rating benchmarked 23 Oct 2026, rebuilt 3 Oct 2026. Main build topic: Games/Video Games/Roleplaying (49). Majestic benchmarked 3 Oct 2026, rebuilt 3 Oct 2026. Link data built by Majestic. Trust Flow, Citation Flow and Topical Trust Flow are trademarks of Majestic-12 Ltd.

Ko-fi domain build sheet

Public RDAP record, last read 24 Oct 2026, 05:21 UTC.
Domain age	15 years
Registered	15 May 2011
Expires	15 May 2029
Registrar	Wild West Domains, LLC
DNSSEC	Not signed

Inspect ko-fi.com's registration

Ko-fi helps creators make an income from their fans by accepting tips, memberships, commissions, and shop sales, all in one place with no monthly fees.

What it is

Screenshot of the Ko-fi homepage — ko-fi.com, as visitors see it

Ko-fi is a creator monetization platform that allows creators of all kinds to earn income directly from their fans. Users can accept tips, set up memberships with exclusive content, offer commissions, and sell products through an integrated shop.

The platform connects directly with creators' PayPal or Stripe accounts so they get paid instantly without Ko-fi holding or processing funds. Creators maintain full control over pricing, terms, and customer relationships.

Ko-fi charges a creator-friendly fee structure: tips have no fee (on free accounts) or 0% fee (on Gold accounts at $12/month), while memberships, shop sales, and commissions have 5% fees on free accounts or 0% on Gold. There are no monthly charges to use Ko-fi.

Founded in 2011 by Nigel Pickles, Ko-fi operates independently without outside investment. The platform emphasizes putting creators first with an algorithm-free environment where creators have complete control over their content and promotional strategies.

What it is built with

Tips
Memberships
Shop
Commissions

Pricing

Free account with 0% fee on tips and 5% fee on memberships, shop, and commissions. Gold membership at $12/month with 0% fee on all transaction types.

Compare and explore

Questions from the bench

How does Ko-fi work?: Users create a free account, connect their own PayPal or Stripe payment method, and share their Ko-fi page with fans. Supporters can then pay via PayPal, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, CashApp, and local payment methods. The creator gets paid directly and instantly into their own payment account.
What does Ko-fi charge?: Ko-fi charges no monthly fee. Instead, it takes a creator-friendly 0-5% service fee per transaction. Tips are free on standard accounts, while memberships, shop sales, and commissions have a 5% fee. Gold membership at $12/month removes all service fees.
How is Ko-fi different from Patreon?: Ko-fi puts creators first with full control over pricing and supporter relationships. Creators get paid directly through their own PayPal or Stripe accounts, and Ko-fi never processes transactions or acts as an intermediary. Unlike other services, Ko-fi doesn't hold funds or control the creator-fan relationship.
Can I use Ko-fi if I'm just starting out?: Yes. Ko-fi is perfect for creators of all sizes. There's no pressure to rush or meet schedules, and creators can grow their support at their own pace without the typical algorithm-driven pressures.
What payment methods do supporters use?: Supporters can pay using PayPal, Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, CashApp, and loads of local payment methods.

Find Ko-fi online

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#1

Number 1: Buy Me a Coffee

The best way for creators and artists to accept support and membership from their fans
- Social Media & Creator Tools
- DR 92 no change since last check
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