Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees on tips and payments (only processing fees apply), while Patreon takes a 8% cut from membership revenue plus payment processing fees. Ko-fi is better for creators seeking maximum earnings, while Patreon offers more sophisticated membership tier tools and audience analytics.
Ko-fi vs Patreon — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
All-in-one creator monetization platform with zero platform fees on all transactions.
Membership platform connecting creators with fans through recurring pledges and exclusive content.
Platform Fee on Membership Revenue. Payment Processing Fee. Membership Tier Customization. Analytics & Audience Insights. Creator Community Size. Content Monetization Options. Minimum Payout Threshold
Choose Ko-fi if you want to maximize earnings with zero platform fees, prefer simplicity, and need quick payouts ($5 minimum). Choose Patreon if you're building a premium membership community with multiple tiers, need detailed audience analytics, and want a platform optimized specifically for recurring subscriptions rather than multi-purpose monetization.
Ko-fi: Basic (sales, revenue, top products) | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Shop browsing, creator profiles, category feeds | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: $50 (5% of revenue) | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: 2.2% + $0.20 per transaction | Patreon: 3-5% (varies by region)
Ko-fi: 90-95% | Patreon: ~80-85% (standard email system)
Ko-fi: Yes—digital & physical shop with inventory | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: ~2-3 million monthly | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Basic scheduling only | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Unlimited custom tiers | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Limited third-party integrations only | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Unlimited | Patreon: Patreon Plus required ($8/month) for full features
Ko-fi: 3 (opens, subscribers, sales) | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: 5 (tips, memberships, shop, commissions, donations) | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Basic (welcome series, manual triggers) | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: 4 (memberships, tips, shop, commissions) | Patreon: 1 (memberships/subscriptions focused)
Ko-fi: 0% platform fee | Patreon: 8% platform fee
Ko-fi: 3-5 tiers recommended | Patreon: Unlimited custom tiers
Ko-fi: ~5 million monthly users | Patreon: ~1.5 million monthly creators
Ko-fi: Basic dashboard (revenue, member count) | Patreon: Advanced (retention, churn, demographics, goals)
Ko-fi: 1M+ creators | Patreon: 2.8M creators
Ko-fi: Requires third-party integrations | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: 5+ (tips, shop, memberships, commissions, downloads) | Patreon: 5 (tiers, tips, merchandise, goals, DMs)
Ko-fi: None—relies on direct traffic | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Visual art, music, digital products, text | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Weekly (automatic) or on-demand | Patreon: Monthly (1st of following month)
Ko-fi: Discord, limited social linking | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: 0% | Patreon: 8% + payment processing (2.2% + $0.30)
Ko-fi: Advanced with recurring billing | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: Full-featured shop included | Patreon: N/A
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 5% + payment fees (7.55% total average)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Platform-owned; limited export capability
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Posts, messaging, polls, Discord sync
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Limited; template-based
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Monthly cycle + 14-day hold
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Unlimited (all tiers)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: iOS & Android apps available
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Posts, comments, media galleries, polls
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Yes, but exclusivity encouraged
Platform Commission on Paid Subscriptions
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 5-12% (5% Stripe, 12% PayPal)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 3+ million monthly visitors
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Patreon owns data; limited direct contact
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: High (creator feed, categories, trending)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Moderate—tier customization, perk management, integration setup required
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 2 (Stripe + PayPal)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Embed option; limited native sync
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Patron chat, Discord integration, polls, exclusive channels, member-only posts
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Limited; Patreon branding mandatory
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Basic API with limitations on customization
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 250M+ monthly patrons
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: $9,999/month per tier (unlimited tiers)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Posts, DMs, polls, exclusive content, video uploads, scheduling
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Direct messages, community feed, Discord integration
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: iOS and Android native apps
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Posts, exclusive feeds, DMs, polls, live streams
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Stripe, PayPal, regional options
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Video, audio, podcasts, art, music, writing, gaming, photography
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Memberships, tips, paid posts, merchandise, sponsorships
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Limited—minimal algorithmic discovery, relies on external promotion
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 6+ million monthly patrons
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Limited; patron data siloed on platform
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 4 methods (memberships, tips, shop, early access)
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: 190+ countries with local payment methods
Ko-fi: N/A | Patreon: Basic email to patrons only
Ko-fi vs Patreon — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Ko-fi vs Patreon. Contains 96 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Ko-fi vs Patreon — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Ko-fi vs Patreon.
How much money will I actually keep on Ko-fi vs Patreon?
On a $100 membership: Ko-fi takes 3.5% + $0.20 processing fee = you keep $96.30. Patreon takes 8% platform fee + 2.9% + $0.30 processing = you keep $88.41. Ko-fi puts ~$8 more in your pocket per $100 earned. Over a year with $12,000 in memberships, Ko-fi creators earn ~$960 more than Patreon creators.
Can I use both Ko-fi and Patreon at the same time?
Yes, many creators use both platforms simultaneously. Ko-fi typically serves as the primary tip/shop platform with optional membership, while Patreon handles serious membership communities. This diversifies income and lets supporters choose their preferred platform. However, managing two platforms requires double the admin work.
Which platform has better discovery for new creators?
Patreon has a more developed creator discovery algorithm and recommendation system, making it easier for new subscribers to find you. Ko-fi has 3x more monthly users but less sophisticated recommendation features. Ko-fi relies more on you driving traffic externally (social media, community).
What happens if I have irregular income—which is better?
Ko-fi's $5 minimum payout threshold and weekly payouts make it ideal for irregular income—you can withdraw money frequently as you earn it. Patreon's $25 minimum and monthly payout schedule means you may wait weeks to reach threshold. Ko-fi is significantly better for creators with unpredictable earnings patterns.
Which platform is easier to set up for beginners?
Ko-fi is simpler—you can set up a basic membership in 15 minutes with minimal configuration. Patreon requires more upfront setup (building tier descriptions, perks, rewards structure) but provides guided onboarding. Ko-fi is better for creators who want to start immediately; Patreon is better for those planning a sophisticated membership strategy.
Consider: Platform Fee on Membership Revenue
Platform Fee on Membership Revenue: Ko-fi has 0%, while Patreon has 8%.
Payment Processing Fee: Ko-fi has 3.5% + $0.20 (Stripe default), while Patreon has 2.9% + $0.30 (card) / 5% (PayPal).
Membership Tier Customization: Ko-fi has Basic tier support, while Patreon has Unlimited custom tiers with perks.
Analytics & Audience Insights: Ko-fi has Limited basic dashboard, while Patreon has Detailed revenue, retention, demographics.
Creator Community Size: Ko-fi has ~5 million monthly users, while Patreon has ~1.5 million monthly creators.
Content Monetization Options: Ko-fi has Tips, shop, memberships, commissions, while Patreon has Memberships, posts, audio, video focus.
Minimum Payout Threshold: Ko-fi has $5 USD, while Patreon has $25 USD.