Ko-fi vs Substack
type: Article
description: Ko-fi is a multi-purpose creator platform with lower fees (5% vs 10%), flexible payment options, and a focus on direct fan support, while Substack specializes in newsletter monetization with built-in audience discovery, email distribution, and higher discoverability for writers seeking subscribers.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-07-09T03:34:51.082Z
date created: 2026-07-09T03:34:51.082Z
date modified: 2026-07-09T03:34:51.600Z
content reference time: 2026-07-09T03:34:51.600Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Ko-fi
about: Substack
abstract: Ko-fi is a multi-purpose creator platform with lower fees (5% vs 10%), flexible payment options, and a focus on direct fan support, while Substack specializes in newsletter monetization with built-in audience discovery, email distribution, and higher discoverability for writers seeking subscribers.
text: Platform Fee Structure. Primary Use Case. Built-in Email Marketing. Audience Discovery. Content Types Supported. Minimum Payout Threshold. Free Tier Capabilities
conclusion text: Choose Ko-fi if you're a multi-format creator (artist, musician, game developer) who wants flexible monetization options, lower fees, and direct fan support without algorithmic dependence. Choose Substack if you're a writer focused on building a paid newsletter subscriber base and benefit from native email infrastructure, built-in discovery mechanisms, and a community of 3M+ subscribers.
additional property: Platform Fee on Digital Products
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 5% | Substack: N/A
additional property: Platform Fee on Memberships
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 0% | Substack: N/A
additional property: Platform Fee on Tips/Donations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 0% | Substack: N/A
additional property: Payment Processing Fee (Stripe/PayPal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 2.2% + $0.30 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Minimum Payout Amount
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $1 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Built-in Analytics Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Basic (sales, revenue, top products) | Substack: N/A
additional property: API Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Limited endpoints | Substack: N/A
additional property: Community Discovery Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Shop browsing, creator profiles, category feeds | Substack: N/A
additional property: Platform Fee on $1,000 Monthly Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $50 (5% of revenue) | Substack: $100 (10% of paid subscriptions)
  value reference: Ko-fi
additional property: Payment Processing Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 2.2% + $0.20 per transaction | Substack: Included in platform fee
additional property: Email Inbox Placement Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 90-95% | Substack: 98%+
  value reference: Substack
additional property: Maximum Custom Membership Tiers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Unlimited | Substack: 3 tiers maximum
  value reference: Ko-fi
additional property: Minimum Membership Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $1/month | Substack: $5/month
  value reference: Ko-fi
additional property: Native Shop/Products Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Yes—digital & physical shop with inventory | Substack: No—requires third-party integration
additional property: Estimated Active Creator Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: ~50,000+ creators | Substack: ~500,000+ writers
  value reference: Substack
additional property: Monthly Active Users (Audience)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: ~2-3 million monthly | Substack: ~50+ million monthly
  value reference: Substack
additional property: Minimum Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $0 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Commission on Sales
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 0% | Substack: N/A
additional property: Email Subscriber Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Unlimited | Substack: N/A
additional property: Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 5 minutes | Substack: N/A
additional property: Newsletter Automation Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Basic scheduling only | Substack: N/A
additional property: Membership Tiers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Unlimited custom tiers | Substack: N/A
additional property: API Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Limited third-party integrations only | Substack: N/A
additional property: Annual Investment (Entry Level)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $0 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Payment Processing Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 2.9% + $0.30 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Subscriber Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Unlimited | Substack: N/A
additional property: Email Marketing Analytics Metrics
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 3 (opens, subscribers, sales) | Substack: N/A
additional property: Monetization Methods Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 5 (tips, memberships, shop, commissions, donations) | Substack: N/A
additional property: Total Active Creators
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 2.5 | Substack: N/A
additional property: Email Automation Workflows
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Basic (welcome series, manual triggers) | Substack: N/A
additional property: Platform Fee on Primary Monetization
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 5% on tips | Substack: 10% on paid subscriptions
  value reference: Ko-fi
additional property: Minimum Payout Threshold
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: $5 | Substack: $0 (no minimum)
  value reference: Substack
additional property: Creator Base Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 1M+ creators | Substack: 3M+ creators
  value reference: Substack
additional property: Email Deliverability
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Requires third-party integrations | Substack: Native email infrastructure
additional property: Monetization Options Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 5+ (tips, shop, memberships, commissions, downloads) | Substack: 2 (free + paid subscriptions)
  value reference: Ko-fi
additional property: Algorithmic Discovery Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: None—relies on direct traffic | Substack: Directory + recommendations (30-40% of growth)
additional property: Content Type Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Visual art, music, digital products, text | Substack: Text newsletters, podcasts (limited)
additional property: Payout Frequency
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Monthly | Substack: Monthly
additional property: Social Media Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Discord, limited social linking | Substack: N/A
additional property: Free Tier Transaction Limits
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Unlimited | Substack: N/A
additional property: Customization - Custom CSS
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Available | Substack: N/A
additional property: Platform Fee Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 0% | Substack: N/A
additional property: Average Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: 10-15 minutes | Substack: N/A
additional property: Membership Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Advanced with recurring billing | Substack: N/A
additional property: Digital Product Sales
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: Full-featured shop included | Substack: N/A
additional property: Creator Revenue Retention
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 90%+
additional property: Audience Discovery for New Writers
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Low (requires existing audience)
additional property: Subscriber List Ownership
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Yes
additional property: Content Monetization Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Immediate (day 1)
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/ko-fi
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/ko-fi
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/substack
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/substack
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/ko-fi-vs-substack)
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/ko-fi-vs-substack)
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ko-fi-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/medium-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ko-fi-vs-gumroad
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/beehiiv-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/convertkit-vs-substack
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ko-fi-vs-patreon
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/patreon-vs-substack
teaches: How to choose between Ko-fi and Substack
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Ko-fi vs Substack — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Ko-fi
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: Ko Fi
language: en-US
description: Creator monetization platform with 0% platform fees and advanced content tools including memberships and digital products.
subject of: Ko-fi vs Substack

Substack
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: Hosted newsletter platform emphasizing simplicity with algorithmic audience discovery and built-in monetization.
subject of: Ko-fi vs Substack

Ko-fi vs Substack — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Ko-fi vs Substack. Contains 98 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Platform Fee on Digital Products
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Platform Fee on Memberships
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Platform Fee on Tips/Donations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Payment Processing Fee (Stripe/PayPal)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Minimum Payout Amount
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Built-in Analytics Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: API Availability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Developer
variable measured: Community Discovery Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Platform Fee on $1,000 Monthly Revenue
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing & Fees
variable measured: Payment Processing Fees
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Costs & Pricing
variable measured: Email Inbox Placement Rate
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Deliverability
variable measured: Maximum Custom Membership Tiers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features & Customization
variable measured: Minimum Membership Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: Native Shop/Products Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Estimated Active Creator Base
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Monthly Active Users (Audience)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reach
variable measured: Minimum Monthly Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Commission on Sales
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Email Subscriber Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Newsletter Automation Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Membership Tiers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: API Access
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Annual Investment (Entry Level)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Cost
variable measured: Payment Processing Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Free Tier Subscriber Limit
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Email Marketing Analytics Metrics
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Analytics
variable measured: Monetization Methods Supported
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Total Active Creators
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Email Automation Workflows
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Platform Fee on Primary Monetization
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Minimum Payout Threshold
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Creator Base Size
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Email Deliverability
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monetization Options Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Algorithmic Discovery Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Discovery
variable measured: Content Type Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Payout Frequency
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Social Media Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Free Tier Transaction Limits
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Customization - Custom CSS
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customization
variable measured: Platform Fee Percentage
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Average Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Membership Feature
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Digital Product Sales
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Creator Revenue Retention
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: Audience Discovery for New Writers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Growth
variable measured: Subscriber List Ownership
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Control
variable measured: Content Monetization Speed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Monetization
variable measured: Content Format Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Estimated Monthly Readers
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Reach
variable measured: Algorithm Dependency Risk
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Stability
variable measured: Platform Content Diversity Trend (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content
variable measured: Starting Cost
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Revenue Share on Subscriptions
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Customization Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Built-in Discovery Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Analytics Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Setup Time to First Newsletter
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: API and Integration Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Platform Cost
variable measured: Revenue Retention Rate
variable measured: Average Subscriber Payment
variable measured: SEO Capabilities
variable measured: Design Customization
variable measured: Audience Discovery Strength
variable measured: Monetization Methods
variable measured: Starting Monthly Cost
variable measured: Free Subscriber Limit
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ko-fi-vs-substack)

Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Ko-fi vs Substack.
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Developer
has defined term: Pricing & Fees
has defined term: Costs & Pricing
has defined term: Deliverability
has defined term: Features & Customization
has defined term: Monetization
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Reach
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Cost
has defined term: Analytics
has defined term: Discovery
has defined term: Customization
has defined term: Growth
has defined term: Control
has defined term: Stability
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Integrations
has defined term: Service
has defined term: Audience & Reach
has defined term: Creator Control
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Earnings
has defined term: Scale

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing & Fees
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing-&-fees
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Costs & Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: costs-&-pricing
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Deliverability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: deliverability
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features & Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features-&-customization
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Monetization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: monetization
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: reach
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Cost
type: DefinedTerm
term code: cost
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Analytics
type: DefinedTerm
term code: analytics
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Discovery
type: DefinedTerm
term code: discovery
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Growth
type: DefinedTerm
term code: growth
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: control
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Stability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: stability
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integrations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integrations
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Service
type: DefinedTerm
term code: service
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Audience & Reach
type: DefinedTerm
term code: audience-&-reach
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Creator Control
type: DefinedTerm
term code: creator-control
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Earnings
type: DefinedTerm
term code: earnings
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Scale
type: DefinedTerm
term code: scale
in defined term set: Ko-fi vs Substack — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-07-09T03:34:51.600Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: ko-fi-vs-substack)
main entity: How much does each platform actually cost creators?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ko-fi charges 5% on tips and processing fees (typically 2-3% for card payments). Substack charges 10% on paid subscriptions only—free newsletters have zero platform fees. For a creator earning $1,000/month: Ko-fi costs ~$70-80 total; Substack costs $100 if all revenue is from paid subscriptions. Ko-fi is cheaper for tip-based income, but Substack is cheaper if you have many free subscribers.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform is better for growing an audience from zero?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Substack has a significant advantage: its directory and algorithmic recommendations drive an estimated 30-40% of new subscriber growth for featured creators. Ko-fi has no discovery mechanism and relies entirely on the creator bringing their own audience. For writers unknown to an audience, Substack's built-in discoverability is a major advantage; for established creators with existing fan bases, Ko-fi's lower fees matter more.
    language: en-US
main entity: Can I use both platforms simultaneously?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, many creators use both. Ko-fi works well for visual creators, merchandise, and tips; Substack works for newsletters and paid subscriptions. They serve different purposes and audiences. Some creators link their Ko-fi from their Substack, or use Substack for newsletters and Ko-fi for direct fan support—they complement each other rather than compete.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform pays out faster and more reliably?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Both pay monthly with similar reliability. Substack has zero minimum payout threshold, so earnings appear immediately each month. Ko-fi requires a $5 minimum but most creators exceed this easily. Neither has had major payout scandals. Processing times are typically 3-5 business days after the monthly cutoff for both.
    language: en-US
main entity: What if I want to sell digital products or merchandise?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Ko-fi is built for this: it has a native shop, digital product delivery, and merchandise support. Substack does not support merchandise or digital product sales natively—you'd need to link to external tools like Gumroad or Shopify. For creators wanting an all-in-one platform, Ko-fi is significantly better for product sales.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Ko-fi and Substack
type: HowTo
description: Ko-fi is a multi-purpose creator platform with lower fees (5% vs 10%), flexible payment options, and a focus on direct fan support, while Substack specializes in newsletter monetization with built-in audience discovery, email distribution, and higher discoverability for writers seeking subscribers.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Platform Fee Structure
step: Consider: Primary Use Case
step: Consider: Built-in Email Marketing
step: Consider: Audience Discovery
step: Consider: Content Types Supported
step: Consider: Minimum Payout Threshold
step: Consider: Free Tier Capabilities
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Ko-fi if you're a multi-format creator (artist, musician, game developer) who wants flexible monetization options, lower fees, and direct fan support without algorithmic dependence. Choose Substack if you're a writer focused on building a paid newsletter subscriber base and benefit from native email infrastructure, built-in discovery mechanisms, and a community of 3M+ subscribers.

Consider: Platform Fee Structure
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Platform Fee Structure: Ko-fi has 5% on tips + processing fees, while Substack has 10% on paid subscriptions only.

Consider: Primary Use Case
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Primary Use Case: Ko-fi has Multi-format creator support (tips, shop, memberships, commissions), while Substack has Newsletter subscription-first model.

Consider: Built-in Email Marketing
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Built-in Email Marketing: Ko-fi has Limited email tools, requires integration, while Substack has Native email delivery and subscriber management.

Consider: Audience Discovery
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: Audience Discovery: Ko-fi has No algorithmic discovery features, while Substack has Substack directory and recommendations algorithm.

Consider: Content Types Supported
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Content Types Supported: Ko-fi has Tips, shop, memberships, commissions, digital downloads, while Substack has Newsletters, podcasts (limited support).

Consider: Minimum Payout Threshold
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Minimum Payout Threshold: Ko-fi has $5 USD, while Substack has No minimum (paid out monthly).

Consider: Free Tier Capabilities
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Free Tier Capabilities: Ko-fi has Full access to all features with platform fees, while Substack has Free newsletters with limited monetization options.

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Ko-fi vs Substack
review body: Ko-fi is a multi-purpose creator platform with lower fees (5% vs 10%), flexible payment options, and a focus on direct fan support, while Substack specializes in newsletter monetization with built-in audience discovery, email distribution, and higher discoverability for writers seeking subscribers.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Ko-fi vs Substack

Content Format Flexibility
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Newsletters, Notes, Video, Audio (4+)

Estimated Monthly Readers
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 10-15M (growing)

Algorithm Dependency Risk
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Low (own subscribers)

Platform Content Diversity Trend (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Expanding (Notes, Video, Visual)

Starting Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $0

Revenue Share on Subscriptions
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 10%

Design Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Limited customization options

Built-in Discovery Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Established Notes network with high discoverability

Analytics Depth
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Basic subscription and open rate analytics

Setup Time to First Newsletter
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 5-10

API and Integration Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Limited third-party integration options

Monthly Platform Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $0 (10% revenue share)

Revenue Retention Rate
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 90%

Average Subscriber Payment
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $5-$10

SEO Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Basic (limited control)

Design Customization
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Limited templates and styling

Audience Discovery Strength
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Strong directory and algorithm-driven recommendations

Monetization Methods
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Primarily paid subscriptions

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $0 (revenue-share only)

Free Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Unlimited

Platform Fee on Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 10%

Email Automation Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Basic (simple sequences)

Third-party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 15-20

Native Product/Course Hosting
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: No - subscriptions only

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Customer Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Email, help center, limited support

Platform Commission on Paid Subscriptions
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 10% (all payment methods)

Creator Retains of Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 90%

Monthly Active Users (Platform)
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 1+ million (estimated 2024)

Subscriber Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Creator owns full email list and subscriber data

Organic Discovery Potential
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Moderate (Notes feature, recommendations)

Setup Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 0.5-1 hour (minimal onboarding)

Median Creator Monthly Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $300-$1,500

Free Plan Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Unlimited

Creator Revenue Share
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 90%

Pre-built Automation Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 3-5 basic templates

Segmentation Data Points
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 5 (list-based only)

E-commerce Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 0 (built-in subscriptions only)

Time to First Email Campaign
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 5-10 minutes

Paid Plan Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 12 (Professional plan)

Active Publications/Users
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 500K publications

Monthly Cost (Base)
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: $0 (free plan available)

Revenue Share on Subscriptions
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 10% flat platform fee

Setup Time for Non-Technical User
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 5-10 minutes (sign up and publish)

Design Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: 15-20 template variations

Content Types Supported
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Newsletters, posts, audio, Notes (social)

Built-in Audience Discovery
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Yes, algorithmic recommendations to 100M+ users

API Access Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Limited API with basic integrations only

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value: Ko-fi: N/A | Substack: Unlimited (free forever plan)

SpeakableSpecification
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css selector: #verdict
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Ko-fi — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Substack — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Ko-fi vs Substack
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ko-fi-vs-substack)
object: Ko-fi
object: Substack

Monthly Platform Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Revenue Retention Rate
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Average Subscriber Payment
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

SEO Capabilities
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Customization
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Audience Discovery Strength
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth

Monetization Methods
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Starting Monthly Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Free Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Platform Fee on Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Email Automation Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Third-party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integrations

Native Product/Course Hosting
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value reference: User Experience

Customer Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Service

Platform Commission on Paid Subscriptions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing & Fees

Creator Retains of Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing & Fees

Monthly Active Users (Platform)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audience & Reach

Subscriber Data Ownership
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Creator Control

Organic Discovery Potential
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Audience & Reach

Setup Complexity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Operations

Median Creator Monthly Revenue
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Earnings

Free Plan Subscriber Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Creator Revenue Share
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Pre-built Automation Workflows
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Segmentation Data Points
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

E-commerce Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integrations

Time to First Email Campaign
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Paid Plan Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Active Publications/Users
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Scale

Monthly Cost (Base)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Revenue Share on Subscriptions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Monetization

Setup Time for Non-Technical User
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Design Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Content Types Supported
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Built-in Audience Discovery
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Growth

API Access Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Integration

Free Trial Period
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing