Ko-fi vs Patreon
Which is better for monetization in 2026? Here's our side-by-side comparison.
Our Pick: Patreon
Editor's PickIndustry standard for creator memberships. Best discovery and fan trust.
Pricing Comparison
How Ko-fi and Patreon pricing stacks up — green highlights the better value.
| Free Tier | 0% fee on donations. Payment processing only. Shop and memberships with Gold. | Free to create. Patreon takes 5% (Lite), 8% (Pro), or 12% (Premium) of earnings. |
| Starter Price | $6/mo | — |
| Pro Price | — | — |
| Per-User Pricing | No (flat rate) | No (flat rate) |
| Annual Discount | — | — |
Feature Comparison
What each tool brings to the table.
| Feature | Ko-fi | Patreon |
|---|---|---|
| One-time donations | ||
| Monthly memberships (Gold) | ||
| Shop for digital/physical (Gold) |
Pros & Cons
Strengths and weaknesses of each tool, side by side.
Ko-fi
Pros
- 0% on donations
- Low Gold price
- Simple setup
The Bottom Line
Which tool should you choose?
Ready to get started?
Try either tool and see which one fits your workflow.
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