Ko-fi review

Ko-fi is free to set up and has no monthly charge; on the free plan it takes a 5% service fee on shop sales, memberships and commissions, plus normal processor fees. Ko-fi Gold costs $12 a month and drops the service fee to 0%, which pays for itself once shop sales pass $240 a month. The shop handles digital or physical items, and the same page takes tips, memberships and commission requests. Payments go directly and instantly into your own PayPal or Stripe account, since Ko-fi does not process or hold funds. Discount codes, widgets and embeds for an existing site are included. It is not a full store builder: there is no catalog structure or shipping tooling on the level of Square Online or Big Cartel. It fits artists, streamers and writers whose buyers already follow them.

Who it is for

creators selling to an existing fan base

Price

Free with a 5% service fee on shop sales; Ko-fi Gold $12 a month with a 0% service fee.

$0 /month + 5% service fee $12 /month 0% service fee
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Shop for digital or physical items
• Tips, memberships and commissions on the same page
• Payments go directly to your own PayPal or Stripe account
• Discount codes for the shop or commissions
• Widgets and embeds for your own website or WordPress site

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Account is free with no monthly charge
• Strength: Ko-fi never holds your money; payouts are instant to PayPal or Stripe
• Strength: Ko-fi Gold removes the service fee for $12 a month
• Weakness: 5% service fee on shop sales on the free plan, plus processor fees
• Weakness: Requires a PayPal or Stripe account
• Weakness: A creator page rather than a full storefront with shipping tools

Key facts

• Free plan fee: 5% on shop sales
• Ko-fi Gold: $12 a month, 0% service fee
• Payouts: Direct to PayPal or Stripe
• Sells: Digital and physical items

Where it ranks

Ko-fi is No. 5 in our Best Free Ecommerce Platforms verdict.