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How Ko-fi pays creators in 2026

⚡ Quick answerKo-fi is free to join. On the Free option, one-time tips have a 0% fee and shop sales, memberships, monthly tips and commissions have a 5% fee. Standard mode charges 5% on everything, and Ko-fi Gold ($12/month for new users) makes it 0%. PayPal or Stripe fees apply on top.

Requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
FollowersNone✓ Official source
PaymentsConnect PayPal or Stripe✓ Official source

Revenue streams

One-time tips

0% (Free) or 5% (Standard)

✓ Official source

Memberships, shop, commissions, monthly tips

5% service fee

✓ Official source

Ko-fi Gold

$12/month for 0% service fees

✓ Official source

Payouts & fees

Payments go straight to your PayPal or Stripe account. Processor fees are "typically around 3% + $0.30" per Ko-fi.

Note: Memberships that started before you joined Gold keep the 5% fee.

Official sources

Last checked Oct 14, 2026. Platforms change rules often; always confirm on the official page. Badge key: ✓ Official source = confirmed on the platform's own page; Secondary = only third-party reports found; Unverified = not confirmed.

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