Ko-fi Pricing in 2025: Plan Comparison, Transaction Fees and Cheaper Alternatives

If you’ve ever wanted to accept tips, donations, or small payments from your audience without setting up a complicated store, chances are you’ve heard of Ko-fi. It started as a “buy me a coffee” donation platform, but over the years it has grown into a full-featured creator monetization tool.

But how much does Ko-fi cost in 2025? And are there better options depending on what you sell?

In this article, we’ll cover:

• The Ko-fi pricing plans in 2025
• What you get with each plan
• How transaction fees work
• And some cheaper alternatives you may want to consider

By the end, you’ll know whether Ko-fi is the right fit for your creator business, or if another platform makes more sense.

Ko-fi Pricing Plans in 2025

Ko-fi keeps things simple. There are essentially two tiers:

That’s it. Unlike many platforms with multiple complex tiers, Ko-fi has one free plan and one affordable premium option.

Ko-fi Free Plan

The Free Plan is the starting point for anyone using Ko-fi.

• Price: $0/month
• Transaction Fees:
  
  • 0% on tips and donations
  • 5% on product sales, memberships, or commissions

This makes it easy to test Ko-fi without any upfront investment.

What’s Included in the Free Plan?

Here’s what you get for $0:

• Accept tips and one-time donations with no platform fee
• Sell digital downloads and physical products (5% fee applies)
• Offer commissions (like artwork or custom work)
• Run memberships and subscriptions (5% fee applies)
• Basic customization of your Ko-fi page
• Integrations with PayPal and Stripe for payouts
• Embed your Ko-fi button on your website or link in bio

Who is the Free Plan Best For?

• Hobby creators who just want to accept donations
• Artists, writers, and streamers testing the waters
• People who don’t mind paying a 5% cut on sales until they grow

If you’re making less than a few hundred dollars a month, the free plan works perfectly.

Ko-fi Gold

The Gold Plan is Ko-fi’s paid tier and unlocks extra perks.

• Price: $12/month 
• Transaction Fees: 0% on everything (only payment processor fees apply)

This is one of the cheapest premium creator plans on the market.

What’s Included in Ko-fi Gold?

Everything in the Free Plan, plus:

• 0% transaction fees on sales and memberships
• Fully customizable Ko-fi page (your own branding and colors)
• Early access to new features
• Analytics and insights into your supporters
• Ability to set up member-only content and paywalled posts
• Higher upload limits for digital products
• Priority support

Who is Ko-fi Gold Best For?

• Creators earning over $250/month (saves money on fees)
• Artists or writers running memberships or subscriptions
• Anyone who wants more customization and branding options
• Creators who want access to insights and growth tools

Ko-fi Pricing Plan Comparison

Here’s a side-by-side view of what’s included:

Are There Any Hidden Fees?

Ko-fi’s pricing is straightforward, but you should be aware of payment processor fees. These apply on every plan and are charged by Stripe or PayPal, not Ko-fi.

• Stripe: ~2.9% + 30¢ per sale
• PayPal: ~3.49% + fixed fee depending on your country

Example:

• You sell a $10 digital download on Ko-fi Free, Ko-fi takes 5% ($0.50) + Stripe takes ~$0.59, You keep ~$8.91.
• You sell the same $10 download on Ko-fi Gold, Ko-fi takes $0, Stripe takes ~$0.59, You keep ~$9.41.

So while Ko-fi itself doesn’t add hidden costs beyond its 5% on the free plan, payment processor fees are unavoidable.

Which Ko-fi Plan Should You Choose?

Here’s a simple rule of thumb:

• Just starting out? Choose the Free Plan. It’s risk-free, and you can upgrade anytime.
• Earning $250+/month or selling regularly? Choose Ko-fi Gold. The 0% fee will save you more than the $12/month cost.

Ko-fi Transaction Fees

This is the key difference between the two plans:

• Free Plan: 0% on tips/donations, 5% on sales, plus processor fees
• Gold Plan: 0% on everything, plus processor fees

For casual donations, the free plan is perfect. But if you’re selling products or running memberships, Ko-fi Gold quickly pays for itself.

Does Ko-fi Have a Free Plan?

Yes, Ko-fi is one of the few platforms with a fully functional free plan in 2025.

You can accept donations with 0% fees forever. Unlike some other platforms, where free plans come with mandatory transaction fees on everything, Ko-fi gives you a way to take tips with no platform cut.

This makes it especially attractive for hobby creators or part-timers.

Alternatives to Ko-fi

While Ko-fi is affordable, some creators may need different features. Here are alternatives in 2025:

1. Payhip: Free to Start

• Price: Free plan with 5% fee, or $29/month for 0% fee
• Best For: Selling courses, ebooks, and memberships with built-in website tools
• Why It’s Good: Offers more advanced store features and email marketing.

2. Gumroad: Free to Start

• Price: $0/month but 10% fee on all sales
• Best For: Artists, writers, and indie creators
• Why It’s Good: Easy setup, but higher fees than Ko-fi.

3. Patreon: Free to Start

• Price: Free to sign up, but takes 10% of revenue
• Best For: Creators who want a membership-first platform
• Why It’s Good: Strong community tools, but higher fees than Ko-fi Gold.

4. Buy Me a Coffee: Free to Start

• Price: Free, with 5% fee on sales and donations
• Best For: Direct competitor to Ko-fi for tips and small sales
• Why It’s Good: Simple, clean design, but no 0% option like Ko-fi Gold.

5. Podia: Starts at $39/month

• Price: $39/month with 5% fee (Mover) or $89/month for 0% fee
• Best For: Course creators and coaches
• Why It’s Good: Offers email marketing and better course tools, but more expensive than Ko-fi.

Is Ko-fi Worth It in 2025?

That depends on how you plan to use it.

• If you’re mainly accepting donations or tips, Ko-fi is one of the best platforms available. The free plan’s 0% donation fee is unmatched.
• If you’re selling products or memberships, the Gold Plan is worth it because you keep 100% of sales (minus payment processing).
• If you need advanced course hosting, marketing, or community tools, platforms like SchoolMaker may be a better fit.

Overall, Ko-fi remains one of the most affordable creator platforms in 2025, especially for hobbyists and small creators.

Conclusion

Ko-fi in 2025 is simple, transparent, and creator-friendly.

• The Free Plan is perfect for donations and occasional sales.
• The Ko-fi Gold Plan ($12/month) eliminates transaction fees and adds customization, analytics, and priority support.
• With 0% fees on donations even on the free plan, Ko-fi is a standout option for artists, writers, and hobby creators.

If you want a low-cost way to accept support from fans, Ko-fi is a great choice. But if you’re building a full digital product business, alternatives like SchoolMaker may serve you better.