- Ko-fi alternatives side by side
- Ten Ko-fi alternatives for creators
- Does money from fans count as income?
- Tips, memberships or a shop?
- Questions to ask before you move your fans
- How to tell your fans you're moving
- Signs your creator platform is holding you back
- My plain advice on choosing a Ko-fi alternative
- Frequently asked questions
The best Ko-fi alternatives let fans support your work with tips, monthly memberships, gifts or shop purchases. Some are simple tip pages, others are full membership platforms or branded shops, and a few are built for open source projects and community groups. Ten options follow in no particular order.
A tip page is often the first money a creator makes online, and it's a lovely moment. Later, you might want monthly members, a merch shop or a way for your community to fund a project together.
The ten platforms below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the platform's own website, read this week. If you're comparing the big tip platforms, there's a breakdown of the Buy Me a Coffee fee structure that sits nicely alongside this list.
Ko-fi alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or open source software. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy Me a Coffee | Tips, memberships and shop for creators | Simple tips with a shop attached | Yes |
| Fourthwall | Custom products and branded shops | Merch and branded shops | Not stated |
| GitHub Sponsors | Funding for open source developers | Maintainers of open source projects | Not stated |
| Liberapay | Recurrent donations platform | Recurring donations for open work | Not stated |
| Memberful | Membership platform for creators | Memberships on your own website | Not stated |
| Open Collective | Transparent money management for groups | Community groups and open source collectives | Not stated |
| Patreon | Membership platform for creators | Monthly memberships with tiers | Not stated |
| Payhip | Website and store builder for selling online | A free store for digital products | Yes |
| Throne | Wishlist and gifting platform for creators | Gift wishlists from fans | Not stated |
| Tipeee | Crowdfunding for content creators | Recurring support for European creators | Not stated |
Ten Ko-fi alternatives for creators
Buy Me a Coffee
Best for: Creators who want fans to send tips, join a membership or buy from a shop, set up in less than a minute.
Fourthwall
Best for: YouTubers and streamers who want custom merch, digital products and memberships in a branded shop.
GitHub Sponsors
Best for: Open source maintainers whose users already live on GitHub and can back their work without leaving the platform.
Liberapay
Best for: People building free software or sharing free knowledge who want recurring donations from supporters.
Memberful
Best for: Podcasters and bloggers who want to run memberships on their own website rather than on a creator platform page.
Open Collective
Best for: Community groups and open source projects that want to raise and spend money with full transparency through a fiscal host.
Patreon
Best for: Creators with a loyal audience who want tiered monthly memberships, posts for members and digital product sales.
Payhip
Best for: Course creators and artists who want a free website and store to sell downloads, courses, coaching and memberships.
Throne
Best for: Streamers and influencers who prefer fans to buy gifts from a wishlist rather than send money directly.
Tipeee
Best for: French and European video makers and writers who want recurring support from their community.
Does money from fans count as income?
It can, and it's better to know early. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) guidance on telling it about additional income lists money you earn from things like selling things, for example at car boot sales or auctions, or online, among the income you may need to report.
Shop sales from a creator page fall into that bucket, and regular support for your work can too. Keep a simple record of what comes in from day one, and check the rules where you live if you're outside the UK.
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Tips, memberships or a shop?
Tips suit creators whose work is free and who want an easy way for fans to say thank you. Memberships suit creators who post regularly and can offer something extra each month. Shops suit anyone with merch, downloads or courses.
Many creators end up mixing all three. Pick the platform that does your main income stream best rather than the one with the longest feature list.
Questions to ask before you move your fans
- Can supporters give once and monthly?
- Can I sell digital downloads or merch as well?
- How quickly does money reach me after a sale?
- Can I export my supporter list if I leave?
- Does it work for fans in other countries?
- Can I put it on my own website or link in bio?
How to tell your fans you're moving
Give people a reason that benefits them, such as monthly perks, a shop or downloads they couldn't get before. Fans don't mind change when they can see what's in it for them, and they'll follow you if you ask clearly.
Keep both pages live for a while and post the new link everywhere you appear: your bio, your website and the end of your videos. Thank your early supporters personally, too. That small gesture keeps the relationship warm through the move and often brings extra support with it.
Signs your creator platform is holding you back
- Fans ask for monthly options. Offer memberships.
- You sell elsewhere too. Bring it together.
- You can't export supporters. Own your list.
- Payouts confuse you. Read the platform's terms.
Do you make a creator tips, membership or shop platform? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a Ko-fi alternative
Don't move your fans twice. Choose the platform that fits where your creative business will be in two years, then tell your audience once, clearly, with a reason that benefits them.
And keep your supporter list somewhere you control, such as an email list, so you're never stuck on one platform. If you're comparing memberships, my guide on tax tips for the self-employed helps once the money starts coming in.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Ko-fi?
It depends on whether you want tips, memberships, a shop or gifts. The list above is in no particular order.
Are there free Ko-fi alternatives?
Several platforms are free to start or offer free plans. The free plan column shows what each platform's own site says.
Do I need to tell HMRC about tips and sales?
HMRC lists money from selling things online among additional income you may need to tell it about, so keep records.
Can I sell merch through these platforms?
Some platforms focus on shops and custom products, which their descriptions above make clear.
Which platforms suit open source projects?
A few are built for developers and community groups, including transparent group funding.
Can I move my supporters to a new platform?
You can invite them, but recurring support usually has to be set up again, so plan the move carefully.
