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Patreon vs Ko-fi Comparator
Compare fees and net by platform.
Patreon
Recurring monthly income
100
$7.00
Ko-fi
One-time tips
30
$5.00
Ko-fi: 0% platform fee
Only payment processor (Stripe/PayPal ~2.9% + $0.30).
Total net / month
$730
Patreon net
$594 (84.8%)
Ko-fi net
$137 (91.1%)
Yearly combined
$8,764
Fee breakdown
| Item | Patreon | Ko-fi |
|---|---|---|
| Gross | $700 | $150 |
| Platform fee | −$56 | $0.00 |
| Payment processor | −$50 | −$13 |
| Net | $594 | $137 |
How this tool works
Patreon takes between 5% and 12% depending on plan plus processing fees (~3.5%). Ko-fi charges 0% on its free tier (processor only), 5% if you want Pro tools. The difference for a creator with $1,000/month in subscriptions is $100–$200 per year.
This calculator applies real Patreon fees (Lite 5% + Pro 8% + Premium 12%), adds Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) and compares against Ko-fi (0% platform + 2.9% Stripe). Result is real net to creator after all deductions.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Patreon plan is best?
- Lite (5%): if you just want recurring payments. Pro (8%): if you want tiers, polls, integrations (Discord, Vimeo). Premium (12%): for agencies or creators with +$10K/month and merch needs.
- Is Ko-fi really 0%?
- Yes for one-time payments. Ko-fi only charges processor fees (Stripe/PayPal). If you want recurring memberships on Ko-fi, you pay Pro ($6/month flat, no %).
- What taxes do I owe?
- Both Patreon and Ko-fi send you gross income. You're responsible for income tax in your country. In US, Patreon issues 1099-K if you pass $20K + 200 transactions.
- What about chargebacks?
- Patreon absorbs most chargebacks (better for creator). Ko-fi debits you the full chargeback + $15 fee. If your audience is volatile, factor that in.