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Ko-fi vs Substack
Ko-fi and Substack are both creator platforms. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Ko-fi and $900 on Substack, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Ko-fi and $900 on Substack, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Stripe. Only Ko-fi offers PayPal.
- Ko-fi is the older platform — founded in 2012, 5 years before Substack (2017).
- Ko-fi is based in United Kingdom, Substack in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose Ko-fi if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via PayPal.
- You prefer a long track record (since 2012).
Side by side
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Ko-fi
A creator page for one-off tips, memberships, commissions, and shop sales. Donations carry no platform fee, an…
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Substack
A newsletter and media platform where writers and podcasters publish free and paid subscriptions. Writers own…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Creator platforms like Patreon | Creator platforms like Patreon |
| Category | Creator Economy | Creator Economy |
| Vetted | No | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 0% on donations | 10% of paid subscriptions |
| Minimum payout | No minimum | — |
| Payout speed | Instant, paid straight to your PayPal or Stripe | — |
| Withdraw via | PayPal, Stripe | Stripe |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2012 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Popularity | 55 views · 0 likes | 49 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Ko-fi or Substack?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Ko-fi and $900 on Substack, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are Ko-fi and Substack available?
Ko-fi: Worldwide. Substack: Worldwide.