Best open source funding platforms
These platforms offer specialized tools and community-driven models for open source contributors and projects to receive financial support. This list is for developers and creators looking for sustainable ways to fund their work directly from their user base and the broader community.
Updated
Compare at a glance
| Platform | Type | Fees / commission | Pays via | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Open source funding | No platform fee on personal sponsorships | Bank transfer (Stripe) | 2019 |
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Open source funding | Platform and fiscal host fees vary | Bank transfer, PayPal | 2015 |
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Open source funding | Pays maintainers per package by usage | Bank transfer | 2017 |
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Open source funding | No platform fee - payment processing only | Bank transfer, PayPal | 2015 |
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Open source funding | 4% plus 40 cents per transaction | Bank transfer (Stripe) | 2022 |
Sponsorship directly inside GitHub - developers and organizations fund your open source work monthly or one-time, with no platform fee on pe…
github.com26 viewsTransparent funding for open source projects and communities - collect sponsorships and donations, spend with full public accounting.
opencollective.com24 viewsPays open source maintainers (as lifters) for keeping packages secure and well-maintained, funded by enterprise subscriptions.
tidelift.com19 viewsA non-profit platform for recurrent donations to creators and maintainers - no platform fee, only payment processing costs.
liberapay.com21 viewsA funding and monetization platform for developers - sell licenses, subscriptions, and digital products on top of open source, acting as mer…
polar.sh21 views