Transparent funding for open source projects and communities - collect sponsorships and donations, spend with full public accounting.
Open Collective is an open source funding where anyone can register to start earning, and the work can be done remotely. Fees are Platform and fiscal host fees vary and you can withdraw via Bank transfer and PayPal. Founded in 2015, Open Collective is based in New York, United States. It is available worldwide.
Last updated
Not verified yet: Payment protection · Minimum payout · Payout speed Know the answer? Tell us
What people actually earn on Open Collective
We haven't found a verified figure for what people earn on Open Collective yet. We add one here when Open Collective or an independent study publishes numbers. See what people earn on other platforms →
Can I join Open Collective?
We haven't verified Open Collective's sign-up requirements (age, countries, ID and equipment) yet. Anyone can register. See which platforms you can join with your details →
Not verified yet: Mobile apps · Support Know the answer? Tell us
How Open Collective compares
- Open Collective is one of just 2 open source funding platforms we track (of 5) that pay out via PayPal.
- Founded in 2015, Open Collective has been running for about 11 years — longer than 3 of the 5 open source funding platforms we track with a known launch year.
Compared with the open source funding platforms in our directory. See them all →
Is Open Collective legit?
Open Collective is a real, operating platform. What we could verify:
- Operating since 2015 (11 years)
- Headquartered in New York, United States
Listing last updated June 2026 · how we verify platforms · Missing or out of date? Tell us
Guides
No step-by-step guide for Open Collective yet. Browse all guides or find the right way to earn for you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Open Collective charge?
Open Collective fees: Platform and fiscal host fees vary.
How do you get paid on Open Collective?
Open Collective pays out via Bank transfer and PayPal.
Which countries is Open Collective available in?
Worldwide.
Is Open Collective legit?
Yes, Open Collective is a real, operating platform: operating since 2015 (11 years) and headquartered in New York, United States. As with any platform, check its current terms before relying on it for income.
What are the best Open Collective alternatives?
Similar platforms include Tidelift, Liberapay, Polar and GitHub Sponsors. Compare their fees and payouts in the alternatives section below.
Compare Open Collective with…
Open Collective alternatives
More open source funding like GitHub Sponsors
TideliftPays open source maintainers (as lifters) for keeping packages secure and well-maintained, funded by enterprise subscriptions.
tidelift.com45 views
LiberapayA non-profit platform for recurrent donations to creators and maintainers - no platform fee, only payment processing costs.
liberapay.com44 views
PolarA funding and monetization platform for developers - sell licenses, subscriptions, and digital products on top of open source, acting as mer…
polar.sh60 views
GitHub SponsorsSponsorship directly inside GitHub - developers and organizations fund your open source work monthly or one-time, with no platform fee on pe…
github.com54 views