Patreon vs OnlyFans vs Ko-fi vs Substack Fees
Enter your monthly earnings and see which creator platform lets you keep the most — ranked instantly.
Creator platform fees (2026)
| Platform | Platform fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Ko-fi | 0% tips / 5% shop | Tips, small shops |
| Gumroad | 10% + $0.50 | Digital products |
| Patreon | 10% | Memberships |
| Substack | 10% | Paid newsletters |
| OnlyFans | 20% | Subscriptions |
Rankings assume Ko-fi’s 5% shop rate and ~2.9% + $0.30 processing where applicable. Open each calculator for your exact case.
Frequently asked questions
Which creator platform has the lowest fees?
Ko-fi keeps the most for creators — 0% on tips and just 5% on shop sales (plus processing). Gumroad and Patreon/Substack take about 10% plus processing, and OnlyFans takes the most at a flat 20%. The right choice also depends on your content type — enter your earnings above to compare.
Is Patreon or Ko-fi cheaper?
Ko-fi is cheaper: 0% on tips and 5% on shop/commissions versus Patreon’s 10% platform fee. Patreon offers more built-in membership tooling, so the trade-off is features vs fees.
Do these platforms serve the same purpose?
Not exactly — OnlyFans and Patreon are subscription-first, Substack is newsletter-first, Gumroad sells digital products, and Ko-fi does tips, memberships, and shops. Compare fees here, then pick the model that fits your work.