How to Sell on Ko-fi: Fees, Shop Setup and Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 38 · Module 7: Sell Digital Products Beyond Etsy · See all lessons
Ko-fi started as a “buy me a coffee” tip button for creators, but today you can also run a shop on it and sell digital downloads like templates, art files, ebooks, and tutorials. It is free to join and has no monthly cost unless you choose Ko-fi Gold.
Here is what confuses most new sellers: Ko-fi has two free modes, and they charge differently. On Ko-fi Free, one-time tips are 0% but shop sales cost 5%. On Standard mode, which new creators start with, everything costs 5%, including tips, in exchange for extra perks. You can switch modes any time.
This lesson explains Ko-fi’s fees, how to set up your page and payments, how to add a digital product to your Ko-fi Shop step by step, and how to choose the right mode. Everything comes from Ko-fi’s Help Center, checked in October 2026.
How Do You Sell on Ko-fi?
Create a free Ko-fi page, connect PayPal, Stripe, or both in your Payment Settings, then open Ko-fi Shop and tap Add Product. Choose a digital item, add a name, description, up to 20 preview images, your file or a link to it, and a price, then publish and share your link. Buyers get instant access after paying, and the money goes straight to your PayPal or Stripe account. Ko-fi charges a 5% service fee on shop sales.
Ko-fi Fees in 2026
According to Ko-fi’s Help Center:
| Income type | Ko-fi Free | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | $0 | $0 |
| One-off tips | 0% | 5% |
| Crowdfunding (Goals) | 0% | 5% |
| Monthly tips | 5% | 5% |
| Memberships | 5% | 5% |
| Commissions | 5% | 5% |
| Shop sales | 5% | 5% |
Standard mode perks: supporter-only content, scheduled posts, a shorter page name, changing the “coffee” wording, exclusive page colors, and more Shop storage.
Payment processor fees: Ko-fi says PayPal and Stripe charge their normal fees on top, usually around 3% + $0.30, depending on your account, location, and currency.
Ko-fi Gold: Ko-fi says Gold is now $12/month for new users, monthly only. Ko-fi notes that if you already have “Get all of Ko-fi” switched on when you subscribe to Gold, you need to opt out separately to remove the service fee.
See what you keep: our free Ko-fi fee calculator compares Ko-fi Free, Standard, and Gold for your monthly income.
Example: A $10 Digital Download
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sale price | $10.00 |
| Ko-fi service fee (5%) | $0.50 |
| Typical PayPal/Stripe fee (3% + $0.30) | $0.60 |
| You keep (about) | $8.90 |
How to Sell on Ko-fi Step by Step
Step 1: Create Your Free Ko-fi Page
Go to Ko-fi.com and sign up. Ko-fi says it only takes a few seconds to create your page.
Step 2: Connect PayPal or Stripe
Connect PayPal, Stripe, or both in your Payment Settings. Ko-fi says:
- Money goes directly and immediately into your own PayPal or Stripe account.
- There is no payout schedule and no minimum balance.
- To reduce conversion fees, set your Ko-fi currency to the one you receive most payments in. Ko-fi supports USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, and several others.
Step 3: Choose Ko-fi Free or Standard
Turn Standard mode on or off any time in Settings, Payment, using “Get all of Ko-fi.”
- Mostly selling products? Shop sales are 5% in both modes, so Standard’s perks cost you nothing extra on shop sales. The difference is your tips.
- Getting lots of one-off tips? Ko-fi Free keeps tips at 0%.
Step 4: Add a Digital Product to Your Ko-fi Shop
In Ko-fi Shop, tap Add Product, choose a name buyers will understand, and pick a digital item. Then fill in:
- Description: what it is, page count, file type, how to use it. The first few words show to people browsing.
- Preview images: up to 20, ideally 1:1 or 2:1 (for example 600 x 600 or 600 x 300 pixels). A GIF can make it stand out.
- Summary: one clear sentence, like “10 emote templates in .psd format.”
- Categories: up to 20, so buyers can filter your shop.
- Assets: upload your files or add a link. Buyers get instant access after paying and keep access even if you update the file later.
- Price: your price. Turn on Pay what you want to let buyers pay more than the minimum.
- Variants (optional): up to 15, each with its own price, such as a basic and a bundle version.
Need an idea for your first product? See best selling digital products on etsy.
Step 5: Optional Extras
- Schedule a new item to publish at a set date and time.
- Members-only items: limit an item to monthly supporters or specific membership tiers. You need monthly tips or membership tiers set up first.
- Discount codes and sales are available in Ko-fi Shop.
- Clone an item to create similar products faster.
Step 6: Share Your Link
Ko-fi does not have a big shopping search like Etsy, so you bring buyers yourself. Add your Ko-fi link to your social media bios and pins. See pinterest for etsy for Pinterest ideas that also work for your own links.
Ko-fi vs Payhip vs Etsy for Digital Products
| Ko-fi | Payhip | Etsy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $0 (Gold $12) | $0, $29, or $99 | $0 |
| Fee on a sale | 5% shop fee | 5%, 2%, or 0% by plan | $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction fee |
| Tips and memberships | Yes | Memberships | No |
| Buyers come from | Your audience | Your audience | Etsy search |
Read more in how to sell on payhip and etsy fees.
Common Mistakes on Ko-fi
Not knowing which mode you are in. New creators start with everything unlocked (Standard), which charges 5% on tips too.
Forgetting processing fees. PayPal and Stripe still take around 3% + $0.30.
Wrong currency. Payments in another currency get converted, which usually adds a fee.
Weak previews. Use clear preview images and a one-sentence summary so buyers know exactly what they get.
Waiting for marketplace traffic. Share your Ko-fi link everywhere your audience is.
Key Takeaways
- Ko-fi is free to join with no monthly cost; Gold is optional at $12/month for new users.
- Ko-fi Free: 0% on one-off tips, 5% on shop sales and everything else.
- Standard: 5% on everything, plus extra perks.
- PayPal and Stripe fees (around 3% + $0.30) apply on top.
- Money goes straight to your PayPal or Stripe account, with no minimum balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ko-fi take a cut of shop sales?
Yes. Ko-fi charges a 5% service fee on shop sales in both Ko-fi Free and Standard mode, plus PayPal or Stripe fees.
Is Ko-fi free to use?
Yes. Ko-fi is free to join with no monthly cost. Ko-fi Gold is an optional $12/month subscription for new users.
How does Ko-fi pay you?
Ko-fi says payments go directly and immediately into your connected PayPal or Stripe account, with no payout schedule or minimum balance.
Can I sell digital downloads on Ko-fi?
Yes. In Ko-fi Shop, add a digital product and upload your files or a link. Buyers get instant access after payment.
What is the difference between Ko-fi Free and Standard?
Ko-fi Free charges 0% on one-off tips and goals and 5% on everything else. Standard charges 5% on everything but unlocks perks like supporter-only content and custom page colors.
Final Thoughts
Ko-fi is a simple, no-monthly-cost way to sell digital products and accept tips from your audience. Connect PayPal or Stripe, pick the mode that fits your income, add your first digital product, and share your link.
Next, see how to use stan store, or explore the free online selling course.
You finished: Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 38
Keep going step by step. Each lesson builds on the last one.
