Patreon Alternatives
6 Tools Like Patreon
Quick answer: Top Patreon alternatives include Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee and Substack. Ko-fi and Buy Me a Coffee are free or have free plans.
Patreon runs memberships for creators.
Creators look for Patreon alternatives for lower fees, their own website or one-off support.
- 6 alternatives
- 4 with a free plan
The best Patreon alternatives
#1Ko-fi
ko-fi.com
Tips, memberships and a shop for creators.
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Ko-fi has a free plan.
People switching from Gumroad and Patreon often consider Ko-fi.
#2Buy Me a Coffee
buymeacoffee.com
Simple support and memberships for creators.
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In Buy Me a Coffee’s own words: “Buy Me a Coffee is the best way for creators and artists to accept support and membership from their fans.”
Buy Me a Coffee has a free plan.
People switching from Patreon often consider Buy Me a Coffee.
#3Substack
substack.com
Newsletters and paid subscriptions with a built-in network.
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In Substack’s own words: “Substack is the app for independent voices: a free newsletter, video, and podcast hosting platform with paid subscriptions built in.”
Substack is free to use.
People switching from Kit (ConvertKit), Ghost and Patreon often consider Substack.
#4Memberful
memberful.com
Membership software that works with your own site.
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In Memberful’s own words: “Sell subscriptions, share content, and connect with your audience, all on your own website or app.”
People switching from Patreon often consider Memberful.
#5Gumroad
gumroad.com
Sell digital products, memberships and courses.
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In Gumroad’s own words: “Start selling what you know, see what sticks, and get paid. Simple and effective.”
People switching from Patreon often consider Gumroad.
#6Fourthwall
fourthwall.com
Creator shops, memberships and merch.
Read more
In Fourthwall’s own words: “Launch your online shop with Fourthwall. Create and sell custom products, offer memberships, and build a fully branded website with ease.”
Fourthwall has a free plan.
People switching from Patreon often consider Fourthwall.
Listed for information; LaunchStall isn’t affiliated with these companies. Features and plans change — check each site for current details.
How these Patreon alternatives compare
| Tool | Best for | Where it beats Patreon | The trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ko-fi | Tips and simple memberships | No platform fee on donations and very simple. | Fewer community features. |
| Buy Me a Coffee | One-time support | Very quick to set up for tips. | Less built around membership tiers. |
| Substack | Writers | Paid newsletters with a discovery network. | Writing-first. |
| Memberful | Memberships on your own site | You keep your branding and audience. | A monthly fee and more setup. |
| Gumroad | Selling digital products | Simple one-off sales. | Less membership-focused. |
| Fourthwall | Creators selling merch and memberships | A storefront with merch and memberships. | More to set up than a simple page. |
Which should you choose?
- You mainly want tips: Ko-fi or Buy Me a Coffee
- You want your own brand and site: Memberful
- You sell merch: Fourthwall
Our editorial summary of each tool’s focus, written November 2026. Tools change quickly, so check the details on each site.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best Patreon alternatives?
Popular Patreon alternatives include Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee and Substack. The best choice depends on whether you need a free plan, open-source software or specific features.
Is there a free alternative to Patreon?
Yes. Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coffee, Substack and Fourthwall are free or have free plans.
Why do people look for Patreon alternatives?
Creators look for Patreon alternatives for lower fees, their own website or one-off support.
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