TL;DR — In Brief
PayLinks: Create an account in 30 seconds, send a link, customer pays. No website, no business registration required. Ko-fi: Better suited for independent creators. Larger ecosystem, but payments are not the main focus.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Ko-fi | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment links | ✅ | ✅ |
| Recurring payments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Revolut Pay | ✅ | ❌ |
| No business registration | ✅ | ✅ |
| No website required | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instant setup (30 sec) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Local support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fee | 2% | 5% (free) or 0% (Gold) |
| Monthly fee | None | $12/month (Gold) |
Competitor information is accurate as of February 2026 and is based on publicly available data. Prices and features may change. Always verify on official websites for the latest information.
Choose PayLinks if you want:
- 👉Fixed 2% fee with no subscription
- 👉Simple and fast setup
- 👉Professional payment links
Choose Ko-fi if you want:
- 👉0% fees with Gold subscription
- 👉Integrated community and gallery
- 👉More creator tools (e.g., commissions)
What is PayLinks?
PayLinks is a simple way to collect payments online, created for freelancers and entrepreneurs. Create a link in 30 seconds, send it via WhatsApp or Instagram, customer pays with card or Apple Pay, money arrives in your account. No website, no POS, no business registration required.
What is Ko-fi?
Ko-fi — "Make money doing what you love". It's a fintech platform that offers payment functionality alongside other financial services.
Pricing Comparison
PayLinks
- Fee:2%
- Monthly fee:$0
- Setup:Free
Ko-fi
- Fee:5% (free) or 0% (Gold)
- Monthly fee:$12/month (Gold)
- Setup:Varies
Who is each better for?
PayLinks is for you if:
- ✅Freelancers and solopreneurs
- ✅Individuals wanting to collect online
- ✅Private tutors and teachers
- ✅Trainers and coaches
- ✅Photographers and videographers
Ko-fi is for you if:
- ☑️Independent creators
- ☑️Artists and writers
- ☑️Streamers and podcasters



