Updated September 2026 · 7 picks

Best Membership Platforms for Creators (2026)

The best membership platforms are Patreon (free + 8% fee), Ko-fi (0% on tips, 5% on memberships and shop), Buy Me a Coffee (5% fee), Substack for paid newsletters (10%), Passes for VIP chats and paid DMs, and Fourthwall for memberships alongside merch.

1. #1

   

   Patreon

   Free

   Monetization · Newsletters

   The largest membership platform; free to start with an 8% fee.

2. #2

   

   Ko-fi

   Free

   Monetization · Newsletters

   0% fee on tips and 5% on memberships and shop sales.

3. #3

   

   Buy Me a Coffee

   Free

   Monetization · Newsletters

   Simple tip jar plus memberships, 5% fee.

4. #4

   

   Substack

   Free

   Newsletters · Monetization

   Paid newsletter subscriptions with a 10% fee.

5. #5

   

   Passes

   Free

   Monetization · DM automation

   Paid group chats, mass DMs and 1:1 calls, 10% fee.

   • Instagram
   • TikTok
   • X (Twitter)
6. #6

   

   Fourthwall

   Free · $15+

   Monetization · YouTube growth

   Memberships alongside print-on-demand merch.

   • YouTube
   • Instagram
   • TikTok
7. #7

   

   Whop

   Free · $0.3+

   Monetization

   Paid communities and digital products.