Ko-fi vs Substack:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Substack had more branded searches than Ko-fi among creator membership and tipping platforms in New Zealand. Substack had about 9,900 branded searches, while Ko-fi had 1,900. Substack made up 35.9% of all creator membership and tipping platform searches we track, and Ko-fi accounted for 6.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about creator membership and tipping platforms, Ko-fi appeared in three of the five answers and Substack in two. Ko-fi was mentioned before Substack in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Substack, about 5 searches for every 1 for Ko-fi
Who does AI mention more?
Ko-fi, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Substack in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Ko-fi, named ahead of Substack in 3 of 4 answers
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Top creator membership and tipping platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ko-fi was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Substack was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ko-fi was listed before Substack in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Patreon1st- Ko-fi2nd
Buy Me a Coffee3rd- Substack4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Patreon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ko-fi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Buy Me a Coffee3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Substack2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about creator membership and tipping platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which creator membership and tipping platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best creator membership and tipping platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best creator membership and tipping platform in New Zealand for creator income?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best creator platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“creator membership platform nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Ko-fi or Substack more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ko-fi and Substack by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four creator membership and tipping platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Substack, Ko-fi. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Patreon | Substack | Ko-fi | Buy Me a Coffee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 64% | 27.6% | 6.8% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.1% | 27.1% | 7.8% | 2% |
| Dec 2025 | 63% | 27.1% | 7.9% | 2% |
| Jan 2026 | 60% | 31.9% | 6.2% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 59.2% | 31.4% | 7.5% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.3% | 35.7% | 6.9% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 55.5% | 35.9% | 6.9% | 1.7% |
| May 2026 | 54.4% | 35.3% | 8.6% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 60% | 32% | 6.2% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.2% | 31.5% | 7.4% | 1.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.9% | 35.6% | 6.8% | 2.6% |
| Sep 2026 | 55.4% | 35.9% | 6.9% | 1.7% |
How has the Ko-fi and Substack comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Substack was ahead of Ko-fi in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ko-fi’s share of searches among creator membership and tipping platforms in New Zealand moved from 6.8% to 6.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.6K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Substack’s share of searches among creator membership and tipping platforms in New Zealand moved from 27.6% to 35.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 9.9K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand creator membership and tipping platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ko-fi’s and Substack’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among creator membership and tipping platforms
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