How to Show Ko-fi Donations on YouTube Live (2026)
Complete guide to displaying real-time Ko-fi donation alerts on your YouTube livestream using Stream Alert, webhooks, and OBS — with 0% platform fees and no monetization requirements.
To show Ko-fi donations on YouTube Live, connect Ko-fi to Stream Alert via webhook and add the alert overlay as a browser source in OBS. Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees on its free plan — far better than YouTube Super Chat's 30% cut — and supports one-time tips, memberships, and shop orders with automatic alerts.
Ko-fi is already one of the most trusted creator support platforms in the world, with millions of creators accepting tips, selling digital products, and running memberships. By pairing Ko-fi's instant webhook system with Stream Alert's alert overlay, you can turn every Ko-fi donation into a professional on-screen alert — complete with the donor's name, amount, and message — in as little as 2–5 seconds.
Best of all, you don't need YouTube Partner Program status. You don't need 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours. You can start accepting Ko-fi donations on your very first YouTube livestream.
TL;DR — Ko-fi Donations on YouTube Live
- Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees vs YouTube Super Chat's 30% platform cut
- Webhook-based alerts arrive in 2–5 seconds — faster than email-based methods
- Supports one-time tips, memberships, and shop orders — all trigger alerts automatically
- Ko-fi works internationally — supporters from any country can donate via PayPal or Stripe
- No YouTube monetization or Partner Program required
- Stream Alert also handles CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and Buy Me a Coffee alongside Ko-fi
Why Ko-fi Beats YouTube Super Chat
YouTube's built-in monetization tool for livestreams is Super Chat. When a viewer sends a Super Chat, their message gets highlighted in the live chat window. It's simple and native to the platform — but it comes with significant downsides for creators.
YouTube Takes 30%
The biggest drawback is the fee structure. YouTube keeps 30% of every Super Chat. If a viewer sends you a $10 Super Chat, you receive $7. Over the course of a year, that 30% cut adds up to thousands of dollars lost. Ko-fi, by contrast, charges 0% platform fees on its free tier. The only fees you pay are standard PayPal or Stripe processing fees (roughly 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
No Monetization Requirements
To enable Super Chat, you need to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, which requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. New creators and smaller channels are locked out entirely. Ko-fi has no such requirements — anyone can create a page and start accepting donations immediately.
International Support
Super Chat is only available in certain countries and currencies. Ko-fi works globally through PayPal and Stripe, so supporters from virtually any country can send you a tip. This is especially important for creators with international audiences.
Recurring Revenue with Memberships
Super Chat is a one-time payment per message. Ko-fi offers monthly memberships where supporters pay a recurring amount for exclusive perks. This creates predictable, recurring revenue — something Super Chat simply cannot do. Each membership renewal can also trigger an on-stream alert through Stream Alert.
Custom Tip Page
Your Ko-fi page is fully customizable with your branding, profile image, and a personal message to supporters. You can set suggested donation amounts, enable or disable messages, and create a professional-looking tip page that reflects your brand — far more personal than the generic Super Chat interface embedded in YouTube's chat.
Setting Up Ko-fi Alerts on YouTube Live
Follow these steps to connect Ko-fi donations to your YouTube livestream with real-time on-screen alerts. Total setup time: about 5 minutes.
Step 1: Create a Ko-fi Account
If you don't already have a Ko-fi page, go to ko-fi.com and sign up. It's free and takes about one minute.
- Choose a page name that matches your YouTube channel
- Connect your PayPal or Stripe account to receive payouts
- Customize your page with a profile photo and description
Time: 1–2 minutes
Step 2: Create a Stream Alert Account
- Go to streamalert.gg/register
- Enter your name, email, and password
- Click "Start Free Trial" — 30-day free trial, no credit card required
Time: 1 minute
Step 3: Connect Ko-fi via Webhook
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, go to Apps
- Find Ko-fi and click Connect
- Copy your unique Webhook URL
- Open Ko-fi Webhook Settings (log in if needed)
- Paste your Stream Alert webhook URL into the webhook field
- Click Update to save
Why Webhooks?
Webhooks deliver donation data directly from Ko-fi to Stream Alert in real time — no polling, no email delays. This is the fastest method available, typically triggering alerts within 2–5 seconds of the donation.
Time: 1–2 minutes
Step 4: Add the Overlay URL in OBS
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, copy your Overlay URL
- Open OBS Studio (or StreamLabs Desktop)
- In your scene, click the + button under Sources
- Select Browser Source and give it a name (e.g., "Ko-fi Alerts")
- Paste the overlay URL into the URL field
- Set the width to 800 and height to 600
- Click OK
Time: 1 minute
Step 5: Connect OBS to YouTube
- In OBS, go to Settings → Stream
- Select YouTube - RTMPS as the service
- Connect your YouTube account or paste your stream key from YouTube Studio
- Click Start Streaming when you're ready to go live
Time: 1 minute
Step 6: Test Your Ko-fi Alerts
- In Ko-fi's webhook settings, click Send Test
- Watch your OBS preview — you should see a test alert from "Jo Example"
- You can also check the Live Alerts page in your Stream Alert dashboard
Time: 30 seconds
You're All Set!
Every Ko-fi donation, membership payment, and shop order will now trigger a real-time alert on your YouTube livestream. The donor's name, amount, and message are all displayed automatically.
Ko-fi vs YouTube Super Chat
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Ko-fi donations (via Stream Alert) versus YouTube's native Super Chat:
| Feature | Ko-fi + Stream Alert | YouTube Super Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 0% | 30% |
| $10 Donation → You Keep | ~$9.41 (after PayPal/Stripe) | $7.00 |
| Payout Speed | Instant via PayPal/Stripe | 21–60 days |
| Requirements | None | YouTube Partner Program (1K subs + 4K hours) |
| Recurring Payments | Yes (memberships) | No |
| International Support | Global (PayPal & Stripe) | Limited countries |
| On-Stream Alert | Yes (custom overlay) | Chat highlight only |
Revenue Comparison
A viewer sends $10 via Super Chat → you get $7.00. That same $10 via Ko-fi through Stream Alert → you get ~$9.41 (after standard processing fees). Over $1,000/month in donations, that's roughly $240 more in your pocket every month — or nearly $2,900 extra per year.
Ko-fi Features for YouTube Creators
Ko-fi is more than just a tip jar. Here are the key features that make it a powerful monetization tool for YouTube livestreamers:
One-Time Tips (Donations)
The core Ko-fi experience. Supporters visit your Ko-fi page and send a one-time tip in any amount. They can attach a message that appears as part of your on-stream alert. Tips go directly to your PayPal or Stripe account with 0% Ko-fi fees.
Monthly Memberships
Create membership tiers with custom pricing and perks — Discord roles, exclusive content, early access to videos, or monthly shoutouts on stream. Each membership payment triggers a Stream Alert notification, so your community sees recurring supporters celebrated live.
Ko-fi Shop
Sell digital products like emote packs, wallpapers, presets, tutorials, or custom overlays directly through your Ko-fi page. Shop orders also trigger webhooks, so every purchase can generate an on-stream alert — great for promoting your products during livestreams.
Commissions
If you offer creative services — art, music, editing, design — Ko-fi lets you accept commission requests with upfront payment. Commissions trigger webhooks too, keeping your stream audience informed about your creative work.
Donation Goals
Set a public fundraising goal on your Ko-fi page — for example, "$500 for a new camera" or "$200 for a 24-hour charity stream." Goals create urgency and give viewers a tangible reason to donate. Progress is visible on your Ko-fi page and you can reference it on stream.
Promoting Ko-fi on YouTube
Having Ko-fi alerts set up is only half the equation. You also need to make sure your viewers know about your Ko-fi page. Here are the most effective ways to promote Ko-fi on YouTube:
Video Description
Add your Ko-fi link to every video and livestream description. Use a clear call to action: "Support the stream: ko-fi.com/yourchannel." Place it near the top of the description so viewers see it without clicking "Show more." YouTube descriptions support clickable links, so viewers can go directly to your Ko-fi page.
Pinned Comment
As soon as you go live, post a comment with your Ko-fi link and pin it. Pinned comments stay at the top of YouTube Live chat, making it easy for viewers to find your donation page at any point during the stream. Include a short message like: "Want to support the stream? Tips show up LIVE! ko-fi.com/yourchannel"
Community Tab
If you have 500+ subscribers and access to the Community tab, create a pinned post announcing your Ko-fi page. Explain what you offer — tips, memberships, or shop items — and include a direct link. This reaches subscribers who may not catch your livestreams but still want to support you.
Verbal Mention During Stream
Don't be shy about mentioning your Ko-fi page on stream. When you receive a donation, thank the donor by name and say something like: "If you want to support the stream too, the Ko-fi link is in the description and pinned in chat!" Verbal calls to action are consistently the highest-converting promotion method for livestreamers.
End Screen Cards
YouTube allows you to add end screen cards in the last 20 seconds of uploaded videos. While you can't link directly to Ko-fi via an end screen card, you can link to a video or playlist where you explain your support options. Some creators make a short "How to Support Me" video that links out to Ko-fi, CashApp, and other payment methods.
--- SUPPORT THE STREAM --- Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/yourchannel (0% fees!) CashApp: $YourCashTag Venmo: @YourVenmoUsername PayPal: paypal.me/YourUsername All donations show up LIVE on stream with alerts! Every tip goes directly to me. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need YouTube monetization to accept Ko-fi donations?
No. Ko-fi is completely independent from YouTube's monetization system. You don't need to be in the YouTube Partner Program, you don't need a minimum subscriber count, and you don't need any watch-hour thresholds. Anyone with a Ko-fi page, a Stream Alert account, and OBS can show donation alerts on YouTube Live from day one.
Is Ko-fi Gold worth it for YouTube streamers?
Ko-fi Gold costs $6/month and adds features like removing Ko-fi branding from your page, custom page themes, a full shop storefront, and advanced membership tiers. If you're earning consistent donations and want a more professional look, Gold is a worthwhile investment. However, the free plan includes webhooks, tips, and basic memberships — everything you need for Stream Alert integration. Start free and upgrade later if you need the extra features.
Do Ko-fi memberships trigger on-stream alerts?
Yes. Every Ko-fi membership payment — both the initial sign-up and each monthly renewal — triggers a webhook that Stream Alert converts into an on-screen alert. Your stream audience will see the member's name, the membership tier, and the amount. This is a great way to publicly recognize and thank your recurring supporters.
Does Ko-fi work for international viewers?
Yes. Ko-fi supports payments through PayPal and Stripe, which operate in most countries worldwide. Viewers can donate in their local currency, and Ko-fi handles the conversion. This makes Ko-fi one of the most accessible donation platforms for creators with global audiences — a significant advantage over YouTube Super Chat, which is limited to specific countries and currencies.
Can I use Ko-fi alongside YouTube Super Chat?
Absolutely. If you're already in the YouTube Partner Program, keep Super Chat enabled for viewers who prefer it. Ko-fi simply gives your audience another option — one with lower fees and more flexibility. Some viewers prefer the simplicity of Super Chat in the YouTube interface, while others would rather use Ko-fi to avoid the 30% platform cut. Offering both maximizes your total donation revenue.
Start Showing Ko-fi Alerts on YouTube Live
Stop losing 30% of your donation revenue to Super Chat fees. Set up Ko-fi with Stream Alert in 5 minutes and start accepting tips, memberships, and shop orders — all with real-time on-screen alerts your YouTube viewers will love.
Stream Alert also supports CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, and Buy Me a Coffee, so you can accept donations from every payment platform your viewers use — all through a single overlay.
No credit card required