KRM vs Patreon
Patreon is built around memberships and community; KRM is built around receiving payments through one link and QR code.
What each service is designed for
KRM
KRM gives individuals, creators, service providers and sellers one payment link and QR code tied to their KRM ID. A payer opens the link or scans the code, chooses what the payment is for — a tip, a money gift, a service, a product, a monthly subscription or a campaign — and pays by card or, where the device supports it, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payers do not need a KRM account. Payments are processed by the payment provider (currently Stripe) through the recipient's connected account; KRM is not a wallet and does not hold balances.
Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform where creators offer monthly and annual subscriptions, publish posts with audio, images and text, talk with members in chats, DMs and comments, and sell digital products as one-time purchases.
At a glance
| Feature | KRM | Patreon |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring support | Monthly subscription plans at amounts you set | Monthly and annual subscriptions |
| Products and shop | Product links and a shop page with images, price and stock | One-time purchases of digital products |
| Posts and community | Not offered — KRM focuses on receiving payments | Posts, chats, DMs and comments |
| Where the money goes | To the recipient's connected payment-provider account; KRM holds no balances | Earnings are transferred out of your Patreon balance; payout fees apply |
| Platform fee | 0% below USD 5 (or equivalent); 5% base fee at or above | 10% standard plan for creator pages published after 4 August 2025 |
| Processing fees | Set by the payment provider and charged separately; vary by country and method | Processing, currency conversion and payout fees apply |
Fees: platform fee and payment processing
KRM
KRM's standard platform fee is 0% on payments below USD 5 (or EUR 5, GBP 4, SAR 18 or AED 18) and a 5% base fee on payments at or above that amount. The payment provider's processing fees are separate: the provider sets them, and they can vary by country and payment method. KRM has no monthly plan fee; its fee is deducted only when you receive a payment. Individually agreed KRM partner contracts can set a different platform fee.
Patreon
According to Patreon's help centre, creator pages published after 4 August 2025 are on the standard 10% platform plan, while earlier pages keep their existing pricing. Processing rates vary — for example 2.9% + $0.30 for US credit cards — a 2.5% currency conversion fee applies when the payment currency differs from the payout currency, and payout fees apply (for PayPal, 1% with a $0.25 minimum and a $20 cap). One-time purchases carry a fee of 5% to 12%, depending on the plan.
Which option costs less depends on the amount, the type of payment, the currency, the country and the plan, so compare the published fee structures for your own situation.
Who might prefer KRM?
- You mainly receive one-time payments — tips, money gifts, services, bookings or products — rather than running a membership.
- You want people to pay from a link or a printed QR code without creating an account.
- You want payments to go to your own connected payment-provider account; KRM holds no balances.
Who might prefer Patreon?
- You run a membership business with members-only posts and media.
- You want community tools such as chats, DMs and comments.
- You want annual as well as monthly memberships.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between KRM and Patreon?
Patreon is a membership and community platform with posts, chats and digital products. KRM is a payment page behind one link and QR code for tips, gifts, services, bookings, products, monthly subscriptions and campaigns; it does not host posts or media.
Is KRM a Patreon alternative?
Only for part of what Patreon does. KRM handles payments, including monthly subscription plans, but it does not host posts, media or community chats. If those are central to your work, Patreon offers them.
How do the fees compare?
Patreon's standard plan for new creator pages is 10%, plus processing, currency conversion and payout fees. KRM's standard platform fee is 0% below USD 5 (or the equivalent) and 5% at or above that amount, plus the payment provider's processing fees.
Get your KRM payment link
Create an account, connect your payment account and share one link and QR code for tips, gifts, services, bookings, products and subscriptions.
Official sources
- Patreon — Pricing (2026-10-18)
- Patreon Help — standard platform fee for new creators (after 4 Aug 2025) (2026-10-18)
Patreon and other product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. KRM is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Patreon.