The Ko-fi alternative that stays in Telegram
Ko-fi is a web-based tip jar and shop. Gategram is built for Telegram — native checkout, instant delivery, no browser redirect.
Why Telegram creators switch from Ko-fi
Ko-fi redirects your Telegram buyers to a browser
You drop a Ko-fi link in your channel. Your buyer taps it, a browser opens, they see a Ko-fi page, need to enter payment details. Many won't complete the purchase because they were in Telegram and now they're somewhere else. Gategram keeps everything inside the app.
Ko-fi is a tip jar — not a content delivery system
Ko-fi is designed for "buy me a coffee" tips and a basic shop. It doesn't deliver content inside Telegram after payment. With Gategram, you sell content and the buyer gets it instantly as a Telegram message — file, text, or link.
Ko-fi Gold costs $6/month for basic features
Want to sell digital products on Ko-fi? You need Ko-fi Gold at $6/month. Gategram has no monthly fee — you pay 5% per sale via Telegram Stars. Zero sales? Zero cost.
Ko-fi wasn't designed for Telegram workflows
Ko-fi works for Twitter/X and YouTube audiences who are used to clicking links. Telegram users expect things to happen inside the app. Gategram is native to Telegram — the purchase dialog, the delivery, the entire experience stays in chat.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Gategram | Ko-fi |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Telegram creators | General creators (web-based) |
| Checkout | Native Telegram Stars | External Ko-fi page (browser) |
| Fee | 5% (Telegram Stars) | 0% on tips (Ko-fi Gold: $6/mo for shop) |
| Content delivery | Instant in-chat message | Email or Ko-fi download page |
| Buyer account | Not needed | Optional but adds friction |
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
| Mobile experience | One-tap Stars payment in Telegram | Mobile browser checkout |
Ko-fi for Telegram FAQ
Can I use Ko-fi on Telegram?
You can share Ko-fi links in Telegram, but buyers will be redirected to an external browser page to complete payment. Ko-fi has no native Telegram integration — no in-app checkout, no automatic content delivery in chat. Gategram is built specifically for Telegram with native Stars checkout.
Is there a Ko-fi alternative for Telegram?
Gategram is the Ko-fi alternative designed for Telegram creators. Instead of a web-based tip jar, Gategram offers native Telegram Stars checkout with instant in-chat content delivery. No monthly fee (Ko-fi Gold costs $6/month), just a 5% commission per sale.
How does Ko-fi compare to Telegram Stars for tips?
Ko-fi tips happen on an external web page and require the supporter to leave Telegram. Telegram Stars tips happen natively inside the app with one tap, backed by Apple Pay and Google Pay. For Telegram audiences, Stars-based payments have significantly lower friction and higher conversion rates.
Stop sending buyers to a browser
Sell content where your audience lives — inside Telegram.