---
title: Why Ko-fi
section: Integrations & testing
description: Why Overlabels chose Ko-fi over PayPal for streamer donations. Zero platform fees, guest checkout, instant payouts, and more.
heading: Overlabels ♥ Ko-fi
lead: Why we chose Ko-fi as our first external integration - and why we think you should use it too.
canonical: https://overlabels.com/help/why-kofi
context: settings.integrations.kofi.show
---

## Ko-fi is amazing because it's a proper platform

It has a donation page, supporter history, multiple payment methods, guest checkout, privacy, and most
importantly a clean webhook that lets Overlabels turn any of those events into alerts.

PayPal is just a payment processor pretending to be a streamer tool.

## Why not just use PayPal directly?

- **Exposes your real name and email.** PayPal shows your legal name to everyone who sends you money.
  Ko-fi keeps your identity private.
- **No guest checkout.** Not everyone has PayPal. Ko-fi supports guest checkout - your viewers can
  donate with a card.
- **No webhook API.** PayPal's IPN/webhook system is enterprise-grade complexity. Ko-fi gives you a
  simple webhook URL that just works.
- **Chargeback risk on F&F.** Friends & Family payments have zero seller protection. If someone disputes
  the donation transaction, you will always lose.

## What makes Ko-fi great for streamers

1. **Guest checkout.** Your viewers don't need a Ko-fi account or even a PayPal account. They can donate
   with any credit or debit card.
2. **Multiple payment methods.** PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay - Ko-fi accepts them all. Connect
   Stripe and your donors don't even need PayPal.
3. **Instant payouts.** No holding period, no waiting 21 days for your money. No platform holding period.
4. **Your own branded page.** A clean, customizable donation page at ko-fi.com/yourname. Way nicer than
   a raw PayPal.me link.
5. **Webhook integration.** Ko-fi sends a webhook on every donation - that's how Overlabels fires your
   alerts and updates your overlay controls in real time.
6. **Privacy.** Ko-fi never shows your real name or email to donors. Your identity stays private unless
   you choose to share it.

> [!TIP]
> **Ready to connect Ko-fi to your overlays?** Sign up at [ko-fi.com](https://ko-fi.com), then head to
> your [Ko-fi integration settings](/settings/integrations/kofi) to connect.