Cloakd vs Tribute: 1% Non-Custodial Paywall vs Tribute's 10% Subscription Bot
Last updated 2026-10-29 · Facts checked against public sources
Tribute is one of the most widely used Telegram monetization bots, especially in the Russian-speaking creator market, bundling subscriptions, one-off tips/donations, fundraising goals, and digital product sales into a single @tributecreatorbot integration. It takes 10% of every successful transaction — covering its own service fee and payment provider costs combined — and pays creators out in rubles or euros, or in crypto via Telegram's @wallet.
Cloakd covers the same core job — a paid Telegram channel — with a narrower feature set but a much lower fee: a flat 1% per transaction, settled non-custodially straight to your own wallet rather than held by a custodial bot until you withdraw. Buyers pay with any of 160+ coins across 40+ networks, and Cloakd's cross-chain swaps handle the conversion so you still receive the coin you chose.
Cloakd vs Tribute at a Glance
| Feature | Cloakd | Tribute |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Connect a wallet, run /paywall — live in ~2 minutes | Add the bot to your channel and connect a payout method (bank card or crypto wallet) |
| Custody | Non-custodial — settles straight to your wallet | Custodial — funds accumulate in Tribute until you withdraw |
| Fees | 1% per transaction, free to set up, no monthly fee | 10% of every transaction (service + payment provider fees combined), plus a separate dynamic fee charged to the buyer on top |
| Coins accepted | 160+ coins across 40+ networks, cross-chain swap built in | TON, USDT, and BTC, plus Telegram Wallet payments |
| Payout currencies | Any supported coin, straight to your wallet | Rubles and euros for fiat payouts, or crypto via @wallet — other fiat currencies listed as "coming soon" |
| Transaction limits | None | €1–€3,000 per subscription/donation; lower €1,000 cap on digital products |
| Feature set | Subscriptions, one-time, and lifetime paywalls | Subscriptions, tips/donations, fundraising goals, and one-off digital product sales |
| Membership tiers | Up to 5 pricing tiers per channel | Multiple tiers plus donations and goals in the same project |
When Tribute is the better fit
- You want payouts in rubles or euros directly, rather than withdrawing crypto yourself.
- You want fundraising "goals" and one-off digital product sales bundled with subscriptions, not just a pure paywall.
- You're already deep in the Russian-speaking creator market, where Tribute has the largest existing footprint.
- A custodial bot holding your balance between withdrawals isn't a concern for you.
When Cloakd is the better fit
- You don't want 10% taken off every transaction — Cloakd's flat 1% leaves far more in your pocket.
- You want settlement straight to your own wallet instead of waiting on a custodial withdrawal.
- Your buyers hold many different tokens — Cloakd's cross-chain swaps mean they're not limited to TON, USDT, or BTC.
- You'd rather avoid a second, dynamic fee charged to your buyers on top of the platform's own cut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tribute free to use?
There's no signup fee, but Tribute takes 10% of every successful transaction (service + payment provider fees combined) and charges buyers a separate dynamic fee on subscriptions, donations, and digital products. Cloakd charges a single flat 1% with nothing added on the buyer's side.
Does Tribute hold my money?
Yes — Tribute is custodial. Funds accumulate in the platform until you withdraw to a bank-linked payout (rubles or euros) or convert to crypto via @wallet. Cloakd is non-custodial and settles directly to your wallet on each payment.
What currencies does Tribute support?
Tribute accepts TON, USDT, and BTC, plus Telegram Wallet payments, and pays creators out in rubles or euros (other fiat currencies are listed as upcoming). Cloakd accepts 160+ coins across 40+ networks with cross-chain swaps built in.
Which is better for a simple paid Telegram channel?
If subscriptions are all you need, Cloakd's flat 1% fee and non-custodial settlement are hard to beat. If you also want donations, fundraising goals, and one-off digital product sales in the same bot, Tribute's broader feature set may be worth its higher 10% fee.
Try Cloakd in Two Minutes
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