Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a global crowdfunding platform that helps you launch innovative products and fund creative projects through community-backed campaigns and early-access marketplace sales to bring new ideas to life.
Patreon
Patreon is a membership platform that provides creators with the business tools needed to run a subscription service and build direct relationships with their most engaged fans.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Indiegogo | Patreon |
|---|---|---|
| Website | indiegogo.com | patreon.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2008 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a versatile crowdfunding platform designed to help you bring your creative ideas and physical products to market. Whether you are an entrepreneur launching a new tech gadget or an artist seeking funding for a film, you can create highly customizable campaign pages to share your story and attract backers from around the world. The platform supports both fixed and flexible funding models, giving you the choice to keep what you raise or only receive funds if you hit your target.
You can manage your entire product lifecycle from initial concept through the InDemand program, which allows you to continue accepting pre-orders even after your initial campaign ends. It serves everyone from solo inventors to established companies looking to test market demand. By using their integrated shipping and fulfillment tools, you can streamline the transition from a successful campaign to a sustainable business while maintaining direct communication with your community of supporters.
Patreon
Patreon helps you build a sustainable income by offering exclusive content and community access to your most passionate fans. Instead of relying on unpredictable ad revenue or algorithms, you can establish a direct recurring payment model that puts you in control of your creative business. You can offer different membership tiers, each with its own set of unique rewards and price points.
The platform handles the complexities of payment processing, recurring billing, and benefit delivery so you can focus on your craft. Whether you are a podcaster, video creator, musician, or visual artist, you can use the built-in communication tools to message your patrons, host private communities, and share early access to your work. It scales with your growth, offering advanced tools for professional creators and teams.
Overview
Indiegogo Features
- Flexible Funding Choose to keep the funds you raise even if you don't hit your goal so you can still move your project forward.
- InDemand Program Continue accepting pre-orders and raising money after your initial campaign ends to maintain your sales momentum.
- Pre-launch Pages Build an email list and generate excitement for your project before you officially launch to ensure a strong start.
- Expert Directory Connect with vetted partners for manufacturing, marketing, and design to help you navigate the complexities of product development.
- Global Reach Accept contributions from backers in over 200 countries and territories to expand your project's potential audience.
- Campaign Analytics Track your funding progress and referral traffic in real-time to optimize your marketing efforts and boost conversions.
Patreon Features
- Tiered Memberships. Create multiple membership levels with different price points and exclusive rewards to cater to your diverse fan base.
- Direct Messaging. Communicate directly with your patrons through private messages and email notifications to build deeper personal connections.
- Exclusive Content Feed. Share posts, videos, and audio files that are only visible to specific membership tiers or your entire patron community.
- Insights and Analytics. Track your earnings, patron growth, and engagement levels with detailed dashboards to help you make informed business decisions.
- Automated Benefits. Deliver rewards like Discord roles or private RSS feeds automatically when a fan joins a specific membership tier.
- Mobile Creator App. Manage your community, post updates, and respond to comments on the go with the native iOS and Android apps.
Pricing Comparison
Indiegogo Pricing
- No upfront setup fees
- Access to global audience
- Flexible or Fixed funding
- Direct payment integration
- Basic campaign analytics
- 5% flat platform fee
- Third-party processing fees
- InDemand transition access
- Marketing tool integration
- Customer support access
Patreon Pricing
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited community posts
- Direct fan messaging
- Basic analytics
- Native video (limited)
- Mobile app access
- 8% of monthly income
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Membership tiers
- App integrations
- Priority customer support
- Special offers tool
- Workshop access
Pros & Cons
Indiegogo
Pros
- Flexible funding options allow you to keep partial raises
- InDemand feature extends the life of your fundraising
- Intuitive page builder makes campaign setup very simple
- Strong community of early adopters looking for innovation
Cons
- Platform fees and processing costs add up quickly
- Limited organic traffic requires heavy external marketing
- Strict verification process can delay your initial launch
Patreon
Pros
- Reliable recurring monthly income for creators
- Easy setup for tiered membership levels
- Strong integration with Discord for communities
- Excellent brand recognition among potential supporters
- Direct ownership of your fan email list
Cons
- Platform fees can feel high as income grows
- Limited customization for page design
- Mobile app interface can be occasionally buggy