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.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is a global crowdfunding platform that helps you bring creative projects to life by connecting you with a community of backers who fund your ideas in exchange for rewards.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Indiegogo | Kickstarter |
|---|---|---|
| Website | indiegogo.com | kickstarter.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 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Brooklyn, 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.
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is a specialized crowdfunding platform designed to help you fund creative projects through community support. Whether you are an independent filmmaker, a board game designer, or a tech innovator, you can launch a campaign to raise the capital needed for production. The platform operates on an all-or-nothing model, meaning you only receive funds if you reach your initial financial goal, which protects you from the risk of being underfunded for a large-scale project.
You can manage your entire campaign lifecycle from a single dashboard, from drafting your project story to communicating with your backers. The platform provides tools to offer tiered rewards, track funding progress in real-time, and manage post-campaign fulfillment. It is ideal for creators who want to validate a product idea and build a dedicated community before a full commercial launch.
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.
Kickstarter Features
- Project Editor. Build your campaign page with images, videos, and text to tell your story and showcase your creative vision.
- Tiered Rewards. Create multiple support levels with unique incentives to encourage backers to contribute different amounts to your project.
- Backer Management. Communicate directly with your supporters through project updates and private messages to keep them engaged during development.
- Funding Dashboard. Monitor your funding progress and backer demographics in real-time with built-in analytics and tracking tools.
- Add-on Rewards. Offer extra items to your backers during the checkout process to increase your total funding and provide more value.
- Promotion Tools. Generate custom referral links and use social sharing features to track where your backers are coming from.
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
Kickstarter Pricing
- No upfront costs
- Access to all creator tools
- Project page hosting
- Community support access
- Mobile app management
- 5% Kickstarter platform fee
- 3% + $0.20 payment processing
- Funds transferred after 14 days
- Backer report exports
- Post-campaign update tools
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
Kickstarter
Pros
- Massive built-in audience of active backers
- All-or-nothing model reduces financial risk
- High brand trust increases backer confidence
- Simple and intuitive campaign setup process
Cons
- No funds received if goal isn't met
- Platform fees can impact tight margins
- Limited customization for project page layouts