Kickstarter vs GoFundMe vs Indiegogo Fees
Enter your raise and backer count to see what actually reaches you on each platform — ranked instantly.
Fees aren’t the whole story. These platforms aren’t interchangeable — GoFundMe is for personal and charitable causes, while Kickstarter and Indiegogo are rewards-based launches. Pick the right funding model first, then compare cost.
Crowdfunding fees (2026)
| Platform | Platform fee | Processing | Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoFundMe | 0% | ≈2.9% + $0.30 | Donation / personal causes |
| Kickstarter | 5% | ≈3% + $0.20 | All-or-nothing rewards |
| Indiegogo | 5% | ≈2.9% + $0.30 | All-or-nothing or flexible |
Standard US rates; processing varies by pledge size, category, and region — verify with each platform. Kickstarter charges nothing if your project doesn’t fund. Not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Which crowdfunding platform has the lowest fees?
On fees alone GoFundMe usually wins for US personal campaigns — it charges a 0% platform fee and only payment processing (about 2.9% + $0.30 per donation). Kickstarter and Indiegogo both add a 5% platform fee on top of processing. But the platforms serve different purposes, so the cheapest one is not always the right one.
Why does my backer count change the result?
Each platform charges a fixed fee per contribution (about $0.20–$0.30) on top of the percentage. Raising $10,000 from 1,000 small backers costs meaningfully more in flat fees than raising it from 100 larger backers, so the comparison shifts with your backer count.
Kickstarter vs Indiegogo — what is the real difference?
Their fees are close (both around 5% plus processing). The bigger difference is funding model: Kickstarter is all-or-nothing, so you collect nothing and pay nothing unless you hit your goal. Indiegogo also offers flexible funding, where you keep what you raise even if you fall short.
Can I use GoFundMe for a product launch?
GoFundMe is built for personal causes and charitable fundraising, not rewards-based product launches. If you are pre-selling a product and owe backers rewards, Kickstarter or Indiegogo is the right fit even though the fees are higher — pick on model first, fees second.