Platform Comparison
Kickstarter vs Indiegogo: Which Platform is Right for Your Product?
Quick Answer
The Quick Answer
Choose Kickstarter If:
- ✓Creative/design product
- ✓Want Kickstarter's active backer community
- ✓Want Kickstarter brand credibility
- ✓Categories KS is known for (design, games, tech)
- ✓Higher organic traffic potential
- ✓Want Pledge Over Time payment flexibility
Choose Indiegogo If:
- ✓Want established InDemand post-campaign sales
- ✓Need 20+ payment methods for global reach
- ✓Want Stretch Pay to boost conversions
- ✓Tech/hardware products
- ✓Wider country eligibility
- ✓Faster approval process
Details
Complete Comparison
| Factor | Kickstarter | Indiegogo | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding Models | Fixed (all-or-nothing) | Fixed (all-or-nothing) | Tie |
| Platform Fee | 5% | 5% (+3% if from Kickstarter) | Tie |
| Payment Processing | ~3% | ~3% | Tie |
| Organic Traffic | High (strong discovery) | Moderate | Kickstarter |
| Post-Campaign Growth | Late Pledges (newer) | InDemand (established) | Indiegogo |
| Payment Methods | Stripe | 20+ methods (Stripe, PayPal, etc.) | Indiegogo |
| Payment Flexibility | Pledge Over Time | Stretch Pay (33% boost) | Tie |
| Countries Eligible to Launch | 25 | 33 | Indiegogo |
| Review Process | Manual (3-5 days) | Faster approval | Indiegogo |
| Brand Recognition | High | Good | Kickstarter |
| Best Categories | Creative, Design, Games | Tech, Hardware | Depends |
Key Difference
Post-Campaign: The Key Difference
Kickstarter: Late Pledges
- ✓Campaign ends at deadline
- ✓Late Pledges feature available
- ✓Can continue accepting orders
- ✓Growing post-campaign sales option
Indiegogo: InDemand
- ✓Seamless transition to InDemand
- ✓Continue selling on same page
- ✓Established post-campaign feature
- ✓Proven track record for ongoing sales
Both platforms offer post-campaign sales options. Kickstarter's Late Pledges is newer, while Indiegogo's InDemand is more established. Choose based on your product and timeline.
Payment
Payment Methods & Flexibility
Kickstarter
- ✓Streamlined payment process
- ✓Pledge Over Time (installments)
- ✓Strong fraud protection
- ✓Trusted by millions of backers
Indiegogo
- ✓20+ payment methods
- ✓PayPal and international support
- ✓Stretch Pay (payment flexibility)
- ✓Better for global audiences
Our Honest Recommendation
After raising $7M+ on both platforms, here's the truth: Both platforms can work brilliantly for the right product with the right strategy. The platform choice matters, but it's not the most important factor.
What Matters More:
- Your Product - Is it innovative and does it solve a real problem?
- Your Strategy - Do you have a solid plan?
- Your Execution - Can you execute well within tight deadlines?
- Your Audience - Does it resonate with customers ready to buy?
Don't overthink it. If you're truly unsure after reading this, book a consultation. We'll analyze your specific situation and give you a clear recommendation.