Top Crowdfunding Platforms for Entrepreneurs in 2025

Crowdfunding is a novel way to secure funding for your product. In this article, we will go through the best crowdfunding platforms, describe the differences between them, and highlight what they are best for.

What is Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a way to raise capital for a new product or a business through a wide audience of people, who often may not be typical or professional investors. It comes in several flavors:

• Reward-based crowdfunding
• Equity-based crowdfunding
• Debt-based crowdfunding
• Donation-based crowdfunding

Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages.

How Can Crowdfunding Be Beneficial

By crowdfunding your idea, you get multiple benefits:

• Early validation for your product, even before starting mass production
• Reduced cost of capital in most cases
• A strong community of early adopters with a high potential for viral effect
• Marketing channels especially attuned to new products

Let’s review the top crowdfunding platforms and their unique characteristics.

Kickstarter

Type
Reward-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
One of the most popular crowdfunding platforms focused on creative projects and product launches. Kickstarter was the launchpad for iconic projects like Pebble, Oculus, and Exploding Kittens. These early successful projects popularized the crowdfunding business model and made it a viable option for entrepreneurs to fund their startups.

Key Features

• All-or-nothing funding,
• large global audience,
• built-in promotional tools

Fees and Pricing
5% platform fee + payment processing fees

Pros
Huge community of backers, credibility, and visibility

Cons
Strict project guidelines and the all-or-nothing model might not suit everyone. High competition requires strong marketing to differentiate from other products.

Best For
Creators and startups launching consumer products or creative projects.

Indiegogo

Type
Reward-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
Indiegogo is a platform similar to Kickstarter that provides more flexibility in funding options and expands its usefulness beyond the launch period to generate continuous demand for products on its platform.

Key Features

• Two funding options: fixed (all-or-nothing) and flexible (keep whatever is raised).
• Global reach with a diverse community of backers.
• Campaign tools for building your page, marketing, and tracking progress.
• Indiegogo InDemand feature for ongoing funding after the campaign ends.
• Marketplace for backers to purchase products directly.

Fees and Pricing

• 5% platform fee for successful campaigns.
• Payment processing fees (approximately 3-5%).
• No upfront fees for creating a campaign, but additional services like featured placements may come with extra costs.

Pros

• Flexible funding options allow creators to keep whatever funds are raised.
• Large, engaged audience and global visibility.
• Extensive marketing and campaign management tools.
• Indiegogo InDemand lets you continue raising funds post-campaign.
• No upfront fees for launching a campaign.

Cons

• Competitive platform with many similar projects, making it harder to stand out.
• Fees can be higher than some other platforms, especially for smaller campaigns.
• No built-in financial backing for projects that don’t meet their goal (for flexible funding, backers may still not receive their rewards if the project falters).

Best For
Entrepreneurs and creators seeking funding for innovative, consumer-facing products in industries like tech, design, and social impact. It’s also a great option for those who want a flexible funding model or ongoing funding after the campaign ends.

Crowdcube

Type
Equity-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
Crowdcube is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that enables startups and growing companies to raise money from a large group of individual investors. It’s popular in Europe and the UK.

Key Features

• Equity-based crowdfunding, where investors receive shares in the company.
• Regulated platform with investor protections.
• No upfront costs; businesses only pay fees if they successfully raise funds.
• Opportunity to turn customers into investors and brand advocates.
• Supports SEIS and EIS tax relief for UK investors.
• Access to Crowdcube’s investor network, including high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.

Fees and Pricing

• 7% success fee on the total amount raised.
• Payment processing and legal fees (typically 1-2%).
• Additional fees for marketing and promotional services (optional).

Pros

• No upfront costs; fees apply only if the campaign is successful.
• Access to a large community of investors, including retail and institutional backers.
• SEIS/EIS tax benefits make it attractive to UK-based investors.
• Helps businesses build a loyal customer-investor base.
• Supports follow-on funding rounds for scaling businesses.

Cons

• Only available to UK and European businesses.
• Campaigns require a strong marketing effort to attract investors.
• It can be time-consuming to prepare the necessary financial and legal documents.
• Equity dilution, as founders must give up a portion of their business.

Best For
Startups and growth-stage businesses in the UK and Europe looking to raise equity funding while engaging their customers and community as investors. Ideal for companies with a compelling brand, strong traction, and scalable growth potential.

SeedBlink

Type
Equity and co-investment crowdfunding platform

Overview
SeedBlink is a European equity crowdfunding platform. It combines traditional venture capital with crowdfunding, allowing individuals to co-invest alongside institutional investors. The platform targets tech startups and scale-ups, offering investment opportunities with rigorous vetting.

Key Features

• Equity-based crowdfunding with co-investment from VCs.
• Access to both retail and institutional investors.
• Specializes in European tech startups and scale-ups.
• Due diligence and selection process to ensure high-quality investment opportunities.
• Community of investors with networking and learning opportunities.
• Supports secondary market transactions for liquidity.

Fees and Pricing

• Success fee: 6-8% of the amount raised.
• Investor fee: 2% transaction fee for investments.
• Other fees: Additional legal and administrative costs may apply.

Pros

• The co-investment model increases credibility and investor confidence.
• Access to both retail and institutional investors.
• A strong vetting process ensures quality startups.
• Secondary market options provide potential liquidity.
• Focus on tech startups aligns with high-growth industries.

Cons

• Primarily focused on European startups.
• Equity dilution for founders.
• High competition to get listed due to strict selection criteria.
• Legal and administrative requirements can be complex.

Best For
Tech startups and scale-ups in Europe looking for equity crowdfunding with the added credibility of VC co-investment. Also ideal for investors seeking vetted, high-growth opportunities in the European startup ecosystem.

SeedInvest

Type
Equity-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
SeedInvest is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that connects startups with institutional and individual investors. It enables early-stage and growth-stage companies to raise capital by offering equity in their business. The platform is highly selective, accepting only a small percentage of the applying companies. This process creates a vetted high-potential startup for investors, reducing the risk associated with assessing startups.

Key Features

• Equity-based crowdfunding for startups.
• Access to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
• Strict vetting process for quality control.
• Streamlined online fundraising process with SEC compliance support.
• Investor perks and convertible note options.
• Option to raise capital via Regulation A+ or Regulation CF.

Fees and Pricing

• Success fee: 7.5% of total funds raised.
• Placement fee: 5% equity fee on the total amount raised.
• Transaction fees: Additional legal and escrow fees may apply.

Pros

• Access to a large pool of retail and institutional investors.
• A high-quality vetting process increases credibility.
• Compliance with SEC regulations, ensuring a structured fundraising process.
• Strong support and resources for startups.
• Opportunity for follow-on funding.

Cons

• Highly selective—only a small percentage of applicants are accepted.
• Equity dilution, as founders must give up a portion of their business.
• High fees compared to other crowdfunding options.
• Extensive legal and financial documentation is required.

Best For
Early-stage and growth-stage startups looking to raise equity-based funding from a mix of accredited and non-accredited investors. Ideal for companies with strong traction, innovative products, and scalable business models.

Republic

Type
Equity and revenue-sharing crowdfunding platform

Overview
Republic is a leading investment platform that targets startups, real estate projects, and video game developers who need funding. It offers various investment models, including equity, revenue-sharing, token-based, etc.

Key Features

• Equity crowdfunding is open to retail investors.
• Revenue-sharing investment options for companies with recurring revenue.
• Crypto and blockchain-based investment opportunities.
• Access to venture-backed and early-stage startups.
• Community-driven investment model with a large pool of individual investors.
• Secondary market opportunities for liquidity (Republic Note).

Fees and Pricing

• Success fee: 6% cash and 2% securities of the total amount raised.
• Additional fees May apply for legal, escrow, and compliance services.
• Investor costs: Some investment opportunities may have to carry fees or transaction fees.

Pros

• Open to both accredited and non-accredited investors.
• Multiple investment models, including equity, revenue-sharing, and crypto.
• The strong vetting process ensures high-quality startup investments.
• A large investor network increases the chances of successful fundraising.
• Secondary market potential for liquidity.

Cons

• The highly competitive application process for startups.
• Equity dilution for founders.
• Complex investment structures for some opportunities (e.g., crypto, revenue-sharing).
• Long-term investment horizon with no guaranteed liquidity.

Best For
Startups, real estate developers, and blockchain ventures looking to raise capital from a broad investor base. Ideal for retail investors seeking opportunities in early-stage companies, alternative assets, or crypto-based investments.

LendingClub: Debt-based crowdfunding (peer-to-peer lending)

Overview
Lending Club is a peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform that connects borrowers with individual and institutional investors. Instead of going through traditional banking institutions, borrowers can apply for personal or small business loans, while investors can fund those loans in exchange for interest. Such platforms often provide better interest rates than banks to both borrowers and lenders (compared to deposits) and have a more relaxed and flexible application process and qualifying criteria.

Key Features

• Borrowers can access personal loans, business loans, and auto refinancing.
• Investors can diversify their portfolios by funding fractional loan shares.
• Credit assessment and risk-based interest rates for borrowers.
• Automated investing options for hands-off investment management.
• Loan terms typically range from 36 to 60 months.

Fees and Pricing

• Origination fee for borrowers: 3% - 6% of the loan amount.
• Interest rates: Vary based on creditworthiness (typically 6% - 36%).
• Investor service fees: 1% per payment received from borrowers.

Pros

• Easier access to funding compared to traditional banks.
• Fixed interest rates and predictable repayment schedules.
• Investors can earn returns by diversifying across multiple loans.
• No prepayment penalties for borrowers.
• Online and automated process streamlines loan applications.

Cons

• Borrowers with low credit scores may face high interest rates or rejection.
• Investors bear the risk of loan default debt-based labels in all U.S. states.
• Returns for investors are not guaranteed and depend on borrower repayments.

Best For
Borrowers looking for an alternative to traditional bank loans, particularly for personal or small business financing. Also ideal for investors seeking fixed-income opportunities by funding loans in a peer-to-peer lending model.

GoFundMe

Type
Donation-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
GoFundMe is the largest donation-based crowdfunding platform. It empowers individuals, nonprofits, and companies to raise funding for personal, charitable, and community causes. The backing on GoFundMe is voluntary without expecting financial returns. It’s mainly used for medical expenses, emergency relief, and education, but it can also support small business fundraising if there is a strong cause behind it.

Key Features

• No fundraising goal requirement—campaigns can raise any amount.
• No deadlines—campaigns can stay active indefinitely.
• Social sharing tools to maximize reach.
• GoFundMe Guarantee to ensure donations go to the intended cause.
• 24/7 customer support and fraud protection.
• Instant withdrawal options for campaign organizers.

Fees and Pricing

• Platform fee: 0% for personal and charity campaigns.
• Payment processing fee: ~2.9% + $0.30 per donation.
• Optional tip model: GoFundMe asks donors to leave a tip to support the platform’s operations.

Pros

• No platform fees, allowing organizers to keep more of the funds raised.
• No funding deadlines, making it flexible for long-term campaigns.
• Easy-to-use interface with built-in social sharing features.
• Strong fraud protection and donor trust through the GoFundMe Guarantee.
• Quick access to raised funds with instant withdrawals.

Cons

• Payment processing fees still apply to every donation.
• Success depends heavily on social media promotion and personal networks.
• No platform fees, allowing organizers to keep more of the funds raised.
• No funding deadlines, making it flexible for long-term campaigns.

Best For
Individuals, nonprofits, and community-driven initiatives looking to raise funds for personal causes, social impact projects, or emergency relief. It can also be used by small businesses seeking community support but is not designed for traditional and business crowdfunding.

Patreon

Type
Subscription-based crowdfunding platform

Overview
Patreon is a membership-based crowdfunding platform that allows creators, artists, and businesses to earn recurring revenue from their audience. While most crowdfunding platforms focus on one-time campaigns that, in some cases, can be repeated, Patreon aims to provide an ongoing revenue stream in exchange for exclusive access to content, the creator, or community access. This model is very popular among musicians, writers, educators, and podcasters.

Key Features

• A subscription-based model with customizable membership tiers.
• Direct connection with supporters through exclusive content and perks.
• Integrated community features, including Discord and Patreon-exclusive posts.
• Multiple payout options, including monthly or per-creation billing.
• Custom branding and analytics to track patron engagement.

Fees and Pricing

• Platform fee: 5% (Lite), 8% (Pro), and 12% (Premium) of earnings.
• Payment processing fees: ~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (varies by region).
• Additional fees: Currency conversion and payout processing fees may apply.

Pros

• Reliable recurring revenue stream for creators.
• Flexible membership tiers to offer different levels of content and perks.
• Strong community engagement tools.
• No need for an all-or-nothing funding goal.
• Integrations with platforms like Discord, Vimeo, and YouTube.

Cons

• Patreon takes a percentage of earnings, which can add up over time.
• Success depends on continuous content creation and audience engagement.
• Requires strong marketing and community-building to attract and retain patrons.

Best For
Creators, artists, educators, and influencers who produce ongoing content and want to monetize their audience through memberships and exclusive content. Ideal for podcasters, YouTubers, musicians, writers, and digital artists looking for a steady income stream.

The Icanpreneur Way to a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign

There are a few key ingredients for building a successful crowdfunding campaign:

• A strong product that solves a significant problem for a big enough group of customers
• A deep understanding of the customers’ problems and a detailed buyer persona
• Validated product messaging that resonates with the target audience
• Compelling storytelling using high-quality video and visuals

Icanpreneur is a platform that helps entrepreneurs validate their ideas and better understand their customers and needs. The platform provides the methodology, guidance, and tooling to conduct product research based on the industry’s best practices. Interviewing prospective customers is the best way to get real-world validation and unexpected insights and nail your pitch.