The differences between Indiegogo and Kickstarter

Both crowdfunding platforms work the same way, but they are not the same: Indiegogo is more flexible, Kickstarter more suitable for hi-tech projects

Crowdfunding is a phenomenon that has found its greatest expansion with the internet. On the web there are in fact several collective funding platforms on which you can look for funds to try to realize a project. The most popular among users are two: Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

Basically, both crowdfunding sites work in the same way: they offer members a space where they can sponsor their ideas. But they are not the same. Each of the collective funding platforms has its own rules, which don't always coincide with users' projects. Indiegogo, to illustrate the first difference, is much more flexible. Compared to Kickstarter, in fact, you can launch as many funding campaigns as you want: fundraising for humanitarian projects or natural disasters. Kickstarter, on the other hand, is more restrictive and is more suitable for projects that have a more concrete implication: such as the realization of a hi-tech object.

Kickstarter vs Indiegogo

Let's continue comparing the two crowdfunding platforms. Indiegogo's flexibility is also evident in who is allowed to launch a funding campaign. Both sites are open to an international audience, but Kickstarter is only available in certain countries. In addition to the United States, the platform, in fact, can be used in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium and Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. On Indiegogo, campaigns are only banned from countries that have had economic sanctions applied to them.

Indiegogo is also more immediate: simply register to start your campaign. On Kickstarter, on the other hand, projects have to go through a longer approval process. Both platforms are equal in terms of the fee charged. Both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, in fact, withhold 5% on the funds obtained from the hosted campaigns.

But there is a difference on the distribution of the money raised. Indiegogo has two modes: flexible and fixed goal. The first option allows the authors of the campaigns to get all the funds obtained, even if the goal (the amount required within a certain time) has not been reached. With the second solution, the money is paid out only after the goal is reached.

On Kickstarter, on the other hand, the only way for users to receive funding is to exceed the initial goal, i.e. to obtain the required amount of money according to the days set by the campaign.

Which ones to choose?

Both platforms are good solutions for funding one's projects. Maybe Kickstarter is more suitable for sponsoring hi-tech products and objects.