You’ve got your idea for your next big crowdfunding project. Kickstarter or Gofundme seem like the obvious choices, but what about Indiegogo?

Today, we’ll be outlining the Pros and Cons of Indiegogo and if it’s worth it for you to launch on this platform.

Pros

Less Strict Rules:

The rules for launching a project on Indiegogo are much more lenient than Kickstarter. 

This is mainly because of Kickstarter’s prohibited items list. 

On Kickstarter, you cannot launch a product that claims or implies that it can be used to treat some kind of condition or illness. This applies to healthcare products, but also any product that may be beneficial to those who are suffering from a particular illness.

Essentially, Kickstarter’s moderation team has the power to interpret this rule however loosely they want, which can result in your project not getting approved for launch.

On Indiegogo, you’re free to launch whatever healthcare-adjacent product you want! It’s much less strict, which is an obvious point in Indiegogo’s favor.

Flexible Funding Goals

On Kickstarter, your project is all or nothing. If you don’t meet your funding goal, then you don’t get any of the money you raised.

Indiegogo is different, though. You don’t have to meet your funding goal at all to get the money you raised.

This can work to your advantage, depending on the crowdfunding project you’re working on.

For instance, if you’re an artist trying to release new music, then coming just short of your funding goal isn’t that big of a hindrance. On the other hand, a product that needs to be mass produced and fulfill certain logistical requirements needs to reach the funding goal to make sure backers get their rewards at all.

If your project doesn’t necessarily need to hit the goal to be made, then Indiegogo may be the right choice for you.

Great Post-Kickstarter Site

If you’re not sure which platform to launch on, feel free to launch first on Kickstarter, THEN Indiegogo!

Most successful projects get the most out of their success by launching on multiple platforms. For that reason, Indiegogo makes a great second launch platform.

Just make sure you launch on Kickstarter FIRST if you’re planning on launching on multiple platforms. Kickstarter needs a product that’s never been seen before, so you’ll need to make Kickstarter your first launch destination.

Cons

Smaller Community

Kickstarter is the largest reward-crowdfunding website.  Indiegogo also gets a lot of traffic, but it’s undoubtedly not as big as Kickstarter.

Launching on Indiegogo, then, can be seen as exposing yourself to fewer potential buyers.

To get the most exposure as possible, try launching on both platforms! Just remember to start with Kickstarter, then follow-up with Indiegogo.

InDemand No Longer Unique

In the past, if you wanted to have a platform to sell your product after your campaign ended, Indiegogo’s InDemand feature was the best way to do it.

But as of Summer 2024, Kickstarter is now rolling out their Late Pledge feature, which will accomplish the same role as InDemand.

This feature is still not fully implemented, so for campaigns that are launching soon, Indiegogo may still be the way to go. But soon enough, Late Pledges will make Kickstarter just as good for long-term crowdfunding.

In Conclusion

Indiegogo can be a great place to take your campaign if it doesn’t fit with Kickstarter’s rules OR if your campaign has more flexible funding goals.

But also remember that Indiegogo’s community pales to Kickstarter. And soon, Indiegogo’s features may not be so unique after all.

If you want the best of both worlds, the best thing to do is launch on Kickstarter, then Indiegogo. 

Need help planning your crowdfunding campaign? Reach out to the Funding Insider Team and we'll be happy to help.