Fundraising and crowdfunding platforms in 2026
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Fact-checked
This guide is for people who need to raise money from the public: for an emergency, a charitable cause, a creative project or ongoing support from fans. Each platform fits a different kind of fundraising. GoFundMe and Thiện Nguyện handle personal and charitable donations, Kickstarter funds one project at a time, and Patreon runs recurring memberships.
For emergency and charitable fundraising internationally6.4/101. GoFundMe
Suits individuals raising money for medical bills, funerals or disasters, and certified nonprofits. Starting and managing a fundraiser is free, but each donation carries a transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30 in the US). The trade-offs: a 3.3/5 Trustpilot score with complaints about withdrawals, tips and support, and broad data collection.
Read our full GoFundMe review
For fundraising in Vietnam with public statements6.7/102. Thiện Nguyện
Suits individuals, groups and organisations in Vietnam that need a donation account with public statements updated almost instantly. Per MB, the platform charges no fee and the 4-digit account is free. Limits: not suited to international fundraising or payments outside the Vietnamese banking system, a 2.8/5 Google Play rating, and a privacy policy that allows indefinite retention of data, including ID numbers. In 2021 MB confirmed an employee leaked artist Hoài Linh's account statement; this happened in MB's banking operations, before the app launched.
Read our full Thiện Nguyện review
For one-off creative projects6.7/103. Kickstarter
Suits creators of games, hardware, film or books who want to test demand with all-or-nothing funding. Listing is free. A funded project pays 5% plus 3% + $0.30 per pledge (US fee page), and nothing if it misses its goal. Backers should know that once funds are collected, Kickstarter issues no refunds and does not guarantee delivery. Trustpilot reviewers (1.1/5) allege undelivered projects with no platform help; these are user claims, not established by any authority. Kickstarter also disclosed a breach in February 2014; per Have I Been Pwned, almost 5.2 million accounts were exposed (resolved).
Read our full Kickstarter review
For recurring support from fans7.0/104. Patreon
Suits video, podcast, music and art creators who want monthly or annual memberships. Starting is free, but creators who publish after 4 August 2025 pay a 10% platform fee plus processing, conversion and payout fees; the help centre's example leaves $8.41 from a $10 web sale, and outside the US, iOS in-app purchases also bear Apple's 30% fee. The iOS app rates 4.9/5 on the US App Store, while Trustpilot sits at 1.2/5 with complaints about charges and support. Per Wikipedia, Patreon had a 2015 data breach (over 2.3 million emails) and drew backlash over its 2025 profile merge.
Read our full Patreon review
Fundraising and crowdfunding platforms at a glance: data table
Data (JSON)Prices are per month in the currency the vendor lists, from the plans checked on the date shown. Download the full data as JSON.
| App | Score | Free plan | Cheapest paid plan | User rating | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoFundMe | 6.4 | Yes | — | 4.6/5Google Play | Web, iOS, Android | Nov 10, 2026 |
| Thiện Nguyện | 6.7 | Yes | — | 2.8/5Google Play | Web, iOS, Android | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Kickstarter | 6.7 | Yes | — | 4.7/5Google Play (United States) | Web, iOS, Android | Nov 11, 2026 |
| Patreon | 7.0 | Yes | — | 4.9/5App Store (United States) | Web, iOS, Android | Nov 10, 2026 |
How we chose
The picks come from AppDuo's published research on each product, comparing price for the same audience, features, ratings, privacy and documented controversies. AppDuo did not test these platforms hands-on.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform fits an urgent medical fundraiser?
Within Vietnam, Thiện Nguyện charges no fee and publishes statements. For international donations, GoFundMe fits better, but only in countries it supports, and each donation carries a transaction fee. Check first whether your country is supported.
Can I get a refund after backing a Kickstarter project?
While a campaign is live you can cancel, with some exceptions. Once funds are collected, the Terms say Kickstarter does not refund; you can only ask the creator.
How are GoFundMe donors protected?
The Giving Guarantee covers donations for one year against misuse or non-delivery. GoFundMe decides at its discretion whether misuse occurred, and it is not insurance.
Patreon or Kickstarter for a creative project?
Kickstarter funds one-off projects with no recurring model. Patreon fits better if you want fans to support you monthly or yearly.
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