Founder's Guide
Equity Crowdfunding Platforms Compared: Wefunder vs StartEngine vs Republic
Three portals dominate U.S. equity crowdfunding — and they aren't interchangeable. Here's how Wefunder, StartEngine, and Republic actually compare on fees, investor reach, offering types, and founder fit.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Wefunder | StartEngine | Republic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Community-driven raises, YC-style startups, tech founders | Consumer brands with retail momentum, higher-ticket raises | Premium consumer, media, and Web3 brands |
| Offerings supported | Reg CF, Reg D 506(c), Reg A+ | Reg CF, Reg A+, Reg D 506(c), tokenized offerings | Reg CF, Reg A+, Reg D 506(c), Reg S, Reg CF token DPAs |
| Typical raise size | $250K – $5M (Reg CF); larger via 506(c) side-cars | $500K – $5M (Reg CF); $10M+ via Reg A+ | $500K – $5M (Reg CF); $20M+ via Reg A+ |
| Platform fees | 7.5% success fee (cash + securities blend) | 5.5% cash + 2% securities on Reg CF | 6% cash + 2% securities on Reg CF |
| Investor base | ~2M+ registered investors; strong tech/YC alumni network | ~1.7M+ investors; largest retail base, consumer-heavy | ~3M+ investors; premium consumer + crypto-native audience |
| Min. check size | $100 (often $250 minimum per campaign) | $100 – $500 | $50 – $250 |
| Cap table structure | Wefunder SPV — one line on your cap table | Direct cap table or CrowdSAFE | Direct or Republic Note; SPV optional |
| Marketing support | Self-serve; strong founder community and templates | In-house marketing add-ons; email blasts to their list | Curated editorial + featured placement for select deals |
| Approval bar | Moderate — accepts most viable startups | Moderate — vets for compliance and campaign readiness | High — curated, roughly 5% acceptance rate |
| Time to launch | 3 – 6 weeks | 4 – 8 weeks | 6 – 10 weeks (curation adds review time) |
Fee and investor-count figures are approximate and change over time — confirm directly with each platform before launching a campaign.
Wefunder
The largest funding portal by deal count. Wefunder skews technical — a lot of YC alumni, dev tools, and community-driven startups. The SPV structure keeps one clean line on your cap table, and the platform is largely self-serve, which suits founders who already have an audience and don't need concierge marketing. Best when speed and cap-table hygiene matter more than curation.
StartEngine
Strongest for consumer brands. StartEngine has the largest retail investor base and sells marketing add-ons (featured emails, ads) that get consumer campaigns in front of real buyers. It also supports Reg A+ raises up to $75M when you outgrow the Reg CF cap. Best when your product is a physical or consumer brand and you want the platform's marketing muscle.
Republic
The most curated of the three — Republic accepts roughly 5% of applicants and features deals editorially. That curation is a real advantage if you clear the bar: premium brand association, a crypto-native investor base, and support for token DPAs. Best for premium consumer, media, and Web3 raises where the Republic imprimatur moves conversions.
How founders actually decide
Tech or dev-tool startup
Wefunder. YC-adjacent audience, fastest launch, SPV keeps your cap table clean.
Consumer brand with retail momentum
StartEngine. Largest retail investor base and paid marketing add-ons that drive campaign conversions.
Premium brand or Web3
Republic. Curation adds credibility; the audience skews toward premium consumer and crypto-native investors.
This guide is educational and not legal advice. Pre-IPO Hype is not a broker-dealer or funding portal and does not facilitate investments. Consult qualified securities counsel before selecting a platform or offering type.
Related reading: Reg CF vs Reg A+ vs Reg D · Equity Crowdfunding vs VC · Reg D vs Reg CF · Investor Relations Hub
Frequently asked questions
The platform is 10% of the raise
Whichever portal you choose, the raise still needs investors. Pre-IPO Hype gives founders the investor relations system behind 303+ raises — curated outreach into a 4.1M investor database, structured follow-up, and visibility with the accredited investors, funds, and Investment Clubs writing serious checks.