What does 'success fee' actually cost on a $1M Reg CF raise?

On $1M raised: Wefunder ≈ $75K blended (cash + securities). StartEngine ≈ $55K cash + $20K in securities. Republic ≈ $60K cash + $20K in securities. Add ~3.5% processing (~$35K) plus $5K–$15K in compliance and legal, and your all-in platform-side cost typically lands between 11–14% of gross raised.

Are there hidden fees founders miss?

Yes — escrow fees, credit-card processing (~3.5%), Form C legal ($3K–$10K), independent audits for raises over $1.24M ($10K–$25K), and Reg A+ audit + SEC qualification ($40K–$100K+). None of these appear on platform pricing pages but every issuer pays them.

Why is Reg A+ so much more expensive up front?

Reg A+ requires a SEC-qualified Form 1-A, two years of audited financials, and ongoing 1-K/1-SA reporting. That's $40K–$100K+ before the first investor commits — versus Reg CF, where you can be live for under $10K in legal costs.

Do platforms negotiate their fees?

Rarely on Reg CF. On Reg A+ and Reg D side-cars there's more flexibility — especially for issuers bringing their own investor base or committing to a specific marketing spend. Ask about co-marketing credits and reduced securities compensation.

Which platform is cheapest overall?

For Reg CF under $1M, StartEngine and Republic have the lowest headline success fee. For larger Reg A+ raises, all three converge to custom-quoted deals — the real cost driver becomes marketing spend and compliance, not platform take rate.

Guide · Fees

Equity Crowdfunding Platform Fees: Wefunder vs StartEngine vs Republic

The all-in cost of running a Reg CF or Reg A+ raise isn't the number on the pricing page. Here's what Wefunder, StartEngine, and Republic actually charge — listing, success, escrow, compliance, and audit — so you can budget the raise before you sign a platform agreement.

Side-by-side fee breakdown

Cost line	Wefunder	StartEngine	Republic
Reg CF success fee	7.5% blended (cash + securities)	5.5% cash + 2% securities	6% cash + 2% securities
Reg A+ success fee	Custom (typically 5–7%)	Custom (typically 4–6% + tech fees)	Custom (typically 5–7% + tech fees)
Listing / setup fee	$0 to list; ~$3K legal package optional	$0 to list; escrow + audit costs pass-through	$0 to list; onboarding + compliance pass-through
Escrow & processing	~3.5% processing on credit-card investments	~3.5% processing on credit-card investments	~3.5% processing on credit-card investments
Compliance / legal (Reg CF)	$3K–$10K (Form C, disclosures)	$5K–$15K (Form C + audit for raises >$1.24M)	$5K–$15K (Form C + audit for raises >$1.24M)
Reg A+ audit / qualification	$40K–$100K+ (audit, Form 1-A, SEC review)	$40K–$100K+ (audit, Form 1-A, SEC review)	$40K–$100K+ (audit, Form 1-A, SEC review)
Marketing spend (typical)	$25K–$150K to hit target	$50K–$250K to hit target	$50K–$250K to hit target

Ranges reflect published platform terms and typical issuer costs as of 2026. Custom deals may vary.

All-in cost example: a $1M Reg CF raise

Headline success fees are only ~40–60% of what a raise actually costs. On a $1M Reg CF, expect the following stacked costs before net proceeds hit your account:

Platform success fee: $55K–$75K (cash + securities blend).
Payment processing: ~$35K (assumes ~$1M via credit card).
Form C legal + disclosures: $5K–$10K.
Independent CPA review/audit: $3K–$10K (required over $124K; audited over $1.24M).
Marketing to reach investors: $25K–$150K depending on channel mix.

Net take-home on a fully-funded $1M raise generally lands between $720K–$870K. The single biggest variable is marketing spend — which is where most raises quietly succeed or fail.

When each platform makes financial sense

Wefunder

Best when you have a strong technical narrative or YC-alumni network. Blended fee structure means less cash out the door but more dilution via warrants.

StartEngine

Lowest cash success fee on Reg CF. Best for consumer-brand raises that can convert their existing customer base into investors.

Republic

Largest investor pool and premium positioning. Higher effective marketing costs, but stronger for Reg A+ and cross-border (Reg S) raises.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

Wefunder vs StartEngine vs Republic — full comparison

Beyond fees: audience, offering types, and positioning across the three top platforms.

Equity crowdfunding vs venture capital

When crowdfunding beats a VC round — and when it doesn't.

Run the numbers on your specific raise

Every raise has a different fee profile. Book a call and we'll model the all-in cost across platforms for your target amount and offering type.

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