7 Crowdfunding Platforms in Germany Compared 2026
Which platform really gets your money to its destination? Anyone who wants to raise funds online for a project, or to donate themselves, quickly comes across numerous providers that differ significantly in fees, payment methods and verification procedures. A low platform price alone says little if the preferred payment method is missing, the campaign doesn't match the target audience, or it remains unclear who legally receives the donation.
This overview compares seven providers based on the same four criteria: fee model, payment methods, verification and reach. The list deliberately separates donation, reward and equity models so that projects and donors don't compare apples with oranges. This classification is therefore aimed not only at organisations but also at people who want to check, before making a payment, how transparently a platform operates.
The German crowdfunding market has developed from small online financing efforts into an established digital financing instrument. The first German projects without a return focus started in 2010, and by 2013 around 5.4 million euros had been financed in classic crowdfunding, as documented by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economic Affairs on the early market development. For today's choice, therefore, the umbrella term crowdfunding matters less than the concrete question of which model a platform actually supports.
Table of Contents
- 1. SadakaNow
- 2. Startnext
- 3. betterplace.org
- 4. 99 Funken
- 5. Companisto
- 6. Seedmatch
- 7. EcoCrowd
- Quick comparison: 7 crowdfunding platforms in Germany
- Finding the right platform and getting started right away
1. SadakaNow
SadakaNow is a German donation platform focused on Sadaka, mosques, relief organisations and social initiatives. No platform fee is charged for SadakaNow projects. Funding is based on voluntary tips, while the usual costs of payment service providers may apply depending on the payment method. This is a different model from reward platforms, where fees are often charged only upon successful funding or in addition to transaction costs.
Donors can pay by SEPA direct debit, PayPal or credit card. Payment processing is secured through SSL encryption and PCI-DSS Level 1. For the data protection assessment, it is important that SadakaNow describes GDPR-compliant processes and cookie settings for the analytics and marketing tools it uses. Payment methods and security are therefore not merely convenience features here, but part of the trust assessment.
Fees and verification
Before publication, SadakaNow checks the charitable status of submitted organisations. Public project pages show the goal, progress and updates. The live feed Sadaka Pulse displays donations anonymised in real time. This creates transparency at the project level without publicly linking individual donors to a name, amount or religious affiliation.
The tax handling should nevertheless be clarified before payment. For donations over 300 euros, the German tax administration generally requires a donation receipt (Zuwendungsbestätigung), while up to 300 euros a bank statement or payment receipt is usually sufficient, as the Vereinigte Lohnsteuerhilfe on the tax treatment of donations explains. What matters is which organisation is legally recognised as the recipient and who issues the certificate. Anyone who wants to remain anonymous while also receiving a certificate should be aware of this conflict of goals, since name and address may be required for issuing it, as the DKFZ's privacy notice for donations shows.
Practical rule: Before sending your donation, check whether you only need a payment receipt or an official donation certificate, and what data will be transmitted to the beneficiary organisation for that purpose.
Reach and area of use
SadakaNow is particularly suitable for Muslim donors and communities in the DACH region. The platform lists more than 307,000 donors and over 30 million euros raised in cooperation with Caliskan Media. These figures come from the provided product information and should be understood as the platform's own claims. For a campaign, thematic fit, one's own community, and the visibility of the project page also matter.
Organisations receive support during onboarding. According to the platform, campaigns can go live in less than 24 hours. This makes SadakaNow interesting for mosque associations and smaller non-profit initiatives seeking direct donations rather than rewards or shares. However, those looking to build a broader international or non-Islamic cause may find fewer suitable projects with a specialised provider.
Website: SadakaNow
2. Startnext
Startnext is aimed at creative, entrepreneurial and civil-society projects. The focus is not purely on donations, but often on a reward, such as a product, ticket, or thank-you gift. This makes Startnext primarily part of reward-based crowdfunding, even though different types of projects are offered.
The platform works with the plans Basis, Pro and Premium. Success fees and payment charges depend on the chosen plan and the payment mix. For a reliable calculation, a project must therefore take into account not only the target amount but also the expected distribution of payment methods. A blanket statement like "cheap" or "expensive" would be too imprecise without this combination.
Payment methods and verification
The payment methods listed are SEPA direct debit, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal via Stripe. Startnext also uses an all-or-nothing mechanism. This means the campaign logic is geared towards reaching the funding target. This can make sense for projects with clearly calculable production or implementation costs, while for ongoing charitable purposes a classic donation platform is usually more suitable.
Onboarding includes an identity check. Public project pages can include updates and thank-you or reward features. This combination strengthens its suitability for creatives, associations, and startups who want to engage their supporters with a concrete reward.
Reach and cost logic
Startnext has a large German-speaking community and is visible in the DACH region. However, this reach does not replace campaign work. A project must activate its audience through its own channels, provide regular updates, and clearly describe the reward.
With Startnext, the fee calculation should be simulated before launch using the specific plan and the expected payment mix.
For associations torn between donations and rewards, the guide to crowdfunding for associations offers additional orientation. The key distinction remains: Startnext is strong when supporters finance a project and receive a reward in return. For tax-deductible donations, however, it must be clarified which organisation receives the contribution and how the receipt is issued.
Website: Startnext
3. betterplace.org
betterplace.org focuses on charitable donations and organisation profiles. The platform is thus closer to classic crowd-donation than to reward or equity-based models. Associations and NGOs can present projects, collect donations, and explain their impact through organisation and project information.
The fee model does not provide for a classic platform fee, but the provided product information mentions a transaction cost share of 2.8 percent. This figure should be checked against the current pricing and payment terms before starting, as fees can change. For organisations, it is also important to know whether costs are covered from the donation or borne separately.
Payment processing and donation receipts
betterplace.org focuses on donation processing and donation receipts. Individual donations can be linked with a PDF receipt function. This makes documentation easier, but it does not replace checking who is legally recognised as the recipient of the donation. Where several parties are involved, such as the platform, the campaign organiser and the beneficiary association, this role should be clearly stated on the project page.
The platform offers a partner and white-label ecosystem, including cooperations with WirWunder and savings banks (Sparkassen). The specific payment method affects the practical user experience. Donors should therefore check whether the option they want is available at checkout and whether recurring donations are supported.
Reach and limits
The strength of betterplace.org lies in its recognition within the German nonprofit sector. For aid organisations and associations that do not offer anything in return, this environment fits better than a reward-based marketplace. Commercial ideas, product pre-sales or startup investments, on the other hand, are not part of the core model.
Decision point: Anyone who needs a donation receipt should not only compare the fee share, but also check the receipt process, the recipient organisation and data sharing.
A more in-depth look at the requirements for a fundraising platform in Germany helps to distinguish it from general crowdfunding portals. betterplace.org makes the most sense when nonprofit status and donation processing matter more than rewards or investor reach.
Website: betterplace.org
4. 99 Funken
99 Funken combines crowdsupporting with the regional infrastructure of the savings banks (Sparkassen). The platform is particularly aimed at local associations, culture, youth and sports projects. Regional sub-portals can be more important here than achieving the broadest possible national visibility, because supporters often come from the same local community as the project.
The fee model is described as simple and clear. Still, the actual cost should be checked against the current project conditions before publishing a campaign. For small campaigns, a fixed or percentage-based fee can weigh more heavily than for larger projects, so a general platform comparison is not enough on its own.
Payment methods and escrow handling
99 Funken uses standardised payment processes and escrow handling. This reduces organisational complexity for project starters. Donors get a familiar point of access when the campaign is made visible through a regionally well-known savings bank (Sparkasse) environment.
Verification takes place as part of the platform and project process. Associations should nevertheless keep their own nonprofit status, bank details and responsibilities clearly documented. Regional brand recognition is no substitute for checking who uses the funds and what evidence is published once the project is completed.
Reach with a regional focus
The reach of 99 Funken is mainly regional. This can be an advantage for a new sports field, a clubhouse or a youth project, because the communication and the circle of supporters are geographically aligned. For a nationwide aid campaign or an internationally oriented initiative, the regional structure is less suitable.
Assessment based on the four criteria:
- Fee model: simple, project-based arrangement; check the current terms before launching.
- Payment methods: standardised payment processing via the platform environment.
- Verification: project and organisation check as part of onboarding.
- Reach: strongly regional, with possible support from the respective savings bank (Sparkasse).
Website: 99 Funken
5. Companisto
Companisto does not belong in the same comparison category as donation platforms. The offering is aimed at crowdinvesting for startups and growth companies. Supporters here do not donate for philanthropic reasons, but invest expecting a possible return. The risk involved is therefore fundamentally different.
According to the product information provided, private investors can take part from 250 euros. For larger investments, Companisto names an Angel Club starting at 10,000 euros. These amounts are not donations and must not be compared to a donation budget. An investment carries the risk of a total loss of capital.
Review and contract processing
Companisto carries out a review and listing process, organises pooling and supports contract processing. Partnerships or co-financing with professional investors can increase the visibility of an offer, but they do not replace one's own review of the business idea, financial information and contract terms.
Payment methods are less decisive in the investment process than on a donation platform. More important are identity verification, KYC requirements, contract documents and how investors receive ongoing information. Access to documents and the legal structure of the investment should be fully understood before investing.
Reach and risk profile
Companisto has a visible investor base and a deal flow for corporate financing. This makes the platform interesting for startups that want to bring together capital and potentially many smaller investors. For mosque associations, aid projects or private emergencies, the model is wrong, because it is not a donation that is arranged, but a capital investment.
Risk first: A low minimum investment makes a startup stake more accessible, but not safer.
The crowdfunding platform comparison is therefore only useful if the models are read separately. Market sources also distinguish between crowdinvesting and classic donation- or reward-based crowdfunding. The Crowdinvest Monitor explicitly points out that its database mainly captures investment-based projects and is not suitable as a direct indicator for the donation market.
Website: Companisto
6. Seedmatch
Seedmatch is another provider for crowdinvesting in startups and growth companies and part of the OneCrowd group. The model is based on asset investments or securities, not on a gratuitous donation. For the selection, what matters most is therefore whether investors accept the risks and disclosure obligations of an early-stage investment.
According to the product information provided, investments are possible from 250 euros. The digital process includes identity and KYC steps. Investors receive access to a closed area for investor relations information and reporting. These features differ significantly from public project updates on a donation platform.
Payment methods and verification
Here, verification does not only serve to protect against misuse of donations. It is part of the regulatory and contractual processing of a capital investment. Investors should read information sheets, terms, possible repayment, ranking and exit scenarios before transferring money.
The reach arises from the OneCrowd ecosystem and the topic areas of startups and sustainability. However, a thematic closeness to sustainability does not mean that the investment is free of risk of loss. Even a company with a convincing mission can fail economically.
Classification for projects and investors
Seedmatch suits companies that want to raise capital from many investors. It does not suit an association that wants to collect tax-deductible donations, nor donors who are looking for an immediate social impact without financial compensation.
For investors, the decisive metric does not lie in a supposedly low entry threshold, but in the quality of the documents and one's own risk budget. Market reports do indeed show the growing awareness and size of investment-based crowdfunding segments, but these figures do not describe the donation market. The market data on German crowdfunding also points to the difference between awareness and actual participation. Visibility alone therefore activates neither donors nor investors.
Website: Seedmatch
7. EcoCrowd
EcoCrowd works with a sustainability-oriented funding pool. The community donates monthly, after which environmental and sustainability projects are selected by vote. This distinguishes EcoCrowd from an individual campaign page, where each donor is directly assigned to a specific project.
Participation has a low barrier to entry and, according to the information provided, is possible from 1 euro per month. For organisations, submitting a project is free of charge. The amount is linked to a source reference for the platform and should be checked against the current conditions before making a decision. What remains decisive is that donations do not automatically flow to the submitted project, but the funding decision depends on the community vote.
Payment methods and review
EcoCrowd curates and reviews submitted projects. The Deutsche Umweltstiftung forms the institutional background. This connection is relevant for verification and thematic classification, but does not replace a careful reading of the participation conditions.
Specific payment methods are not fully disclosed in the information available. Donors should therefore check before paying whether SEPA, card, or another desired method is available. For organisations, it is also necessary to clarify which information appears publicly, how progress is documented, and when a possible payout takes place.
Reach through sustainability
EcoCrowd's reach is thematically bundled. This helps projects with a clear environmental or SDG focus, because they can reach a suitable audience. However, the payout is less predictable than with a classic all-or-nothing campaign or a direct donation drive, since it depends on the monthly vote.
EcoCrowd is particularly suitable for:
- Environmental initiatives: Projects with a comprehensible ecological goal.
- Civil society organisations: Projects that fit the curated sustainability focus.
- Small and medium-sized projects: Initiatives that work with community support rather than an individual large-scale campaign.
Website: EcoCrowd
Quick comparison: 7 crowdfunding platforms in Germany
| Platform | 🔄 Implementation complexity | ⚡ Resource requirements | 📊 Expected results | 💡 Ideal use cases | ⭐ Main advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SadakaNow | Low–medium: fast onboarding (<24 h), standardized checks | Low: payment and compliance setup; operation via voluntary tips | High transparency, direct forwarding of donations, established donor base | Muslim communities, mosque-related and local DACH projects | 0% platform fee for projects; GDPR & PCI-DSS; live feed/social proof |
| Startnext | Medium: multiple project types, plan selection, identity verification | Medium: marketing and community management; fee planning required | Good reach and success probability for reward campaigns | Creative projects, associations, startups, social impact with rewards | Large DACH community; flexible plans & reward features |
| betterplace.org | Low: clear donation process, NGO focus | Medium: management of donation receipts and reporting | Trustworthy donation acquisition with donation certificates | Nonprofit organizations, NGOs, associations | Low, transparent transaction costs; high trust |
| 99 Funken | Low: standardized processes, regional portals | Low: support from Sparkasse partners | Strong regional visibility and local supporters | Local associations, culture, youth and sports projects | Sparkasse network increases trust and reach |
| Companisto | High: complex contract/pooling processes, due diligence | High: legal/financial resources, investor support | Capital raising against equity; high opportunities, high risk 📊 | Startups and growth-oriented companies | Broad investor base; low minimum participation for investors |
| Seedmatch | High: KYC, issuance documents, reporting | High: administrative and regulatory effort | Equity financing with return/exit uncertainty | Early-stage startups, small investors | Established crowdinvesting setup; low minimum investment |
| EcoCrowd | Medium: curation + community voting mechanism | Low–medium: monthly funding contributions, community moderation | Targeted funding pool distributions for sustainability projects | Environmental/SDG projects, small nonprofits | Strong foundation background; low entry barriers for donors |
Finding the right platform and getting started right away
The right choice depends first on the model. Those collecting for a nonprofit association should check fees, payment receipts, donation confirmations and nonprofit verification. Those who want to offer rewards need reward functions, an understandable product description and a fee calculation that accounts for the chosen plan and payment mix.
Equity platforms such as Companisto and Seedmatch belong in a separate category. There, investors acquire a financial position and bear startup or issuer risk. Donation platforms such as SadakaNow and betterplace.org follow a different logic. The money is intended to support a charitable or social project, without the donor expecting a return.
The reach must also match the target audience. 99 Funken can make more sense for a local association project than a national marketplace. EcoCrowd is suitable for curated sustainability projects, Startnext for creative projects with rewards, and SadakaNow for Sadaqa campaigns by mosques, aid organizations and social initiatives.
Before starting, a concrete calculation with the planned payment mix is recommended. Organizations should plan for the review period, clearly name the legal recipient organization, and explain the goal, use of funds and updates on the project page. Donors should check transparency pages, proof of use and fee arrangements before paying.
The reach gap in German crowdfunding shows why visibility alone is not enough. According to the Crowdfunding-Barometer, 73.6 percent of those surveyed knew about crowdfunding, but only 15.9 percent had ever participated financially. For platforms and organizations, this means: trust, a short checkout, suitable payment methods and traceable updates must work together. A campaign does not become successful simply by being placed on a well-known website.
SadakaNow bundles Sadaqa campaigns from verified mosques, aid organizations and social initiatives, offers a 0 percent platform fee as well as payments via SEPA, PayPal and credit card. Check the current projects on SadakaNow for your donation or your own community campaign, and compare the goal, recipient organization, updates and fee model before starting.