Should I really pay $20/mo if I'm just starting?

Maybe not yet. At low or unpredictable volume, a free hosted page on another platform or a percentage tool can cost you less than $20/month. We'd rather you start there than overpay; move to CrowdCreate when steady support, or owning your own page, is worth the flat fee.

Can supporters give recurring monthly contributions?

Yes. One-time and recurring both run through the same widget or hosted page.

Do I need to register a business to use CrowdCreate?

No. Stripe Express supports both individuals and businesses, and most people sign up as individuals. You'll need a personal bank account and the last four of your SSN for Stripe's verification.

Best donation widget for individuals

If you're one person raising money for your own work, a project, or a personal cause, the question is whether you have a site to put the ask on — and whether you want to pay a flat fee or let a platform take a cut. Here's how to choose, with an honest note on when paying for a widget isn't worth it yet.

What to look for

Do you have a site?

A widget shines when you have your own page to embed it on. With no site, a hosted page on a platform may be simpler to start with.

Flat fee vs a cut

At low or uncertain volume, a free or percentage-based page can cost less than a flat monthly fee. As your support steadies, flat pricing pulls ahead. Be honest about where you are.

Owning the relationship

On your own site, supporters stay with you and your funder list is yours. On a platform profile, the platform sits in the middle.

Support vs membership

If you want paid tiers and perks rather than open support, that's a membership platform's job, not a donation widget's.

Why CrowdCreate is a strong pick

CrowdCreate fits an individual who has a site (or wants one) and is raising steadily enough that a flat fee beats a percentage. It's a flat $20 a month, 0% of your donations (Stripe's 2.9% + 30¢ per payment applies and goes to Stripe), and the money lands in your own Stripe account. Even without a site, every account gets a hosted page at crowdcreate.app/c/your-name you can share anywhere — so you can start today and add the widget once your site is ready.

When CrowdCreate isn't the best choice

CrowdCreate is not the best choice if you're just starting and raising a little — at low volume, a free hosted page or a percentage tool can cost you less than $20 a month, and we'd rather you start there than overpay. It's also the wrong tool if you want paid membership tiers and gated perks; a membership platform handles that. Move to a flat-fee widget when steady support, or owning your own page, makes it worth it.

Frequently asked questions

Should I really pay $20/mo if I'm just starting?: Maybe not yet. At low or unpredictable volume, a free hosted page on another platform or a percentage tool can cost you less than $20/month. We'd rather you start there than overpay; move to CrowdCreate when steady support, or owning your own page, is worth the flat fee.
Can supporters give recurring monthly contributions?: Yes. One-time and recurring both run through the same widget or hosted page.
Do I need to register a business to use CrowdCreate?: No. Stripe Express supports both individuals and businesses, and most people sign up as individuals. You'll need a personal bank account and the last four of your SSN for Stripe's verification.

Donations go straight to your Stripe account. The money never touches CrowdCreate.

$20/mo flat

One price, no percentage. We never take a cut of what your donors give.

Cancel anytime

30-day refund if it's not a fit. Your donor data lives in your own Stripe.

If a flat, owned donation page fits where you are, start your fund.

Start your fund