How Much Does a Kickstarter Marketing Agency Cost?

A Kickstarter marketing agency usually costs a mix of three things: an agency fee, your ad budget, and Kickstarter’s own fees. Knowing which is which stops surprises after launch.

1. The agency fee

Agencies charge in one of three ways:

• Monthly retainer: a fixed fee for pre-launch and campaign work. Predictable, and the agency is paid for the work whether or not you hit your goal.
• Commission: a percentage of the money raised, often from ads the agency runs. Lower upfront cost, but you pay more if the campaign does well.
• Hybrid: a smaller retainer plus a commission. This is the most common model for full-service launches.

We offer a flexible payment structure and quote after a discovery call, once we know your product, goal and timeline.

2. The ad budget

Ad spend goes to Facebook, Instagram and Google, not to the agency. It covers pre-launch lead ads (to build your email list) and live-campaign ads. Ask any agency to run ads in your ad accounts so you keep the data. On our discovery form we ask for your ad budget in bands, from under $7,000 to $35,000+, because it shapes the whole plan.

3. Kickstarter’s fees

Kickstarter takes 5% of funds collected, and its payment processor Stripe takes roughly 3–5%. Pledges under $10 cost 5% plus $0.05. If the project is not funded, no fees are charged. Full details in our Kickstarter fees guide.

4. Other launch costs

• Video and photography (see Kickstarter video guide)
• Prototypes and samples for press and influencers
• Pledge manager and fulfilment
• Shipping and taxes

What you get for the fee

Ask every agency for named campaigns and amounts raised. Ours are on the case studies page, including Everplay (Magnetic modular play space for kids, $908,055 on Kickstarter) and iiRcade (Home arcade gaming, $660,413 on Kickstarter).

Book your free discovery call: three short questions about you, your project and your budget, then pick a time.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Kickstarter agency cost per month?

It depends on the model. Retainer agencies charge a monthly fee for pre-launch and campaign work; commission agencies charge a share of funds raised instead. Your ad budget is separate from either.

Is ad spend included in the agency fee?

Usually not. Ad spend is paid to the ad platforms. A good agency runs ads in your own accounts and reports on every dollar.

Do I pay Kickstarter fees if my project fails?

No. Kickstarter only charges fees on successfully funded projects.

Can I hire an agency for pre-launch only?

Yes. Some creators hire us for strategy and pre-launch list building, then run the live campaign themselves.