What Does Wefunder Charge?
Wefunder’s published Reg CF fee information lists a success-based commission and annual administration charges; understand all-in costs and verify your agreement.
{"title": "The short answer", "points": ["The published fee and the full cost", "Compare total cost, contract terms, investor fit and founder workload.", "No platform can guarantee investor demand or a successful raise."]}
Wefunder says it charges 7.9% of a successful public Reg CF raise, with no upfront platform fee, and also applies an annual admin fee whose amount is set out in the issuer’s listing agreement. The headline rate is only one line in your raise budget. Compare the platform’s written terms with the work your company must do to earn investor attention. The analysis below is designed for founders, not as a recommendation to invest in any issuer.
The short answer
Wefunder says it charges 7.9% of a successful public Reg CF raise, with no upfront platform fee, and also applies an annual admin fee whose amount is set out in the issuer’s listing agreement. The headline rate is only one line in your raise budget. Before choosing, compare the written issuer terms, offering structure, investor experience, support boundaries and costs at close. Treat platform marketing claims as starting points for diligence, not a forecast of your result.
{"title": "Compare the issuer decision", "columns": ["Factor", "Wefunder", "StartEngine", "Republic"], "highlight": 1, "rows": [["Verify", "Current fee agreement", "Included vs add-on services", "Commission and securities terms"], ["Evaluate", "Community fit", "Support scope", "Audience and issuer terms"], ["All portals", "Regulatory role", "Founder-led demand", "Post-close obligations"]], "note": "Terms vary by offering; verify current contracts."}
{"title": "Evaluate a platform", "items": [{"title": "Define your raise", "body": "Target, security, audience and timing."}, {"title": "Collect written terms", "body": "Get fee schedules and issuer agreements."}, {"title": "Model net proceeds", "body": "Include cash, equity and recurring charges."}, {"title": "Review with counsel", "body": "Confirm compliance and obligations."}]}
{"title": "Before you sign", "items": ["Confirm all fees and triggers", "Ask what services are included", "Review annual and post-close duties", "Check escrow and disbursement terms", "Validate investor audience claims", "Have counsel inspect the agreement"]}
{"title": "Founder evaluation sequence", "items": [{"label": "Before selection", "title": "Define priorities", "body": "Set the raise parameters and identify investor channels."}, {"label": "Diligence", "title": "Compare written terms", "body": "Ask identical questions of each candidate."}, {"label": "Before launch", "title": "Complete readiness work", "body": "Prepare disclosures and marketing workflow."}]}
{"type": "insider", "title": "Ask for a sample all-in close statement", "body": "Request a hypothetical settlement statement showing every deduction, including recurring fees and securities compensation. It exposes costs that a headline commission alone may hide."}
{"type": "insider", "title": "Test audience fit with a category-specific question", "body": "Ask the platform what evidence supports expected reach for companies like yours, and which portion is organic versus founder-driven. Do not treat registrations as likely investors."}
{"type": "wisdom", "title": "Choose the operating fit", "body": "A portal can host the raise. Your team still has to give investors a reason to care."}
What a Reg CF platform does
A funding portal or broker-dealer provides the regulated channel through which an issuer can offer securities under Regulation Crowdfunding. A Reg CF raise must be conducted through one SEC-registered funding portal or broker-dealer, with a Form C filed with the SEC. The portal is not a substitute for legal, accounting or marketing judgment, and its participation does not endorse the company or assure investors of success. The federal framework generally allows up to $5 million in a 12-month period; confirm current rules and your eligibility with qualified counsel.
Compare beyond brand recognition
Begin with the structure of the offering: direct investors versus a special purpose vehicle, the security being sold, investor eligibility and how investor records will be handled. Then investigate whether the platform’s audience plausibly overlaps with your company’s customers, community or category. A large registered user count is not the same as an active audience for your deal. Ask for examples of comparable campaigns and the assumptions behind any performance claims.
Fees: compare the whole bill
Request a written, itemized estimate that separates platform commission, payment processing, escrow, legal and accounting work, campaign services, amendments, annual administration, investor servicing and any optional marketing packages. Find out what is due before launch, what is deducted at close and which charges recur after the raise. A percentage quote is not meaningful without knowing its base, triggers, minimums, cap and treatment of funds raised through different channels.
How Wefunder pricing is disclosed
Wefunder’s help page says public Reg CF raises incur 7.9% of the total raise upon a successful close, with no upfront fee, and that an additional annual admin fee is specified in the listing agreement. The same page describes post-close services and advises issuers to check their contract for the amount. These are platform-published terms, not a substitute for your individual agreement; confirm any current changes directly before signing. 1
How StartEngine presents itself
StartEngine’s issuer page describes support spanning story development, terms, legal documents, campaign page, marketing and fund disbursement. Its services catalog lists separate charges for certain services, including a Form C-AR filing fee and campaign-related add-ons. Ask which items are included in your package and which are optional or separately billed; pricing can depend on issuer arrangements. 2 3
Republic as another comparison point
Republic’s company-facing costs page currently describes a 7% commission on funds raised plus 2% of securities offered in a successful financing. Those are distinct forms of consideration, so model both cash and securities dilution in your comparison. Terms may differ by offering type and can change; review the particular issuer documents. 4
Which platform fits which founder?
Consider Wefunder if its public community and offering mechanics align with how your likely investors discover deals, and your budget accounts for success and ongoing fees. Consider StartEngine if its described end-to-end issuer support and service options match your needs, after validating the exact scope and total cost. Consider Republic when its audience, product and issuer terms make sense for your raise. These are diligence hypotheses, not endorsements or promises of outcomes.
The founder still owns demand
A portal can host your offering and provide tools, but founders usually need to build awareness and trust. Start by mapping existing customers, users, employees, suppliers, advisors and aligned communities. Segment them by relationship and likely interest, then communicate in a way that respects securities-advertising rules. Set up a repeatable weekly rhythm for approved updates, questions and measurable outreach.
Build a launch plan before selecting
Plan the work backward from a realistic launch date. Assemble financial statements, ownership and corporate records, risk disclosures, use of proceeds, security terms, investor FAQ, visual assets and a founder-led explanation of the business. Establish who approves public communications and how investor inquiries move through the team. Clarify whether the portal’s team reviews materials, and what remains your responsibility.
Due diligence questions to ask
Ask: What exact fees and expenses apply if we raise below, at, or above our target? Are there minimums, caps, annual charges or securities-based compensation? What services are included and who performs them? Who controls the offering page and what happens if changes are needed? How are investor funds escrowed and released? What support is available during a compliance issue or material amendment? What data will we retain after close?
Use a conservative net-proceeds model
Create scenarios for a minimum, expected and high raise. For each, subtract platform commission and fixed expenses, and include cash and securities costs separately. Model ongoing reporting and investor communications after close. Do not count an advertised audience or projected conversion as committed capital. The objective is to know how much usable capital remains under plausible outcomes, not to pick the smallest displayed percentage.
A practical selection process
Run a short, consistent evaluation across candidate portals. Share the same company summary, raise target, security concept and timeline so responses are comparable. Ask each portal for a sample agreement, fee schedule, issuer obligations and the actual steps from application to launch. Have securities counsel review the documents. Keep a written scorecard, and let the quality of the terms and operating fit outweigh sales urgency.
Common mistakes to avoid
Founders often choose based on platform popularity, assume the portal will supply the whole investor base, or treat verbal pricing as binding. Other costly errors include underbudgeting legal and accounting work, ignoring annual reporting, using promotional language that implies guaranteed returns, and setting a goal without a credible use of proceeds. These risks are manageable when identified before the campaign goes live.
A founder-level view of campaign performance
The platform is infrastructure; campaign results depend on the business, terms, audience, execution and timing. RegCF.agency’s team has helped SkinBit raise $652K and then $1.86M in one month on Wefunder, Bond raise $722K and then $1.31M in two months on Wefunder, and Contractor+ raise $196K and then $565K in two months on Wefunder. Those are specific client outcomes, not typical results or a guarantee. Do not assume the same result for your company.
Make the decision about your company
A founder with an engaged customer base may value public community-building; another may prioritize a service model that reduces operational burden. Neither preference determines the best portal by itself. Test whether your intended security, investor communication plan and budget work within the platform’s actual terms. Consider how investor count and post-close obligations affect the team for years, not just during the campaign.
A decision checklist
Before you sign, confirm the portal’s legal identity and role, offering eligibility, written fees, all add-on charges, annual obligations, agreement termination provisions, escrow mechanics, support scope, communication review process, investor data access and post-close workflow. Validate the SEC filing and financial requirements with counsel and accounting professionals. Do not launch until your materials and team are ready to answer investor questions consistently.
Get a second set of eyes
A platform comparison is most useful when grounded in your company’s readiness, audience and economics. If you are weighing options or want to pressure-test your launch plan, Book a free consultation. You can also review our services, approach and why RegCF.agency. The goal is a raise that fits the company, not a platform selection made under sales pressure.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
Run a disciplined internal review
For this decision, assign a single owner to gather answers and document assumptions. Separate confirmed contractual facts from sales representations and your own estimates. Ask another decision-maker to challenge the net-proceeds model and identify missing post-close work. When two portals appear similar, compare service boundaries and operating friction rather than relying on broad brand claims. Record unresolved items and make them conditions to signing, not tasks to remember after launch. A careful process does not eliminate uncertainty, but it prevents avoidable surprises from becoming campaign distractions.
