The Top Sites to Crowdfund Music

PledgeMusic, Patreon, and More

By
Zack Miller
zack miller about.com crowdfunding expert
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Zack Miller wrote about crowdfunding for The Balance Small Business and is the founder and editor of Tearsheet.
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Updated on November 20, 2019

Crowdfunding's roots are in supporting the arts. Some of the oldest and best known crowdfunding sites began as a way for fans to engage with the artists they love. That hasn't changed and rewards-based crowdfunding sites to support musical projects are alive and well. Here's a list of some of the best and most popular sites to crowdfunding music.

PledgeMusic

Teenage girl listening to music with headphones and mp3 player on living room sofa
Hero Images / Getty Images

One of the largest sites for crowdfunding music, PledgeMusic sees itself as a better way for artists to engage with/build a fanbase.

PledgeMusic says over 80% of music crowdfunding projects reach their goal. When a band hits their target the company takes a 15% commission. 

The company works with the UK's NME to highlight emerging bands.

ArtistShare

Considered a pioneer in the crowdfunding space since its founding in 2001. ArtistShare is a platform that connects creative artists with fans in order to share the creative process and fund the creation of new artistic works.

ArtistShare projects have received countless awards and accolades including 9 Grammy awards and 18 Grammy nominations.Its artist roster includes some of today's most prestigious artists including Pulitzer prize and Oscar nominated writers, Guggenheim fellowship recipients, Grammy winners and NEA Jazz Masters.

Indiegogo

Indiegogo started crowdfunding in 2008 and has seen companies raise close to $1.5 billion on its site.

Companies that raise over $500,000 are offered access to Indiegogo's concierge service, which started last year, where entrepreneurs can get advice on how to grow their business.

The company also opened an online marketplace last year where companies that have raised funds on its site can sell their products. 

Patreon

Patreon enables everyone to be a patron of the arts by providing a crowdfunding platform for people to support and engage with artists of all types, including musicians. The company, which is based in San Francisco and founded in 2013, takes a 5% cut of the funds raised.

Kickstarter

Kickstarter is the 800-pound gorilla in the crowdfunding room. Users have raised over $3 billion since the service kicked off in 2010. Kickstarter is based in Brooklyn, New York.