Brandwave

Kickstarter vs Kiva:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kickstarter had more branded searches than Kiva among crowdfunding platforms worldwide. Kickstarter had about 550,000 branded searches, while Kiva had 117,000. Kickstarter made up 9.8% of all crowdfunding platform searches we track, and Kiva accounted for 2.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about crowdfunding platforms, Kickstarter appeared in all five answers and Kiva in four. Kickstarter was mentioned before Kiva in every answer.

Among crowdfunding platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kickstarter, about 5 searches for every 1 for Kiva

Kickstarter 550K searchesKiva 117K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Kickstarter, mentioned in every answer we collected

Kickstarter in 5 of 5Kiva in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kickstarter, named ahead of Kiva in every answer

Kickstarter first in 5Kiva never first

Follow Kickstarter vs Kiva and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top crowdfunding platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kickstarter appeared in all five answers. Kiva was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kickstarter was listed before Kiva in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Kickstarter1st
  2. Wefunder2nd
  3. Indiegogo3rd
  4. GoFundMe4th
  5. Kiva5th
  6. Patreon6th
  7. Republic7th
  8. Seedrs–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Kickstarter5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Indiegogo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Wefunder5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • GoFundMe4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Kiva4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Patreon3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Republic2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Seedrs0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about crowdfunding platforms

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Kickstarter or Kiva more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kickstarter and Kiva by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight crowdfunding platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Kickstarter and Kiva among crowdfunding platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Kickstarter, Kiva. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPatreonGoFundMeKickstarterKivaIndiegogoWefunderSeedrsRepublic
Oct 202558.3%26.1%11.7%1.6%1.6%0.47%0.21%0.05%
Nov 202558.5%26.2%11.8%1.6%1.3%0.39%0.17%0.04%
Dec 202556.5%30.9%9.3%1.6%1.2%0.37%0.14%0.04%
Jan 202657.8%31.7%7.8%1.3%0.86%0.31%0.17%0.03%
Feb 202656.6%30.9%9.3%1.6%1%0.38%0.14%0.04%
Mar 202660.2%26.9%9.9%1.4%1.1%0.33%0.15%0.04%
Apr 202656.4%30.8%9.3%1.9%1%0.37%0.14%0.04%
May 202660.2%26.9%9.9%1.7%0.89%0.33%0.1%0.04%
Jun 202661.6%27.6%8.3%1.4%0.75%0.27%0.1%0.03%
Jul 202656.5%30.9%9.3%2%0.84%0.37%0.09%0.03%
Aug 202661.4%27.5%8.3%1.8%0.74%0.27%0.08%0.02%
Sep 202659.8%26.8%9.8%2.1%1.1%0.32%0.1%0.03%

How has the Kickstarter and Kiva comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Kickstarter was ahead of Kiva in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kickstarter’s share of searches among crowdfunding platforms worldwide moved from 11.7% to 9.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 673K to 550K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kiva’s share of searches among crowdfunding platforms worldwide moved from 1.6% to 2.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 94.1K to 117K.

How did search popularity change for crowdfunding platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Kickstarter gained share of searches among crowdfunding platforms worldwide, from 8.3% to 9.8%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Kiva worldwide rose 23.9% over 12 measured months, from 94.1K to 117K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kickstarter’s and Kiva’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Kickstarter

1 branded search term

  • kickstarter

Kiva

2 branded search terms

  • kiva
  • kiva loans

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among crowdfunding platforms

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free