> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://guide.wlth.xyz/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Pre-IPO investing platforms compared
> Compare WLTH with EquityZen, Forge, Hiive, Republic, StartEngine, and Wefunder on minimums, accreditation, liquidity, and investor type.
**Quick answer:** WLTH offers **tokenized pre-IPO Slices from $20** without US accredited-investor status for standard retail access. EquityZen, Forge, and Hiive typically require **$10,000+** and accreditation. Republic, StartEngine, and Wefunder serve **non-accredited US investors** via Reg CF with annual caps, focused on **earlier-stage** companies.
Choosing a pre-IPO platform depends on minimum ticket, accreditation rules, company stage, and how much liquidity you need. This page compares WLTH with platforms that appear most often in investor research.
**Important:** Minimums, eligibility, and features change. Verify current terms on each provider's site before investing. This comparison is educational, not a ranking or recommendation.
## At a glance
| Platform | Minimum | Accreditation (US) | Liquidity | Model / focus |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **WLTH** | **\$20** | Not required for standard retail access | Conditional P2P marketplace (not guaranteed) | Tokenized late-stage pre-IPO Slices |
| Republic | $10 to $100+ per deal | Not required (Reg CF caps) | Typically illiquid until exit | Reg CF / Reg A+ crowdfunding |
| Wefunder | Often \$100 or less | Not required (Reg CF caps) | Long lockups; exit-dependent | Reg CF campaigns |
| StartEngine | Low hundreds (varies) | Mix (Reg CF and Reg D) | Selective secondary marketplace | Crowdfunding + limited secondary |
| EquityZen | Often \$10,000+ | Required (US) | Secondary for eligible shares | Fund / SPV secondary market |
| Forge Global | Often \$10,000+ | Required (US) | Secondary windows vary | Private securities marketplace |
| Hiive | Varies; often lower than legacy desks | Often required | Secondary marketplace focus | Private company share trading |
## WLTH
**Best for:** Retail investors seeking **late-stage pre-IPO** exposure from **\$20**, with optional on-chain marketplace liquidity when fund terms allow.
| Topic | Detail |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Minimum | \$20 per position |
| Accreditation | Not required for standard US retail access |
| Backing | 1:1 equity-backed Slices |
| Liquidity | WLTH marketplace when eligible |
| Network | Base (Ethereum L2) |
[What is pre-IPO investing on WLTH?](/investment/guides/what-is-pre-ipo-investing) · [Invest from \$20](/investment/guides/invest-in-pre-ipo-from-20-dollars) · [Browse opportunities](https://app.wlth.xyz/companies)
## Republic
**Best for:** US retail investors comfortable with **Reg CF** annual caps and **early-to-growth-stage** startup crowdfunding.
* Low per-deal minimums ($10 to $100+).
* Non-accredited US investors can participate with investment caps.
* Liquidity is typically limited until an exit event.
* Different company stage and regulatory framework than WLTH's late-stage pre-IPO focus.
## Wefunder
**Best for:** US retail investors exploring **Reg CF** startup campaigns with relatively low tickets.
* Often \$100 or less per campaign.
* Non-accredited investors subject to Reg CF annual limits.
* Long hold periods; returns depend on company exit.
* Early-stage focus, not late-stage unicorn pre-IPO access.
## StartEngine
**Best for:** US investors who want a mix of **crowdfunding** and some **secondary marketplace** access.
* Minimums vary; often in the low hundreds.
* Mix of Reg CF (non-accredited with caps) and Reg D offerings.
* Secondary trading available for select securities.
* Broader startup stage range than WLTH's pre-IPO specialization.
## EquityZen
**Best for:** **Accredited US investors** seeking secondary exposure to well-known private companies with higher minimums.
* Minimums often **\$10,000+** depending on deal.
* Accredited-investor requirements for US users.
* Established secondary market for select private shares.
* Fund and SPV structures; different from WLTH's tokenized Slice model.
## Forge Global
**Best for:** **Accredited investors** and institutions accessing private company securities at scale.
* Higher minimums than retail-first platforms.
* Accredited-investor focus in the US.
* Secondary trading for eligible private securities.
* Institutional-grade private market access.
## Hiive
**Best for:** Investors seeking a **secondary marketplace** for private company shares, often with accreditation requirements.
* Positioned for private share liquidity.
* Minimums and accreditation vary by offering.
* Competes in the secondary pre-IPO narrative WLTH also addresses.
* Structure and eligibility differ from WLTH's tokenized Slice approach.
## How to choose
WLTH is built for fractional, tokenized access at this ticket size. Start with [invest from \$20](/investment/guides/invest-in-pre-ipo-from-20-dollars).
Compare WLTH with Reg CF portals (Republic, Wefunder, StartEngine). See [non-accredited guide](/investment/guides/pre-ipo-for-non-accredited-investors).
No platform guarantees it. Compare conditional marketplace models. Read [liquidity and lockups](/investment/guides/liquidity-lockups-and-trading-slices).
EquityZen, Forge, and Hiive may fit traditional secondary workflows. WLTH still offers lower minimum fractional entry if you want tokenized exposure.
Republic, Wefunder, and StartEngine focus on earlier-stage Reg CF. WLTH focuses on late-stage pre-IPO companies.
## Related guides
* [What is pre-IPO investing?](/investment/guides/what-is-pre-ipo-investing)
* [Non-accredited investor access](/investment/guides/pre-ipo-for-non-accredited-investors)
* [Liquidity and lockups](/investment/guides/liquidity-lockups-and-trading-slices)
* [How WLTH Slices work](/investment/guides/how-wlth-slices-work)
Third-party platform names are used for comparative reference only. WLTH is not affiliated with EquityZen, Forge Global, Hiive, Republic, StartEngine, or Wefunder. Review [Terms and Conditions](/disclaimer/terms-and-conditions).