Head-to-head · Social Media Contest Software
ShortStack vs KickoffLabs
ShortStack leads on 0 checks, KickoffLabs on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreShortStack · 8.8/10
- Lowest starting priceKickoffLabs · $13/mo
- Free planboth
- Most featuresKickoffLabs · 2 of 3
ShortStack scores higher on our rubric for social media contest software: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
KickoffLabs is cheaper to start at $13/mo against $24/mo.
ShortStack is the better fit for branded landing-page contests. KickoffLabs is the better fit for viral referral and lead-generation campaigns.
- ShortStack fits best
Branded landing-page contests
- KickoffLabs fits best
Viral referral and lead-generation campaigns
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Side by side
| Feature | ShortStack 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | KickoffLabs 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #5 in Social Media Contest Software | #6 in Social Media Contest Software |
| Best for | Branded landing-page contests | Viral referral and lead-generation campaigns |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $24/mo | $13/mo (best) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Live chat | Email, Live chat, Community |
| Integrations | 11 integrations | 20 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features ShortStack 0/3 · KickoffLabs 2/3 | ||
| Voting tools | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Moderation tools | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Analytics and reporting | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Campaign types | Not checked yet | Viral giveaways, leaderboard giveaways, bonus-entry giveaways, pre-launch waitlists, milestone rewards, newsletter referrals, lead magnets, ecommerce giveaways, event promotion |
| Entry methods | Not checked yet | Email signup, Facebook signup, Google signup, phone number, referrals, social follows, content views, shares, purchases, form actions, app downloads, custom actions, secret codes, SMS |
| Social networks | Not checked yet | Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Discord, Reddit, Telegram, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Threads, Spotify, Messenger, Weibo |
| Winner selection | Not checked yet | Both |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | ShortStack is a no-code marketing platform for businesses, marketers, and agencies running interactive campaigns. It supports quizzes, sweepstakes, contests, instant-win campaigns, referral programs, branded lead forms, landing pages, and… Read the review → |
KickoffLabs is a web-based platform for creating referral campaigns, giveaways, contests, waitlists, lead magnets, newsletter referrals, and product launches. It suits startups, small businesses, marketing teams, and larger companies that… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
ShortStack — where it wins
- Unlimited forms, pop-ups, and landing pages
- A/B testing, analytics, and conversion tracking
- Fraud prevention, bot protection, and Entry API
Where it doesn't
- Free plan is limited to 500 views and 200 stored entries monthly
- Advanced contest features begin on paid plans
- Annual-plan monthly equivalents are shown rather than explicit monthly prices
KickoffLabs — where it wins
- Referral links, leaderboards, bonus entries, and milestone rewards
- Fraud protection, winner selection, analytics, and reporting
- API, webhooks, and integrations across CRM and website tools
Where it doesn't
- Free access is limited to mini-campaigns
- Advanced branding, reporting, and actions require paid plans
- SMS contests are limited to higher-tier plans
- ShortStack8.8/10 · Free plan
A strong fit for branded contests that need forms, landing pages, testing, and analytics.
Visit ShortStackFull verdict → - KickoffLabs8.7/10 · Free plan
A flexible contest platform for referral growth, lead capture, and rewards.
Visit KickoffLabsFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update