Token Launchpad Guide: Launch, Compare, and Choose (2024)
A token launchpad is a platform that simplifies creating and launching cryptocurrency tokens, primarily on blockchains like Solana. These platforms handle technical complexities like liquidity pool creation, smart contract deployment, and initial trading setup. Choosing the right launchpad affects your token's launch cost, ongoing fees, creator revenue, and holder incentives.
Key Points
- 1Launchpads automate token creation, removing the need to write complex smart contracts.
- 2Fees vary widely: some charge 0% on trades but take a large post-graduation cut, while others offer sustainable revenue sharing.
- 3Key features to compare include launch cost, ongoing trade fees, holder reward programs, and post-launch support.
- 4Spawned offers a 0.30% creator fee per trade, 0.30% holder rewards, and includes a free AI website builder with launch.
What is a Token Launchpad?
The one-stop-shop for turning a token idea into a live, tradable asset.
A token launchpad is a specialized software platform that allows individuals and projects to create and launch their own cryptocurrency tokens with minimal technical knowledge. Instead of hiring developers to write and audit custom smart contract code, users can configure their token's parameters (name, symbol, supply) through a simple interface. The launchpad then automatically generates the necessary blockchain contracts, establishes the initial liquidity pool for trading, and lists the token on a decentralized exchange (DEX).
On networks like Solana, launchpads have become essential for the vibrant meme coin and micro-cap ecosystem. They democratize access to token creation, but the economic terms and long-term support differ significantly between platforms.
How Token Launchpads Work: A 5-Step Process
While interfaces differ, most Solana launchpads follow a similar core process to transform an idea into a liquid asset.
Critical Features to Compare: Beyond the Launch
Choosing a launchpad is about the journey, not just the starting line.
The launch is just the beginning. The platform you choose dictates your project's economics and community support long-term.
| Feature | pump.fun Model | Spawned.com Model | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator Revenue | 0% fee on trades. | 0.30% fee on every trade. | A 0% fee offers no ongoing income to the creator. A 0.30% fee generates passive revenue as the token trades. On $1M volume, that's $3,000 for the creator. |
| Holder Rewards | Not standard. | 0.30% of every trade distributed to token holders. | This built-in reward system incentivizes people to buy and hold your token, potentially reducing sell pressure and building a stronger community. |
| Post-Graduation Fee | 2% fee applied when token graduates (reaches $69k market cap). | 1% perpetual fee via Token-2022 program after graduation. | A lower long-term fee means more value stays with the token's ecosystem. Spawned's 1% is half of the common alternative. |
| Website Builder | Separate, paid service needed. | AI website builder included for free (saves $29-$99/month). | A professional website is crucial for credibility. Having it included removes a major cost and logistical hurdle for creators. |
| Launch Cost | ~0.1-0.2 SOL. | 0.1 SOL (approx. $20). | Upfront costs are similar, but the long-term value proposition differs dramatically based on the features above. |
Verdict: Is a Token Launchpad Right for You?
For 95% of token creators, a launchpad is the only logical choice.
Use a token launchpad if: You have a community-driven token idea (meme coin, community token, micro-cap project) and want to launch it on Solana quickly, securely, and with built-in liquidity. It is the most efficient path for non-developers.
Consider building custom contracts if: You are a large project with specific, complex tokenomics (e.g., multi-phase vesting, custom tax structures) that no launchpad supports, and you have the budget for smart contract audits.
Our Recommendation for Most Creators: For the vast majority, using a launchpad like Spawned is the clear choice. The time, cost, and security benefits are substantial. Specifically, we recommend evaluating platforms that offer sustainable creator revenue (not 0%), holder incentives, and post-launch tools like the included AI website builder. A model that shares value with creators and holders from day one fosters a healthier project ecosystem than a model designed solely to capture value at graduation.
5 Common Mistakes When Using a Launchpad
Avoiding these pitfalls can save your project from early struggles.
- Ignoring Ongoing Economics: Focusing only on the low launch fee while ignoring the platform's long-term fee structure (e.g., 0% trade fee vs. 0.30%). The sustainable model often wins.
- Skipping the Website: Launching without a basic website or social hub hurts credibility. Using a platform with a built-in builder solves this instantly.
- Poor Tokenomics at Launch: Setting a total supply that's too low (causing hyper-inflation) or too high (making per-unit price psychologically tiny). Research standard ranges for your token type.
- Neglecting Holder Rewards: Not considering how the platform rewards holders. A system like Spawned's 0.30% distribution per trade automatically encourages holding.
- Failing to Plan for Graduation: Not understanding what happens when your token reaches a certain market cap. Know the final fee (e.g., 1% vs. 2%) and process.
Why Spawned's Launchpad Model Creates Better Projects
Sustainable token economics start with the launchpad you choose.
Spawned is built on a simple principle: align incentives among the platform, the creator, and the token holders. The 0.30%/0.30%/0.30% model (liquidity/creator/holders) on each trade ensures all parties benefit from healthy, ongoing volume.
Real Example: A token launched on Spawned does $500,000 in trade volume in its first week. Here’s what happens:
- Creator earns: 0.30% = $1,500 in passive revenue.
- Holders earn: 0.30% = $1,500 distributed proportionally to their holdings.
- Liquidity grows: 0.30% = $1,500 added to the pool, increasing stability.
This is in addition to the free AI website builder, which would otherwise cost a creator $29-$99 per month on other services. Before a single trade, the creator has saved money and gained a professional web presence. This model supports projects for the long term, not just until the point of graduation.
Ready to Launch Your Vision?
Turn your token idea into reality today.
Understanding token launchpads is the first step. The next is taking action. With Spawned, you can go from an idea to a live, trading token with a professional website in under 10 minutes.
Your launch includes:
- Token creation and liquidity pool setup for 0.1 SOL.
- A 0.30% creator revenue stream from every trade.
- A 0.30% holder reward system to build community.
- A free, AI-generated website for your project.
- A clear path to graduation with a 1% perpetual fee.
Stop researching and start building. The best way to understand the power of a modern launchpad is to try it.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
The upfront cost is typically the platform's launch fee plus the SOL you provide for the initial liquidity pool. For example, Spawned charges a 0.1 SOL launch fee (about $20). You'll also need to allocate additional SOL (often 0.5 to 2 SOL or more) to seed the initial liquidity pool, which determines your token's starting price. Always factor in the blockchain transaction (gas) fees, which are minimal on Solana.
This is a major economic difference. A 0% fee model, used by some platforms, gives the creator no ongoing income from token trades. A 0.30% fee means the creator earns 0.30% of the value of every buy and sell transaction. For a token with $1 million in weekly volume, a 0.30% fee generates $3,000 per week for the creator, providing sustainable funding for marketing, development, and community rewards.
Holder rewards are a percentage of every trade that is automatically distributed to people holding the token. On Spawned, 0.30% of every trade is allocated for this. This mechanism incentivizes buying and holding, as holders earn more tokens simply by keeping them in their wallet. It helps build a loyal, long-term community by directly rewarding participation, unlike models with no built-in holder benefits.
Graduation typically occurs when your token's liquidity pool reaches a specific value (e.g., $69,000). The token migrates from the launchpad's protected trading environment to a full, independent liquidity pool on a major DEX like Raydium. At this point, a final fee structure takes over. For instance, Spawned uses Solana's Token-2022 program to apply a 1% perpetual fee on trades, which is lower than the 2% fee common on other major launchpads.
No, coding knowledge is not required. That's the primary value of a launchpad. You use a web interface to input your token's name, symbol, supply, and other details. The platform's smart contracts handle all the technical deployment, security, and liquidity pool creation automatically. Some platforms, like Spawned, also include AI tools to generate a website and content without any technical skills.
Yes, on Spawned the AI website builder is included at no additional cost with your token launch. This saves you the typical $29 to $99 per month you would pay for a similar standalone website builder or hosting service. You can generate and customize a professional site for your project immediately after launch, which is critical for establishing legitimacy and a community hub.
Tokens launched on reputable platforms use audited, battle-tested smart contracts for both the token itself and the liquidity pool. This is generally more secure than a creator writing a custom contract without audit. However, security also depends on the creator's actions: securing the token's social accounts, avoiding malicious links, and using a robust liquidity lock-up after launch are essential best practices that the creator must follow.
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