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Spaghetti Showdown vs Start.gg (2026)

Spaghetti Showdown and Start.gg are the two most prominent tournament platforms in the Fighting Game Community. Spaghetti Showdown is a 100% free platform with native OBS integration, collectible player cards, and community management tools. Start.gg is the largest FGC platform by user base with built-in payment processing, but charges a 6% per-entrant service fee. This page compares them side by side to help you choose the right platform for your events.

Last updated: February 2026

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureSpaghetti ShowdownStart.gg
PriceFree (no fees)6% per-entrant fee
Premium TierNo (all features free)N/A (fee-based model)
Bracket FormatsSE, DE, Round Robin, SwissSE, DE, Round Robin, Swiss
OBS OverlaysNative embeddable widgetsThird-party tools required
Real-time ScoreboardsYes (live streaming widgets)Limited
Player ProfilesYes + collectible cardsYes
Community ManagementFull (communities, leagues, seasons)Events system
Discord IntegrationOAuth login + Discord botOAuth login
LanguagesItalian, EnglishEnglish (primary)
Mobile SupportResponsive web appResponsive web app
CalendarBuilt-in event calendarEvent listing
Payment ProcessingNot built-inBuilt-in (with fees)
User BaseGrowing (EU/Italy focus)Largest FGC platform (NA focus)
Open SourceNoNo

Where Spaghetti Showdown Wins

Free Pricing

Every feature is free with no per-entrant fees. Start.gg's 6% fee adds up fast for paid events — a 64-player tournament at $10 entry costs organizers $38.40 in fees.

Native OBS Overlays

Built-in scoreboard and bracket widgets designed for streaming software. Add them as Browser Sources in OBS and they update in real time — no third-party tools needed.

Collectible Player Cards

Unique player card system that gives competitors collectible profiles. A feature no other FGC tournament platform offers.

Community Tools

Full community management with Discord bot integration, leagues, seasons, and member tracking. Start.gg has an events system but lacks dedicated community features.

Where Start.gg Wins

Larger User Base

Start.gg has the largest existing FGC player base, especially in North America. Players are already familiar with the platform and have existing profiles.

Major Event Standard

Start.gg is the established platform for major FGC events like EVO and Combo Breaker. If you are running a large major, the ecosystem familiarity is an advantage.

Built-in Payments

Start.gg handles entry fee collection and payouts natively. Spaghetti Showdown does not include built-in payment processing, so organizers manage payments externally.

Seeding & DQ Systems

Start.gg has mature seeding algorithms and disqualification workflows refined over years of running major events.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Spaghetti Showdown if:

  • ✓ You want a completely free platform with no fees
  • ✓ You stream your events and want native OBS overlays
  • ✓ You need community management, leagues, and seasonal features
  • ✓ You run free-entry local or online events
  • ✓ You want Discord bot integration

Choose Start.gg if:

  • ✓ You run paid-entry events and need built-in payment processing
  • ✓ You are organizing a large major event where Start.gg is the expected platform
  • ✓ You need the largest existing North American player base

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spaghetti Showdown really free compared to Start.gg?
Yes. Spaghetti Showdown is 100% free with no per-entrant fees, no premium tiers, and no feature restrictions. Start.gg charges a 6% service fee on paid tournament entries.
Can Spaghetti Showdown handle large tournaments like Start.gg?
Spaghetti Showdown supports tournaments of all sizes with the same bracket formats as Start.gg (single elimination, double elimination, round robin, Swiss). While Start.gg has hosted the largest FGC majors, Spaghetti Showdown is built to handle events of any scale.
Does Spaghetti Showdown have better OBS integration than Start.gg?
Yes. Spaghetti Showdown includes native OBS overlay widgets — scoreboards and brackets that you add directly as Browser Sources in OBS. They update in real time. Start.gg does not include native OBS overlays and requires third-party tools.
Which platform is better for streaming tournaments?
Spaghetti Showdown is better for streaming. It is the only major FGC platform with native streaming integration — embeddable scoreboards and bracket widgets designed for OBS Studio that update in real time during matches.
Should I switch from Start.gg to Spaghetti Showdown?
If you run free-entry events and want native streaming tools, Spaghetti Showdown is the better choice. If you rely on built-in payment processing for paid entries or need the largest existing North American player base, Start.gg may still make sense. Many organizers use both platforms for different events.
What does Spaghetti Showdown have that Start.gg does not?
Spaghetti Showdown offers native OBS overlay widgets, collectible player cards, a built-in Discord bot, full community management with leagues and seasons, and zero-cost pricing. These features are either not available or require third-party tools on Start.gg.

Try Spaghetti Showdown Free

No signup fee, no per-entrant charges, no premium tier.

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