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UpGrow alternative: how Kicksta compares

Looking for an UpGrow alternative? We tested UpGrow hands-on and read its terms, pricing and hundreds of reviews. Here's where it falls short, and how Kicksta answers each problem.

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Follower quality

Its terms say it can't protect you from spam, fake or inactive followers

Real, engaged followers

Competitor targeting

Only on its Pro Plan ($69 for the first month)

Included on the Growth Plan

Free trial

1-day free trial, per its terms

7-day free trial on monthly and quarterly plans

What UpGrow is

UpGrow is an Instagram growth service. New accounts get a 1-day free trial to explore the dashboard and connect Instagram before any growth begins.

What it says it does

Calls itself a social media growth platform that attracts real people interested in your account.
Says its AI picks followers by location, age, gender, language, interests and hashtags.

What unhappy customers say on Trustpilot

“Avoid this company. Despite unsubscribing, they continued to charge my card. I was forced to cancel my credit card just to stop the payments. Their business practices are highly unethical.”
Shamantaon Trustpilot, December 28, 2025
“They keep billing me, but the performance has dropped, and no one is responding! I'd like to stop my plan but they do not reply.”
Olya Kryvonoson Trustpilot, January 30, 2026
“avoid, they dont allow you to cancel subscription . getting a lot of fake followers, no interaction and impossible to cancel, avoid this service”
Bryce Thompsonon Trustpilot, January 10, 2025
“wants you review to get a free month, but the minute you review nothing happens, they trying to get reviews for free”
Alzavia Abrahamson Trustpilot, April 17, 2026

Where UpGrow falls short

With UpGrow

Compared with Kicksta

Its own terms say it can't protect you from spam, fake or inactive followers.

With KickstaReal people who chose to follow you

Reviewers say the followers they got didn't fit their niche or country.

With KickstaFollowers from the accounts and hashtags you choose

Its pricing page doesn't mention keeping new followers engaged.

With KickstaKeeps your new followers engaged

UpGrow reviews: why people leave

What people complain about most in UpGrow's Trustpilot and Reddit reviews.

Billing and cancelling538 of the 814 complaints we collected

“They billed us continually after we cancelled. Then we caught another arbitrary charge months later.”
Yukabath · Trustpilot · July 27, 2026
How it's marketed84 of the 814 complaints we collected

“This app is misleading and a trick. It falsely claims to grow Instagram followers but delivers nothing real. Just spam and lies—don’t trust it.”
Halame · Trustpilot · April 28, 2026
Results49 of the 814 complaints we collected

“Fake followers. No ability to cancel the contract. No numbers or emails to correspond only a chat box. dont waste your time here find another service avoid Upgrow”
callum faris · Trustpilot · May 25, 2025
Support39 of the 814 complaints we collected

“Terrible customer support - never responds to inquiries, charges a ton and promises that will help you grow but only incremental growth”
Jen · Trustpilot · February 21, 2025

13% raise other problems

Quotes are word for word from public reviews.

Is UpGrow safe and legit?

UpGrow is a real company that sells Instagram growth plans. Two things to weigh before you pay.

It can't protect you from spam, fake or inactive followers.In its own terms
Reviewers report billing and cancelling problems more than anything else.In its Trustpilot reviews

UpGrow pricing vs Kicksta pricing

What each plan costs per month, and what's included.

First-month price

Monthly

$49/mo

Basic, for the first month

Price checked October 28, 2026

What later months cost isn't on its pricing page.

Free trial1-day free trial, per its terms

Competitor targetingOnly on its Pro Plan ($69 for the first month)

Profile reviewAI Profile Optimization only on its Pro Plan

Ways to payMonthly or yearly

Growth Plan

Monthly

$69/mo

Billed monthly.

Start your trial

Free trial7-day free trial on monthly and quarterly plans

Competitor targetingIncluded on the Growth Plan

Profile reviewWeekly Instagram audit on the Growth Plan

Ways to payMonthly, quarterly or yearly

UpGrow vs Kicksta: side by side

See why Kicksta is a better choice than UpGrow, feature by feature.

9 won by Kicksta2 won by UpGrow4 even

Kickstawins the round
UpGrowwins the round
Evena tie splits the point

What mattersUpGrow$49/mofirst month onlyKicksta$69/mobilled monthly

Getting started20

Free trialKicksta 1-day free trial, per its terms 7-day free trial on monthly and quarterly plans

Ways to payKicksta Monthly or yearly Monthly, quarterly or yearly

What it costs02

Monthly priceUpGrow Basic Plan $49 for the first month; later months not stated Growth Plan $69/mo billed monthly

Yearly priceUpGrow Basic Plan $29/month, billed yearly Growth Plan $39/mo billed yearly

How it grows your account503 even

Competitor targetingKicksta Only on its Pro Plan ($69 for the first month) Included on the Growth Plan

Followers in your nicheKicksta Reviewers say the followers they got didn't fit their niche or country Followers from the accounts and hashtags you choose

Hashtag targetingEven Hashtags among its AI filters, per its homepage Hashtag targeting on the Growth Plan

Audience settingsEven Niche, location, gender and age settings Smart niche filters: account size, activity, privacy and content type

Likes your new followers' postsKicksta None listed on its pricing or home page Like after follow, on both plans

Close Friends adderKicksta None listed on its pricing or home page Close Friends Adder on the Advanced Plan

Profile reviewKicksta AI Profile Optimization only on its Pro Plan Weekly Instagram audit on the Growth Plan

Growth analyticsEven Live Growth Web Dashboard on the Basic Plan Live growth analytics

If something goes wrong201 even

SupportEven 24/7 live chat and email, per its pricing page; reviewers often raise support problems 24/7 live support

CancellingKicksta Reviewers report billing and cancelling problems more than anything else Start your cancellation from Settings in your dashboard; there are no cancellation fees

Follower qualityKicksta Its terms say it can't protect you from spam, fake or inactive followers Real, engaged followers

How to switch from UpGrow to Kicksta

Try Kicksta free for 7 days
Pick a monthly or quarterly plan and connect your Instagram account.
Choose who to reach
Add the accounts and hashtags your audience already follows. Kicksta puts your profile in front of the people behind them.
Keep what works
Your dashboard shows which accounts and hashtags bring you new followers. Keep the best ones and swap the rest.

Get started today

Video reviews

Hear it from Kicksta customers

Six customers on what changed once the right people followed them.

47,500+happy customers

NateFreelance photographer
“I even landed a few gigs through Instagram”
AlexUp-and-coming influencer
“It has saved me so much time”
JoshFitness instructor
“It did all the heavy lifting for me”
NatalieContent creator
“People have actually started noticing and reacting to my posts”
CambriaTravel creator
“Kicksta has proved to be the most effective”
MorganBusiness owner
“Kicksta has brought actual relevant followers to my business”

UpGrow alternative FAQ

How much does UpGrow cost?

UpGrow's Basic Plan is $49 for the first month, or $29/month billed yearly. Both are limited offers, and its pricing page doesn't say what later months cost. Kicksta's Growth Plan is $69/mo billed monthly, $49/mo billed quarterly or $39/mo billed yearly.

Does UpGrow have a free trial?

UpGrow's terms offer a 1-day free trial. Kicksta's monthly and quarterly plans start with a 7-day free trial. Yearly plans are paid up front and don't include a trial.

Is UpGrow legit?

UpGrow is a real company that sells Instagram growth plans. Its own terms say it can't protect you from spam, fake or inactive followers, and its Trustpilot reviewers report billing and cancelling problems more than anything else.

What do UpGrow reviews say?

Trustpilot shows no rating for UpGrow; it removed fake reviews for it. Billing and cancelling is what reviewers raise most, well ahead of results and support.

How long does Kicksta take to start working?

After you connect, Kicksta warms your account up for up to 72 hours, then growth starts.

Can I cancel Kicksta at any time?

Yes. You can start your cancellation from Settings in your Kicksta dashboard. There are no cancellation fees.

How do I switch from UpGrow to Kicksta?

Start a Kicksta trial on a monthly or quarterly plan and add the accounts and hashtags your audience follows. Your dashboard shows which ones bring you new followers, so you can keep the best and swap the rest.

What is the best UpGrow alternative?

Kicksta, if you want followers from the audience you choose: you pick the accounts and hashtags, and it reaches the people who follow them.

More comparisons

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Kicksta vs Plixi Kicksta wins9–1, 4 even

Kicksta vs Social Boost Kicksta wins12–1, 3 even

Kicksta vs Outfame Kicksta wins9–2, 4 even

Kicksta vs Virallized Kicksta wins12–1, 4 even

Kicksta vs Gainsty Kicksta wins7–1, 7 even

Kicksta vs BoostFluence Kicksta wins6–1, 8 even

Kicksta vs Keesy Kicksta wins7–3, 5 even All Instagram growth services

See what Kicksta does for your account

Pick the accounts and hashtags your audience follows. Try it free for 7 days on a monthly or quarterly plan.

See plans