CharityAuctions Pricing
Build your auction free. Pay only when you raise money.
Run your online, live, silent, or hybrid charity auction. No upfront software cost. No long-term contract. No credit card to get started.
Build your auction, add items, invite bidders, and test the experience first. When your auction raises money, you choose the option that works best for your group.
No credit card required to start
Simple pricing. No surprises.
Three simple ways to run your auction
Every group is different. Some want the lowest upfront cost. Some want a lower platform fee by prepaying. Some want extra help with a large event. Pick the path that fits you.
Most popular
Start Free
Best for first-time auctions, small events, and groups that want no upfront software cost.
Build your complete auction for free. Pay only after you raise money.
Included
- Online, silent, live, and hybrid auctions
- No-app mobile bidding
- Auction item pages
- Bidder registration
- Outbid notifications and watchlists
- Automatic invoices and mobile checkout
- Donation collection, ticket sales, raffles
- Basic donor and bidder reporting
- Help center access and standard support
- No long-term contract
- No credit card required to start
Good fit if
- You want to get started without budget approval.
- You are running a smaller auction.
- You want to test the software before you decide.
- You prefer to pay based on real results.
Lower platform rate
Auction Success Plan
Best for groups that want a lower platform rate and guided prep before their event.
Prepay a one-time success fee and get a lower platform rate, planning resources, and setup support before your auction begins.
Included
- Everything in Start Free
- Lower platform fee
- Auction launch checklist
- Event timeline template
- Item procurement templates
- Sponsor request templates
- Email and social promotion templates
- Starting bid and bid increment guidance
- Volunteer training checklist
- Event-night run-of-show template
- Checkout and follow-up checklists
- Auction-readiness review
- Priority setup guidance
- Group training or walkthrough access
Good fit if
- You expect to raise more than a small auction.
- You want help setting your auction up right.
- You want to lower your total platform cost.
- You have volunteers and need a clear plan.
- You want more confidence before event night.
Full-service
White-Glove Gala Support
Best for larger live, hybrid, or high-stakes fundraising events.
Get added guidance before, during, and after your event. Our team helps you prepare, set up, train your team, and reduce event-night stress.
Included
- Everything in the Auction Success Plan
- Dedicated event support contact
- Auction setup consultation
- Item and sponsor setup guidance
- Data import assistance
- Bidder registration planning
- Volunteer training support
- Event-night checklist review
- Checkout planning
- Paddle raise and live auction prep
- Post-event reconciliation guidance
- Priority support during your event window
- Optional on-site support for select events
Good fit if
- You are running a gala, benefit, school auction, or major annual event.
- You expect a large number of bidders or guests.
- You have live and silent auction components.
- You need help preparing volunteers.
- You want expert support before and during the event.
- You cannot afford event-night confusion or checkout problems.
Every plan has one all-in fee with credit card processing included. It applies to the funds you collect, online or offline. Before launch, you choose whether your group absorbs the fee or passes approved fees through to bidders at checkout.
Compare your options
See what each option includes
| Feature | Start Free | Auction Success Plan | White-Glove Gala Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build auction free | |||
| No credit card to start | |||
| Online auctions | |||
| Silent auctions | |||
| Live auctions | |||
| Hybrid auctions | |||
| No-app mobile bidding | |||
| Outbid notifications | |||
| Ticket sales | |||
| Raffles | |||
| Donations | |||
| Automatic invoices | |||
| Mobile checkout | |||
| Basic reporting | |||
| Standard support | |||
| Lower platform rate | |||
| Auction success templates | |||
| Readiness review | |||
| Priority setup guidance | |||
| Dedicated event contact | |||
| Volunteer training support | |||
| Event-night planning support | |||
| Optional on-site support | Available |
Choose how fees are handled
You control who pays the platform fee
Before your auction goes live, you choose the fee setting that works best for your event.
Organization Pays
Your group pays the platform fee from the funds you raise. This keeps the bidder checkout simple and predictable.
Bidder Pays
Approved platform fees are passed through to bidders at checkout. This helps your group keep more of the funds you raise.
Blended Approach
Choose a balanced setup based on your event goals and bidder experience. Our team can help you pick the best option before launch.
One all-in fee
Credit card processing is included
Your plan fee is an all-in fee. Credit card processing is built in. There is no separate processing charge to track.
The all-in fee applies to the funds you collect, whether bidders pay online or you collect payment offline. Before your auction goes live, you can review your expected fee and payout details.
Our promise
- No hidden fees.
- No confusing contracts.
- No surprise invoices after your event.
Estimate your auction cost
See your numbers before you launch
Estimate your total cost so your group can make the best financial decision before your auction begins.
$25,000
- Estimated all-in feeCredit card processing included
- $2,500
- Net proceeds to your group
- $25,000
Potential savings with the Auction Success Plan's lower rate: $500
Estimates only. The all-in fee includes credit card processing and applies to all funds you collect, online or offline. It uses a 7% platform rate for Start Free, 5% for the Auction Success Plan, and 3% for White-Glove Gala Support, plus 3% card processing. Bidder Pays passes approved fees to bidders, so your group keeps close to full proceeds. Your exact fee is shown before you go live.
Why organizations choose CharityAuctions
Built to help you raise more with less stress
Build before you buy
Create your auction, add items, invite your team, and test the bidder experience before paying anything.
Raise more with mobile bidding
Supporters bid from anywhere without an app. Automatic outbid alerts keep bidders engaged until the auction closes.
Reduce event-night stress
Manage bidding, tickets, donations, invoices, and checkout from one system.
Get help when you need it
Access setup guidance, auction resources, and support from a team focused on charity auctions.
Avoid long-term contracts
Use CharityAuctions for one auction or for every event you run. There are no required annual contracts.
Keep your data organized
Track bidders, donors, winners, payments, and results in one place. Export your data and follow up after your event.
The Auction-Ready Promise
Your auction matters
That is why CharityAuctions gives you the tools, guidance, and support to prepare with confidence. Complete your setup checklist before your event, and our team will help you review the key areas you need to launch.
We cannot control how many people attend, how many items you secure, or how much your supporters bid. But we can help make sure your auction technology is prepared, tested, and ready to accept bids before launch.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I really start for free?
Yes. You can create your account, build your auction, add items, and test the platform without entering a credit card. You only pay after your auction raises money, or if you choose to prepay for a lower platform rate through the Auction Success Plan.
Do I need a long-term contract?
No. CharityAuctions does not require a long-term contract for standard auction use. You can use the platform for one event or keep using it for future auctions.
Can I test the bidder experience before my auction?
Yes. You can preview your auction, test bidding, and walk through checkout before going live.
Do bidders need to download an app?
No. Bidders can take part from their phones without downloading an app. That makes it easier for guests, parents, donors, and remote supporters to bid.
Can CharityAuctions support live and hybrid events?
Yes. CharityAuctions supports online, silent, live, and hybrid auctions. You can manage mobile bidding, live auction items, paddle raises, donations, tickets, and checkout from one platform.
Can I pass fees to bidders?
Yes, depending on your fee settings. Before launch, your group can choose how platform fees are handled. You can absorb eligible fees, pass approved fees through to bidders, or pick the setup that best fits your event.
Are credit card processing fees included?
Yes. Credit card processing is built into your all-in plan fee, so there is no separate processing charge to track. The all-in fee applies to the funds you collect, whether bidders pay online or you collect payment offline. You can review your full fee before your auction goes live.
When does our organization receive the money?
After your auction ends and payments are complete, you can request your payout. Payout timing can vary based on payment verification, invoice completion, bank processing, and account status. Your dashboard helps you track payment and payout details.
What if we need help setting everything up?
You can access support, training resources, and setup guidance. If you want more help, choose the Auction Success Plan or White-Glove Gala Support.
Which plan should we choose?
Choose Start Free if you want the lowest-risk way to build and run your auction. Choose the Auction Success Plan if you want a lower platform rate and guided prep. Choose White-Glove Gala Support if your event is larger, more complex, or mission-critical.
Ready to build your auction?
Create your auction, add your items, test your bidder experience, and prepare your event with confidence.
No credit card required. No upfront software cost. No long-term contract.