Simple, transparent pricing
Start free.
Pre-pay to save more.
No monthly subscription. Pay a platform fee only on what you raise. Pre-pay upfront to lock in a lower rate, or enable tipping and pass-through to pay zero.
Default: 7% platform fee + 3% CC processing. Both fully passable to bidders.
Main pricing plans
Free plan
Self-guided$0
No upfront cost, ever
7% platform fee
+ 3% credit card processing
Pass fees to bidders or enable tipping to pay zero
- Unlimited campaigns
- Unlimited auction items
- Mobile bidding (no app)
- Fee pass-through
- Donor tipping
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Email, text, and chat support
No credit card required
Pre-paid plan
Remote support$299+
One-time upfront payment
1% - 5% platform fee
+ 3% credit card processing
Same pass-through and tipping options
- Everything in Free
- Lower platform fee (1% - 5%)
- Custom branded pages
- Bulk item import (CSV)
- Up to 5 team members
- Advanced analytics
- Team live event training
- Priority support
One-time payment, no subscription
Enterprise
On-site managementOn-site Event Management
For larger events that need a trained expert on site before doors open and through checkout.
Done-with-you event support
Custom quote based on event size and support needs
Keep your team calm, ready, and focused on donors.
- Everything in Pre-paid
- Pre-event setup and auction review
- Team training before your event
- On-site event manager for event night
- Bidder registration and check-in guidance
- Live bidding and paddle raise support
- Checkout and payment closeout help
- Dedicated event success manager
- Post-event reports and next-step review
Key pricing statistics
83%
of users pay zero in platform fees by combining pass-through and tipping
94%
average fee coverage rate when donor tipping is enabled
$0
upfront cost to get started: no credit card, no contract, no risk
Optional pre-paid tiers
Choose your pre-paid tier
Pre-pay upfront to lock in a lower platform fee. The all-in fee includes card processing (3%). Skip if you prefer to start free and pay as you raise.
1%
Platform fee
All-in: 4%
$1,499
one-time prepay
2%
Platform fee
All-in: 5%
$1,099
one-time prepay
3%
Platform fee
All-in: 6%
$799
one-time prepay
5%
Platform fee
All-in: 8%
$299
one-time prepay
Live example
Your $50,000 auction just closed
See how much you keep under each plan after all fees.
Fee configuration
You control who pays the fee.
Regardless of which plan you choose, you can configure how the fee is handled. Here are the four ways, and how most organizers end up paying nothing.
You absorb the fee
You cover the full fee. Your bidders pay exactly what they bid. Clean, simple, no surprises.
Pass fees to bidders
Add some or all of the fee on top of winning bids at checkout. Bidders pay a small processing fee so you keep more of what you raise.
Enable donor tipping
Most popularAsk donors to voluntarily cover the remaining fee at checkout. Most donors say yes. 83% of our users end up paying zero in platform fees.
Mix and match
Combine pass-through and tipping for maximum coverage. You control exactly how much to pass on and how much to ask donors to cover.
No tiers, no limits
Everything included in every plan
Every feature is available from day one. Pre-paid tiers only change your platform fee, not what you can do.
Mobile bidding
No app download required. Bidders use any phone browser.
Auctions, raffles and events
Run silent, live, hybrid auctions, raffles, and ticketed events.
Unlimited items and bidders
No caps on items, campaigns, or the number of donors who can bid.
Fee pass-through and tipping
Pass fees to bidders or ask donors to cover them with a tip.
Real-time reporting
Live dashboards, donor records, and post-event financial exports.
Custom branding
Upload your logo, banner, and colors to match your organization.
Apple Pay and Google Pay
One-tap checkout with fraud protection and PCI-DSS compliance.
Text-to-bid and outbid alerts
Automated SMS keeps bidders engaged and drives up final bids.
Launch in 30 minutes
Guided setup gets your first campaign live in under half an hour.
Live support
Real humans available by phone, chat, and email before and during your event.
Quick guide
Which tier is right for you?
Pre-paying makes sense when you expect to raise enough to offset the upfront cost. Here is the simple breakdown.
Under $15,000
✓ Start freeStart free. The 7% fee on smaller events is manageable, and tipping often covers it entirely.
$15,000 – $30,000
✓ 3% tier at $799The 3% tier at $799 breaks even around $15,980 raised. Above that, every dollar saves you money.
$30,000 – $75,000
✓ 2% tier at $1,099The 2% tier at $1,099 saves approximately $2,500 on a $50,000 event. A clear win.
$75,000+
✓ 1% tier at $1,499The 1% tier at $1,499 is the best value for large events. Saves $3,000+ on a $50,000 raise alone.
Not sure? Talk to our team and we will help you run the numbers for your specific event.
We pre-paid the 3% tier, enabled tipping, and passed the CC fee to bidders. Our net was $94,000 on $94,000 raised. The pre-pay paid for itself in the first hour of bidding.
Got questions?
Pricing FAQ
Is CharityAuctions really free to start?
Yes. There is no upfront cost to get started. You pay a 7% platform fee plus 3% credit card processing only on funds you successfully raise. If you raise nothing, you pay nothing.
How does the pre-paid tier work?
Pre-paid tiers are a one-time upfront payment that lowers your platform fee for your event. You choose a tier before you go live. The all-in percentage includes card processing (3%). You can still use pass-through and tipping to reduce what your organization pays out of pocket.
Which pre-paid tier is right for me?
It depends on how much you expect to raise. Higher prepay amounts unlock lower platform fees. Use the quick guide on this page to see typical break-even points, or talk to our team and we will help you run the numbers for your event.
How can I pay zero in fees?
Many organizers pass platform and card fees to bidders at checkout, enable donor tipping, or use a mix. When you combine those options, a large share of users end up paying nothing in net platform fees.
What is donor tipping?
Donor tipping lets supporters voluntarily cover part or all of the platform fee at checkout. It is optional for donors and configurable by your team before you go live.
Can I mix pass-through and tipping?
Yes. You can combine fee pass-through at checkout with donor tipping to maximize coverage. You control how much to pass to bidders and how much to ask donors to cover.
What does the 3% credit card fee cover?
The 3% covers payment processing: secure card handling, fraud protection, and compliance with card network rules. It applies across plans when donors pay by card.
Can I upgrade my pre-paid tier after I start?
Contact our team to discuss upgrades for your specific account and event. We will walk through what changed and the best option for your timeline.
Still have questions? Talk to our team
Join 50,000+ organizations that trust CharityAuctions
Start free today.
No credit card. No commitment. Enable tipping and pass-through to pay zero in fees, just like 83% of our users.
Free forever · Pre-paid from $299 · Enterprise custom pricing