CharityAuctions vs Bonterra Network for Good
TL;DR
Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform for small nonprofits. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. CharityAuctions has no upfront cost and no optional tip prompts at checkout.
CharityAuctions and Bonterra Network for Good serve nonprofits differently. Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform for small nonprofits. It combines donor management, coaching, and events in one place. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions.
According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. The platform you choose affects how much your auction raises and what your donors pay at checkout.
The main differences between CharityAuctions and Bonterra Network for Good are platform focus, pricing model, and auction depth.
What Bonterra Network for Good Is Built For
Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform built for small and midsize nonprofits. It combines donor management, fundraising tools, and built-in coaching in one place. Bonterra is part of Bonterra (formerly Social Solutions), a social good technology company that also serves foundations, government, and corporations.
Bonterra Network for Good main features:
- Donor management and CRM
- Donation pages
- Email marketing (90,000+ templates)
- Mobile messaging (SMS)
- Volunteer tracking
- Events and auctions
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- AI-powered guidance (Bonterra Que)
- 1:1 fundraising coaching
Events and auctions are one feature among many. The platform is designed for nonprofits that need donor management, campaigns, communications, and events in a single system. Auctions are part of the events module, not the core focus.
What CharityAuctions Is Built For
CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. We are not an all-in-one fundraising platform that happens to have an auction feature. We are the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. Our platform supports online, live, and hybrid auctions with mobile bidding, ticketing, raffles, and checkout in one place.
CharityAuctions main features:
- Mobile bidding (no app required)
- Silent, live, and hybrid auctions
- Paddle raise and live event giving
- Ticketing and registration
- Raffles and fixed-price items
- Checkout and payment processing
- Donor management and reporting
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
CharityAuctions has been trusted by more than 50,000 organizations since 2007, according to CharityAuctions.com platform data. We use transparent pricing. You know what the platform will cost before you go live. We do not ask bidders to add optional tips at checkout.
Pricing and Cost Structure
| CharityAuctions | Bonterra Network for Good | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Customized pricing. Contact for quote. |
| When you pay | After you raise. Performance-based. | Subscription. |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | Demo available. |
| Guarantee | N/A | Match or exceed last year's results or refund the difference. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | Built-in coaching, 1:1 coaching, AI guidance. |
Bonterra Network for Good uses customized pricing. They offer a guarantee to match or exceed last year's fundraising results or refund the difference. Contact Bonterra directly for current pricing.
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost. You build and test for free and pay after you raise.
For a full breakdown of how auction platform fees work, see our charity auction platform pricing page.
Mobile Bidding
CharityAuctions: In-browser mobile bidding. Guests open your auction link on their phone. No app download. Real-time bidding, outbid alerts, and checkout are built in.
According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. Mobile bidding also increases donor participation by 52%.
Bonterra Network for Good: Supports events and auctions with ticketing and payments. Contact Bonterra directly for current details on mobile bidding options.
CharityAuctions mobile bidding works on any device with no app download required.
Support
CharityAuctions: Support is always available at no extra cost. Text, call, or schedule a live walk-through. Our team helps you set up and run your auction. We are built for auctions, and we are here to help.
Bonterra Network for Good: Built-in best-practice coaching, AI guidance (Bonterra Que), fundraising playbooks, templates, and live training webinars. Optional 1:1 coaching pairs your nonprofit with a professional fundraising consultant. The platform is designed to help "accidental fundraisers" build confidence.
Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency
Some charity auction platforms use donor tipping at checkout. A donor tipping prompt adds a suggested percentage on top of a donor's payment at the final step. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, these prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment.
CharityAuctions does not use donor tipping. Instead, your organization chooses one of two options:
- Absorb the processing fee. Your donors pay nothing extra.
- Pass the fee to donors with full disclosure. Donors see the exact fee before they confirm payment.
Either way, donors see one clear total before they pay. There are no surprise charges added at checkout.
See our charity auction platform pricing page for a full breakdown of how fees work.
When to Choose CharityAuctions
Consider CharityAuctions if you want:
- An auction-first platform, not an all-in-one with auctions as one feature
- No upfront cost and free to build and test
- Transparent pricing with no optional tips at checkout
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
- The most robust auction platform and the easiest to use
Create your free auction or talk to our team.
When Bonterra Network for Good May Be a Fit
Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform for small and midsize nonprofits. It combines donor management, email marketing, SMS, volunteer tracking, events, and AI-powered guidance in one place. It uses customized pricing and offers a fundraising results guarantee. Contact Bonterra directly for current pricing and features.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform for small nonprofits. Auctions are one feature among many. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. If your main event is a charity auction, CharityAuctions offers an auction-first platform with transparent pricing, free support, and no upfront cost.
Explore our silent auction software guide or compare auction software vs paper bidding to learn more.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Bonterra Network for Good built for?
Bonterra Network for Good is an all-in-one fundraising platform for small and midsize nonprofits. It combines donor management, donation pages, email marketing, SMS, volunteer tracking, events and auctions, and peer-to-peer fundraising in one place. Auctions are one feature among many. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions.
How does CharityAuctions pricing compare to Bonterra Network for Good?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. Bonterra Network for Good uses customized pricing; contact them for a quote. They offer a guarantee to match or exceed last year's fundraising results or refund the difference.
Does CharityAuctions offer free support?
Yes. CharityAuctions support is always available at no extra cost. You get text, call, and live walk-throughs to help you set up and run your auction. Bonterra Network for Good offers built-in coaching, 1:1 fundraising coaching, and AI guidance (Bonterra Que).
Is CharityAuctions built specifically for auctions?
Yes. CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We are not an all-in-one fundraising platform that happens to have an auction feature. Auctions are our core focus. Bonterra Network for Good is a general fundraising platform with events and auctions as one of many tools.
Does CharityAuctions use transparent pricing?
Yes. CharityAuctions uses transparent pricing. You know exactly what the platform will cost before you go live. We do not ask bidders to add optional tips or fees at checkout. Contact Bonterra for their pricing.
Does CharityAuctions use donor tipping?
No. CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional tip prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. CharityAuctions gives organizations two options: absorb the processing fee, or pass it to donors with full disclosure before checkout begins. Donors see one clear total before they pay.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or Bonterra?
CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding; guests open a link on their phone with no app required. Bonterra Network for Good supports events and auctions with ticketing and payments; contact them for mobile bidding details. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
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