CharityAuctions vs ClickBid
TL;DR
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost and charges after you raise. ClickBid charges an annual license of $895 or $1,495 per year with unlimited events included. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
CharityAuctions and ClickBid both support charity auctions and mobile bidding. CharityAuctions has no upfront cost and charges after you raise. ClickBid charges an annual license of $895 or $1,495 per year with unlimited events included.
According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. The pricing model you choose affects when you pay and how much you keep before your first event.
The main differences between CharityAuctions and ClickBid are upfront cost, when you pay, and day-of-event support structure.
What ClickBid Is Built For
ClickBid positions itself as "Proven Nonprofit Fundraising Event Software." They describe themselves as the first and most experienced mobile bidding provider, with events since 2002. They emphasize simplicity, value, support, and peace of mind. The platform handles events, auctions, ticketing, and donor engagement in one place.
ClickBid main features:
- Mobile bidding with real-time text alerts
- Silent, live, and online auctions
- EventStream video streaming for virtual/hybrid live auctions (Full Suite)
- Event ticketing and sponsorship sales (Full Suite)
- Peer-to-peer fundraising and text-to-give
- Embeddable donation forms and recurring donations
- AuctionGPT for AI-generated content
- Event displays, QR codes, volunteer tools
- Day-of-event phone support (included)
- Optional Dedicated Customer Advisor ($100/hour)
Pricing: Essentials $895 USD/year, Full Suite $1,495 USD/year. Unlimited events and campaigns. Optional DCA add-on for personalized coaching.
What CharityAuctions Is Built For
CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used the platform since 2007. We support 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
- Ticketing and registration
- Raffles and fixed-price items
- Checkout and payment processing (see charity auction platform pricing)
- Donor management and reporting
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
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 | ClickBid | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Essentials: $895/year. Full Suite: $1,495/year. |
| When you pay | After you raise. Performance-based. | Annual license. |
| Credit card processing | Separate. Platform and processing are distinct. | Separate. PCI compliant. |
| Events included | N/A. | Unlimited events and campaigns. |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | Yes. Free trial available. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | Included: onboarding, walkthroughs, email/chat, day-of-event phone. Optional DCA: $100/hour. |
ClickBid publishes transparent pricing. Essentials ($895/year) includes mobile bidding, auctions, donations, peer-to-peer, event displays, and day-of-event phone support. Full Suite ($1,495/year) adds EventStream, virtual paddle raises, and ticketing. Contact ClickBid directly for current pricing.
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost. We use transparent pricing and do not ask bidders to add optional tips at checkout. See our charity auction platform pricing page for a full breakdown of how fees work.
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%.
ClickBid: Mobile bidding with real-time text alerts for outbids and winners. Event QR codes for quick access. Early staff-less check-in. Google and Apple Pay at checkout.
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.
ClickBid: All licenses include onboarding meetings, pre-event walkthroughs, email and chat support, and day-of-event phone support. Optional Dedicated Customer Advisor ($100/hour) for one-on-one coaching, training, and strategic planning.
CharityAuctions support is always free. ClickBid includes day-of-event phone support with every license. Their optional Dedicated Customer Advisor adds personalized coaching for organizations that want it.
Auctions and Event Features
CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We support silent and live auctions, mobile bidding, ticketing and check-in, raffles, donations, and real-time reporting. See our guide to what is a paddle raise for live event fundraising options.
ClickBid offers EventStream for virtual and hybrid live auctions (Full Suite), AuctionGPT for AI-generated content, embeddable donation forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, and API integrations for CRM connectivity. They have supported nonprofit events since 2002.
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.
ClickBid also does not use donor tipping. Their pricing is annual and published.
See our charity auction platform pricing page for a full breakdown of how fees work.
When to Choose CharityAuctions
Consider CharityAuctions if you want:
- No upfront cost and free to build and test
- Transparent pricing with no optional fees at checkout
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
- The most robust auction platform and the easiest to use
- In-browser mobile bidding (no app)
When ClickBid May Be a Fit
ClickBid has supported nonprofit events since 2002. Their Essentials plan ($895/year) includes mobile bidding, auctions, donations, peer-to-peer, and day-of-event phone support with unlimited events. Their Full Suite ($1,495/year) adds EventStream for virtual and hybrid live auctions and paddle raises. An optional Dedicated Customer Advisor ($100/hour) is available for personalized coaching. Contact ClickBid directly for current pricing and features.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
CharityAuctions and ClickBid both support charity auctions and mobile bidding. CharityAuctions offers no upfront cost, transparent pricing, and free support via text, call, and live walk-throughs. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used the platform since 2007.
ClickBid offers transparent annual pricing at $895 or $1,495 per year with unlimited events. Day-of-event phone support is included with every license. Their Full Suite adds EventStream for virtual and hybrid live auctions. They have supported nonprofit events since 2002.
To learn more about running a successful auction, see our guide to silent auction software or compare auction software vs paper bidding.
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Frequently asked questions
How does CharityAuctions pricing compare to ClickBid?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used the platform since 2007. ClickBid Essentials is $895 per year. ClickBid Full Suite is $1,495 per year. Both plans include unlimited events. Optional Dedicated Customer Advisor is $100 per hour. Credit card processing is separate on both platforms.
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. ClickBid includes onboarding meetings, pre-event walkthroughs, email and chat support, and day-of-event phone support with every license. Their optional Dedicated Customer Advisor ($100/hour) provides one-on-one coaching and strategic planning.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or ClickBid?
CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding. Guests open a link on their phone with no app required. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. ClickBid also supports mobile bidding with real-time text alerts for outbids and winners. No app download is required for either platform.
Does CharityAuctions use donor tipping at checkout?
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. ClickBid also does not use donor tipping. Their pricing is annual and published.
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 at checkout. ClickBid also publishes transparent pricing: Essentials $895 per year, Full Suite $1,495 per year, with unlimited events on both plans.
Is CharityAuctions built specifically for auctions?
Yes. CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used the platform since 2007. ClickBid has supported nonprofit fundraising events since 2002. Their platform handles silent, live, and online auctions plus peer-to-peer fundraising, ticketing, and EventStream for virtual and hybrid events.
Can I try CharityAuctions or ClickBid for free?
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost. You build and test for free with no credit card required. ClickBid offers a free trial. Their paid plans are annual licenses at $895 or $1,495 per year with unlimited events included.
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