CharityAuctions vs Event.Gives
TL;DR
Event.Gives is fundraising event software built around attendee experience: fast check-in, no lines, and mobile checkout. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions with no optional fee prompts. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
CharityAuctions and Event.Gives serve nonprofits differently. Event.Gives is fundraising event software built around attendee experience. It focuses on fast check-in, no lines, and mobile checkout. 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 attendees pay at checkout.
The main differences between CharityAuctions and Event.Gives are platform focus, fee structure, and donor checkout experience.
What Event.Gives Is Built For
Event.Gives positions itself as "the fundraising event software your attendees will love." They focus on the full event flow: pre-event setup, day-of check-in, during-event auctions and donations, and post-event checkout. A central theme is "we don't do lines."
Event.Gives main features:
- Blazing-fast check-in with mobile ticket scanner
- Real-time auctions and donations
- Mobile bidding and mobile checkout
- Ticketing and table/seat management
- Paddle raise, raffle, text-to-donate
- AI item description generator
- Live streaming
- Golf.Gives (TopGolf peer-to-peer fundraising tournaments)
They emphasize attendee experience: speedy check-in, zero latency bidding, and checkout that lets attendees pay and leave without waiting. Auctions are part of the event flow, not the sole focus.
What CharityAuctions Is Built For
CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. We are not event software that includes auctions. 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 fees at checkout.
Pricing and Cost Structure
| CharityAuctions | Event.Gives | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Free to create events. |
| Platform fee | Performance-based. Pay after you raise. | 4.5% platform fee. |
| Credit card fee | Separate. Platform and processing are distinct. | 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction. |
| Who pays | Transparent. No optional tips at checkout. | Flexible. Most organizers pass fees to attendees (optional add-on at checkout). |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | Yes. Free to create events. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | Free pre-event coaching. Optional day-of support (remote/onsite) for a fee. |
Event.Gives uses Flexible Fees. The default setting asks attendees to cover platform and credit card fees at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional fee prompts at checkout can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. Contact Event.Gives directly for current pricing.
CharityAuctions does not use optional fee prompts. Donors see one clear total before they pay.
For a full breakdown of how auction platform fees work, see our charity auction platform pricing page.
Mobile Bidding and Checkout
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%.
Event.Gives: Mobile bidding from smartphones. Outbid notifications, auto-bid (max bid), and mobile checkout with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit card. They emphasize zero latency and "we don't do lines" for 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. We are built for auctions, and we are here to help.
Event.Gives: Free pre-event coaching and event success coaching. Optional day-of support: remote technicians or onsite staff for a fee. Customer support available Mon-Fri 10a-5p (book a call) and Sat-Sun 10a-5p (live support desk).
Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency
Event.Gives uses Flexible Fees at checkout. The default setting asks attendees to cover platform and credit card costs. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional fee prompts at checkout can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment.
CharityAuctions does not use optional fee prompts. 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 event software with auctions
- Transparent pricing with no optional fees at checkout
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
- No upfront cost and pay after you raise
- The most robust auction platform and the easiest to use
Create your free auction or talk to our team.
When Event.Gives May Be a Fit
Event.Gives is fundraising event software built for attendee experience. They focus on fast check-in, no lines, real-time auctions, and mobile checkout. They offer Flexible Fees so attendees can optionally cover platform costs, plus Golf.Gives for TopGolf peer-to-peer tournaments, table and seat management, and live streaming. Contact Event.Gives directly for current pricing and features.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
Event.Gives is fundraising event software built for attendee experience: fast check-in, no lines, and mobile checkout. 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 optional fee prompts at checkout.
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 Event.Gives built for?
Event.Gives is fundraising event software built for attendee experience. They emphasize blazing-fast check-in, no lines, real-time auctions and donations, and mobile checkout. They also offer Golf.Gives for TopGolf peer-to-peer fundraising tournaments. Auctions are part of their event flow. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions.
How does CharityAuctions pricing compare to Event.Gives?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. Event.Gives charges a 4.5% platform fee and 3.5% plus $0.30 credit card fee. They offer Flexible Fees so organizations can pass fees to attendees; most attendees opt to cover fees, making the platform free for the organization. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional fee prompts at checkout can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. CharityAuctions does not use optional fee prompts.
Does CharityAuctions use optional fees or Flexible Fees at checkout?
No. CharityAuctions does not use optional fee prompts at checkout. Event.Gives uses Flexible Fees with a default setting of attendees covering platform and credit card costs. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional fee prompts at checkout 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.
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. Event.Gives offers free pre-event coaching, plus optional day-of support (remote technicians, onsite staff) for a fee.
Is CharityAuctions built specifically for auctions?
Yes. CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We are built for charity auctions. Event.Gives is built for fundraising events with a focus on attendee experience, check-in, and checkout. Auctions are one part of their event flow.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or Event.Gives?
Neither requires an app. CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding; guests open a link on their phone. Event.Gives offers easy mobile bidding from smartphones. 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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