You run a $1,000 to $75,000 event on top of a real job. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. Nothing Out of Pocket is 5%. Prepay and Save starts at $499 plus 3%. No sales call. No tip prompt. Rated 4.9/5. Median 10 minutes to first item. Givebutter is free when donor tips stay on. When tips are off, Givebutter charges 3% plus 2.9% plus $0.30.
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You chair the fundraiser on top of a real job. CharityAuctions is built for you. A PTA. A booster club. A small charity. About $1,000 to $75,000.
Givebutter is a free tool. It is free when donor tips stay on. That is the tradeoff.
| Compare | CharityAuctions | Givebutter |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Volunteer chair | Free-tool events |
| Upfront | $0 | $0 |
| You pay | 5% or $499+3% | Free if tips stay on |
| Sales call | No | No |
| App required | No | No |
| Tip at checkout | No | Yes |
Rated 4.9/5. Median 10 minutes to first item.
You need this done on weeknights. No sales call. No tip at checkout.
Givebutter is free if tips stay on. When tips are off, they charge 3% plus 2.9% plus $0.30. Contact them for current rates.
CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. Nothing Out of Pocket is 5%. Prepay and Save starts at $499 plus 3%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
Nothing public until you say so.
See our charity auction platform pricing for a full breakdown.
Givebutter's free plan uses optional donor tips. That is the tradeoff.
Donors think a tip helps you. Then they feel tricked. You own the angry email.
CharityAuctions.com platform data: these prompts can add 20% to 30% to what they meant to pay.
Some chairs ask about 2026 tip-prompt complaints. Those are filed allegations. They are not verdicts.
CharityAuctions does not use a tip prompt. You pick one of two options:
They see one clear total before they pay.
See our charity auction platform pricing page for how fees work.
Your guests should not hunt for an app. Both platforms let them open a link and bid.
The bidding tools match. Real-time bids. Outbid alerts. Checkout on the phone. No App Store step.
See mobile bidding for how that night feels.
You get time back. Median 10 minutes to first item. Add items. Set the rules. Preview before guests see it.
Givebutter also lets you sign up free. The split is the tip prompt, not a long setup.
Nothing is public until you say so.
You get text, phone, and a live walk-through. It is included. Before, during, and after.
Givebutter has chat and email. You still need a person on event night.
Pick CharityAuctions if this sounds like you:
Givebutter may fit a first tiny event. A donation page. Tips on at checkout.
The split is the tip prompt. Contact Givebutter if that free-with-tips model is yours.
If you chair a $1,000 to $75,000 auction, CharityAuctions is built for that night.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms if you are still weighing options.
This is you vs a free tool that runs on tips. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. 5% or $499+3%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
Givebutter is free when tips stay on. Contact them for current rates.
Compare CharityAuctions to more platforms. See our silent auction software guide. Or read auction software vs paper bidding.
Browse Risk Free items. Add them to a lot. You only pay if they sell.
Browse items
Open trips, nights out, and other packages. Pick what fits your guests.
Add them to a lot
A lot is the short list for your event. Add only what you want.
You only pay if they sell
If an item does not sell, you owe nothing.
Ready when you are
Nothing public until you say so. Nothing Out of Pocket 5% · Prepay and Save $499+3% · No tip prompt. No sales call.
Create Your Free Account →You pay $0 to start. Nothing Out of Pocket is 5%. Prepay and Save is $499 plus 3%. No sales call. No tip prompt. Givebutter is free when tips stay on. When tips are off, they charge 3% plus 2.9% plus $0.30. Contact Givebutter for current rates.
Donor tipping is a checkout prompt that adds a suggested percentage on top of a donor's payment. Some platforms pre-check it. Donors think it helps you. Then they feel tricked, and you own the angry email. Extra often goes to the platform. CharityAuctions.com platform data: these prompts can add 20% to 30% to what they meant to pay. CharityAuctions does not use a tip prompt. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%. Givebutter uses optional tips as the free-plan model.
Two 2026 complaints name Givebutter. McClintock et al. v. Givebutter, Inc., 2:26-cv-02668 (E.D. Pa., Apr 2026) and Summeril et al. v. Givebutter, Inc., 3:26-cv-04455 (S.D. Cal., filed Aug 4, 2026). The complaints allege pre-checked tips and processing fees without a clear yes. They say donors think the extra helps you, and that the tip is platform profit. These are allegations, not verdicts. CharityAuctions has no tip prompt. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%.
Yes. Create Your Free Account when you are ready. Nothing public until you say so. No credit card. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%. Givebutter also lets you sign up free.
You get text, phone, and a live walk-through. It is included. Before, during, and after your event. $0 upfront. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%.
Givebutter is a free tool when tips stay on at checkout. That is the tradeoff. CharityAuctions is for you: a volunteer at a school or small nonprofit. $0 upfront. 5% or $499+3%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
No. Guests open a link on their phone and bid. Same on both platforms. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%.
