CharityAuctions vs Givebutter

CharityAuctions and Givebutter serve nonprofit fundraisers differently. Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform. It uses optional donor tips to cover platform fees. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions with no donor tip prompts.

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 what you pay and what your donors pay.

The main differences between CharityAuctions and Givebutter are platform focus, fee structure, and donor checkout experience.

What Givebutter Is Built For

Givebutter positions itself as "where changemakers go to grow." They combine all-in-one fundraising software, 0% fees (when donor tips are enabled), and Givebutter Wallet (2.5% APY on funds). They are G2's #1 for fundraising, donor management, nonprofit CRM, and auctions.

Givebutter main features:

• Donation forms (47% conversion rate, per their claim)
• Fundraising pages and campaigns
• Events and ticketing
• Auctions
• Donor management and CRM
• Marketing and engagement
• Givebutter Wallet
• Mobile app
• 1,000+ integrations

Auctions are one feature among many. The platform is designed for nonprofits that need donor management, campaigns, events, and auctions in one place. Givebutter is free when optional donor tips are enabled; the Givebutter Guarantee covers any fees donors do not pay, so nonprofits keep 100%.

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

Givebutter reports that about 92% of donors choose to cover fees when asked. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, donor tipping prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. CharityAuctions does not use donor tipping. 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

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%.

Givebutter: Mobile bidding with real-time updates, favoriting, and bid tracking. Outbid and win notifications. Max bid (automated bids). Mobile app for event check-in and in-person payments. No app required for bidders.

Both support in-browser mobile bidding. 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.

Givebutter: 24/7 support via live chat and email at no extra cost. Help center, Givebutter Academy courses, and weekly Office Hours.

Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency

Givebutter's free plan uses optional donor tips 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
• 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
• No upfront cost and pay after you raise

Create your free auction or talk to our team.

When Givebutter May Be a Fit

Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform. It offers donation forms, fundraising pages, events, auctions, donor CRM, Givebutter Wallet, and a mobile app. It uses optional donor tips as its primary fee model. It is designed for nonprofits that need a full fundraising suite in one place. Contact Givebutter directly for current pricing and features.

See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.

Summary

Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform with optional donor tips. 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 donor tip prompts at checkout.

Explore our silent auction software guide or compare auction software vs paper bidding to learn more.