You run a $1,000 to $75,000 event on top of a real job. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. Free plan 5%, prepaid $499 plus 3%, custom 0%. No sales call. No tip prompt. Rated 4.9/5. Median 10 minutes to first item. Givebutter is free when donor tips stay on. That is the risk. When tips are off, Givebutter charges 3% plus 2.9% plus $0.30. 2026 complaints allege pre-checked tips. Those filings are allegations, not verdicts.
Givebutter alternative
Build a private demo for the team.
Rated 4.9/5. $0 upfront. No sales call. Median 10 minutes to first item. Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so.
Build a private demo for the team →Free 5% · Prepaid $499+3% · Custom 0% · No tip prompt
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 risk.
| Compare | CharityAuctions | Givebutter |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Volunteer chair | Free-tool events |
| Upfront | $0 | $0 |
| You pay | 5%, $499+3%, or 0% | 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. Free plan 5%. Prepaid from $499 plus 3%. Custom 0%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
Build a private demo for the team. Nothing public until you say so.
See our charity auction platform pricing for a full breakdown.
Two 2026 complaints name Givebutter. These are allegations in filed complaints. They are not verdicts.
The complaints allege pre-checked tips and processing fees without a clear yes. They say donors think the extra helps you. They say the tip is platform profit.
GoFundMe and Mightycause are other 2026 examples of the same category.
CharityAuctions has no tip prompt on any plan.
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 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.
Talk to our team if you want a person.
Some platforms add a tip at checkout. It is often pre-checked. Donors think it 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.
Givebutter's free plan uses optional donor tips. That is the risk. The 2026 complaints above allege pre-checked tips. Those claims are unproven.
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.
Pick CharityAuctions if this sounds like you:
Build a private demo for the team. Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so. Or talk to our team.
Givebutter may fit a first tiny event. A donation page. Tips on at checkout.
You will not get extra auction tools there. The split is the tip prompt.
If you chair a $1,000 to $75,000 auction, that is not you. Contact Givebutter if that free-with-tips model is yours.
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% / $499+3% / 0%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
Givebutter is free when tips stay on. 2026 complaints allege pre-checked tips. Those are allegations, not verdicts.
Compare CharityAuctions to more platforms or build a private demo for the team.
See our silent auction software guide. Or read auction software vs paper bidding.
Private demo
Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so. $0 upfront. Free 5%, prepaid $499 plus 3%, custom 0%.
Build a private demo for the team →You pay $0 to start. Free plan is 5%. Prepaid is $499 plus 3%. Custom is 0%. 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% / $499+3% / 0%. Givebutter uses optional tips as the free-plan model. 2026 complaints allege pre-checked tips. Those are allegations, not findings.
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% / $499+3% / 0%.
Yes. Build a private demo for the team. Test it together before you decide. Nothing public until you say so. No credit card. Plans are 5%, $499 plus 3%, or 0%. 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% / $499+3% / 0%. See the Talk to Our Team page if you want a person.
Givebutter is a free tool when tips stay on at checkout. That is the risk. You will not get extra auction tools there. CharityAuctions is for you: a volunteer at a school or small nonprofit. $0 upfront. 5% / $499+3% / 0%. 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% / $499+3% / 0%.
