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. Handbid starts at $1,999 per event. They charge 3.5% plus $0.30 on cards. They offer a native app and night-of staff. Contact Handbid for current rates.
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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.
Handbid is also built for auctions. The gap is cash before the night. They start at $1,999 per event. You start at $0.
| Compare | CharityAuctions | Handbid |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Volunteer chair | Night-of staff |
| Upfront | $0 | $1,999 |
| You pay | 5% or $499+3% | $1,999 + 3.5% |
| Sales call | No | Typically yes |
| App required | No | App or web |
| Tip at checkout | No | Optional premium |
Rated 4.9/5. Median 10 minutes to first item.
You need this done on weeknights. No $1,999 check first. No sales call.
Handbid publishes a starting price. Single events start at $1,999. Multi-event packages exist. Cards run 3.5% plus $0.30. They offer an optional auction premium. 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.
Your guests should not hunt for an app.
Handbid: They have an iPhone and Android app. Guests can also bid in a browser. Push alerts live in the app. They also offer iPad kiosks.
CharityAuctions: Guests open a link on their phone. No app. Real-time bids. Outbid alerts. Checkout on the phone.
The bidding tools match. The split is the 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.
Handbid typically starts with a scheduled demo. They offer setup help.
Nothing is public until you say so.
You get text, phone, and a live walk-through. It is included. Before, during, and after.
Handbid: Live employees on event night. Setup help. Optional people on site.
That is a staffed floor. You do not need that for a $1,000 to $75,000 night.
Both platforms run in-person, virtual, and hybrid auctions. Mobile bidding. Ticketing. Text-to-give. Live totals.
Handbid: They serve nonprofits, schools, and commercial auctions. Livestock. Real estate. Oil and gas. They also run paddle raises.
CharityAuctions: The same auction tools. Built for a volunteer chair on weeknights. $0 upfront. No sales call.
You will not get extra auction tools by paying $1,999 first. The split is who the night is for.
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. Auction premiums work the same way.
Handbid lets you add an auction premium. They also let guests cover card fees.
CharityAuctions does not use a tip prompt or an auction premium. 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:
Handbid may fit a staffed night. A native app. Employees on the floor. A paddle raise. A commercial auction.
If you can pay $1,999 before you raise a dollar, that can be theirs.
If you chair a $1,000 to $75,000 auction on top of a real job, that is not you. Contact Handbid if that staffed night is yours.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms if you are still weighing options.
This is you vs a $1,999 event package. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. 5% or $499+3%. No sales call. No tip prompt.
Handbid starts at $1,999. Native app. Night-of staff. Optional auction premium.
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. Handbid starts at $1,999 per event for a single event. They also sell multi-event packages. They charge 3.5% plus $0.30 on cards. They offer an optional auction premium. Contact Handbid for current rates.
CharityAuctions guests open a link on their phone and bid. No app. Handbid has an iPhone and Android app. Guests can also bid in a browser. CharityAuctions is $0 upfront. 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%. Handbid typically wants a scheduled demo.
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%. Handbid puts live employees on event night. They also offer setup help and optional on-site staff.
Handbid is for teams that want a native app and staff on the floor that night. Pricing starts at $1,999 per event. They also serve commercial auctions. CharityAuctions is for you: a volunteer at a school or small nonprofit. $0 upfront. 5% or $499+3%. No sales call.
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. Auction premiums work the same way. CharityAuctions does not use a tip prompt or an auction premium. Plans are 5% or $499 plus 3%. Handbid lets you add an auction premium and pass card fees.
