CharityAuctions vs HelloFund
TL;DR
HelloFund focuses on high-revenue galas of $25,000 or more with a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist. CharityAuctions supports all charity auctions with free flexible support and no upfront cost. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
CharityAuctions and HelloFund both support charity auctions and galas. HelloFund focuses on high-revenue events of $25,000 or more. They assign a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist to every event. CharityAuctions supports all charity auctions with free flexible support and no upfront cost.
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 your cost, your support model, and how much your event raises.
The main differences between CharityAuctions and HelloFund are pricing model, support structure, and event size focus.
What HelloFund Is Built For
HelloFund positions itself as "Auction and Event Fundraising Software for Schools and Nonprofits." They focus on high-revenue galas and auctions: events expected to raise $25,000 or more. Their dominant differentiator is a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist: a real person who builds your event page, imports auction items, trains volunteers, and guides your team through event night. They describe this as "more than a platform: your partner for fundraising success."
HelloFund main features:
- Event landing page and ticketing
- Silent and live auctions, raffles, paddles up, fund-a-need
- Guest management and table assignments
- Check-in and check-out
- Text and email messaging (including outbid notifications)
- Board-ready Event Snapshot (Auction Starter and higher)
- Dedicated Auction and Event Specialist
- 5-step event process from setup to post-event reports
They report $127K+ average credit card volume per event for schools and nonprofits, compared to $40–50K on many general platforms. Pricing is custom; they encourage scheduling a demo for details and describe a flat license and predictable pricing.
What CharityAuctions Is Built For
CharityAuctions is built for charity 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 tips at checkout.
Pricing and Cost Structure
| CharityAuctions | HelloFund | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Custom. Demo required for pricing. |
| When you pay | After you raise. Performance-based. | Per package. Flat license described. |
| Credit card processing | Separate. Platform and processing are distinct. | Separate. |
| Pricing visibility | Transparent. Known before go-live. | Custom. Demo required. |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | No. Demo must be scheduled. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | Dedicated specialist. Level depends on package. |
HelloFund does not publish auction pricing. Contact HelloFund directly for current pricing.
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost. We use transparent pricing. We do not ask bidders to add optional tips at checkout.
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%.
HelloFund: Mobile bidding with outbid notifications via text and email. Guests can preview live auction items and bid in the silent auction from their phone. Check-in sends a welcome text with table assignment and bidding link.
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.
HelloFund: A dedicated Auction and Event Specialist builds your event page, imports items, trains volunteers, and guides your team through event night. They emphasize white-glove support so you are "never managing a six-figure fundraiser alone." Onsite event support and remote assistance (phone, text, video) depend on the selected package.
Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency
Some charity auction platforms use donor tipping 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.
Auctions and Event Features
Both platforms support:
- In-person, virtual, and hybrid auctions
- Mobile bidding
- Ticketing and registration
- Paddle raises and fund-a-need
- Text messaging and outbid notifications
- Check-in and check-out
- Real-time reporting
CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We are built for charity auctions.
HelloFund is built for auction and event fundraising. They focus on schools and nonprofits running $25K+ galas, with a 5-step process, board-ready Event Snapshot, and dedicated specialist support.
When to Choose CharityAuctions
Consider CharityAuctions if you want:
- No upfront cost and free to build and test
- Transparent pricing with no optional fees at checkout
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs (no package required)
- The most robust auction platform and the easiest to use
- In-browser mobile bidding (no app)
Create your free auction or talk to our team.
When HelloFund May Be a Fit
HelloFund is built for auction and event fundraising. They focus on schools and nonprofits running high-revenue galas of $25,000 or more. A dedicated Auction and Event Specialist builds your event page, imports items, trains volunteers, and guides your team through event night. Pricing is custom. Contact HelloFund directly for current pricing and features.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
CharityAuctions and HelloFund both support charity auctions and galas. CharityAuctions offers no upfront cost, transparent pricing, and free support via text, call, and live walk-throughs. HelloFund focuses on high-revenue galas of $25,000 or more with a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist and custom pricing.
Explore our silent auction software guide or compare auction software vs paper bidding to learn more.
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Frequently asked questions
How does CharityAuctions pricing compare to HelloFund?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. HelloFund uses custom pricing; they encourage scheduling a demo for details. They describe a flat license and predictable pricing. Credit card processing is separate.
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. HelloFund offers a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist who builds your event page, imports items, and guides your team; support level depends on package.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or HelloFund?
CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding; guests open a link on their phone with no app required. HelloFund offers mobile bidding with outbid notifications via text and email. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
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. HelloFund is built for auction and event fundraising; they focus on high-revenue galas ($25K+ events) for schools and nonprofits, with a 5-step process from landing page to post-event reports.
Does CharityAuctions provide a dedicated specialist?
CharityAuctions provides free support via text, call, and live walk-throughs. You are not assigned a single dedicated specialist; our team is available when you need help. HelloFund assigns a dedicated Auction and Event Specialist who builds your event page, imports items, and guides your team.
Does CharityAuctions use transparent pricing?
Yes. CharityAuctions uses transparent pricing. You know exactly what the platform will cost before you go live. We do not ask bidders to add optional tips or fees at checkout. HelloFund describes flat license and predictable pricing; specific rates require a demo.
Does CharityAuctions use donor tipping?
No. CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional tip prompts 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.
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