CharityAuctions vs RallyUp

CharityAuctions and RallyUp serve nonprofits differently. RallyUp is a multichannel fundraising platform. Its free plan requires donor tipping at checkout. 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 your donors pay and how much your event raises.

The main differences between CharityAuctions and RallyUp are platform focus, donor tipping model, and auction depth.

What RallyUp Is Built For

RallyUp positions itself as "Powerful fundraising results made simple." They pioneered multichannel fundraising in 2017, letting you mix and match up to seven fundraising types in a single campaign. Auctions are one component among raffles, sweepstakes, ticketing, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer, A-Thons, storefront, fund-a-need, and paddle raise.

RallyUp main features:

• Raffles and sweepstakes
• Online auctions (Free plan); live and silent auctions (Flex plan)
• Ticketing and registration
• Crowdfunding and peer-to-peer
• A-Thons and storefront
• Fund-a-need and paddle raise
• Livestreaming
• Done-for-you: experts plan, create, optimize, or complete your campaign at no extra cost

RallyUp Free has no platform fee but requires donor tipping. RallyUp Flex charges 2.9% to 6.9% per component (4.9% for auctions) and disables tipping; you can pass fees to donors. Live auctions, silent auctions, event balances, and automated checkout are Flex-only. Auction platform fee is capped at $100 per item.

What CharityAuctions Is Built For

CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. We are not a multichannel 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

RallyUp Free requires donor tipping. Donors see a suggested tip at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, donor tipping prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. Contact RallyUp directly for current pricing.

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%.

RallyUp: Online auctions with mobile bidding; silent and live auctions on Flex. QR code check-in, event balances, and automated checkout for in-person events. Live display for venue screens. No app required for bidders.

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.

RallyUp: Free expert support via chat and email. Done-for-you services at no extra charge: plan your campaign, have experts create it, optimize it, or complete it if you get stuck. No bots, only humans.

Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency

RallyUp's free plan requires donor tipping at checkout. Donors see a suggested tip at the final step of payment. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, donor tipping prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. RallyUp Flex disables tipping but charges a platform fee per component.

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:

• Online, in-person, and hybrid auctions
• Mobile bidding
• Ticketing and registration
• Paddle raises and fund-a-need
• Real-time reporting

CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We are built for charity auctions.

RallyUp is a multichannel platform. Online auctions are on Free; live and silent auctions, event balances, and automated checkout require Flex. You can combine auctions with raffles, sweepstakes, ticketing, and more in one campaign.

When to Choose CharityAuctions

Consider CharityAuctions if you want:

• An auction-first platform, not a multichannel platform with auctions as one component
• 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 RallyUp May Be a Fit

RallyUp is a multichannel fundraising platform. It lets you combine up to seven fundraising types in one campaign: raffles, sweepstakes, auctions, ticketing, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer, and A-Thons. The free plan uses donor tipping. The Flex plan charges per component with a $100 auction fee cap. Done-for-you campaign building is included at no extra cost. Contact RallyUp directly for current pricing and features.

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

Summary

RallyUp is a multichannel fundraising platform. Its free plan requires donor tipping. Auctions are one component among many. 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.