CharityAuctions vs SchoolAuction.net
TL;DR
CharityAuctions and SchoolAuction.net are both built for charity auctions. CharityAuctions has no upfront cost and no optional tip prompts at checkout. SchoolAuction.net offers tiered pricing from $79 per event to $2,000 per year and uses Last Ask optional guest tips. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
The key differences between CharityAuctions and SchoolAuction.net are upfront cost, fee structure, and optional tip prompts at checkout.
What SchoolAuction.net Is Built For
SchoolAuction.net positions itself as "Tools for all your fundraising needs." They are a fast, simple, and secure fundraising platform built for schools and nonprofits. They report $1.5B+ raised, 84k+ guests served, and 320k+ bids processed. The software is also available as TofinoAuctions.com for organizations that prefer a non-school brand.
SchoolAuction.net main features:
- Online auctions and mobile bidding
- In-person galas, virtual live auctions, and hybrid fusion auctions
- Fundraising campaigns: crowdfunding, donations, online stores, membership dues, annual giving, pre-orders
- Voting contests and sponsorship packages
- Text-to-give and recurring donations
- Self check-out and advance check-in
- Last Ask: optional guest tips to subsidize event costs (your organization keeps 100%)
- Choice of credit card processor (Plus and Professional plans)
Pricing tiers: Acorn $79/event (pay-as-you-grow, 3% performance fee), Essentials $1,000/year, Plus $1,500/year (best value), Professional $2,000/year (virtual live, hybrid tools, personal webinars). Higher tiers have no performance fee.
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 | SchoolAuction.net | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Acorn: $79/event. Essentials: $1,000/year. Plus: $1,500/year. Professional: $2,000/year. |
| When you pay | After you raise. Performance-based. | Upfront. Per event (Acorn) or annual subscription. |
| Transaction fee | Separate. Platform and processing are distinct. | 3% + $0.30 per transaction (Acorn, Essentials). Plus/Professional: your choice of processor. |
| Performance fee | N/A. | Acorn: 3%. Essentials, Plus, Professional: none. |
| Pass fees to bidders | No. Transparent pricing. | Last Ask: optional guest tips to subsidize costs. |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | Yes. Free trial available. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | Email, phone. Event night phone support. Professional: personal webinars. |
SchoolAuction.net offers Last Ask, an optional guest tip feature at checkout. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional tip prompts at checkout can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. Contact SchoolAuction.net directly for current rates.
CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts. 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%.
SchoolAuction.net: Online and mobile bidding. At-home bidders and gala guests use smartphones to bid and receive outbid notifications via email or text. Self check-out lets guests review their cart and check out on their phone.
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.
SchoolAuction.net: Embedded tips, illustrated articles, and videos. Support team (real people with fundraising experience) via email or phone. Event night support by phone. Professional plan adds personal webinars and phone support for your team.
Optional Tips and Fee Transparency
SchoolAuction.net offers Last Ask at checkout. Last Ask lets guests select a suggested tip level to help cover event costs. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, optional tip prompts at checkout can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment.
CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts. 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
- Fundraising campaigns and donations
- Text-to-give
- Real-time reporting
CharityAuctions is the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. We are built for charity auctions.
SchoolAuction.net is built for auctions and fundraising. They offer voting contests, sponsorship packages, pledge-athons, and fundraising campaign templates. Plus and Professional plans support virtual live auctions and hybrid fusion bidding.
When to Choose CharityAuctions
Consider CharityAuctions if you want:
- No upfront cost and free to build and test
- 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
- In-browser mobile bidding (no app)
Create your free auction or talk to our team.
When SchoolAuction.net May Be a Fit
SchoolAuction.net is built for schools and nonprofits running charity auctions. They offer tiered pricing from $79 per event to $2,000 per year. Higher tiers include no performance fee, your choice of credit card processor, virtual live auctions, and hybrid fusion bidding. They also offer Last Ask, voting contests, and fundraising campaign templates. Contact SchoolAuction.net directly for current pricing and features.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
CharityAuctions and SchoolAuction.net are both built for charity auctions. CharityAuctions has no upfront cost, transparent pricing with no optional tip prompts, and free support via text, call, and live walk-throughs. SchoolAuction.net offers tiered pricing from $79 per event to $2,000 per year, Last Ask for optional guest tips, and event night phone support.
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 SchoolAuction.net?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. SchoolAuction.net Acorn is $79/event (nonprofit) with 3% plus $0.30 per transaction and 3% performance fee. Essentials is $1,000/year, Plus $1,500/year, Professional $2,000/year; higher tiers have no performance fee. Plus and Professional can use your existing credit card processor.
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. SchoolAuction.net offers embedded tips, articles, videos, and support via email or phone. Event night support is by phone. Professional plan includes personal webinars and phone support.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or SchoolAuction.net?
CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding; guests open a link on their phone with no app required. SchoolAuction.net offers online and mobile bidding; guests use smartphones to bid and receive outbid notifications via email or text. CharityAuctions mobile bidding works on any device with no app download required. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, events using mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
Does CharityAuctions use optional tips or Last Ask prompts at checkout?
No. CharityAuctions does not use optional tip prompts at checkout. SchoolAuction.net offers Last Ask, which lets guests select a suggested tip level 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.
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. SchoolAuction.net is also built for auctions; they report $1.5B+ raised, 84k+ guests served, and 320k+ bids processed. Both support in-person, online, virtual, and hybrid auctions, plus fundraising campaigns.
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. SchoolAuction.net publishes transparent pricing ($79/event to $2,000/year) and offers Last Ask for optional guest tips.
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