CharityAuctions vs Silent Auction Pro

CharityAuctions and Silent Auction Pro take different approaches to charity auction software. Silent Auction Pro is desktop software installed on a Windows PC. CharityAuctions is cloud-based. No installation is required for organizers or bidders.

According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than desktop or paper-based formats. The platform you choose affects how bidders participate and how much your event raises.

The main differences between CharityAuctions and Silent Auction Pro are platform type, mobile bidding capability, and upfront cost.

What Silent Auction Pro Is Built For

Silent Auction Pro is desktop auction software for Windows. It is designed for in-person silent auctions. Organizations install it on a PC and use it to manage bid sheets, items, and checkout at live events. It targets schools, churches, and nonprofits running in-person galas and silent auction events.

Silent Auction Pro main features:

• Desktop software for Windows (install required)
• Item and bid sheet management
• In-person checkout and payment processing
• Optional mobile bidding module
• Donor and guest management
• Reporting and analytics

Contact Silent Auction Pro directly for current pricing and features.

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. No software installation required.

CharityAuctions main features:

• Mobile bidding (no app required)
• Silent, live, and hybrid auctions
• Paddle raise and live event giving
• Online auctions and at-home bidding
• 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 has no upfront cost. You build and test for free and pay after you raise. Contact Silent Auction Pro directly for current pricing and features.

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 desktop or paper-based formats. Mobile bidding also increases donor participation by 52%.

Silent Auction Pro: Designed for in-person events using desktop software. An optional mobile bidding module is available. Contact Silent Auction Pro directly for current details on mobile bidding options.

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.

Silent Auction Pro: Email and phone support. Contact Silent Auction Pro directly for details on support options and availability.

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.

When to Choose CharityAuctions

Consider CharityAuctions if you want:

• A cloud-based platform with no installation
• In-browser mobile bidding with no app required
• Online, live, and hybrid auction support
• No upfront cost and pay after you raise
• Transparent pricing with no optional tips
• Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs

Create your free auction or talk to our team.

When Silent Auction Pro May Be a Fit

Silent Auction Pro is desktop auction software for Windows. It is designed for organizations that run in-person silent auctions and prefer locally installed software. It targets schools, churches, and nonprofits running live gala events. Contact Silent Auction Pro directly for current pricing and features.

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

Summary

Silent Auction Pro is desktop software for in-person silent auctions. CharityAuctions is cloud-based with no installation required. If your goal is online, live, or hybrid auctions with in-browser mobile bidding, CharityAuctions offers a modern platform with no upfront cost, transparent pricing, and free support.

Explore our silent auction software guide or compare auction software vs paper bidding to learn more.