School fundraising is essential for many educational institutions, providing vital resources for extracurricular activities, equipment, scholarships, and more. One of the most popular ways to raise money is through auctions—whether they are silent, live, or online. The key to a successful event often lies in the software used to manage it. With numerous platforms available, choosing the best school auction software requires careful consideration of features, ease of use, pricing, and customer support.
This article explores the best auction software for schools, detailing the top platforms, their features, pricing, and suitability to help your organization make the best decision.
What to Look for in School Auction Software
When selecting auction software for schools, the following factors are important:
- Ease of Use: School auctions are often organized by volunteers or parents, so the software should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with minimal setup time.
- Mobile-Friendly: In today’s environment, bidders expect to participate via smartphones, whether for in-person or online auctions.
- Event Management: Some school auctions also involve ticketing, seating arrangements, and raffles, making event management tools critical.
- Payment Processing: Integration with payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or credit cards ensures a smooth bidding and payment experience.
- Cost: Schools often have limited budgets, so affordability matters. Some platforms offer flexible pricing models that cater to smaller events.
- Customer Support: Auctions can be complex, so responsive customer support is invaluable during planning and execution.
Top School Auction Software
Below is a breakdown of some of the best auction software options available for schools, with insights into their features, pricing, pros, and cons.
1. CharityAuctionsToday
Best For: Simple and mobile-friendly auctions
Overview:
CharityAuctionsToday is a popular platform for schools and small organizations. It offers a user-friendly interface with tools for mobile bidding, donation management, and auction promotion. With ticketing and fast registration features, it’s ideal for schools running virtual or hybrid auctions, especially when they need to launch an event quickly.
Key Features:
- Mobile-friendly platform for real-time bidding
- “Buy It Now” and “Donate Now” buttons
- Customizable auction pages with school branding
- Automated reminders for bidders
- Integration with PayPal and Stripe
Pricing:
- Flex Plan: No upfront cost, and 5% of the total auction revenue, plus processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
- Prepaid Plan: Offers custom solutions and costs between $297 and $1,500 per auction depending on your needs as well as a platform fee of up to 3%. This plan also includes processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
Pros:
- Easy to use with fast setup
- Mobile-friendly and accessible
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Did you really think we would list a con?
- Well, there are platforms that offer other types of fundraising tools that we don’t currently offer, like peer-to-peer fundraising or games. But these features usually cost more. And when it comes to auctions, we’re confident that our platform is the easiest to use and the most affordable.
2. Silent Auction Pro
Best For: Schools hosting in-person or hybrid auctions
Overview:
Silent Auction Pro offers comprehensive auction and event management tools, including ticketing and check-in features. It is well-suited for schools running silent auctions alongside other fundraising events, such as galas or raffles. This platform’s versatility makes it a great choice for schools with complex events.
Key Features:
- Ticketing and seating management
- In-person and online bidding options
- “Buy It Now” pricing and item bundling
- Tools for raffles and multi-sale items
- Reporting and analytics tools
Pricing:
- Bidsheet Plus Plan: $449 per year plus 2.0% of event proceeds, however this plan only offers in-person, “paper-based,” auctions.
- Bidsheet Pro Plan: $649 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, however although this plan offers ticketing and seating management, it still doesn’t offer an online auction catalog.
- Mobile Plus Plan: $749 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, this plan finally allows for mobile bidding as well as donations and a few other features.
- Mobile Pro Plan: $899 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, this plan offers all SilentAuctionPro features
Pros:
- Excellent event management tools
- Multiple payment options (credit cards, checks, cash)
- Detailed reporting
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- The interface could feel outdated
3. Handbid
Best For: Schools wanting a fully mobile auction experience
Overview:
Handbid is a mobile-centric auction platform that provides an engaging bidding experience through its app. Schools looking to host mobile-first silent auctions will find Handbid useful, as it allows users to participate through both smartphones and web browsers.
Key Features:
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Real-time bidding notifications
- Fund-a-Need donation feature
- Ticket sales and event registration
- Live auction tools for hybrid events
Pricing:
- Handbid starts at $1,396 for its standard auction packages and offers custom packages at higher price points. Some features like custom auction website themes are only available at this premium tier. All pricing levels include processing fees of 3.5% + 0.30.
Pros:
- Excellent mobile bidding experience
- Real-time notifications engage bidders
- Suitable for both small and large events
Cons:
- High upfront costs
- Limited integration options
4. SchoolAuction.net
Best For: Schools running live auctions with ticketing and sponsorships
Overview:
SchoolAuction.net is specifically designed for schools, offering tools for ticketing, sponsorship management, and auctions. It supports both online and live events, making it a great option for gala fundraisers or larger school events.
Key Features:
- Ticketing and sponsorship tracking
- Event planning and donor management tools
- Support for silent, live, and online auctions
- Voting feature, so guests can vote on their favorite art, performance, etc.
Pricing:
- Acorn Plan: At $79 per event, this is best for schools looking for a one-off auction. This plan charges a 3% + $0.30 credit card processing fee (per transaction) and 3% performance fee.
- Essentials Plan: SchoolAuction.net’s subscription plans start here at $1,000 per year plus 3% + $0.30 credit card processing fee. This is best for organizations that host a yearly gala or fundraiser.
- Plus Plan: This plan is $1,500 per year pulse 3% + $0.30 credit card processing fee (although you can use your own payment processor if this saves you money). This plan allows for unlimited events and full use of SchoolAuctions.net’s suite of tools.
- Professional Plan: At $2,000 per year, this plan offers you the ability to do hybrid or live auctions at your unlimited events as well as personalized support. This last plan includes 3% + $0.30 credit card processing fee or the choice to use your own payment processor.
Pros:
- Built specifically for school fundraisers
- Supports ticketing and live event management
- Strong donor and sponsor management tools
Cons:
- Higher pricing for larger events
- Requires more setup time compared to other platforms
5. GiveSmart
Best For: Schools needing all-in-one fundraising software
Overview:
GiveSmart is an all-in-one fundraising platform that offers tools for auctions, donation campaigns, and ticket sales. It’s designed to handle large events and comprehensive fundraising campaigns, making it a great fit for schools with ambitious goals.
Key Features:
- Silent, live, and online auctions
- Ticketing and event registration
- Donation campaigns and recurring giving options
- Text-to-give capabilities
- Robust analytics and reporting
Pricing:
- Custom pricing based on event size and features needed. GiveSmart does not charge transaction or ticketing fees. However, although its prices are not publicly available, this likely means that their prices are on the higher end of the auction site spectrum.
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set for fundraising
- Suitable for large, multi-channel campaigns
- Strong reporting and analytics
Cons:
- Expensive for smaller events
- May be overwhelming for simple auctions
Conclusion
Choosing the best auction software for your school depends on the type of events you plan to host, your budget, and the features you need.
- CharityAuctionsToday: Best for schools running online auctions that need an easy, mobile-friendly solution. No app to download, no upfront cost.
- Silent Auction Pro: Ideal for schools with hybrid events and complex needs like ticketing and raffles.
- Handbid: Perfect for those prioritizing a mobile-first experience.
- SchoolAuction.net: Great for schools hosting galas or events with ticketing and sponsorships.
- GiveSmart: Best for schools needing a comprehensive, all-in-one fundraising solution.
Ultimately, the best software will depend on your specific goals and resources. By evaluating your auction’s size, complexity, and desired bidder experience, you can choose the platform that aligns best with your school’s fundraising objectives.
