CharityAuctionsToday vs. BiddingOwl: A Comparison of Features, Pricing, and Reviews

When planning a charity auction, selecting the right software can make a significant difference in the success of the event.

CharityAuctionsToday and BiddingOwl are two popular platforms offering user-friendly, affordable tools for hosting online and in-person auctions. Both are well-suited for nonprofits, schools, and community organizations, but they differ in terms of features, pricing, and user experiences.

This article provides a comprehensive comparison of CharityAuctionsToday and BiddingOwl to help you determine the best fit for your event.

Take a look at 13 top fundraising auction sites to see how they stack up against each other, and us.

CharityAuctionsToday vs BiddingOwl Features

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday provides an extensive range of features designed to enhance the auction experience for hosts and bidders. Key features include:

• Mobile Bidding: CharityAuctionsToday enables bidders to participate from any device, making it ideal for both online and in-person events.
• Real-Time Bidding: Bidders receive instant notifications for outbid alerts, helping increase engagement and competition.
• Customizable Pages: Hosts can brand their auction pages, adding logos, custom themes, and personalized messaging.
• Donation Integration: CharityAuctionsToday allows organizers to collect direct donations through the platform, which can help boost fundraising beyond auction items alone.
• Event Ticketing: We offer integrated event ticketing, allowing users to manage ticket sales alongside the auction.
• Reports and Analytics: The platform provides detailed reports on bids, revenue, and donor activity, helping hosts evaluate auction performance and donor engagement.

CharityAuctionsToday also integrates with popular payment platforms like PayPal and Stripe, which makes financial transactions easier for both organizers and donors.

BiddingOwl

BiddingOwl also offers several robust features that can support smaller events and organizations with limited budgets. Notable features include:

• Mobile-Friendly Bidding: Like CharityAuctionsToday, BiddingOwl offers mobile bidding, allowing participants to bid from any device.
• Customizable Auction Pages: BiddingOwl provides templates to customize auction pages, though customization options are less advanced than CharityAuctionsToday’s.
• Item Categories and Groups: BiddingOwl’s interface enables the categorization and grouping of auction items, making it easier for bidders to navigate auctions with multiple items.
• Basic Reporting: The platform provides essential reporting features that track bid history and donor details, though its analytics capabilities are less detailed than CharityAuctionsToday.

BiddingOwl supports PayPal and Stripe for payment processing but lacks the multiple payment options offered by CharityAuctionsToday.

CharityAuctionsToday vs BiddingOwl Pricing

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday offers just two simple pricing plans, making it adaptable to various event scales:

• 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.

Each plan includes all core features, including mobile bidding, customizable pages, and reporting. 

BiddingOwl

BiddingOwl’s pricing structure is one-size-fits all:

• BiddingOwl charges one rate, a 5% performance fee, for access to all of its features.

CharityAuctionsToday vs BiddingOwl User Reviews and Feedback

See how users rate us on different platforms. Keep in mind that aggregators like G2 and Capterra often include incentivized reviews.

CharityAuctionsToday receives generally positive reviews, with users praising its user-friendly interface and extensive features. While BiddingOwl is praised for its affordability, some users express concerns about limited customer support and less sophisticated features. 

Which Platform is Right for Your Auction?

When choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and BiddingOwl, the right choice depends on the size and complexity of your event, as well as your budget.

• CharityAuctionsToday is an excellent choice for small to large auctions where advanced features, such as real-time analytics, extensive customization, and multiple payment options, are beneficial. The platform’s pricing allows flexibility, and its comprehensive feature set justifies the cost for events expecting substantial revenue. Schools, larger nonprofits, and organizations hosting multiple events annually may find CharityAuctionsToday’s options to be worth the investment.
• BiddingOwl, on the other hand, is a better fit for smaller auctions and budget-conscious causes that only need the most essential auction tools. With its pay-as-you-go transaction model and straightforward features, BiddingOwl is ideal for organizations looking to keep upfront costs low. However, if your auction requires more advanced functionality, BiddingOwl’s basic features may feel limiting, and transaction fees can add up for high-volume auctions.

Conclusion

CharityAuctionsToday and BiddingOwl each offer valuable features for hosting charity auctions, but they cater to different needs. CharityAuctionsToday is feature-rich, ideal for events of any size and complexity, while BiddingOwl provides an affordable, pared-down experience for simpler events. By considering the specific needs of your auction and budget, you can choose the platform that best supports your organization’s fundraising goals.