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

Charity auctions have become a vital fundraising tool for nonprofits, schools, and other organizations, and choosing the right software platform can make a significant impact on an event’s success. 

CharityAuctionsToday and GiveSmart are two leading auction software solutions, each offering a robust set of tools tailored to virtual, in-person, and hybrid events. 

In this comparison, we’ll explore the features, pricing, and user feedback for CharityAuctionsToday and GiveSmart to help determine which platform might be the best fit for your fundraising needs.

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

Features

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday is designed with accessibility and ease of use in mind, providing all the essential tools needed to manage an auction effectively. Key features include:

• Mobile Bidding: Bidders can participate from any device, allowing for a seamless experience across phones, tablets, and desktops. Mobile bidding also includes real-time notifications, making it easy for bidders to stay engaged.
• Customizable Auction Pages: Users can design auction pages with logos, images, and unique themes, creating a branded experience that aligns with their organization.
• Real-Time Bid Tracking: Bidders receive instant outbid notifications, encouraging competitive bidding and helping maximize funds raised.
• Donation Integration: CharityAuctionsToday includes donation tools, making it easy for organizations to collect direct donations alongside bids.
• Ticketing and Registration: We offer event ticketing and registration, which is convenient for organizations hosting live or hybrid events.
• Reporting and Analytics: CharityAuctionsToday includes detailed reporting on bids, revenue, and donor behavior, helping organizations evaluate performance and plan future events.

GiveSmart

GiveSmart offers a highly comprehensive set of features, making it particularly suitable for large-scale events and organizations with complex needs. Notable features include:

• Advanced Mobile Bidding: GiveSmart offers mobile and online bidding for seamless engagement, with real-time outbid notifications and alerts.
• Custom Branding and Campaign Pages: Users can customize campaign pages with extensive branding options, creating a unified experience for their supporters.
• Multiple Campaign Types: GiveSmart supports silent auctions, live events, raffles, fund-a-need, and more, making it a versatile choice for organizations with diverse fundraising goals.
• Donation Management and Peer-to-Peer: Alongside auction capabilities, GiveSmart’s platform includes peer-to-peer tools, allowing users to track and manage donations and pledges effectively.
• Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics: The platform provides in-depth reporting on donor trends, bidding history, and event performance, making it easier to evaluate ROI and engage supporters.
• Integration with Payment and CRM Systems: GiveSmart integrates with a variety of payment gateways and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, which is ideal for organizations with existing software infrastructure.

GiveSmart’s platform is feature-rich and particularly appealing for larger nonprofits or organizations that regularly host multiple event types.

Pricing

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday provides flexible pricing options suitable for organizations of various sizes. Our pricing tiers include:

• 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 core features such as mobile bidding, customization, and reporting, so even the flex plan offers robust tools for small-scale auctions.

GiveSmart

GiveSmart’s pricing structure is generally based on a custom quote model, as the platform caters to larger events with high volume and custom needs. GiveSmart’s pricing can vary based on your organization’s requirements, event size, and desired features. This custom pricing approach makes GiveSmart a more premium solution, designed for medium to large nonprofits that need comprehensive support for high-profile events.

Included in most plans are all standard features like mobile bidding, custom branding, and detailed analytics, though certain advanced options may incur additional charges depending on the organization’s needs.

User Reviews and Feedback

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday is widely appreciated for its ease of use and flexibility, particularly among small to mid-sized organizations. Common themes from user reviews include:

• User-Friendly Interface: Many users highlight CharityAuctionsToday’s straightforward setup and intuitive design, which is well-suited for event organizers of all experience levels.
• Cost-Effective Options: Users appreciate our affordability, which make the platform accessible to organizations with limited budgets.
• Strong Customer Support: CharityAuctionsToday’s support team receives positive feedback, with users noting quick response times and helpful assistance.

While generally positive, some users have mentioned that certain advanced features, like more sophisticated reporting or integrations, may be limited compared to higher-end platforms like GiveSmart. However, for organizations with straightforward auction needs, our platform is often regarded as the reliable, affordable choice.

GiveSmart

GiveSmart is well regarded among larger organizations and those hosting high-revenue events. User feedback typically highlights:

• Comprehensive Feature Set: Users value GiveSmart’s extensive capabilities, particularly for large events with multiple elements such as raffles, ticketing, and pledges.
• Professional Customization Options: GiveSmart’s customization tools are frequently praised, as they allow organizations to fully brand their pages and create a professional online presence.
• Detailed Analytics and Integration Capabilities: Users appreciate the detailed reports and data integration features, which help them gain insights into donor behavior and trends.

Some users note that GiveSmart’s cost can be prohibitive for smaller organizations. Additionally, the platform’s depth of features means there may be a learning curve for beginners, though larger organizations with more experienced teams often find the extensive functionality worthwhile.

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

Which Platform is Right for Your Auction?

Choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and GiveSmart depends on the specific needs of your organization, your event size, and your budget.

• CharityAuctionsToday is a versatile, affordable choice for small to large organizations or those hosting one-off events. Its flexible pricing tiers accommodate various budgets, and our platform includes all essential auction features, from mobile bidding to donation management. For schools, local nonprofits, and community groups needing a straightforward solution with customizable options, CharityAuctionsToday is an ideal choice.
• GiveSmart is better suited for the largest of nonprofits, corporations, or organizations running high-profile events that require advanced features, in-depth analytics, and integrations with existing systems. While GiveSmart’s premium pricing is higher, the platform offers functionality and scalability, making it valuable for organizations that need a comprehensive solution to engage donors across different types of fundraisers.

Conclusion

Both CharityAuctionsToday and GiveSmart offer valuable tools to enhance charity auctions, but they serve slightly different markets. CharityAuctionsToday is a user-friendly, affordable platform with flexible pricing that appeals to smaller organizations, while GiveSmart is a premium, feature-rich solution tailored to large-scale nonprofits.

By evaluating the needs of your organization and understanding the scale of your event, you can choose the platform that best supports your fundraising goals and maximizes donor engagement.