CharityAuctionsToday vs. ReadySetAuction: Features, Pricing, and Reviews

For nonprofits and organizations looking to raise funds through auctions, choosing the right software platform is essential to running a successful event. CharityAuctionsToday and ReadySetAuction are both popular options with distinct features, pricing models, and levels of user satisfaction. This article will compare these two platforms to help you determine which might best meet your organization’s needs.

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

Features

CharityAuctionsToday is known for its user-friendly interface and flexibility, providing essential tools for online, silent, and hybrid auctions. Some standout features include:

• Mobile Bidding: Supporters can bid directly from their smartphones, increasing engagement and accessibility for participants.
• Customizable Auction Pages: Nonprofits can create a personalized auction page, incorporating branding elements such as logos and colors.
• Real-Time Notifications: Bidders receive instant alerts when they are outbid, keeping them engaged and encouraging continued participation.
• Auction Inventory Catalog: Our inventory of travel and experience packages can help you raise more with no upfront costs.
• Direct Donations: CharityAuctionsToday allows participants to make donations directly, even if they don’t win an item.
• Reporting Tools: Basic reporting options help organizations track bid history, item popularity, and donor engagement.

ReadySetAuction is a broader fundraising platform with a focus on in-person and hybrid auctions. Its features include:

• Event Management Tools: ReadySetAuction offers tools for planning and organizing not only auctions but entire events, including ticketing and guest management.
• Silent Auction Support: The platform is well-equipped for silent auctions, allowing for both mobile and bid sheet bidding options.
• Donor and Item Tracking: Nonprofits can track donor history and item donations, making it easier to build lasting relationships and manage auction items.
• Customizable Auction Catalog: The platform provides an online catalog, where bidders can browse items by category, increasing ease of navigation for larger auctions.
• Detailed Reporting and Analytics: ReadySetAuction offers advanced analytics to help organizations assess the effectiveness of their events, track revenue, and gauge donor behavior.

Comparison: CharityAuctionsToday focuses on ease of use, offering core features for running simple to moderately complex auctions. ReadySetAuction provides more comprehensive event management capabilities, which may be useful for organizations planning larger in-person or hybrid events with more complex needs like ticketing and guest lists. However, ReadySetAuction may require a bit more setup and familiarity to navigate effectively.

Pricing

CharityAuctionsToday

CharityAuctionsToday offers a flexible pricing model with two simple options based on auction needs:

1. Flex Plan: No upfront cost, and 5% of the total auction revenue, plus processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
2. 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.

ReadySetAuction

ReadySetAuction pricing is based on tiered annual subscriptions that support multiple events within a year:

1. Essentials Plan: Starts at $1,099 annually and only includes in-person auctions with no online item catalog or bidding options. You can, however, manually process guests payments through the site..
2. Select Plan: At $1,499 per year, this plan includes features like a custom online catalog, ticketing, and guest self-checkout as well as a leaderboard to show your progress.
3. Complete Plan: Priced at $1,999 per year, finally this plan offers online and mobile bidding as well as all other features.

Comparison: CharityAuctionsToday offers a per-auction pricing model, which may appeal to organizations looking to pay for individual events rather than committing to an annual subscription. ReadySetAuction’s annual subscription model allows organizations to host multiple events over a year, but at a significant upfront cost. While it is more expensive than many auction platforms, ReadySetAuction guarantees that you’ll keep 100% of your auction proceeds.

User Reviews

CharityAuctionsToday is highly rated for its simplicity and ease of use, with many users appreciating the intuitive setup process and straightforward navigation. Reviews often highlight the platform’s customer support, noting that help is quick and responsive. Mobile bidding and social media integration receive consistent praise, as they help increase participation and expand outreach.

However, some users mention that CharityAuctionsToday’s reporting features, though useful, may not be as detailed as some organizations would like. Users planning large or highly customized events sometimes find it limiting compared to more complex platforms.

ReadySetAuction is positively reviewed for its comprehensive set of features and ability to handle larger events. The branded auction website feature and catalog functionality are well-liked, particularly for larger events with multiple items.

Some ReadySetAuction users find the interface to be less intuitive, particularly for those new to auction software or for smaller nonprofits without dedicated event staff. Additionally, because ReadySetAuction is geared toward organizations hosting multiple or complex events, its prices can feel out of reach for smaller organizations.

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 You?

Choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and ReadySetAuction largely depends on your organization’s size, budget, and event complexity:

• For Small to Big Auctions: CharityAuctionsToday may be the ideal choice due to its per-auction pricing, mobile-friendly interface, and ease of use. It is particularly suitable for organizations that hold occasional fundraising events and prioritize ease of setup and quick implementation.
• For Larger, More Complex Events: ReadySetAuction’s comprehensive event management tools make it ideal for organizations that run multiple or large in-person and hybrid events annually. Its advanced reporting, ticketing, and guest management features provide everything needed for end-to-end event management, though it may require a learning curve for users unfamiliar with auction software. It is also significantly more expensive than many other auction platforms.

Both platforms offer useful features that can help organizations maximize their fundraising potential, but the best choice depends on the specific needs of the event and the budget available. With a flexible per-auction model, CharityAuctionsToday appeals to organizations looking for straightforward, mobile-friendly solutions, while ReadySetAuction’s annual model may be better suited for nonprofits that regularly hold large or multiple events that don’t require online/mobile bidding.