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

Fundraising through auctions has become a popular way for nonprofits, schools, and other organizations to generate funds while engaging donors. Two leading platforms, CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro, offer robust tools to help manage online and in-person auctions. However, understanding which platform suits your organization requires a detailed comparison of their features, pricing structures, and customer feedback. Let’s break it down.

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

CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Features

Both platforms offer tools to help streamline auction setup and improve donor participation, but there are differences in focus and functionality.

CharityAuctionsToday Features

CharityAuctionsToday emphasizes simplicity and a mobile-friendly user experience, making it easy for nonprofits of all sizes to run both online and hybrid auctions.

Key Features:

• Mobile bidding with real-time updates
• Built-in payment processing (credit card, Stripe, and PayPal)
• Customizable auction pages with branding options
• Fundraising tools like “Donate Now” buttons alongside the auction and fund-a-need rounds
• Global bidder participation with currency support
• Item tracking with automated reminders for winning bids
• Integration with other platforms like CRMs

This platform focuses more on user-friendliness and scalability, ideal for organizations that need quick setup with minimal tech hurdles.

SilentAuctionPro Features

SilentAuctionPro offers a more comprehensive feature set designed for both in-person and hybrid auctions. It provides tools for event-based fundraising, including ticketing and check-in management.

Key Features:

• Paper and online bidding options
• Event management tools (ticketing, table assignments, bidder registration)
• Team collaboration tools to assign auction roles
• Games and raffles to boost funds raised
• Reporting and analytics tools for post-auction analysis
• Integrated live auction tools for real-time events

SilentAuctionPro caters more to complex events, where ticketing, seating assignments, and live auctions are essential components. However this suite of features come at a higher price.

CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Pricing

Pricing structures differ significantly between the two platforms, influencing which solution might be more cost-effective depending on the organization’s needs.

CharityAuctionsToday Pricing

CharityAuctionsToday offers just two simple pricing plans:

• 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.

This tiered approach allows flexibility for organizations based on their auction size. 

SilentAuctionPro Pricing

SilentAuctionPro offers subscription plans based on the number of bidders and the features needed:

• Bidsheet Plus Plan: $449 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

This annual subscription model benefits large organizations with multiple events, as they won’t incur additional fees per auction. However, there is no one-time auction plan on offer.

CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Customer Reviews

Both platforms have received positive feedback, but certain patterns emerge when comparing user reviews.

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

User Review Comparison Summary:

• CharityAuctionsToday is praised for its ease of use, particularly for first-time auction organizers. The responsive mobile bidding system is often highlighted as a key strength, and customer support is frequently rated highly for quick and helpful responses.
• Reviewers often commend SilentAuctionPro’s detailed reporting tools, which make post-event analysis straightforward. Some users report a steeper learning curve, and the interface, though functional, is sometimes described as outdated compared to newer platforms.

Which Platform is Best for Your Needs?

Choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro comes down to the specific needs of your organization.

• Choose CharityAuctionsToday if:
  • Your organization needs a simple, easy-to-use platform with mobile-friendly tools.
  • You plan to host primarily online auctions with occasional hybrid events.
  • You prefer paying per auction rather than an annual subscription, at least to start.
• Choose SilentAuctionPro if:
  • You host multiple events per year and need a robust set of event management tools.
  • Your auctions involve live or in-person bidding with ticketed components.
  • You want a predictable annual subscription without worrying about per-auction fees.

Conclusion

Both CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro are strong contenders in the auction management space, offering features that cater to different fundraising strategies. CharityAuctionsToday excels in user-friendliness and quick online auction setups, while SilentAuctionPro offers greater flexibility and event management tools for complex, multi-faceted events. Organizations should carefully assess their auction frequency, event type, and budget to determine which platform aligns best with their fundraising goals.