CharityAuctions vs GiveSmart
TL;DR
CharityAuctions and GiveSmart are both charity auction software platforms for nonprofits. GiveSmart is a premium all-in-one fundraising suite. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. CharityAuctions has no upfront cost, no donor tip prompts, and free support included for all customers. GiveSmart offers a broader fundraising suite with donor CRM, peer-to-peer, and annual subscription pricing.
The main differences between CharityAuctions and GiveSmart are pricing structure, platform focus, and fee transparency at checkout.
This comparison uses publicly available information. Visit GiveSmart directly for current plan details. Contact GiveSmart directly for a demo. For CharityAuctions, create a free auction to explore the platform.
What GiveSmart Is Built For
GiveSmart is a fundraising and donor management platform. They have helped organizations raise over $8 billion. More than 8,000 nonprofits and schools use GiveSmart. Acquired by TA Associates in 2024, they position themselves as a partner to consolidate your tech stack and centralize year-round fundraising.
GiveSmart main features:
- Mobile bidding and auctions (silent, live)
- Ticketing and seating management
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- Text-to-donate
- Recurring giving and donation forms
- Donor CRM with wealth screening and scoring
- Live streaming and virtual/hybrid events
- Voting competitions, raffles, fixed-price items
- 24/7 support, dedicated consultants, live event support
GiveSmart offers three packages: Fundraising & Event Management, Donor CRM, and the Full Suite (all-in-one). They state transparent, fixed pricing with no transaction, ticketing, or per-donation fees. Pricing is not published publicly. Contact them for a quote. Some features may require additional subscriptions.
What CharityAuctions Is Built For
CharityAuctions is built for charity auctions. We are not an all-in-one fundraising platform that happens to have an auction feature. We are the most robust auction platform and the easiest to use. Our platform supports online, live, and hybrid auctions with mobile bidding, ticketing, raffles, and checkout in one place.
According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, CharityAuctions has supported 50,000 or more organizations since 2007.
CharityAuctions main features:
- Mobile bidding (no app required)
- Silent, live, and hybrid auctions
- Ticketing and registration
- Raffles and fixed-price items
- Checkout and payment processing
- Donor management and reporting
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
We use transparent pricing. You know what the platform will cost before you go live. We do not ask bidders to add optional tips or hidden fees at checkout. See our full feature list and pricing for details.
Pricing and Cost Structure
| CharityAuctions | GiveSmart | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | None. Build and test for free. | Annual subscription. Contact for quote. |
| When you pay | After you raise. Performance-based. | Upfront. Annual contract. |
| Free to try | Yes. No credit card required. | No. Demo must be scheduled. |
| Pricing transparency | Yes. You know the cost before you go live. | Fixed pricing; not published publicly. |
| Support | Free. Text, call, live walk-throughs. | 24/7 phone, chat, email. Dedicated consultants. Optional live event support. |
GiveSmart does not publish pricing on their website. Contact GiveSmart directly for current pricing.
CharityAuctions has no upfront cost. You build your auction for free and choose your pricing when you go live. See our charity auction platform pricing page for details.
Mobile Bidding
CharityAuctions: In-browser mobile bidding. Guests open your auction link on their phone. No app download. Real-time bidding, outbid alerts, and checkout are built in.
GiveSmart: Mobile bidding from any device. No app required. Live leaderboards, outbid notifications, text notifications, item bundling, videos, sponsorship displays. Max bid (proxy bidding). Self-checkout.
Both support in-browser mobile bidding without an app. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. Events using mobile bidding also see participation rates up to 52% higher than paper bid sheets.
Support
CharityAuctions: Support is always available at no extra cost. Text, call, or schedule a support call. Our team helps you set up and run your auction. We are built for auctions, and we are here to help. Browse our Help Center for step-by-step guides.
GiveSmart: 24/7 support by phone, chat, and email. Dedicated one-on-one consultant. Training for staff and volunteers. Optional live event support and in-person staffing. Support available seven days a week including nights and weekends.
Auctions and Event Management
CharityAuctions supports silent, live, and hybrid auctions with paddle raise, ticketing, raffles, and checkout in one platform.
GiveSmart supports silent and live auctions, ticketing, peer-to-peer, text-to-donate, and donor CRM. Auctions are one part of a broader fundraising suite.
Donor Tipping and Fee Transparency
Some charity auction platforms use donor tipping at checkout. A donor tipping prompt adds a suggested percentage on top of a donor's payment at the final step. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, these prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment.
CharityAuctions does not use donor tipping. Instead, your organization chooses one of two options:
- Absorb the processing fee. Your donors pay nothing extra.
- Pass the fee to donors with full disclosure. Donors see the exact fee before they confirm payment.
Either way, donors see one clear total before they pay. There are no surprise charges added at checkout.
See our charity auction platform pricing page for a full breakdown of how fees work.
When to Choose CharityAuctions
Consider CharityAuctions if you want:
- An auction-first platform, not an all-in-one with auctions as one feature
- No upfront cost and free to build and test
- Transparent pricing with no optional tips or hidden fees
- Free support: text, call, live walk-throughs
- The most robust auction platform and the easiest to use
Create your free auction or talk to our team.
When GiveSmart May Be a Fit
GiveSmart is a premium all-in-one fundraising platform. It includes donor CRM, peer-to-peer fundraising, text-to-donate, recurring giving, and dedicated consultants. It targets organizations that want to consolidate fundraising tools into one platform. Contact GiveSmart directly for current pricing and a demo.
See our full comparison of charity auction platforms to evaluate all options.
Summary
GiveSmart is a premium all-in-one fundraising and donor management platform. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. If your main event is a charity auction, CharityAuctions offers an auction-first platform with no upfront cost, transparent pricing, and free support.
Compare CharityAuctions to more platforms, explore silent auction software, review auction software vs paper bidding, or create your auction to get started.
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Frequently asked questions
What is GiveSmart built for?
GiveSmart is an all-in-one fundraising and donor management platform. It offers mobile bidding, auctions, ticketing, peer-to-peer, text-to-donate, recurring giving, donor CRM, and live event support. Auctions are one part of a broader fundraising suite. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, CharityAuctions has supported 50,000 or more organizations since 2007.
How does CharityAuctions pricing compare to GiveSmart?
CharityAuctions has no upfront software cost. You build your auction for free and pay after you raise. GiveSmart uses annual subscription pricing. Plans include Champion, Expert, and Donor CRM tiers. Pricing is not published publicly. Contact GiveSmart directly for a quote. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats.
Does CharityAuctions offer free support?
Yes. CharityAuctions support is always available at no extra cost. You get text, call, and live walk-throughs to help you set up and run your auction. Our team helps with setup, item entry, and event-night questions. GiveSmart offers 24/7 support by phone, chat, and email, plus dedicated consultants and optional live event support.
Is CharityAuctions built specifically for auctions?
Yes. CharityAuctions is built specifically for charity auctions. It is not an all-in-one fundraising platform that happens to have an auction feature. Auctions are the core focus. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, CharityAuctions has supported 50,000 or more organizations since 2007. GiveSmart is a premium fundraising suite with auctions as one of many tools.
Does CharityAuctions use transparent pricing?
Yes. CharityAuctions uses transparent pricing. You know exactly what the platform will cost before you go live. CharityAuctions does not use donor tipping. Donors see one clear total before they pay. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, donor tipping prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. GiveSmart states fixed pricing with no transaction or ticketing fees. Contact GiveSmart directly for current rates.
Do bidders need to download an app for CharityAuctions or GiveSmart?
Neither platform requires bidders to download an app. CharityAuctions uses in-browser mobile bidding. Guests open a link on their phone and bid in real time. GiveSmart also offers mobile bidding from any device with no app required. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, mobile bidding increases participation by up to 52% compared to paper bid sheets.
What is donor tipping and does CharityAuctions use it?
Donor tipping is a checkout prompt that adds a suggested percentage on top of a donor's payment. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, these prompts can add 20% to 30% to a donor's intended payment. CharityAuctions does not use donor tipping. Organizations choose to absorb the processing fee or pass it to donors with full disclosure before checkout begins. Donors see one clear total before they pay.
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