The best silent auction platform depends on your auction format, expected revenue, payment workflow, volunteer capacity, and support needs. BiddingOwl is a strong fit for flexible online, paper, live, and hybrid auctions; Zeffy emphasizes a zero-fee model for eligible nonprofits; Givebutter and BetterWorld offer broader fundraising suites; and Auctria, SchoolAuction.net, CharityAuctions, 32auctions, and ClickBid serve different event sizes and operating styles.
No single auction platform is the best choice for every nonprofit. A small school conducting one online auction may value a free or pay-as-you-raise option. A gala committee may need mobile bidding, printed bid sheets, table management, mixed payments, and event-night help. A nonprofit running several campaigns each year may prefer an annual license or a broader fundraising platform.
This comparison reviews nine silent auction platforms using publicly available information from each provider’s official pricing, feature, and support pages. It focuses on the questions nonprofits should answer before choosing: What will the complete auction cost? Which formats are supported? How are winners charged? Can the organization accept cash and checks? What does the bidder see at checkout? What support is available when the event is live?
Disclosure: This comparison is published by BiddingOwl. No provider paid for placement. BiddingOwl is included as one of the compared platforms, so readers should verify every provider’s current terms, test the bidder experience, and make an independent decision.
| Platform | Published pricing model | Notable auction strengths | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| BiddingOwl | No monthly or setup fee; 5% on winning online/mobile bids; separate payment processing | Online, mobile, paper, silent, live, and hybrid workflows; Stripe, PayPal, cash, and checks; direct support | Volunteer-led nonprofits needing flexible auction formats and event support |
| Zeffy | No platform or payment-processing fees for eligible nonprofits; funded through optional supporter contributions | Online silent auctions, automatic winner charging, offline bids, broader fundraising tools | Eligible nonprofits prioritizing a zero-fee online auction model |
| Givebutter | 0% platform fee with optional tips; 3% when tips are disabled; processing terms vary by setup | Auctions combined with donor management, events, email, peer-to-peer fundraising, and other tools | Organizations wanting a broad fundraising and engagement platform |
| BetterWorld | Free plan with optional supporter contributions; fee-based and annual alternatives available | Auctions, donations, events, raffles, paddle raises, and other fundraising campaigns | Nonprofits wanting a broad suite with several pricing approaches |
| 32auctions | Free base auction with up to 20 items; paid per-event and annual upgrades | Simple browser-based online silent auctions with unlimited bidders on the free base option | Small organizations running a straightforward online auction |
| Auctria | Free plan under a stated annual-income limit; paid annual plans; no performance fee | Online/mobile bidding, silent and live auctions, tickets, sponsorships, donations, paddle raises, and event websites | Organizations running multiple events and preferring annual pricing |
| SchoolAuction.net | Low upfront pay-as-you-grow plan or fixed annual plans | School and gala workflows, unlimited items and bidders, mobile bidding, pre-bidding, ticketing, and event-night support | Schools, parent groups, churches, and established gala committees |
| CharityAuctions | $0 upfront with a percentage of funds raised, or a setup fee plus a lower percentage; live events quoted separately | Online, live, and hybrid auctions, mobile bidding, tickets, raffles, checkout, and reporting | Organizations wanting pay-as-you-raise pricing or guided live-event service |
| ClickBid | Annual Essentials and Full Suite plans plus credit-card transaction fees | Unlimited events, mobile bidding, event displays, day-of phone support, ticketing and streaming on the higher plan | Organizations conducting several events and needing a fuller event suite |
Pricing was verified on August 6, 2026. Payment-processing fees, optional contributions, add-ons, eligibility rules, and plan limits may change. Review the provider’s current terms before publishing an auction.
These are best-fit categories, not absolute rankings. A platform may be excellent in one workflow and inefficient in another.
Each platform was reviewed using the same criteria:
We did not rank platforms based on paid placement, unverified online-review summaries, or a provider’s claim that it is the universal “best.” Where a feature or support arrangement was not clearly described in current official materials, this comparison avoids assuming it exists.
BiddingOwl is auction-focused software designed for organizations conducting online, mobile, paper, silent, live, or hybrid charity auctions.
BiddingOwl has no standard monthly subscription or setup fee. A 5% performance fee applies to winning online and mobile bids. Traditional silent and live auction tools, paper bid sheets, ticket sales, donations, Fund-a-Need, and paddle raises are not subject to that performance fee. Stripe or PayPal processing costs are separate.
Best fit: Schools, churches, clubs, rescues, museums, libraries, and small or midsized nonprofits that need flexible auction operations, mixed payments, paper tools, and direct event support.
Review BiddingOwl pricing, payment integrations, and the silent auction fees guide.
Zeffy is a broader nonprofit fundraising platform that includes online silent auctions.
Zeffy states that eligible nonprofit organizations pay no platform or payment-processing fees. The platform is funded through optional contributions presented to supporters during checkout. Supporters can adjust or remove the contribution.
Best fit: Eligible nonprofits that prioritize a zero-fee fundraising model, conduct a primarily online auction, and want auctions within a broader fundraising system.
For a detailed workflow comparison, read BiddingOwl vs. Zeffy.
Givebutter combines auctions with donation forms, donor management, events, peer-to-peer fundraising, email, and other supporter-engagement tools.
Givebutter publishes a 0% platform fee when optional tips are enabled. When tips are disabled, a 3% platform fee applies, plus standard processing fees. Its published card-processing rate when fees apply is 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
Givebutter also states that auction transactions using automatic winner charging incur a 3% platform fee in addition to standard processing because optional tips are unavailable in that workflow. Confirm the current auction settings before estimating costs.
Best fit: Nonprofits wanting auctions inside a modern, broader fundraising and donor-engagement platform.
BetterWorld provides auctions and several other nonprofit fundraising campaign types.
BetterWorld’s Free Forever plan uses suggested optional supporter contributions on winning bids, tickets, and other transactions. Its Flex plan removes the contribution prompt and applies a 5% fee to campaign types other than standard donation forms. BetterWorld also publishes annual Partner and Keystone plans with lower transaction percentages. Stripe card-processing costs apply separately.
Best fit: Nonprofits wanting a broad fundraising suite and a choice between supporter-funded, transaction-fee, and annual pricing models.
32auctions focuses on straightforward browser-based online silent auctions.
32auctions offers a free base auction with up to 20 items and unlimited bidders. Paid per-event upgrades and annual plans are available for organizations that need more items or additional functionality. Because pricing and package options can change, use the platform’s current pricing page for an exact quote.
Best fit: Small nonprofits, clubs, teams, and community groups running a relatively simple online silent auction.
Auctria is dedicated auction and event software with annual plans and optional setup services.
Auctria states that it does not charge a performance fee. Its integrated credit-card fee is separate from the payment processor’s fee. Optional assisted setup and event-night phone support packages cost extra.
Best fit: Organizations that conduct multiple events, want predictable annual pricing, and have a team able to learn a detailed auction-management system.
SchoolAuction.net serves schools and other nonprofit organizations conducting online, in-person, gala, and hybrid fundraisers.
Best fit: Schools, parent groups, churches, and nonprofits running an established annual gala or combining familiar in-person processes with online tools.
CharityAuctions, previously associated with the CharityAuctionsToday name and domain, provides online, live, and hybrid charity-auction tools.
The company’s pricing page identifies these figures as platform fees. Organizations should confirm payment-processing charges and the exact definition of “funds raised” before selecting a plan.
Best fit: Organizations that want to begin without an upfront software payment or prefer a provider offering custom live-event services.
ClickBid is annual event-fundraising software supporting auctions, donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, ticketing, and hybrid events.
Best fit: Nonprofits conducting several fundraising events each year and needing annual software, event-night phone support, integrations, or hybrid video tools.
The market includes additional products such as Silent Auction Pro, Handbid, GiveSmart, OneCause, and others. Some are aimed at larger or more complex events, some require a quote, and some combine auction features with event management or enterprise fundraising tools.
A platform’s omission from the detailed list does not mean it is unsuitable. This article emphasizes providers with publicly available information and a range of pricing models relevant to small and midsized nonprofits. Organizations with advanced CRM, enterprise, on-site staffing, equipment rental, or nationwide chapter requirements should request detailed proposals from additional providers.
Write down how your organization will:
Include:
Use the silent auction fees guide to compare pricing models with consistent assumptions.
Have someone who did not configure the auction try to register, find an item, bid, respond to an outbid alert, and complete payment. Test on a phone rather than only a desktop computer.
Add an item, correct a mistake, declare a winner, record a cash payment, issue a refund, export a report, and find help. The platform must work for the volunteers operating it under event-day pressure.
Ask what happens when a critical problem occurs outside regular office hours. Confirm whether telephone help, event-night support, onboarding, or personal training is included or costs extra.
Several platforms offer a free entry point, but the pricing models differ. Zeffy charges eligible nonprofits no platform or payment-processing fees and uses optional supporter contributions. BetterWorld’s free plan also uses optional supporter contributions. Givebutter offers 0% platform fees when tips are enabled, subject to its processing and auction-workflow terms. Auctria has a free plan with income and bidder limits. 32auctions offers a free base auction with up to 20 items. BiddingOwl provides traditional auction tools without a platform fee and charges 5% on winning online/mobile bids.
For a fuller explanation, see Free Auction Software for Nonprofits: What “Free” Really Costs.
BiddingOwl, Auctria, SchoolAuction.net, CharityAuctions, and ClickBid publish workflows or features that support combinations of online and in-person fundraising. The best choice depends on whether “hybrid” means online pre-bidding, mobile bidding in the room, paper bid sheets, a live auctioneer, remote video participation, or some combination. Ask each provider to demonstrate the exact workflow.
SchoolAuction.net is built around school and gala workflows. BiddingOwl is also commonly suited to volunteer-led school auctions that need online bidding, paper bid sheets, mixed payments, and direct support. The final choice depends on event format, revenue, desired support, and whether the group prefers annual or performance-based pricing.
Zeffy’s standard card-payment auction workflow automatically processes the winning payment when the item closes. Givebutter also offers automatic winner charging, but its published pricing states that a 3% platform fee applies to auto-charge auction transactions. Other systems may provide card-on-file or automatic-charge options depending on the plan and processor. Confirm the exact authorization and failed-payment workflow before publishing the auction.
Some platforms allow organizations to enter offline bids or mark cash and check invoices paid. BiddingOwl supports Stripe, PayPal, cash, and check workflows. Zeffy permits cash or offline bidding. Other providers vary by plan, so test how offline payments appear in invoices and reports.
Percentage pricing can reduce upfront risk for a small or uncertain fundraiser. An annual subscription may cost less for a large auction or an organization conducting several events. Calculate both models using expected winning bids, total transactions, payment fees, and required add-ons.
They can make the platform free to the nonprofit when supporters choose to cover enough of the provider’s costs, but the contribution is still part of the supporter’s checkout experience. Review how it is displayed, whether it can be removed, and what the nonprofit pays when contributions are disabled or unavailable.
Test item entry, bidder registration, mobile bidding, automatic or proxy bidding, notifications, auction closing, winner payment, cash and check recording, failed payments, refunds, reports, and item pickup. Also confirm support availability during the actual event date and time.
Choose the platform that matches your complete auction workflow rather than the platform with the most attractive headline price.
BiddingOwl may be a strong choice when the event combines online bidding with paper, live, in-person, or hybrid tools and the organization values mixed payments and direct support. Zeffy may be attractive to an eligible nonprofit prioritizing a zero-fee online auction. Givebutter and BetterWorld may suit organizations wanting broader fundraising suites. 32auctions can serve a small, focused online auction. Auctria and SchoolAuction.net provide detailed event tools with annual options. CharityAuctions offers pay-as-you-raise and custom live-event pricing. ClickBid may suit organizations needing an annual full-event system with day-of support and streaming options.
Before committing, calculate the total expected cost, run a complete test auction, and ask the provider to demonstrate the event’s most difficult workflow.
To explore BiddingOwl, review its features, pricing, payment integrations, and support options.
For the complete selection process, use our nonprofit auction software buyer’s guide .
If BiddingOwl matches the auction workflow your organization needs, you can create an auction and explore the platform. There is no standard monthly subscription or setup fee.
Before deciding, review our pricing, payment integrations, customer support, and guide to silent auction fees.
Comparing zero-fee fundraising models? See our detailed BiddingOwl vs. Zeffy comparison.
Pricing, auction limits, support descriptions, and feature information were last verified on August 6, 2026, using official BiddingOwl, Zeffy, Givebutter, BetterWorld, 32auctions, Auctria, SchoolAuction.net, CharityAuctions, and ClickBid materials. Product terms change frequently. Readers should confirm current details directly with each provider before making a purchasing decision.
Adie M. is a skilled writer with a strong background in marketing. She is dedicated to creating compelling content for the nonprofit sector. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, specializing in Marketing, and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental and Geographical Science and Psychology from the University of Cape Town. With experience in digital marketing, Adie combines her technical expertise with a passion for impactful storytelling. She is committed to using her writing skills to support nonprofit organizations and drive positive change.
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