BiddingOwl
BiddingOwl is a dedicated non-profit auction management software providing mobile bidding, online auctions, and event management tools to help organizations streamline fundraising and increase donor engagement.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a global self-service ticketing and experience platform that allows you to create, manage, and promote local events while providing tools for secure payment processing and attendee management.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BiddingOwl | Eventbrite |
|---|---|---|
| Website | biddingowl.com | eventbrite.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Grand Blanc, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
BiddingOwl
BiddingOwl is a specialized fundraising platform designed to help you manage charity auctions from start to finish. Whether you are running a small school fundraiser or a large-scale gala, you can transition your traditional paper-based bidding to a digital format. You can easily upload items, manage donor data, and track bids in real-time through a centralized dashboard.
The platform solves the common headache of manual checkout by automating the invoicing and payment process for winning bidders. You can choose between running a purely online auction, a mobile-only event, or a hybrid model that combines live and silent auction elements. It is built specifically for non-profits and schools looking for a cost-effective way to modernize their fundraising efforts without high upfront software fees.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a versatile event management platform that helps you bring people together through live experiences. Whether you are hosting a small community workshop, a large music festival, or a professional conference, you can build custom event pages and sell tickets directly to your audience. The platform handles the heavy lifting of payment processing and attendee registration so you can focus on the event itself.
You can reach more people by using built-in marketing tools like email campaigns and social media integrations. The platform also provides a mobile app for organizers, allowing you to check in guests and track ticket sales in real-time from your phone. It scales with your needs, offering a free tier for free events and flexible pricing for paid gatherings.
Overview
BiddingOwl Features
- Mobile Bidding Allow your guests to place bids directly from their smartphones and receive instant outbid notifications to drive higher engagement.
- Online Auction Website Create a custom-branded auction page where you can showcase items with photos and descriptions to reach remote donors.
- Leaderboard Displays Project real-time bidding activity and countdown timers at your live event to create excitement and encourage last-minute bids.
- Automated Invoicing Generate and send digital invoices to winning bidders automatically as soon as your auction closes to speed up collections.
- Donor Management Track your donor history and manage contact information in one place to simplify your post-event thank you notes.
- Item Management Upload unlimited auction items with multiple images and set starting bids or 'buy it now' prices with a few clicks.
Eventbrite Features
- Custom Event Pages. Create professional, mobile-optimized landing pages for your events in minutes to start capturing registrations immediately.
- Secure Ticketing. Sell tickets and process payments securely through multiple methods, ensuring a smooth checkout experience for your attendees.
- Eventbrite Organizer App. Monitor real-time sales and check in guests at the door using your smartphone or tablet for faster entry.
- Marketing Tools. Launch targeted email campaigns and social media ads directly from the platform to boost your ticket sales.
- Data Analytics. Track where your sales are coming from and analyze attendee demographics to improve your future marketing strategies.
- Automated Notifications. Send automated order confirmations and event reminders to your guests to keep them informed and engaged.
Pricing Comparison
BiddingOwl Pricing
- No upfront activation fees
- Unlimited auction items
- Mobile and online bidding
- Custom auction website
- 5% performance fee on winning bids
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Credit card processing integration
- Direct payment to your account
- Automated checkout workflow
- Standard processing fees apply
Eventbrite Pricing
- Unlimited free events
- Unlimited tickets
- Basic email marketing
- Standard ticket types
- Mobile organizer app
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Pay-per-event pricing
- Advanced marketing tools
- Increased email send limits
- Access to Eventbrite ads
Pros & Cons
BiddingOwl
Pros
- No upfront costs makes it accessible for small budgets
- Very easy for donors to use on mobile devices
- Responsive customer support during live fundraising events
- Simple setup process for volunteers with limited tech skills
Cons
- User interface feels a bit dated compared to competitors
- Limited customization options for the auction website design
- Performance fees can add up for very high-value auctions
Eventbrite
Pros
- Extremely easy to set up and launch events quickly
- High visibility through the Eventbrite marketplace search
- Reliable mobile app for seamless on-site check-ins
- No cost for organizers hosting free community events
Cons
- Service fees can be high for expensive tickets
- Limited customization options for event page branding
- Customer support response times can be slow