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.
Givebutter
Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising platform that helps nonprofits raise money, manage donor data, and engage supporters through modern tools like Venmo, digital wallets, and peer-to-peer campaigns.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BiddingOwl | Givebutter |
|---|---|---|
| Website | biddingowl.com | givebutter.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 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Grand Blanc, USA | Austin, 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.
Givebutter
Givebutter is an all-in-one fundraising solution designed to help you raise more money with less effort. Instead of juggling multiple disconnected tools, you can manage your entire donor lifecycle—from initial outreach and ticket sales to secure payment processing and long-term donor retention—within a single, unified dashboard.
You can launch custom donation forms, peer-to-peer campaigns, and automated auction events in minutes. The platform is built for nonprofits of all sizes, offering modern payment options like Venmo and Apple Pay to meet donors where they are. It solves the problem of high software costs by offering a unique tip-based model, ensuring more of your hard-earned funds go directly toward your mission.
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.
Givebutter Features
- Modern Payment Options. Boost your conversion rates by letting donors give via Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay instantly.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns. Empower your supporters to create their own fundraising pages and spread your mission across their social networks.
- Built-in CRM. Track every donor interaction and manage your contact database with automated profiles that update in real-time.
- Event & Ticket Management. Sell tickets, manage guest lists, and check in attendees at the door using a built-in mobile scanning app.
- Auction Platform. Run silent auctions with mobile bidding, automated outbid notifications, and instant checkout for winning participants.
- Marketing Automation. Send personalized emails and text messages to your segments to keep your community engaged and informed.
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
Givebutter Pricing
- Unlimited users and admins
- All fundraising features included
- Full CRM access
- Email and SMS marketing tools
- Donors cover platform fees via tips
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Remove tip prompts from checkout
- 1% fee for donation forms
- 3% fee for events and tickets
- 5% fee for auctions
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
Givebutter
Pros
- Extremely fast setup process for new campaigns
- Modern checkout experience supports Venmo and digital wallets
- Consolidates CRM, marketing, and fundraising in one place
- Zero platform fees when using the tipping model
Cons
- Tipping prompts can sometimes confuse older donors
- Limited customization for advanced website embedding
- Reporting tools lack some deep enterprise-level analytics