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.
Silent Auction Pro
Silent Auction Pro is a comprehensive mobile bidding and event management software designed to help non-profits and schools streamline fundraising through online auctions, ticket sales, and donor management tools.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BiddingOwl | Silent Auction Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | biddingowl.com | silentauctionpro.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $??/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Grand Blanc, USA | Kansas City, 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.
Silent Auction Pro
Silent Auction Pro provides you with a complete toolkit to manage your fundraising events from start to finish. You can handle everything from online ticket sales and guest registration to mobile bidding and automated checkout. The platform is designed to replace manual spreadsheets and paper bid sheets, allowing your team to focus on donor engagement rather than administrative tasks.
Whether you are hosting a small school gala or a large-scale corporate charity event, you can manage your entire donor database and track procurement in one place. The software supports multiple auction formats, including silent, live, and online-only events. You can also generate detailed financial reports and donor receipts instantly, ensuring your post-event wrap-up is quick and accurate.
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.
Silent Auction Pro Features
- Mobile Bidding. Allow your guests to bid on items directly from their smartphones, receiving instant notifications when they have been outbid.
- Online Ticket Sales. Sell event tickets and sponsorships online with custom registration forms that automatically sync with your guest list.
- Donor Management. Track your relationships with donors and sponsors over time, maintaining a history of their contributions and contact information.
- Automated Checkout. Speed up the end of your night by allowing guests to pay for their winning items securely through their mobile devices.
- Item Procurement. Manage your entire auction catalog, including item descriptions, donor recognition, and printable display sheets for your event.
- Real-time Reporting. Monitor your fundraising progress in real-time with dashboards that show ticket sales, bidding activity, and total revenue.
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
Silent Auction Pro Pricing
- Online and mobile bidding
- Auction item management
- Guest and bid tracking
- Credit card processing
- Email and text support
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Online ticket sales
- Seating and table management
- Sponsor management
- Custom event landing page
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
Silent Auction Pro
Pros
- Exceptional customer support during live events
- No percentage-based fees on your total earnings
- Easy for non-technical volunteers to learn
- Reliable mobile bidding interface for guests
Cons
- User interface feels slightly dated
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
- Limited customization for event landing pages