Handbid
Handbid is a mobile fundraising platform that helps you manage silent auctions, peer-to-peer campaigns, and live events through an integrated mobile app to increase donor engagement and revenue.
Zeffy
Zeffy is a 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits that covers all transaction fees through voluntary contributions from donors to ensure every dollar goes directly to your mission.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Handbid | Zeffy |
|---|---|---|
| Website | handbid.com | zeffy.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Free |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No 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 | Centennial, USA | Montreal, Canada |
Overview
Handbid
Handbid is a mobile-first fundraising platform designed to help you run more efficient and engaging charity events. Instead of dealing with paper bid sheets or clunky web forms, you provide your donors with a native mobile app where they can bid on auction items, buy tickets, and make donations instantly from their own devices. This real-time interaction keeps your audience engaged through push notifications that alert them when they have been outbid.
You can manage every aspect of your fundraiser from a single dashboard, including guest check-in, item management, and automated checkout. The platform is built to handle everything from small local school auctions to large-scale gala events and multi-day peer-to-peer campaigns. By removing the friction from the bidding process, you can focus on building relationships with your supporters while the software handles the technical logistics of your event.
Zeffy
Zeffy is a specialized fundraising platform designed exclusively for nonprofits who want to keep 100% of their donations. Instead of charging platform fees or taking a cut of credit card transactions, the system relies on voluntary tips from donors. You can manage everything from simple donation forms and peer-to-peer campaigns to complex event ticketing and lottery management without worrying about hidden costs or monthly subscriptions.
You can easily track your donor database, automate tax receipts, and sell memberships or merchandise through a single dashboard. It solves the common problem of losing 3-5% of every gift to processing fees, making it an ideal choice for small to mid-sized charities, schools, and community groups looking to maximize their impact. The platform is accessible to any registered nonprofit in North America looking for a transparent, zero-cost financial solution.
Overview
Handbid Features
- Mobile Bidding App Give your donors a native iOS and Android app to browse items and place bids from anywhere in the room.
- Instant Push Notifications Alert your guests the second they are outbid so they can jump back into the action and drive higher totals.
- Livestream Integration Broadcast your live program directly to remote donors so they can participate in your auction from their own homes.
- Automated Checkout Eliminate long lines at the end of the night by allowing guests to pay their invoices directly through the app.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns Empower your supporters to create their own fundraising pages and raise money on your behalf through social sharing.
- Real-Time Analytics Monitor your fundraising progress with live dashboards that show you exactly which items are performing best during your event.
Zeffy Features
- Custom Donation Forms. Create branded, mobile-responsive donation forms that you can embed on your website or share via direct links.
- Event Ticketing. Sell tickets for galas or workshops and check in guests using a built-in QR code scanner on your phone.
- Peer-to-Peer Campaigns. Empower your supporters to launch their own fundraising pages and reach new donor networks on your behalf.
- Automated Tax Receipts. Save hours of admin work by automatically sending customizable, brand-compliant tax receipts to your donors instantly.
- Membership Management. Launch and manage recurring membership programs with automated renewals and dedicated member communication tools.
- E-commerce Shop. Sell branded merchandise or physical goods through a simple online store integrated directly into your fundraising dashboard.
Pricing Comparison
Handbid Pricing
Zeffy Pricing
- Unlimited donation forms
- Zero transaction fees
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- Event & ticket management
- Automated tax receipting
- Donor management (CRM)
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Optional donor tipping
- No cost to the nonprofit
- Transparent checkout
- Full platform access
- Standard support
Pros & Cons
Handbid
Pros
- Native mobile app provides a superior user experience over web-based tools
- Push notifications effectively drive up bidding wars and final revenue
- Streamlined check-in and checkout process reduces event night stress
- Robust reporting makes post-event reconciliation fast and accurate
Cons
- Initial setup of auction items can be time-consuming for large inventories
- Older donors may require extra assistance downloading and using the app
- Pricing structure can be high for very small organizations
Zeffy
Pros
- Completely eliminates credit card and platform fees
- Extremely simple setup process for non-technical users
- Automatic tax receipting saves significant administrative time
- Responsive customer support team for nonprofit needs
Cons
- Donor tipping prompt can occasionally confuse supporters
- Limited advanced customization for complex reporting needs
- Currently restricted to registered North American nonprofits