NationBuilder
NationBuilder is a comprehensive advocacy and mobilization software providing integrated tools for website hosting, supporter databases, email marketing, and fundraising to help you grow and manage your community effectively.
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 | NationBuilder | Zeffy |
|---|---|---|
| Website | nationbuilder.com | zeffy.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Free |
| Starting Price | $34/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days 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 | 2009 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Montreal, Canada |
Overview
NationBuilder
NationBuilder provides you with an all-in-one system designed to build and mobilize a community. Instead of jumping between separate tools for your website, database, and email, you get a unified platform where every interaction is automatically tracked. You can identify your most active supporters, map out their relationships, and move them toward meaningful action through targeted communication and organized outreach.
The platform is built for nonprofits, political campaigns, and advocacy groups of all sizes who need to scale their impact. You can manage your entire digital presence from a single dashboard, allowing you to focus on your mission rather than managing complex software integrations. Whether you are running a local grassroots campaign or a global movement, the software helps you turn passive followers into active leaders.
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
NationBuilder Features
- Integrated Supporter CRM Track every interaction with your supporters in a single database that updates automatically when they engage with your website or emails.
- Action-Oriented Websites Create professional websites with built-in features for petitions, event RSVPs, and volunteer signups that feed directly into your database.
- Targeted Email & SMS Send personalized messages to specific segments of your audience based on their past behavior and geographic location.
- Integrated Fundraising Process donations directly through your site and automatically attribute them to supporter profiles to track lifetime giving history.
- Dynamic Path Tracking Move your supporters through custom workflows, like turning a first-time donor into a recurring monthly contributor or volunteer.
- Advanced Mapping Tools Visualize your data on interactive maps to plan door-knocking routes and identify geographic clusters of support.
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
NationBuilder Pricing
- Integrated CRM and website
- Email marketing tools
- Donation processing
- Volunteer management
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Advanced targeting and filtering
- Custom permission sets
- A/B testing for emails
- Point-of-sale capabilities
- Priority support access
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
NationBuilder
Pros
- All-in-one functionality eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions
- Powerful database filtering allows for highly specific audience targeting
- Seamless integration between website actions and supporter profiles
- Strong community and documentation for self-paced learning
Cons
- Learning curve can be steep for non-technical users
- Website templates can feel restrictive without custom coding
- Costs increase significantly as your contact database grows
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