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.
StartEngine
StartEngine is a leading equity crowdfunding platform that allows you to invest in early-stage startups and private companies or raise capital for your own growing business venture.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Givebutter | StartEngine |
|---|---|---|
| Website | givebutter.com | startengine.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 | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2016 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Austin, USA | Burbank, USA |
Overview
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.
StartEngine
StartEngine is an equity crowdfunding platform that changes how you interact with the startup ecosystem. Whether you are an entrepreneur looking to scale or an individual seeking to build a venture portfolio, you can browse hundreds of curated investment opportunities across diverse industries like technology, real estate, and consumer goods. You can manage your entire investment journey from a single dashboard, from initial discovery to final commitment.
For founders, the platform provides the tools you need to launch a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) or Regulation A+ (Reg A+) campaign. You can turn your customers into shareholders, build a community of brand advocates, and access capital without the traditional hurdles of venture capital. The platform handles the heavy lifting of compliance and payment processing so you can focus on growing your business.
Overview
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.
StartEngine Features
- Investment Dashboard. Track all your startup investments in one place and monitor the progress of your portfolio companies effortlessly.
- StartEngine Secondary. Trade shares of private companies on an alternative trading system, giving you potential liquidity before an IPO.
- Campaign Builder. Create professional fundraising pages with integrated video, pitch decks, and updates to attract thousands of potential investors.
- Investor Updates. Communicate directly with your shareholders through built-in tools to share milestones, news, and financial reports regularly.
- StartEngine Owner’s Bonus. Get 10% more shares for free when you invest in participating companies by joining the annual membership program.
- Compliance Management. Navigate complex SEC regulations easily with automated tools that handle investor verification and legal filing requirements.
Pricing Comparison
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
StartEngine Pricing
- Browse all active offerings
- Access to pitch decks
- Basic portfolio tracking
- Educational resources
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Everything in Investor, plus:
- 10% bonus shares on select deals
- Priority access to new launches
- Reduced transaction fees
- Exclusive event invitations
- Billed annually at $275
Pros & Cons
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
StartEngine
Pros
- Low minimum investment amounts for beginners
- User-friendly interface for tracking private equity
- Wide variety of industries and startups
- Secondary market provides rare liquidity options
- Strong community of active, engaged investors
Cons
- High risk associated with startup investing
- Investment fees can impact small returns
- Long wait times for some withdrawals
- Limited customer support during peak periods
- Secondary market has low trading volume