Choosing the right online giving platform for your church, nonprofit, or personal fundraising requires careful consideration of features, fees, security, and ease of use. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you select the best option:
1. Determine Your Needs
- Type of Organization: Is this for a church, nonprofit, personal cause, or business?
- Fundraising Goals: One-time donations, recurring giving, campaigns, or event tickets?
- Audience: Do donors prefer text-to-give, mobile apps, website integration, or social media giving?
2. Key Features to Look For
- Donation Forms: Customizable, embeddable, and mobile-friendly.
- Recurring Giving: Support for monthly/automated donations.
- Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards, ACH/bank transfers, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.
- Text-to-Give: Allows donors to give via SMS.
- Fee Structure: Transaction fees (typically 1.5%–3.5% + $0.30 per transaction) and any monthly costs.
- Tax Receipts: Automated IRS-compliant receipts for donors.
- Reporting & Analytics: Track donations, donor trends, and export data.
- Integrations: Works with your CRM (e.g., Salesforce), church management software (ChMS), or email tools (Mailchimp).
- Security: PCI compliance, encryption, and fraud protection.
3. Compare Popular Platforms
| Platform | Best For | Fees (Approx.) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Givebutter | Nonprofits, Fundraising | 0% (optional fees) | Free tier, events, donor management |
| Tithe.ly | Churches | 2.9% + $0.30 | Text-to-give, app, ChMS integrations |
| Pushpay | Mid/Large Churches | Custom pricing | Custom apps, engagement tools |
| Donorbox | Nonprofits | 1.5% + $0.30 | Recurring donations, crowdfunding |
| GoFundMe | Personal Causes | 2.9% + $0.30 | Crowdfunding, social sharing |
| PayPal Giving Fund | Charities | 0% (donor covers fee) | Nonprofit-focused, large reach |
| Zeffy (formerly GiveWP) | Free Option | 0% | No fees, nonprofit-focused |
4. Consider Fees & Pricing
- Flat-rate vs. Tiered Pricing: Some charge per transaction, others have monthly subscriptions.
- ACH vs. Card Fees: Bank transfers (ACH) are often cheaper (~1%) than credit cards (~2.9%).
- Optional Tips: Some platforms let donors cover processing fees.
5. Check Ease of Use
- Donor Experience: Is the giving process quick and intuitive?
- Admin Dashboard: Can you easily track donations and export reports?
- Setup Time: How quickly can you start receiving donations?
6. Read Reviews & Test Support
- Look at Capterra, Trustpilot, or G2 reviews.
- Test customer support responsiveness (live chat, email, phone).
7. Try Before Committing
- Many platforms offer free trials or demos.
- Test donation processing speed and donor notifications.
Top Recommendations by Use Case
- Churches: Tithe.ly, Pushpay, Planning Center Giving
- Nonprofits: Givebutter, Donorbox, Zeffy (free)
- Personal Fundraising: GoFundMe, PayPal, Venmo
- Lowest Fees: Zeffy (0%), PayPal Giving Fund (0% for nonprofits)
Choosing the Right Online Donation Platform
Choosing the right online donation platform is crucial for nonprofits, charities, and individuals looking to raise funds efficiently. Here are key factors to consider when selecting the best platform for your needs:
1. Fees & Pricing Structure
- Transaction Fees: Some platforms charge a percentage (1%–5%) per donation, plus payment processing fees (2.2%–3.5%).
- Monthly/Annual Fees: Certain platforms charge subscription fees for advanced features.
- Free Options: Platforms like PayPal Giving Fund or Facebook Fundraisers have $0 fees but may lack customization.
2. Payment Methods Supported
- Credit/debit cards
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Bank transfers (ACH, SEPA)
- Cryptocurrency (for tech-savvy donors)
3. Fundraising Features
- Recurring Donations: Essential for sustaining long-term funding.
- Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Allows supporters to create personal fundraising pages.
- Campaign-Specific Pages: Customizable pages for different initiatives.
- Donor Management: CRM integration for tracking contributions.
4. Ease of Use & Customization
- User-friendly interface for donors and admins.
- Branding options (logos, colors, messaging).
- Mobile-responsive design.
5. Integration Capabilities
- Works with your website (embed buttons, widgets).
- Connects with email marketing (Mailchimp, Constant Contact).
- Syncs with accounting software (QuickBooks).
6. Security & Compliance
- PCI-DSS compliant for secure transactions.
- Fraud prevention tools.
- Tax receipt automation for donors.
7. Customer Support & Reputation
- 24/7 support vs. limited availability.
- Positive reviews from similar organizations.
Top Online Donation Platforms to Consider
| Platform | Best For | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| GiveButter | Nonprofits, events, peer-to-peer | 0%–5% + payment processing |
| Donorbox | Recurring donations, nonprofits | 1.5% + payment fees |
| GoFundMe | Personal fundraising, emergencies | 2.9% + $0.30 per donation |
| Patreon | Creators, subscription funding | 5%–12% + payment fees |
| PayPal Giving | Quick, low-cost donations | No platform fee (2.2% + $0.30) |
| Classy | Large nonprofits, campaigns | Custom pricing |
Final Tips
- Test the donor experience before committing.
- Compare costs for one-time vs. recurring donations.
- Check for hidden fees (chargebacks, refunds).
Top 12 Best Donation Platforms for Nonprofits Comparison 2025
Here’s a comparison of the top 12 donation platforms for nonprofits in 2025, highlighting key features, pricing, and suitability for different organizations.
1. Givebutter
✅ Best for: Small to mid-sized nonprofits, fundraising events, and donor engagement
💰 Pricing: Free (0% platform fee, but payment processing fees apply)
✔ Features:
- Donation forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, live campaigns
- Text-to-give, ticketed events, donor CRM
- Integrates with Mailchimp, Zapier, and QuickBooks
2. Donorbox
✅ Best for: Recurring donations and international nonprofits
💰 Pricing: 1.75% platform fee + payment processor fees
✔ Features:
- Recurring donations, donor management, crowdfunding
- Supports multiple currencies & languages
- Quick setup, embeddable forms
3. GoFundMe Charity (Now GoFundMe for Nonprofits)
✅ Best for: Crowdfunding and viral campaigns
💰 Pricing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (no platform fee)
✔ Features:
- Social sharing tools, team fundraising
- Donor cover fees option
- Great for emergency fundraising
4. Classy
✅ Best for: Large nonprofits and peer-to-peer fundraising
💰 Pricing: Custom pricing (starts at $499/month)
✔ Features:
- Event management, CRM integration (Salesforce)
- Recurring donations, donor analytics
- High-touch customer support
5. Fundly
✅ Best for: Small nonprofits and personal fundraising
💰 Pricing: 4.9% platform fee + payment processing (~2.9%)
✔ Features:
- Social media-friendly campaigns
- No fundraising minimums
- Flexible for personal causes
6. Bloomerang
✅ Best for: Donor retention and donor management
💰 Pricing: Starts at $119/month (includes CRM)
✔ Features:
- Donation forms, donor engagement scoring
- Automated thank-you emails
- Strong reporting tools
7. Bonfire (for Merch Fundraising)
✅ Best for: Selling custom merch for fundraising
💰 Pricing: No upfront costs (taken from sales)
✔ Features:
- Custom t-shirts, hoodies, and merch
- No inventory needed
- Integrates with donation platforms
8. PayPal Giving Fund
✅ Best for: Quick, low-cost donations
💰 Pricing: 0% platform fee (payment fees apply)
✔ Features:
- Donations via PayPal/Venmo
- Nonprofits must be registered with PayPal Giving Fund
- Good for small orgs with existing PayPal users
9. Zeffy (100% Free Donation Platform)
✅ Best for: Small nonprofits wanting zero fees
💰 Pricing: 100% free (even payment processing)
✔ Features:
- Text-to-give, event ticketing
- Donation forms, peer-to-peer
- Limited integrations
10. Qgiv
✅ Best for: Mid-sized nonprofits and event fundraising
💰 Pricing: Starts at $0/month (3.95% + $0.30 per transaction)
✔ Features:
- Text fundraising, auction tools
- Peer-to-peer, donor management
- Good for events and galas
11. Mightycause (Formerly Razoo)
✅ Best for: Community fundraising and Giving Days
💰 Pricing: Starts at $99/month (2% platform fee)
✔ Features:
- Giving Day support
- Peer-to-peer, donor management
- Matching gifts tool
12. Snowball (Now part of GiveSmart)
✅ Best for: Auctions, events, and enterprise nonprofits
💰 Pricing: Custom pricing
✔ Features:
- Text fundraising, live auctions
- Mobile bidding, CRM integration
- High-end event support
Comparison Summary
| Platform | Best For | Fees | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Givebutter | Small nonprofits, events | 0% platform fee | Free, all-in-one tool |
| Donorbox | Recurring donations | 1.75% + processing | International support |
| GoFundMe | Viral campaigns | 2.9% + $0.30 | Crowdfunding |
| Classy | Large nonprofits | Starts at $499/month | Enterprise fundraising |
| Zeffy | Zero-fee fundraising | 100% free | No hidden costs |
| Bloomerang | Donor retention | $119+/month | CRM + fundraising |
Final Recommendation
- Best free option: Givebutter or Zeffy
- Best for recurring donations: Donorbox
- Best for large nonprofits: Classy
- Best for crowdfunding: GoFundMe
- Best for donor management: Bloomerang