Choosing the right event fundraising platform is critical to saving time, raising more and engaging your valuable donors. A OneCause comparison to ClickBid.
Choosing between ClickBid and OneCause is a choice between streamlined efficiency and enterprise complexity. While OneCause provides a broad suite of tools designed for large-scale operations, its higher price point and steep learning curve can often overwhelm mid-sized teams. ClickBid offers a more focused, intuitive alternative, providing the same professional-grade auction and event power without the enterprise-level overhead or restrictive pricing tiers.
ClickBid started in 2002 as an in-person event fundraising platform. Using computer based bidding, charities were able to increase the frequency of bids, shorten lines at check-in and check-out and give donors an exciting and competitive experience. Over the years, ClickBid has expanded to provide online auctions, mobile bidding, ticket sales and live video.
The key to ClickBid is the simplicity of using a single tool for unlimited events throughout the year. Backing up your simplified experience is a dedicated support representative who follows your account all year. They will help you setup all your events and guide you through all the fundraising opportunities.
OneCause is a fundraising platform that caters to large organizations requiring extensive campaign management, from peer-to-peer marathons to high-end galas. While it is a robust system with features like AI-generated item descriptions and complex table management, it is often noted for being difficult to navigate for the average volunteer. Furthermore, while they market a “Pay-As-You-Go” option, many organizations find that the associated percentage fees and “caps” result in a much higher total cost than a straightforward annual license.
Unlike the simple, flat-fee model offered by ClickBid, OneCause utilizes a “Professional vs. Enterprise” tier system and a “Pay-As-You-Go” model that can be deceptively expensive. For 2025, they have shifted heavily toward a percentage-based take of your hard-earned revenue.
Annual License: $1,495 (unlimited events)
Credit Processing Fee: $1,575 (3.5%)
Per Transaction Fee: $0
Platform Fee: $0
Total Costs: $3,070
(Pay-As-You-Go Plan)
Annual license: $500
Credit Processing Fee: $1,305 (2.9%)
Per Transaction Fee: $36 ($0.30 per transaction)
Platform Fee: $2,250 (5%)
Total Costs: $4,091
To help clarify the features available to ClickBid and OneCause, we have provided the following matrix.
Feature | ClickBid | OneCause |
Ticket Sales | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Bidding | Yes | Yes (Paid add on) |
Fixed Pricing and Raffles | Yes | Yes |
Live Auctions | Yes | Yes |
Registration/Guest Management | Yes | Yes |
Event Promotional Page | Yes | Yes |
Real Time Event Leaderboards | Yes | Yes |
Customizable Messaging | Yes | Yes |
Embeddable Donation Forms | Yes | Yes |
Real-Time Video Streaming | Yes | Limited |
Event Night Support | Yes | Limited (Paid add on) |
Ongoing Customer Service | Yes | Limited (Paid add on) |
The primary takeaway when comparing OneCause to ClickBid is the cost of success. OneCause’s percentage-based “Pay-As-You-Go” model is designed to look affordable upfront, but it penalizes your organization as you raise more money. Plus, they gatekeep their support team, making it harder to get help when you need it.
ClickBid is the ideal choice for charities that want to keep more of their proceeds. By offering a flat, predictable license fee, we ensure that as your auction grows, your costs stay the same. Plus, every nonprofit is assigned an Account Manager to help with every event from beginning to end. If your organization values a user-friendly interface that volunteers can master in minutes rather than hours of training, ClickBid remains the professional’s choice.
ClickBid has spent more than 20 years focusing on maximum fundraising for charities all over North America. Our recipe of simple software and dedicated support has helped us become a top level event fundraising provider.
Our support team consists of seasoned, US based representatives who call ClickBid their home. Each talented team member attends events in-person to know what it feels like to be in your shoes. They personally walk you through your onboarding, answer all your questions along the way and manually review your events before they start. This isn’t extra! It’s the ClickBid Experience.
Our team is trained in helping charities migrate their event data from OneCause to ClickBid. We will walk you through a customized demo and focus on the process of migration. Unlike switching CRMs, the process is surprisingly simple and takes only minutes.
Connect directly to your account manager who will support you for the entire year. Unlike a call center, our team is dedicated to your organization. Tell your story only once and then let your account manager help you stay engaged with your donors.
With your first event set up, you’re ready to engage and raise more money. Best of all, there’s no more $$ to spend on multiple events. The road ahead of you is wide open for maximizing your donor experiences and raising more funds.
We love our nonprofits and they have loved using a proven platform.
This information was taken from review sources in 2025.