If you are looking for event fundraising software, two popular choices are GiveSmart and ClickBid. Both offer comprehensive solutions for your events, including mobile bidding, pre-event ticketing, and ongoing giving. However, there are differences between them when it comes to pricing and support. Take a closer look and decide which one suits your needs.
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.
GiveSmart was created by a parent company called Community Brands. Through the acquisition of separate companies, Community Brands works to provide options for all forms of nonprofit software needs. In this case, GiveSmart is the silent auction fundraising platform.
As a company owned by a larger equity manager, GiveSmart is one of the most expensive platforms available. In addition, their pricing is not listed on their site making cost planning difficult for shopping nonprofits. In several reviews, organizations place their annual fees around $5,000 plus credit processing fees of 3.5 to 4%. To get a guaranteed price, you must connect with a GiveSmart representative.
In addition, their support is not dedicated to each nonprofit. This creates a “call center” approach to helping charities similar to other large tech companies like AT&T and Verizon.
A major differentiator in a GiveSmart comparison to ClickBid is up front pricing and transparency. Both ClickBid and GiveSmart have spent years building and improving features, making them leaders when it comes to what is possible in event fundraising. However, ClickBid has also strived to make pricing and fees completely transparent. Our pricing is up front and designed to let you make a confident presentation to your committee or board. We do not have any added fees beyond an annual license and a flat 3.5% credit card processing fee for all card types.
When working with GiveSmart you are quoted an annual license, encouraged to hire additional on-site staff, and asked to commit to a multi-year agreement. This means that you will not be able to accurately calculate your event costs for your board or committee.
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Per Transaction:
Total Costs:
$1,295 (unlimited events)
$1,575 (3.5%)
$0
$2,870
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Per Transaction:
Total Costs:
Up to $5,000 annually
$1,575 – $1,800
$0.30 per transaction
$6,575 – $6,800
To help clarify the features available to ClickBid and GiveSmart, we have provided the following matrix.
Feature | ClickBid | GiveSmart |
Ticket Sales | Yes | Yes |
Guest Management | Yes | Yes |
Unlimited Mobile Bidding Auctions | Yes | Online Only |
Fixed Price & Raffles | Yes | Yes |
At-home Live Auction Bidding | Yes | No |
Paddle Raise from Any Location | Yes | No |
Event Promotional Webpage | Yes | Yes |
Customizable Mass Messaging | Yes | Limited |
Online Donations | Yes | Yes |
Event Real-time Leaderboards | Yes | Yes |
Live Auction Support | Yes | Yes |
On Call Event Night Support | Yes | Yes |
Real-time Video Streaming | Yes | No |
Bidder Chat | Yes | Yes |
Stripe Backed Payment Processing | Yes | No |
Dedicated Support for All Nonprofits | Yes | No |
When deciding between ClickBid and GiveSmart for your charity, it’s essential to consider key factors in the GiveSmart comparison. Both platforms offer annual license pricing, which benefits nonprofits by providing upfront costs. They feature robust capabilities not found in newer platforms.
However, GiveSmart’s lack of pricing transparency and hidden fees, such as performance charges, make ClickBid a more straightforward choice since you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay, regardless of how much you raise. Additionally, ClickBid’s dedicated support model ensures your questions are answered by someone familiar with your organization throughout the year.
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. Let us show you how we do it!
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 GiveSmart 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 crazy simple platform.
ClickBid’s Event Fundraising Platform is the premier software for charities, specializing in ticket sales, event promotions, and auctions.
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