Menu
Menu
If you are looking for event fundraising software, two popular choices are BetterUnite 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.
BetterUnite is advertised as a free platform that you can use to raise money for your charity. They offer similar services such as donor pages, online auctions, ticketing and payment services.
BetterUnite covers their costs by charging a nondeductible 3% fee in addition to credit card processing fees from Stripe or WePay (3.5% or 2.9%). This fee is presented to your donors with the option to cover the cost (in addition to card processing fees). You can reduce the 3% fee by opting into a monthly play (with 12 month commitment) or an annual fee which eliminates any performance fees.
ClickBid and BetterUnite differ greatly on pricing models. ClickBid has three key price points for annual unlimited events. ClickBid’s middle package is $1,295 annually. This includes unlimited events, event ticketing, mass messaging, notifications, payments and more. Most importantly, it includes a dedicated support representative that will assist you throughout the year as you continue to engage your donors.
BetterUnite offers a free setup package. To cover costs, as the organization, you pass platform fees to donors. Donors pay BetterUnite when they make a payment on the platform. The fee is 3% on top of credit card fees, per transaction fees and the donation. To change this fee, you must opt into an annual license to either reduce or remove the “performance fee” assessed to each donor.
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Donor Requested Fees:
Total Costs:
$1,295 (unlimited events)
$1,575 (3.5%)
$0
$2,870
Annual License:
Credit Processing Fee:
Donor Requested Fees:
Total Costs:
Free or $1,140 or $4,788
$1,575
$1,350 or $900 or $0
$2,925 or $3,615 or $6,363
To help clarify the features available to ClickBid and BetterUnite, we have provided the following matrix.
Feature | ClickBid | BetterUnite |
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 | No |
Online Donations | Yes | Yes |
Event Real-time Leaderboards | Yes | Yes |
Live Auction Support | Yes | Yes |
On Call Event Night Support | Yes | Limited |
Real-time Video Streaming | Yes | No |
Bidder Chat | Yes | Yes |
Dedicated Support for All Nonprofits | Yes | No |
There are several key differences when choosing between ClickBid and BetterUnite. First, ClickBid’s pricing is ideal for the charity running more than one event and raising at or above $35,000 in a twelve month period of time.
Platforms like BetterUnite that do not charge an upfront fee will cost much more over time due to repetitive costs like tips and performance fees charged on every transaction. However, if your charity is running a smaller, one-time event, a DIY platform like BetterUnite can be a realistic solution.
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 BetterUnite 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.
800 East Ellis Suite 533
Norton Shores, MI 49441
(800) 513-5097
(231) 799-4999 (fax)
