Givebutter vs. Fundraise Up vs. Donorbox: Which Donation Platform Is Best for Your Nonprofit?
Choosing a donation platform can feel overwhelming. With so many options out there, how do you know which one is right for your nonprofit?
The truth is, the “best” tool depends on your size, goals, and donor experience. I’ve worked with nonprofits for 10 years, and while all three of these platforms have strong features, I’ll tell you upfront—I usually recommend Donorbox.
Here’s a breakdown of Givebutter, Fundraise Up, and Donorbox so you can make the right choice for your organization.
1. Givebutter
Pros:
100% free to use (revenue from tips).
Great for events, peer-to-peer, and crowdfunding.
Easy to set up donation pages with videos and images.
Built-in text-to-donate and Venmo integration.
Cons:
Branding/customization is limited unless you upgrade.
Reporting is basic compared to other platforms.
Donor journey can feel “busy” with all the features.
Transaction Fees:
No platform fee.
Processing fee: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (standard Stripe/PayPal rate).
Best For: Smaller nonprofits or community-based orgs that run events and campaigns where storytelling + peer-to-peer fundraising matters.
2. Fundraise Up
Pros:
Super modern donation experience (AI-powered upsells, one-click Apple Pay, etc.).
Excellent data + reporting for fundraising teams.
Optimized for mobile and recurring giving.
Cons:
Pricing is higher than others.
Can feel overwhelming for small nonprofits with limited staff.
Best features are geared toward larger orgs.
Transaction Fees:
Platform fee: 3.95% (includes processing).
Custom enterprise pricing available.
Best For: Mid-to-large nonprofits that want to maximize online conversions and already have staff to manage advanced tools.
3. Donorbox (My Top Pick)
Pros:
Easy to set up and embed on any website.
Strong recurring donation options.
Customizable forms that look professional.
Integrates with Salesforce, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, and more.
Affordable for small orgs.
Cons:
Some advanced features (text-to-give, peer-to-peer) are paid add-ons.
Slight learning curve if you want deep integrations.
Transaction Fees:
Free to set up.
Platform fee: 1.5% + standard payment processing fees (2.9% + 30¢ per donation).
Best For: Nonprofits of all sizes that want a reliable, donor-friendly platform with strong recurring giving tools.
My Recommendation as a Marketing Strategist
After working with different nonprofits, here’s how I’d guide you:
👶 Small/new nonprofit? Try Givebutter—free and simple for events.
📈 Mid-size with growth budget? Fundraise Up is powerful, but only if you can handle the complexity.
💡 Most nonprofits I work with? I recommend Donorbox. It’s affordable, simple to set up, and its recurring donation features help build long-term stability.
Recurring donors are the lifeblood of nonprofits, and Donorbox makes it easy to set up those monthly giving programs that keep you sustainable.
Your donation platform should work for you—not the other way around. If you’re just starting, Givebutter gives you flexibility. If you’re scaling fast, Fundraise Up has the tools. But for most nonprofits, Donorbox is the sweet spot of affordability, functionality, and donor experience.
At Socials Runway, we help nonprofits choose the right tools and optimize donation pages so every campaign converts better.
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