Compare and contrast CharityAuctionsToday vs. Clickbid. Both sites offer great tools: read on to learn which will best suit your needs and budget.
With the growing need for online auction platforms, many organizations rely on solutions like CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid to host successful fundraising events. Both platforms provide tools to streamline the auction process, engage bidders, and maximize donations. However, their features, pricing models, and user experiences differ significantly. This article compares the two platforms across these key areas to help you determine which is better suited to your needs.
Don’t Just Weigh Options — Choose the Right Platform
You’ve compared ClickBid and CharityAuctionsToday — now go with the one built around nonprofits, with fewer fees, more support, and mission alignment.
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CharityAuctionsToday vs. Clickbid Features
CharityAuctionsToday
CharityAuctionsToday is designed to be simple, flexible, and effective for a variety of auction types. Its core features include:
- Online, Silent, and Hybrid Auctions: The platform supports multiple auction formats, giving users flexibility.
- Mobile Bidding: Bidders can participate easily from their phones with a mobile-friendly design.
- Custom Auction Pages: Auction organizers can create fully customizable pages to showcase items and brand their event.
- Real-Time Analytics: Provides live tracking of auction activity, allowing organizers to monitor bids, donor engagement, and overall revenue.
- Integrated Payments: CharityAuctionsToday supports multiple payment gateways, making it easy for bidders to pay securely through PayPal, credit cards, and more.
- Fund-a-Need: Allows for direct donations to a specific cause, in addition to traditional bidding.
ClickBid
ClickBid also offers a comprehensive set of features for running auctions, focusing heavily on user engagement and event management:
- Mobile Bidding: Similar to CharityAuctionsToday, ClickBid prioritizes mobile bidding but with an app that users must download.
- Text-to-Give: This feature allows supporters to donate by sending a simple text message, expanding the avenues for fundraising. However, this is only available at higher pricing tiers.
- Event Ticketing: In addition to auctions, ClickBid supports ticket sales and guest management, making it useful for larger charity events.
- Live Event Streaming: A notable feature that allows organizations to stream live events directly on the platform, keeping virtual attendees engaged.
Feature Comparison Summary:
- Both platforms support mobile bidding, customizable auction pages, and integrated payments.
- CharityAuctionsToday excels in simplicity, making it easy for small to mid-sized events.
- ClickBid has some additional features like live streaming (only available at higher pricing plans), catering to more complex fundraising events.
CharityAuctionsToday vs. Clickbid Pricing
CharityAuctionsToday
CharityAuctionsToday offers flexible pricing plans:
- Flex Plan: No upfront cost, and 5% of the total auction revenue.
- Prepaid Plan: Offers custom solutions and costs between $297 and $1,500 per auction depending on your needs as well as a platform fee of up to 3%.
- Both CharityAuctionsToday plans include processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
ClickBid
ClickBid operates on an annual subscription model, with pricing based on features:
- Essentials: This base plan includes unlimited auctions, mobile bidding, text messaging, and item management and costs $795 per year.
- Enhanced: Includes all the essential features plus unlimited ticketing and mass messaging. This package costs $1,295 annually.
- Full Suite: Larger organizations with complex needs can request customized pricing starting at $2,295.
Pricing Comparison Summary:
- CharityAuctionsToday has more flexible, event-based pricing options, which can be cost-effective for organizations hosting one-off auctions.
- ClickBid’s annual subscription offers value for organizations planning multiple events throughout the year, but its base price is higher.
CharityAuctionsToday vs. Clickbid Reviews
See how users rate us on different platforms. Keep in mind that aggregators like G2 and Capterra might include incentivized reviews.
CharityAuctionsToday | Clickbid | |
Google Reviews | 4.9 | 5 |
G2 Reviews | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Capterra Reviews | 4.3 | 4.7 |
Facebook Reviews | 100% recommend | NA |
User Review Comparison Summary:
- CharityAuctionsToday is loved for its simplicity, making it ideal for organizations looking for an easy, no-fuss solution.
- ClickBid is praised for its feature set and reliability but may require more technical know-how and a higher budget to unlock its full potential.
Wondering if an auction site is the real deal? Read our take on How to Tell if an Auction Site is Legit.
Conclusion
Choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid depends on your organization’s specific needs.
- CharityAuctionsToday is best for small to mid-sized organizations looking for an easy-to-use platform with flexible pricing options. Its free-to-start plan with a percentage fee and simple interface make it a great choice for one-time auctions or recurring events.
- ClickBid is ideal for organizations running multiple events or larger-scale fundraisers that require advanced features like live streaming. The higher upfront cost is offset by its robust feature set, which can drive higher engagement and donations.
Both platforms have excellent customer support, making them reliable options for online fundraising, but understanding the scope of your event will help you choose the platform that fits your budget and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid compare overall?
Both platforms support online, in-person, and hybrid charity auctions. Key differences usually show up in setup speed, mobile bidding experience, event-night tools (leaderboards, extended bidding, Fund-a-Need), pricing transparency, and the depth of onboarding and live support.
Which platform is better for small teams or first-time organizers?
If you’re new to auctions, prioritize guided setup, intuitive item and bidder imports, clear bidder registration, and responsive support. Run a short pilot with sample items to see which interface volunteers grasp fastest.
Which offers a smoother mobile bidding experience for guests?
Evaluate clarity of item pages, one-tap outbid alerts, max/auto-bid options, and a fast cart/checkout. Fewer taps and clear buttons typically mean higher participation and final bid prices.
Do both platforms support extended bidding to prevent last-second sniping?
Most modern systems allow “extended bidding,” which auto-extends an item if a bid arrives near closing. Confirm the extension window, whether it’s configurable per item/category, and how the leaderboard updates in real time.
How do they handle Fund-a-Need or Paddle Raise during the program?
Look for preset giving levels, big-screen thermometers, quick pledge capture, and rapid payment processing at tables. Strong appeal tools often drive the largest single revenue block of the night.
Do CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid include ticketing and check-in features?
Many auction platforms include or integrate ticketing, seating, and sponsor packages. Ensure guest lists flow cleanly into bidder profiles to avoid duplicates and delays at registration.
How do they compare on item intake and catalog organization?
Check for CSV imports, donor intake forms, bulk photo upload, categories, FMV fields, Buy-It-Now, and bundles. Good templates and bulk editing save significant staff time.
Do both platforms support outbid alerts and event-night messaging?
Look for automated outbid notifications, last-call reminders, and configurable push/SMS/email alerts. Timely alerts keep bidders engaged as items approach closing.
Which platform handles hybrid events (in-room + remote) more smoothly?
Confirm synchronous bidding for on-site and remote guests, staggered closings, and fair extended-bidding rules for everyone. A real-time leaderboard helps maintain energy across audiences.
What payment options should we expect at checkout on either platform?
Seek card + digital wallet payments (Apple/Google Pay), saved cards for quick recharges, split payments (items vs. donations), and an optional “cover fees” toggle. Verify payout timing and refund/chargeback handling.
How should we compare pricing and potential hidden fees between the two?
Request a sample invoice based on your item count, bidders, messaging volume, and expected revenue. Compare platform fees, processing rates, add-ons (texting, ticketing, custom domains), overages, and any premium support charges.
Do we fully own our data and get strong reporting from both platforms?
Your agreement should state you own your data and can export bidders, bids, items, donors, and payments (CSV/API). Look for post-event summaries by item, category, donor, and payment status.
Which integrations matter most when choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid?
Prioritize syncing contacts and gifts to your CRM, email platform, and accounting system. Confirm real-time vs. batch syncs, custom field mapping, and whether connectors are included or paid add-ons.
How customizable are auction pages, emails, and bidder messages on each platform?
Review themes, logo/colors, custom fields, item templates, and automated messages (outbid alerts, receipts). Consistent branding builds trust and improves conversion.
What support should we expect during setup and on closing night from either provider?
Ask about live chat/email hours, weekend coverage, and an escalation path during your final bidding hour. If your timeline is tight, confirm response SLAs and event-night staff availability.
How do the platforms address security and reliability for auctions and payments?
Look for HTTPS, PCI-compliant processing, role-based admin permissions, audit logs, and a strong uptime history. A public status page and clear incident communications are good indicators of reliability.
How hard is it to migrate from one platform to the other before our event?
Create export/import templates for items, photos, donors, and bidders. Test a small import first, then lock edits during the final migration. Confirm how unpaid balances and receipts carry over.
What’s a quick checklist to decide between CharityAuctionsToday and ClickBid?
- List must-haves: mobile UX, extended bidding, Fund-a-Need, ticketing, exports/integrations.
- Run a scripted demo with your real items and a closing-time scenario.
- Request a sample invoice at expected volume to compare net proceeds.
- Confirm event-night support coverage on your specific date and hour.
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