Compare and contrast CharityAuctionsToday vs. OneCause. Both sites offer great tools: read on to learn which will best suit your needs and budget.
There are many online auction sites designed to help nonprofits, each with their own strengths. We know that while you’re shopping for an auction, raffle, or ticket sales provider, you’re doing direct compare and contrast. We also know that it can be difficult to find all the information you want about a nonprofit platform. That’s why we’ve done some of the homework for you.
OneCause is a great fundraising platform that provides many helpful features: but are they the features you need for the price you want? In this article we’ll show you how CharityAuctionsToday stacks up against OneCause, so you can make an informed decision about which to choose for your next event.
Comparison Is Smart — But Action Moves Your Mission Forward
You’ve seen how OneCause and CharityAuctionsToday stack up. Now choose the platform built for nonprofits — with transparency, support, and built-in auction tools.
Launch Your Auction with ConfidenceLooking for a different auction platform? Take a look at how we stack up against Givebutter, Galabid, BiddingforGood (Frontstream Panorama), and Charitybuzz.
CharityAuctionsToday vs. OneCause Features
OneCause and CharityAuctionsToday offer very similar fundraising features and other tools that can help nonprofits, schools, churches, and more. OneCause and CharityAuctionsToday are similar in age and both offer high-touch auction support.
Like CharityAuctionsToday, OneCause offers ticket sales, raffles, and a donation feature in addition to auctions. Their auction features include tools for both live and silent auctions. And they offer paddle raise and leaderboard functionality. Like CharityAuctionsToday they also offer Text-to-Give SMS fundraising functionality.
OneCause also offers a broad range of other tools, like mobile campaigns, fundraising pages, and peer-to-peer fundraising solutions. However, OneCause does not offer every feature at each of its pricing tiers. Moreover, their expansive suite of fundraising tools is reflected in their prices.
Take a look at how the top 12 auction sites compare against each other and CharityAuctionsToday.
CharityAuctionsToday vs. OneCause Price
OneCause doesn’t list their prices publicly, however G2 reports that their lowest tier starts at $495. But what does that $495 get you?
OneCause’s lowest pricing tier does not include live or silent auction features. Instead, this tier offers online fundraising pages, and mobile fundraising tools like Text-to-Give features. It’s best for one-time campaigns like Giving Tuesday or ongoing fundraising efforts like sending periodic emails and texts.
If you need auction solutions for an event or purely virtual fundraising auction, OneCause's pricing is not transparent. It might be slightly higher than its basic tier, at $495, or it might be significantly higher. It's possible that for auctions there is a OneCause pricing percentage rather than a flat fee.
In contrast, we can tell you that CharityAuctionsToday has two types of plans. These plans’ prices include platform fees, to help us cover the costs of operation, processing fees to cover transactions, and, in the case of our Pre-Paid plan, a subscription fee to make sure we can provide solutions and support you require.
- Our Flex plan will cost you 5% of your total proceeds. If you don’t raise anything, you don’t pay anything.
- Our Pre-Paid plan costs a subscription fee of $297-$1500 and platform fees of 0%-3%
- Both plans charge processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction
We strive to provide auction and fundraising tools affordably, so that small nonprofits can make the most of their fundraising efforts. With a no-upfront-cost plan and a subscription plan that starts low at $297, we feel that we’re the clear choice against OneCause’s more expensive auction solutions. Especially because we provide Text-to-Give at no additional cost.
CharityAuctionsToday vs OneCause Reviews
Both CharityAuctionsToday and OneCause have great reviews: our users find our tools simple to use and our customer support excellent. See how CharityAuctionsToday and OneCause reviews stack up.
CharityAuctionsToday | OneCause | |
Google Reviews | 4.9 | NA |
G2 Reviews | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Capterra Reviews | 4.3 | 4.7 |
Facebook Reviews | 100% recommend | 86% recommend |
Personal Touch
OneCause offers phone and email support for each of their pricing plans. CharityAuctionsToday provides comparable support to all of our customers. You can expect an email from your Auction Success Manager as soon as you sign up for our site.
You don’t have to work with your Auction Success Manager closely if you feel confident setting up your auction yourself (they’ll be sending you How To materials). But if you have questions about any feature, your account, or set up, your ASM is available to help.
Just as important, your ASM and our dedicated support team can help you troubleshoot at any point during your event, as well as with checkout and invoicing questions.
"I spoke with Ashley and she was extremely helpful. I love this platform! Everything is very straightforward and user friendly. This is our first auction we’ve done online but we’ll definitely do this again next time we organize an auction. Thanks for all the support!"
- Katie K.
"Working with CharityAuctionsToday has been a great experience. You and your team have been tremendously helpful throughout the process. This platform will definitely be at the top of our list for all future auctions."
- K. Randall
In Conclusion
If you need OneCause’s broad variety of fundraising solutions, like peer-to-peer tools, then it can be your one-stop shop, especially if you are a larger organization with the need for its many types of tools.
If, however, you’re an SMB nonprofit with a tight budget and a focus on auctions (as well as raffles, ticket sales, donations, paddle raise, and Text-to-Give) CharityAuctionsToday might be a better fit.
You deserve an auction tool that will suit both your needs and your budget. We aim to help nonprofits and charities to raise more with less, expand their reach, and host successful events year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CharityAuctionsToday and OneCause compare overall?
Both support online, in-person, and hybrid fundraising with auctions and event tools. Practical differences often appear in setup speed, mobile bidding UX, gala-night features (leaderboards, extended bidding, Fund-a-Need), pricing structure, and depth of onboarding and live support.
Which is better for auction-centric galas vs. broader event fundraising programs?
If your primary need is auction-first with efficient catalog workflows and closing-night tools, a specialized auction platform can shine. If you manage multiple event formats year-round (galas, runs, appeals) a broader event suite may fit your roadmap.
Which offers a smoother mobile bidding experience for guests on event night?
Evaluate clarity of item pages, one-tap outbid alerts, max/auto-bids, add-to-cart flow, and a fast checkout. Fewer taps and obvious buttons typically drive higher participation and final bids.
Do both platforms support extended bidding to prevent last-second sniping?
Most modern systems allow “extended bidding,” auto-extending items when bids arrive near closing. Confirm the extension window, whether it’s configurable per item/category, and real-time leaderboard updates.
How do they handle Fund-a-Need or Paddle Raise moments during the program?
Look for preset giving levels, big-screen thermometers, pledge capture at tables, and rapid payment processing. Strong appeal tools often deliver the night’s largest revenue block.
Do CharityAuctionsToday and OneCause include ticketing and check-in features?
Many platforms include or integrate ticketing, table assignments, sponsor packages, and check-in tools. Ensure guest data flows cleanly into bidder profiles to avoid duplicates at registration.
Which handles large auction catalogs and item workflows more efficiently?
Check for CSV imports, donor intake forms, bulk photo uploads, categories, FMV/minimums, Buy-It-Now, bundles, and bulk editing. Good templates and batch tools save significant staff time.
Do both platforms support outbid alerts and event-night messaging to guests?
Look for automated outbid notifications, last-call reminders, and configurable SMS/email/push alerts. Timely, targeted messages keep bidders engaged as items approach closing.
Which handles hybrid events (in-room + remote) more smoothly?
Confirm synchronized bidding across web and in-room devices, staggered closings, and fair extended-bidding rules for all participants. A real-time leaderboard helps maintain energy across audiences.
What payment options and fee-cover features should we expect at checkout?
Seek credit/debit and digital wallets (Apple/Google Pay), saved cards for quick recharges, split payments (items vs. donations), and an optional donor “cover fees” toggle. Verify payout timing and refund workflows.
How should we compare pricing and potential hidden fees between the two?
Request a sample invoice based on expected items, bidders, tickets, messages, and revenue. Compare platform fees, processing rates, add-ons (texting, ticketing, custom domains), overages, refund/chargeback policies, and any premium support charges to understand net proceeds.
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 OneCause?
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 add-ons.
How customizable are auction/event pages, emails, and bidder messages on each platform?
Review themes, logo/colors, custom fields, item templates, and automated messages (outbid alerts, receipts, reminders). Consistent branding builds trust and improves conversion.
What accessibility and international features should we verify before choosing?
Mobile-first layouts, readable fonts, alt text, clear buttons, and language options. If needed, confirm supported currencies, time zones, tax settings, and address/phone formats for global bidders.
How do platforms handle receipts, acknowledgments, and post-event stewardship?
Look for automatic receipts with itemized details, FMV disclosures for items, and templates for thank-yous. Ensure exports or integrations support consolidated donor statements and follow-up campaigns.
What support should we expect during setup and on closing night or appeal moments?
Verify live chat/email hours, weekend/holiday coverage, and escalation during final bidding windows. Ask about onboarding sessions and a direct event-night contact if timing is critical.
How hard is it to migrate between platforms—and what’s a safe pilot plan?
Create export/import templates for items, photos, donors, and bidders. Test a small import first, then lock edits during final migration. Run a pilot with 10–20 items to validate bidding, alerts, payments, receipts, and reporting before your full event.
What’s a quick checklist to decide between CharityAuctionsToday and OneCause?
- List must-haves: mobile UX, extended bidding, Fund-a-Need, ticketing, exports/integrations.
- Run a scripted demo using 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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