A Comparison of Features, Pricing, and Reviews
Compare and contrast CharityAuctionsToday vs. SilentAuctionPro. Both sites offer great tools: read on to learn which will best suit your needs and budget.
Fundraising through auctions has become a popular way for nonprofits, schools, and other organizations to generate funds while engaging donors. Two leading platforms, CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro, offer robust tools to help manage online and in-person auctions. However, understanding which platform suits your organization requires a detailed comparison of their features, pricing structures, and customer feedback. Let’s break it down.
You’ve Compared Tools — Now Choose the Platform That Performs
SilentAuctionPro might have features, but does it support nonprofits with transparency, support, and mission alignment? Launch your auction with CharityAuctionsToday and get a tool built for your cause—not just for profit.
Launch Your Auction With UsTake a look at 13 top fundraising auction sites to see how they stack up against each other, and us.
CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Features
Both platforms offer tools to help streamline auction setup and improve donor participation, but there are differences in focus and functionality.
CharityAuctionsToday Features
CharityAuctionsToday emphasizes simplicity and a mobile-friendly user experience, making it easy for nonprofits of all sizes to run both online and hybrid auctions.
Key Features:
- Mobile bidding with real-time updates
- Built-in payment processing (credit card, Stripe, and PayPal)
- Customizable auction pages with branding options
- Fundraising tools like “Donate Now” buttons alongside the auction and fund-a-need rounds
- Global bidder participation with currency support
- Item tracking with automated reminders for winning bids
- Integration with other platforms like CRMs
This platform focuses more on user-friendliness and scalability, ideal for organizations that need quick setup with minimal tech hurdles.
SilentAuctionPro Features
SilentAuctionPro offers a more comprehensive feature set designed for both in-person and hybrid auctions. It provides tools for event-based fundraising, including ticketing and check-in management.
Key Features:
- Paper and online bidding options
- Event management tools (ticketing, table assignments, bidder registration)
- Team collaboration tools to assign auction roles
- Games and raffles to boost funds raised
- Reporting and analytics tools for post-auction analysis
- Integrated live auction tools for real-time events
SilentAuctionPro caters more to complex events, where ticketing, seating assignments, and live auctions are essential components. However this suite of features come at a higher price.
CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Pricing
Pricing structures differ significantly between the two platforms, influencing which solution might be more cost-effective depending on the organization's needs.
CharityAuctionsToday Pricing
CharityAuctionsToday offers just two simple pricing plans:
- Flex Plan: No upfront cost, and 5% of the total auction revenue, plus processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
- 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%. This plan also includes processing fees of 3% + $0.30 per transaction.
This tiered approach allows flexibility for organizations based on their auction size.
SilentAuctionPro Pricing
SilentAuctionPro offers subscription plans based on the number of bidders and the features needed:
- Bidsheet Plus Plan: $449 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, however this plan only offers in-person, “paper-based,” auctions.
- Bidsheet Pro Plan: $649 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, however although this plan offers ticketing and seating management, it still doesn't offer an online auction catalog.
- Mobile Plus Plan: $749 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, this plan finally allows for mobile bidding as well as donations and a few other features.
- Mobile Pro Plan: $899 plus 2.0% of event proceeds, this plan offers all SilentAuctionPro features
This annual subscription model benefits large organizations with multiple events, as they won’t incur additional fees per auction. However, there is no one-time auction plan on offer.
CharityAuctionsToday vs SilentAuctionPro Customer Reviews
Both platforms have received positive feedback, but certain patterns emerge when comparing user reviews.
See how users rate us on different platforms. Keep in mind that aggregators like G2 and Capterra often include incentivized reviews.
CharityAuctionsToday | SilentAuctionPro | |
Google Reviews | 4.9 | 5.0 |
G2 Reviews | 4.5 | 4.9 |
Capterra Reviews | 4.3 | 4.8 |
Facebook Reviews | 100% recommend | 100% recommend |
User Review Comparison Summary:
- CharityAuctionsToday is praised for its ease of use, particularly for first-time auction organizers. The responsive mobile bidding system is often highlighted as a key strength, and customer support is frequently rated highly for quick and helpful responses.
- Reviewers often commend SilentAuctionPro's detailed reporting tools, which make post-event analysis straightforward. Some users report a steeper learning curve, and the interface, though functional, is sometimes described as outdated compared to newer platforms.
Which Platform is Best for Your Needs?
Choosing between CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro comes down to the specific needs of your organization.
- Choose CharityAuctionsToday if:
- Your organization needs a simple, easy-to-use platform with mobile-friendly tools.
- You plan to host primarily online auctions with occasional hybrid events.
- You prefer paying per auction rather than an annual subscription, at least to start.
- Choose SilentAuctionPro if:
- You host multiple events per year and need a robust set of event management tools.
- Your auctions involve live or in-person bidding with ticketed components.
- You want a predictable annual subscription without worrying about per-auction fees.
Conclusion
Both CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro are strong contenders in the auction management space, offering features that cater to different fundraising strategies. CharityAuctionsToday excels in user-friendliness and quick online auction setups, while SilentAuctionPro offers greater flexibility and event management tools for complex, multi-faceted events. Organizations should carefully assess their auction frequency, event type, and budget to determine which platform aligns best with their fundraising goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro compare overall?
Both provide online/mobile bidding tools for nonprofit auctions. Differences typically show up in ease of setup, mobile user experience, event-night tools (extended bidding, leaderboards, Fund-a-Need), pricing transparency, and the depth of onboarding and live support.
Which platform is better for small teams or first-time organizers?
Prioritize a guided setup wizard, intuitive item/bidder import, simple check-in/checkout, and quick support. Run a short pilot with 10–15 items to see which interface your volunteers grasp fastest.
Which offers a smoother mobile bidding experience for guests?
Evaluate speed and clarity on phones: outbid texts, max/auto bids, quick add-to-cart, and a one-screen checkout. Fewer taps generally means higher participation and revenue.
Do both platforms support extended bidding to prevent sniping?
Most modern systems offer configurable extended bidding (auto-extend items when bids arrive near closing). Confirm the grace window, category-level rules, and whether leaderboards update in real time.
How do they handle Fund-a-Need or Paddle Raise moments at galas?
Look for preset giving levels, big-screen thermometers, table-side payment capture, and fast reconciliation. These features often drive the largest single-segment revenue of the night.
Do CharityAuctionsToday and SilentAuctionPro include ticketing and check-in?
Many platforms include or integrate ticketing, table assignments, and sponsor packages. Verify that guest lists flow into bidder profiles cleanly to avoid duplicates and delays at registration.
How should we compare pricing and potential hidden costs?
Ask for a sample invoice with your expected items, bidders, messages, and payouts. Compare platform fees, payment processing rates, texting/ticketing add-ons, overages, refund/chargeback fees, and any premium support charges.
Do we own our bidder/donor data and can we export it anytime?
Your contract should state you own your data and can export bidders, bids, items, and payments (CSV/API). Confirm field mappings for your CRM and whether exports are included or paywalled.
Which integrations matter most when choosing between the two?
Prioritize syncing contacts and gifts to your CRM, email tool, and accounting system. Ask about real-time vs batch syncs, custom fields, source codes, and whether integrations are included or add-ons.
How customizable are auction pages, emails, and bidder messages?
Review themes, logo/colors, custom fields, item templates, and automated messages (outbid alerts, receipts). Consistent branding can boost trust and conversion.
What payment options and fee-cover features should we expect at checkout?
Look for card + wallet payments (Apple/Google Pay), saved cards for repeat charges, split payments for items vs donations, and an optional “cover fees” toggle. Confirm payout timing and refund workflows.
What kind of support should we expect during setup and on closing night?
Check live chat/email hours, weekend coverage, and emergency escalation during your closing window. Ask about onboarding sessions and a direct contact for event-hour issues.
Do both platforms support hybrid events with remote and in-room bidders?
Confirm synchronized bidding across web and in-room devices, staggered closings, and fair extended-bidding rules. A real-time leaderboard helps keep remote guests engaged.
What accessibility and international features should we look for?
Mobile-first pages, readable fonts, alt text, and clear buttons. If needed, verify supported currencies, time zones, and address/phone formats for global bidders.
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 SilentAuctionPro?
- List must-haves: mobile UX, extended bidding, Fund-a-Need, ticketing, exports.
- Run a scripted demo with your real items and closing-time scenario.
- Request a sample invoice at expected volume to compare net proceeds.
- Confirm support coverage on your specific event date and closing hour.
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