Whether you are looking to raise money for an organization, sell some valuable items, or purchase a car...there are numerous online outlets to help you do all of that, and more. We have collected twenty of the most talked-about auction sites across the globe, from Ohio to the British Isles!
After Comparing Platforms, Choose the One That Empowers You
You’ve seen how leading auction sites stack up. Now pick a platform built for nonprofits — launch your auction with tools, transparency, and support you can trust.
Launch Your Auction with ConfidenceNote: Sites are listed in no particular order.
1) CharityAuctionsToday
CharityAuctionsToday
A perfect solution for all lovers of online charity auctions, CharityAuctionsToday was developed and created by Tom Kelly in 2007 to cater to those who would like to take their charity auction to the next level.
With a state-of-the-art, cutting edge platform, CharityAuctionsToday has been fully developed to provide a top-notch user friendly platform that will help you raise the maximum dollars with your auction.
CharityAuctionsToday is one of the most reliable online charity auction platforms.
Additionally, CharityAuctionsToday has hundreds of features that are easy to use and easily customizable.
Their platform can work with all devices, has a built-in credit card processor, and contains many social media tools to help you spread the word of your auction.
2) eBay
eBay is undoubtedly the largest auction site on the internet and prides itself as the biggest online shopping mall with over 100 million registered users.
eBay is also the best-known online auction site because they offer the safest marketplace platform for both buyers and sellers alike.
A myriad of interesting features are available for both buyers and sellers - advanced search features, feedback options, a third-party resolution center - all make eBay the go-to place for the both parties.
The only drawback is that their fees are a bit higher than others and the marketplace is somehow confusing for newbies. They support Papal and credit cards as payment options.
But by and large, it is certainly the place to go for your online auction needs.
3) LiveAuctioneers
LiveAuctioneersLiveAuctioneers is an internationally recognized online auction website that was launched in 2002 and is based in New York City.
It houses over a million members with thousands of listings every week making it one of the biggest online auction portals.
LiveAuctioneers has a well designed web portal which allows both buyers or sellers to easily and safely list and bid for products.
The "Auction Activity" tab at the right sidebar of the "About Us" is especially noteworthy. It tells you in a second everything you need to know about the listings on their site, the auctions listed, auctions scheduled in that particular month and bidder participation in online auctions.
4) ShopGoodWill
ShopGoodwillShopGoodwill is one the largest online auction site in the world with thousands of auction listings every year. A myriad of category listings is what sets them apart from the others.
The "new today", "ending today" and "Going Going Gone" pages display red hot auctions that will soon be gone.
5) BiddingForGood
BiddingForGoodBiddingForGood is a very reputable online charity auction web portal that has been in existence for some time now and has received lots of positive feedback from various customers.
6) Auction Ohio
Auction OhioAuction Ohio, part of the Auction Ohio family of businesses founded by Chris Davis in 1985, is a beautifully designed online auction site with a lot of security features.
With the highest standards of service, Auction Ohio has grown rapidly over the years and still offers what I consider a top-notch bidding service.
7) Great North Property Auction
Great North Property AuctionThe Great North Property Auction offers a fast and effective way to achieve a quick and secure sale. They feature sold, "About to Expire" and the "Latest Addition" listings so that buyers can immediately make a good decision on what to bid on.
The Great North Property Auction also offers an evaluation service at no cost or fee.
8) Autorola
AutorolaEstablished in 2001, Autorola is the largest internationally recognized online auction platform for car dealers. Currently facilitating used vehicle transactions in 17 European countries, Turkey, Australia and the US.
They have over 70,000 registered dealers worldwide and are gradually but steadily becoming a force to reckoned with in the US auction market.
Their homepage contains latest international auction listings and you can see which is which at a glance and you also have the ability to enter into an auction in a snap of the finger.
9) Auctria
AuctriaAuctria is a web application that lets you create a very powerful but easy to use auction. You can run a silent, live or online fundraising auctions at an affordable rate.
10) Artsy
ArtsyArtsy features the worlds leading galleries, museum collections, foundations, artist estates, art fairs, and benefit auctions, all in one place. They have the largest database of contemporary art with a growing database of 350,000 images of art and architecture.
The Artsy auction page features the latest auctions at a glance and also contains very informative tips on how to bid on their site.
11) CharityBuzz
CharityBuzzA fantastic and top-notch travel, sport and celebrity online auction site. CharityBuzz online auctions bring together hundreds of the world's most acclaimed celebrities, inspiring luminaries and beloved brands to give you unforgettable access to your passions.
A beautifully designed website that helps support incredible causes or projects around the world.
12) GiveSmart
GiveSmartA fantastic team of online auction site developers with great features especially for fundraising purposes. GiveSmart specializes in building and developing online auction fundraising sites for hundreds of people around the Globe.
GiveSmart is founded by passionate charity supporters and has a lot to offer to anyone who wants to create an online presence for a charity auction.
13) Copart
CopartFounded in 1982 by CEO Willis J. Johnson, Copart is an online vehicle auction with more than 75,000 salvage and clean title vehicles on sale each day.
They have a fantastic online auction platform and have recently added over 100 new features to improve your online car buying experience.
14) Chiswick Auctions
Chiswick AuctionsChiswick Auctions, based in West London, is one of largest antiques auction sites in the UK with a lot of auction listings in their database.
Although they predominantly deal in antiques, Chiswick Auctions also offers a variety of modern items and designer goods.
15) Essential Information Group
EIG Property AuctionsThe Essential Information Group, established in 1991, provides comprehensive information on property auctions, including future auction particulars with pictures, guide prices, and auction results.
The site has an advanced search feature that allows you to quickly search available property auctions. In fact, they have best auction coverage available in whole of UK.
16) Hansons Auctioneers
Hansons AuctioneersBased in Derbyshire, England with other valuation centers all over the UK, Hansons Auctioneers was established in 2005 by Charles Hanson.
The homepage contains the latest auctions and some noteworthy details like opening hours, specialist sales, and postages.
17) Ruther Auction
Ruhter AuctionEstablished in 1967, Ruther Auction have been the recognized leader for land auctions, commercial equipment auctions, estate auctions, and more in Hastings, NE and its environs.
Ruther Auction is no doubt the best auction service in Hastings. With over a hundred listings every month, they are considered by many as one of the largest land auction companies in Nebraska.
18) Barnard Marcus Property Auctions
Barnard Marcus Property AuctionsA part of Sequence(UK) Limited, Barnard Marcus Property Auctions is one the largest national networks of estate agents throughout the UK. They offer the following auction services;
You can also get the latest auction dates and news by clicking their respective links at the left sidebar of their homepage.
19) eFlea
eFleaeFlea is a simple to use Free Online Charity Auction Hosting site. They provide services to any not-for-profit group and organization based in Canada, The United States, Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain.
They are rated as one of the best online charity auction hosting sites in the United States because of their reputation and credibility.
20) Invaluable
InvaluableInvaluable is one of the largest premier live online auction sites. You can bid in real time from any part of the world.
Their homepage features the latest auction listings and a link to upcoming auctions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an online auction site for nonprofits and schools?
An online auction site is a platform where you list items, accept bids digitally, send outbid alerts, collect payments, and manage fulfillment. Supporters bid from any device; the highest eligible bid at close wins and pays securely online.
How do we choose the right online auction platform for our organization?
- Mobile-first bidding with outbid and closing alerts.
- Simple item setup (photos, inclusions, restrictions, pickup/shipping).
- Auto-extend anti-sniping and proxy (max) bidding options.
- Transparent fees, easy exports, and responsive support.
What features matter most for better results and less admin work?
- Wallet pay (Apple/Google Pay) and quick checkout.
- Watchlists, item recommendations, and easy sharing links/QRs.
- Buy-It-Now, staggered closings, and sell-multiples on experiences.
- Built-in receipts, reporting, and CSV/CRM sync options.
What fees should we expect with online auction sites? (General information)
Common fees include platform/service fees, payment processing, and optional add-ons (e.g., SMS bundles). Some platforms offer donor-covered fees. Compare total cost to run, not just headline rates. General information, not financial advice.
What “hidden costs” should we watch for before we commit? (General information)
- Text/SMS credits, email send limits, or storage caps.
- Premium support, training, or onboarding fees.
- Per-item or per-bid surcharges; payout/withdrawal fees.
Request a full fee table in writing. General information only.
Who owns our donor and bidder data, and can we export it easily?
Your organization should retain ownership of supporter data. Confirm export options (CSV, integrations) and whether contact permissions are clearly captured for future stewardship.
Do platforms provide tax receipts and handle fair market value (FMV)? (General information)
Most systems can send receipts and include FMV fields for items. You should enter accurate FMV, disclose restrictions, and ensure receipts reflect whether goods/services were received. This is general information, not tax advice.
What is “auto-extend,” and why does it matter at closing time?
Auto-extend adds a short time (e.g., 2–5 minutes) when a last-minute bid arrives, reducing “sniping” and raising final prices. Announce this policy clearly on your auction page.
Should we enable proxy (maximum) bidding for supporters?
Yes—proxy bidding lets bidders set a max amount; the system increases their bid automatically in increments. It boosts participation without requiring constant manual bidding.
What makes a platform truly mobile-friendly for bidders and admins?
- Fast load times, large tap targets, and single-column pages.
- Wallet pay, saved methods, and minimal form fields.
- Admin tools that work from phones during events.
How quickly can we set up and launch our online auction?
- Create the event and brand the page (logo, colors).
- Add items with photos, inclusions, restrictions, and FMV.
- Set increments, auto-extend, Buy-It-Now, and close times.
- Test registration, bidding, receipts, and payment flows.
Do auction sites integrate with our CRM, email, or accounting tools? (General information)
Many offer native integrations or CSV exports for donor records, transactions, and item data. Confirm fields, dedupe rules, and mapping to ensure clean syncs. General information, not implementation advice.
What security and privacy practices should we expect? (General information)
- HTTPS, reputable payment processors, and admin 2FA.
- Role-based access and audit trails for sensitive actions.
- Clear privacy policy and data retention controls.
General information, not security or legal advice.
How do we ensure our auction is accessible and inclusive? (General information)
- High-contrast text, alt text for images, captions on videos.
- Keyboard navigation and descriptive buttons/labels.
- Content in key languages for your community, where possible.
Can online auction sites help manage shipping and local pickup?
Look for item-level settings to display pickup windows, flat-rate shipping, digital certificates, and winner instructions. Clear terms reduce post-event questions and delays.
What promotion tools should the platform provide to drive traffic?
- Short links, QR codes, and social sharing buttons.
- Email/SMS announcements, reminders, and outbid alerts.
- Featured items, categories, and search-friendly pages.
What kind of support and training should we expect from a vendor?
Look for fast chat/email response times, setup guides, video tutorials, and event-day tips. Confirm weekend/evening availability during your closing periods.
Will the site handle high traffic and last-hour bidding surges?
Ask about uptime history, load handling, and any bidder caps. Staggered closings and auto-extend can smooth peaks and improve performance and revenue.
What should we review in contracts and cancellation terms? (General information)
- Term length, renewal, and early-cancel rules.
- Fee changes, refund policies, and data export on exit.
- Ownership of creative assets and donor lists.
General information, not legal advice.
Do you have a quick checklist to compare online auction sites?
- Mobile-first UX with alerts, auto-extend, and proxy bidding?
- Transparent all-in costs and optional donor-covered fees?
- Data ownership, easy exports, and CRM/email integrations?
- Item-level shipping/pickup terms and clear receipts with FMV?
- Reliable support, training, and proven performance at scale?
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