CharityAuctions offers two main pricing options: the Free Plan and the Organization Paid Plan.
Both plans give you access to the same powerful auction tools. The primary difference is how platform fees are collected and who pays them.
Overview of Each Plan
Free Plan
The Free Plan allows organizations to run their auction with no upfront platform fee.
With this plan:
• Platform access is free for the organization
• Bidders are shown an optional tip at checkout
• Tips help cover platform costs
• Credit card processing fees waved
• Tipping is voluntary
Because tipping is optional, total platform coverage can vary depending on bidder participation.
Organization Paid Plan
The Organization Paid Plan provides a more traditional and predictable pricing structure.
With this plan:
• A 5% platform fee is charged
• Standard credit card processing fees apply
• The organization can choose who pays the fees
• Fees are clearly defined and consistent
• No reliance on optional tipping
This plan provides clear, straightforward fee calculations and more control over how costs are allocated.
Key Differences
Below is a simplified comparison:
Fee Structure
Free Plan:
• No platform fee charged to the organization
• Optional bidder tips help cover platform costs
• Credit card processing fees waved
Organization Paid Plan:
• 5% platform fee
• Credit card processing fees apply
• No optional tipping required
Predictability
Free Plan:
• Platform revenue depends on optional bidder tips
• Total fee coverage may vary
Organization Paid Plan:
• Fixed 5% platform fee
• Predictable and consistent cost structure
Control Over Fees
Free Plan:
• Relies on voluntary bidder support
Organization Paid Plan:
• Organization can choose how fees are handled
• Greater control over fee allocation
• Clear financial planning
Which Plan Should I Choose
The right plan depends on your event goals and preferences.
You may prefer the Free Plan if:
• You want no upfront platform fee
• You are comfortable with optional tipping
• You want to minimize fixed expenses
You may prefer the Organization Paid Plan if:
• You want predictable and straightforward pricing
• You prefer a traditional fee structure
• You want more control over how fees are assigned
Both plans include full access to CharityAuctions features.
Best Practices
Before choosing a plan:
• Consider your audience and tipping behavior
• Evaluate whether predictability or flexibility is more important
• Review your projected revenue
• Decide how you want fees presented to bidders
You can always contact support if you would like help deciding which plan best fits your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Free Plan really free?
Yes. There is no required platform fee for the organization. Optional bidder tipping helps support the platform, and credit card processing fees still apply.
What is the fee on the Organization Paid Plan?
The Organization Paid Plan includes a 5% platform fee plus standard credit card processing fees.
Are features different between the two plans?
No. Both plans include access to the same auction tools and features.
Can I control who pays the fees on the Organization Paid Plan?
Yes. The Organization Paid Plan allows more flexibility in determining how fees are handled.
Do bidders have to tip on the Free Plan?
No. Tipping is completely optional.
If you need help selecting the right plan for your auction, CharityAuctions support is always available to assist.
💡 Try this in ChatGPT
- Summarize the article "What Is the Difference Between the Free Plan and the Organization Paid Plan" from https://blog.charityauctions.com/what-is-the-difference-between-the-free-plan-and-the-organization-paid-plan/ in 3 bullet points for a board update.
- Turn the article "What Is the Difference Between the Free Plan and the Organization Paid Plan" (https://blog.charityauctions.com/what-is-the-difference-between-the-free-plan-and-the-organization-paid-plan/) into a 60-second talking script with one example and one CTA.
- Extract 5 SEO keywords and 3 internal link ideas from "What Is the Difference Between the Free Plan and the Organization Paid Plan": https://blog.charityauctions.com/what-is-the-difference-between-the-free-plan-and-the-organization-paid-plan/.
- Create 3 tweet ideas and a LinkedIn post that expand on this kb-admin topic using the article at https://blog.charityauctions.com/what-is-the-difference-between-the-free-plan-and-the-organization-paid-plan/.
Tip: Paste the whole prompt (with the URL) so the AI can fetch context.
