Ticketing & Check-In for Fundraising Events

Best Donation Software for Nonprofits in 2026

Author:
Dee Brannick
-
Fundraising specialist, Co-Founder of GalaBid
Updated:
October 14, 2025

We know how important the right donation platform is to nonprofit success. Donors today expect more than a simple “donate now” button — they want seamless payment options, recurring giving, mobile-first design, and transparent fees.

The right donation software isn’t just about processing transactions. It’s about building donor trust, improving conversion rates, and ensuring that more of every gift goes directly to your cause.

In this article, we’ve put together an overview of the top donation platforms nonprofits are using in 2026. While GalaBid is proud to be one of the leading solutions on this list, we’ve also included other popular platforms so you can make the best choice for your organization.

Why Donation Software Matters

Donor experience drives revenue. A confusing checkout page means lost donations.

Recurring giving builds sustainability. Monthly giving should be simple for donors to set up.

Fee transparency builds trust. Donors are more likely to give when they understand where their money goes.

Integration reduces admin. Connecting donations with ticketing, auctions, and CRM systems saves hours of work.

In 2026, donors will be mobile-first, more fee-conscious, and less patient. If your donation flow isn’t smooth, they’ll move on.

1. GalaBid – Best All-in-One Fundraising & Donation Platform

Overview

GalaBid is more than a donation tool. It combines donation pages, ticketing, raffles, and auctions in one system. The donation experience is optimized for mobile and designed specifically for nonprofits.

Key Features

- Custom donation pages and campaigns

- One-time or recurring giving options

- Integrated with ticketing, raffles, and auctions

- Stripe-only payments, no markup

- Donors can cover fees (most do)

- 10% of optional donor tips donated back to your cause

Fees

- Platform: $0 (funded by donor tips)

- Transaction: Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 (U.S. standard)

Support

- 24/7 live support via chat, WhatsApp, or bookable calls

Reviews

- Capterra 4.7/5 (trusted by charities worldwide)

Why Choose GalaBid:

Best for nonprofits that want all-in-one fundraising software without platform fees. Unlike many “free” platforms, GalaBid donates a portion of tips back to your cause.

Start free or book a demo with GalaBid today.

2. Donorbox – Recurring Giving Powerhouse

Overview

Donorbox is best known for its recurring donation tools. It also offers donor management, multi-currency support, and integrations with major CRMs.

Key Features

- Strong recurring giving options

- Donor CRM and reporting dashboard

- Text-to-give functionality

- API and integrations

Fees

- Platform: 2.95%

- Transaction: Stripe 2.2% + $0.30

Support

- Email and help center

Reviews

- Capterra 4.7/5

Why Choose Donorbox:

Ideal for nonprofits focused on building a recurring donor base, though fees add up quickly compared to other providers.

3. Givebutter – Social & Peer-to-Peer Fundraising

Overview

Givebutter has grown quickly by combining donation pages with peer-to-peer fundraising and social giving campaigns.

Key Features

- Modern, branded donation pages

- Peer-to-peer and crowdfunding tools

- Recurring giving options

- Integrates with 1,000+ apps via Zapier

Fees

- Platform: $0 with donor tips, 3% if tips are off

- Transaction: 2.9% + $0.30 (cards), 1.9% + $0.30 (ACH)

Support

- 24/7 chat and email

Reviews

- Capterra 4.8/5

Why Choose Givebutter:

Good fit for nonprofits that want to combine donations with crowdfunding and social campaigns.

4. Zeffy – Free Nonprofit-Only Donations

Overview

Zeffy markets itself as the only 100% free platform for nonprofits. It funds operations through optional donor tips.

Key Features

- Custom donation forms

- Event ticketing and memberships

- Recurring giving

Fees

- Platform: $0 (funded by tips)

- Transaction: None — Zeffy absorbs Stripe processing

Support

- Business hours live chat and callback

Reviews

- Capterra 4.8/5

Why Choose Zeffy:

Best for smaller nonprofits that want zero fees but don’t need advanced integrations.

5. GiveLively – Donor-Funded Free Option

Overview

GiveLively is another donor-funded option, available only to registered nonprofits.

Key Features

- Donation pages and text-to-give

- Peer-to-peer and campaign tools

- CRM integrations including Salesforce

Fees

- Platform: $0 (funded by tips)

- Transaction: Standard Stripe/PayPal fees

Support

- Email and help center

Reviews

- Strong reputation among grassroots nonprofits

Why Choose GiveLively:

Budget-friendly for nonprofits that don’t want platform fees, but support is more limited compared to GalaBid or Givebutter.

FAQs About Donation Software

Which donation software has no fees?

Zeffy and GiveLively are donor-funded and charge no platform fees. GalaBid also charges no platform fees and uniquely donates 10% of tips back to your cause.

Which is best for recurring giving?

Donorbox is strongest for recurring monthly donors. GalaBid also supports recurring donations, with the added benefit of event fundraising tools.

Which donation platform is best overall for nonprofits?

For most nonprofits in 2025/2026, GalaBid is the best overall choice because it combines donations, ticketing, auctions, and raffles into one system with 24/7 support.

Can donors cover processing fees?

Yes. Platforms like GalaBid, Givebutter, and Donorbox allow donors to cover Stripe fees so nonprofits keep nearly 100% of the proceeds.

What makes GalaBid different from Givebutter or Zeffy?

GalaBid is built specifically for fundraising events and campaigns, with integrated donations, auctions, and raffles. Givebutter is more crowdfunding-oriented, and Zeffy is fee-free but basic.

Final Word: Best Donation Software in 2026

Choose GalaBid if you want an all-in-one fundraising system with donations, ticketing, auctions, and raffles.

Choose Donorbox if your focus is on monthly giving and donor CRM.

Choose Givebutter if you want peer-to-peer fundraising with modern donation pages.

Choose Zeffy or GiveLively if your top priority is zero fees.

For nonprofits that want to maximize revenue, simplify technology, and give donors a smooth, mobile-first experience, GalaBid stands out as the clear leader in 2025/2026.

Start free or book a demo with GalaBid today.

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