Which Free Fundraising Platform is Right for Your Nonprofit in 2025?
If you’re researching online fundraising platforms for your nonprofit, you’ve likely come across GiveButter and Zeffy, two popular “free” fundraising solutions. But there’s a third option that might better serve your organization’s long-term financial health: Better Giving.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll examine all three platforms, highlighting where each excels. Most importantly, we’ll help you determine which platform aligns best with your nonprofit’s needs and growth goals.
Quick Comparison Summary
The Full Platform Breakdown
GiveButter: The Community Fundraiser’s Choice
What GiveButter Does Well:
- Comprehensive event tools: If you run galas, peer-to-peer campaigns, or auctions, GiveButter’s event management features are genuinely impressive
- Social integration: Their platform makes it easy for supporters to share campaigns and create viral moments
- User-friendly interface: Even non-technical staff can set up campaigns quickly
- Strong community features: Built-in tools for engaging supporters and building momentum
Where GiveButter Falls Short:
- US-only: International nonprofits are excluded
- No financial growth tools: Donations sit idle without earning interest or investment returns
- Hidden upsells: While technically “free,” premium features quickly add costs
- Limited donation types: Can’t accept cryptocurrency or stock donations
GiveButter is ideal for: US-based nonprofits heavily focused on events and peer-to-peer fundraising who don’t need international support or fund management.
Zeffy: The True Zero-Fee Option
What Zeffy Does Well:
- Actually 100% free: No platform fees, no credit card fees, no hidden costs
- Simple CRM included: Basic donor management tools cover essential needs
- Transparent model: They’re upfront about how they sustain operations
- Good for small budgets: Perfect when every penny counts
Where Zeffy Falls Short:
- Limited features: Fewer fundraising tools compared to competitors
- Basic functionality only: No advanced features for growing organizations
- No fund management: Like GiveButter, donations don’t grow over time
- Minimal donation options: Cash donations only
Zeffy is ideal for: Small nonprofits with simple needs who prioritize zero fees over advanced features.
Better Giving: Built By Nonprofits, For Nonprofits
What Better Giving Does Differently:
Better Giving takes a fundamentally different approach. As a nonprofit ourselves (501(c)(3), EIN 87-3758939), we built the platform we wished existed, one that doesn’t just process donations but helps nonprofits achieve long-term financial sustainability.
Our Unique Advantages:
- True Financial Empowerment
- High-yield savings account: Your donations automatically earn 4-5% interest with no market risk
- Managed investment funds: Our Sustainability Fund has averaged 24% annual returns over 5 years
- Your choice: Decide what percentage to save, invest, or withdraw immediately
- Accept Every Type of Donation
- Credit cards, ACH, checks
- Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more)
- Stock transfers
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs)
- International currencies
- We Handle the Administrative Burden
- Automated tax receipts for all donation types
- We manage the complexity of crypto and stock donations
- Reduced liability for non-traditional gifts
- No reporting requirements for funds held with Better Giving
- Global Reach Through Fiscal Sponsorship
- International nonprofits can access US grants
- Accept donations from anywhere in the world
- Full compliance support included
- True Nonprofit Autonomy
- Use any CRM you prefer (or none at all)
- Full access to all donor data
- Change fund allocation anytime
- Never locked into our platform
Where We’re Different (Not Less)
You might notice we don’t have built-in event management or a full CRM suite. That’s intentional.
We believe nonprofits should choose the tools that work best for them, not be locked into an all-in-one system. Our Zapier integration lets you connect with hundreds of tools you already use – your tools, your decision!
Real-World Scenarios: Which Platform Fits?
Scenario 1: Mid-Sized Environmental Nonprofit ($8M budget)
Challenge: Unpredictable grant cycles, need for financial reserves Best Choice: Better Giving
- Build reserves with 4-5% savings account
- Accept stock donations from major donors
- Reduce dependency on grant timing
Scenario 2: Youth Sports League Running Annual Gala
Challenge: Complex event with auctions, ticket sales Best Choice: GiveButter
- Comprehensive event tools
- Peer-to-peer fundraising features
- Social sharing capabilities
Scenario 3: International Education NGO
Challenge: Needs US fiscal sponsorship, accepts global donations Best Choice: Better Giving
- Full fiscal sponsorship included
- Accept any currency
- Access to US grants
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
While GiveButter and Zeffy focus on being “free,” they miss a crucial point: the opportunity cost of idle donations.
Consider this: A nonprofit processing $1 million in annual donations loses:
- $50,000/year by not earning high-yield savings interest
- $240,000/year in potential investment returns (based on our 5-year average)
That’s why Better Giving built fund management directly into our platform. We’re not just saving you fees – we’re helping you grow your impact exponentially.
Making Your Decision: Key Questions to Ask
- Do you want donations to grow while supporting your mission?
- Only Better Giving offers integrated savings and investment options
- Do you need to accept diverse donation types?
- Better Giving handles crypto, stocks, and international currencies
- Are you locked into a specific CRM already?
- Better Giving integrates with any system; others require using theirs
- Do you operate internationally or want to?
- Better Giving’s fiscal sponsorship opens global opportunities
- Is reducing administrative burden a priority?
- Better Giving handles tax reporting and compliance automatically
The Bottom Line
Choose GiveButter if:
You’re a US-only nonprofit focused heavily on events and peer-to-peer campaigns, and you’re willing to manage the “feature creep” that comes with their platform.
Choose Zeffy if:
You’re a small nonprofit who needs a new CRM, where saving every penny matters more than financial sustainability or the ability to accept all types of donations.
Choose Better Giving if:
You’re a growth-minded nonprofit that wants to build long-term financial sustainability while accepting any type of donation from anywhere in the world, all while reducing your administrative burden.
Experience the Better Giving Difference
We built Better Giving because we believe nonprofits deserve more than just free donation processing. You deserve:
- Financial growth through high-yield savings and investments
- Freedom to accept any donation type
- Reduced administrative burden
- A partner who understands your challenges firsthand
Ready to not just fundraise, but build lasting financial sustainability?
Start Your Free Better Giving Account →