If you’re here, chances are you’ve used Donorbox or are thinking about it, but something’s holding you back. Maybe you’re just starting out and looking for something more intuitive. Or maybe your nonprofit has outgrown Donorbox, and now you’re searching for a platform that offers more support, better customization, or just a clearer way to raise funds online.
Finding the right tool to fundraise isn’t just about ticking feature boxes, it’s about finding something that fits your team, your mission, and the way you work. A good fundraising platform should make things easier, not more complicated. It should save you time, help you connect with donors, and support your growth, no matter how small your team is.
What makes a great fundraising platform?
When you’re looking for a fundraising platform, it’s easy to get caught up in features or pricing. But the truth is, the best platform is the one that actually works for your team.
First, it needs to be easy to use. You shouldn’t need a tech person to set things up or run a campaign. Whether you’re building donation forms, creating a campaign page, or sending thank-you messages, it should all feel simple and straightforward.
Next, good platforms don’t just collect donations, they help you build real relationships. Think donor management tools that let you see your supporters clearly, send personalized messages, and keep people coming back.
And of course, it should handle the boring stuff for you: secure payment processing, recurring donations, and tools that help donors cover fees. Some even offer things like event ticketing or peer-to-peer fundraising, which can really level up your campaigns.
It also matters how much help you get. If something breaks, or you just need advice, quick, human customer support can make a huge difference.
Lastly, make sure the platform fits where you’re going. If you plan to grow, choose a platform designed to grow with you, not one you’ll have to ditch in a year.
1. Harness: A platform designed for growth-minded nonprofits
Harness isn’t just a place to collect donations, it’s built to help you grow. From day one, the goal has been simple: take the stress out of fundraising so you can focus on your mission.
The platform includes everything you’d expect, like campaign pages, recurring donation forms, and peer-to-peer fundraising. But what makes Harness different is how these tools are designed to work together. You can build branded donation forms, add impact amounts to show donors the value of their gift, and even let them cover processing fees with a single click. It’s all mobile-friendly, fast, and polished, no tech skills needed.
Planning an event? You can sell tickets, manage RSVPs, and track donations all in one place. And if you’re tired of switching between platforms just to keep up with your donors, Harness keeps everything in one dashboard, from contact info to giving history, so you always know who’s giving and why.
But the real game-changer is the support. With Harness Executive, you get a dedicated fundraising expert who helps with strategy, planning, and even day-to-day tasks. It’s like adding a teammate without hiring full-time.
Harness was built by people who know nonprofit life firsthand. We’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t. That’s why over 50 organizations have already raised more than $30 million with us.
2. Givebutter
Givebutter is a fun, flexible platform that makes it easy to raise money in creative ways. If you’re running a grassroots campaign or want something that feels more social, this one’s worth a look.
What makes Givebutter stand out is how it mixes online fundraising with tools like live streaming, text-to-donate, and peer-to-peer campaigns. You can build custom donation pages, run auctions or events, and let your supporters fundraise on your behalf. Everything is built to be shared easily, which helps you reach more people without adding extra work.
It works with Stripe or PayPal, and donors can use Apple Pay too. You can also ask donors to cover fees, so more of each donation goes to your cause. The dashboard is simple and tracks your progress in real time. And since Givebutter is free to use, your only cost is the standard payment processing fee (which donors can optionally cover).
But there are trade-offs. While it’s packed with features, it can feel a bit scattered if you’re trying to manage everything in one place. There’s no built-in CRM, so donor data may need to be exported or connected to other tools. If you need deeper reporting or help with strategy, you’ll probably be on your own.
So if your team is small but tech-comfortable, and you’re looking to energize your campaigns without spending a lot, Givebutter could be a strong option.
3. Funraise
Funraise is a slick, modern platform that’s built to impress, both for your team and your donors. If having polished donation pages and a smooth user experience matters to you, this one might catch your eye.
Funraise includes all the essentials: customizable donation forms, recurring donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, and event ticketing. It also offers a drag-and-drop builder for campaign pages, which is great if you want full control over how things look without needing to code. It works with Apple Pay, has secure payment processing, and connects with tools like Salesforce and Zapier.
The platform is especially good at giving you a real-time view of how your fundraising is going, with dashboards and reports that are easy to understand. It’s clear they put a lot of thought into how teams actually use the tools.
But here’s the catch. While the software is powerful, it can also feel a bit heavy. Some features are locked behind higher-priced plans, which may be tough for smaller teams. And while the platform looks good, setting everything up isn’t always quick, there’s a learning curve, especially if you want to get the most out of all the features.
So if you’ve got some fundraising experience, a team that can handle a more robust platform, and you want your campaigns to look sharp, Funraise might be a great fit. But if you’re just starting out or need hands-on support, it may not be the easiest option.
4. Network for Good (Bonterra)
Network for Good, now part of Bonterra, is one of the more established names in nonprofit fundraising. It’s built as an all-in-one platform, meaning you get donor management, email marketing, event tools, and donation pages all in one place.
It’s especially strong in donor relationship building. You can track donor histories, segment your audience, and even send out thank-you emails automatically. The built-in CRM makes it easier to keep everything in one system, no jumping between tools. And if you’re looking for guidance, they offer onboarding help and fundraising coaching, which can be a big plus for growing teams.
The platform is also built with security and compliance in mind, so if you’re worried about things like payment processing or donor data, this tool checks those boxes. It’s designed for long-term fundraising, not just one-off campaigns.
But it’s not without downsides. The price can be steep, especially for smaller organizations or teams just starting out. You often have to speak with sales to get pricing details, which can feel a little frustrating if you’re trying to compare options quickly. And while the platform does a lot, it can sometimes feel clunky, some users say the interface looks dated and isn’t always intuitive.
If you’re a midsize or larger nonprofit looking for deep donor insights and a mature toolset, Network for Good could be a great option. But for smaller teams or campaigns that move fast, the cost and complexity might be more than you need.
5. Give Lively
Give Lively is known for one thing: being completely free. That’s right, no platform fees, no upsells. It’s a nonprofit-funded platform that offers core fundraising tools without charging you to use them, which makes it super appealing for small teams or orgs watching every dollar.
With Give Lively, you can build donation forms, create campaign pages, set up recurring donations, and even use peer-to-peer fundraising. It integrates with Stripe for payment processing and supports text-to-donate and Apple Pay. It also lets donors cover processing fees, which helps more of each gift go to your cause.
If you’re just starting out, it’s a great entry point into online fundraising. It gives you a clean, simple toolkit that covers the basics without getting in the way.
But free isn’t perfect. You won’t find the same level of customization, analytics, or support you’d get from a paid platform. Some features, like donor management or advanced reporting, are missing or pretty limited. And since they rely on Stripe, you’ll still have to pay processing fees on donations, even if the platform itself is free.
So if your needs are simple and your budget is tight, Give Lively is a solid way to get started. But if you need more control, deeper insights, or hands-on support, you might outgrow it pretty quickly.
6. Zeffy
Zeffy is a unique option because it markets itself as completely free, and it really means it. There are no platform fees, no credit card processing fees, and no surprise costs. Instead, Zeffy relies on optional donor tips to fund its operations, which can sound like a dream if you’re trying to stretch every dollar.
The platform offers donation forms, peer-to-peer fundraising, event ticketing, and even recurring donation options. It’s clean, easy to set up, and doesn’t bury you in settings or confusing tools. If you want to launch a campaign fast and not worry about hidden costs, Zeffy checks that box.
But there are limits. While it’s great that everything is free, that also means you’re not paying for advanced features or deep support. The reporting tools are pretty basic, and integrations with other platforms are limited. If you rely on other systems, like CRMs or email tools, you may find yourself manually transferring data.
It’s a good fit for smaller nonprofits or short-term campaigns, especially if cost is your biggest concern. Just be prepared for trade-offs in flexibility and long-term growth.
7. Donately
Donately is a lightweight fundraising tool that’s easy to use and quick to set up. It’s great for teams that don’t need a full suite of features but still want clean, professional donation forms and a decent level of control.
With Donately, you can build branded donation forms, track recurring donations, and view donor data in one place. It integrates with Stripe for secure payment processing and supports peer-to-peer fundraising, which is nice if you want to invite your supporters to help fundraise. It also plays well with tools like Zapier and Google Analytics, which gives you more flexibility if you’re already using other systems.
But it’s more of a “build-your-own-stack” tool. Donately doesn’t offer a built-in CRM, so donor management and email communications will need to happen elsewhere. And while it covers the basics, features like event ticketing, advanced analytics, or embedded campaign pages aren’t as strong or polished compared to bigger platforms.
It’s a good pick if your organization is already using tools like Mailchimp, Salesforce, or HubSpot and just needs a donation engine to plug in. But if you’re looking for a complete fundraising solution in one place, you’ll probably need to stitch some things together.
8. Little Green Light
Little Green Light is a donor management system first, and a fundraising tool second. If your top priority is organizing and understanding your donor relationships, this platform is built with that in mind.
It offers strong CRM features like donor profiles, giving history, and customizable reports. You can manage tasks, appeals, and even volunteer records all from one place. It integrates with Stripe and PayPal for donation processing and can handle recurring donations, too. It’s especially popular with small to midsize nonprofits that want to get more serious about tracking their donor base.
But it’s not a full-service fundraising platform. Little Green Light doesn’t offer the same kind of visual campaign pages or event tools you might find in other platforms. Peer-to-peer fundraising, text-to-give, and other modern features are limited or missing. And if you’re hoping for a sleek, front-facing donation experience, this one may feel a bit dated.
Think of it as a powerful back office tool, great for keeping donor info clean and organized, but you may need to pair it with other systems for front-end fundraising and engagement.
Why Harness stands out in a crowded fundraising market
A lot of platforms give you tools. Harness gives you a team.
What makes Harness different isn’t just the donation forms, campaign pages, or recurring giving tools, though we’ve got all of those. It’s the way everything is designed to work together, and the support you get along the way.
With Harness, you’re not guessing how to hit your fundraising goals. You’re working alongside experts who’ve helped raise over $30 million for nonprofits just like yours. Whether you’re planning a campaign, launching an event, or trying to keep more donors around, our team is right there with you, not just when something breaks, but from the very beginning.
And if you’ve ever felt like you’re piecing together too many tools and still missing something, we’ve been there too. That’s why Harness offers a complete platform with strategy built in. So you can spend less time worrying about tech, and more time focusing on your mission.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best donorbox alternatives for small nonprofits?
Platforms like Give Lively, Zeffy, and Harness are strong options for small nonprofits. They’re either low-cost or offer extra support that makes managing fundraising easier for small teams.
Which platform is best for peer-to-peer fundraising?
Givebutter, Funraise, and Harness all have strong peer-to-peer tools. Harness stands out if you want help designing your campaign and keeping donors engaged after they give.
Can I use Stripe or PayPal with these alternatives?
Yes. Most platforms on this list work with Stripe, and many also support PayPal. Some, like Donately and Give Lively, rely heavily on Stripe for payment processing.
What are the hidden fees I should look out for?
Look for payment processing fees (usually around 2.2%–2.9%) and platform fees, which some tools charge separately. Platforms like Harness and Givebutter allow donors to cover fees, helping you keep more of each donation.
Does Harness offer customer support?
Yes. With Harness Executive, you get access to a dedicated expert who supports your team with both fundraising strategy and daily tasks, something most other platforms don’t offer at this level.
Is it easy to switch from Donorbox to another platform?
Yes, though it depends on your data and setup. Most platforms offer import tools for your donor info and campaigns. Harness can walk you through the switch and help you get up and running fast.
