Choosing the right fundraising platform can feel overwhelming. We’ve been there, trying to compare features, pricing, and reviews while figuring out what will actually work for our team. Both Givebutter and GiveSmart promise to help nonprofits raise more money and connect with donors, but they do it in different ways.
If you’re wondering which one fits your needs better, you’re in the right place. This article breaks it all down, from features to user experience to cost. We’ll share what we’ve learned from hands-on experience, plus what other nonprofits are saying. Our goal? To make your decision a little easier.
Looking for a smart, all-in-one fundraising solution? Harness offers nonprofits an intuitive platform plus expert support to maximize impact.
What do you get with each platform?
Let’s talk about what these tools actually do. Givebutter packs a lot into one platform. You get donation forms, event ticketing, peer-to-peer fundraising, text-to-give, and even livestream options, all without needing a bunch of add-ons. It’s designed so anyone on your team can jump in and start building a campaign without much training.
GiveSmart focuses more on in-person and virtual events, especially auctions. It gives you strong tools for managing bids, event guests, and silent auctions. You can also use it for donation forms and peer-to-peer fundraising, but those features aren’t as front-and-center as they are in Givebutter.
One big difference? Givebutter leans heavily into donor engagement, with built-in messaging, thank-you videos, and supporter feeds. GiveSmart is more about helping you pull off a big event, especially if you’ve got a lot of moving parts to manage.
Why Harness might be a better fit
While Givebutter and GiveSmart each have strengths, Harness combines the best of both, without the trade-offs. You get powerful fundraising features built for both digital campaigns and live events, but with a smoother experience and more hands-on support.
Harness gives you:
- Modern, mobile-first tools for donations, recurring giving, peer-to-peer, and events
- Guided onboarding and expert support, not just DIY articles
- Automated donor engagement, including built-in texting, receipts, and stewardship
- Flexible pricing designed for growing teams, not locked behind enterprise walls
It’s simple enough for a small staff, but scalable for serious growth. So if you’ve felt stuck between choosing “affordable and easy” or “powerful and supported,” Harness lets you skip the compromise.
Pricing breakdown: cost structure and hidden fees
Pricing is one of the biggest differences between Givebutter and GiveSmart. Givebutter is free to use for nonprofits. They make money by asking donors to leave a “tip” during checkout. If donors choose not to tip, you can cover the small processing fees yourself. This setup makes Givebutter super appealing for small teams with tight budgets.
GiveSmart, on the other hand, charges an annual subscription fee. You’ll also pay extra for certain features or support options. The exact price depends on your organization’s size and needs, but it can be a big investment, especially for newer or smaller nonprofits.
In short: Givebutter is more pay-as-you-go and transparent. GiveSmart is more traditional and may offer more custom support, but at a higher cost.
User experience: admin and donor perspectives
Using a platform should feel easy, for you and for your donors. That’s where Givebutter shines. The dashboard is clean and simple, and most people can set up a campaign without needing tech skills. Donors get a smooth, mobile-friendly experience that makes giving fast and friendly.
GiveSmart has more features geared toward large events, so the setup can feel more complex. It might take more time to learn, especially if you’re running auctions or multi-day campaigns. Some users say the donor experience isn’t as modern or customizable compared to Givebutter.
If you have a small team and want to move fast, Givebutter’s layout and tools are made for that. If your events need more structure and you don’t mind a learning curve, GiveSmart could work, but expect to spend more time getting everything set up.
Support and onboarding: who helps you succeed?
Getting started with a new platform can be a big lift, so solid support matters. Givebutter offers free email and chat support, plus a helpful knowledge base with guides and tutorials. If you’re the type who likes to figure things out with a little guidance, it’s a good fit. There’s also an active user community and regular updates based on feedback.
GiveSmart provides more structured support, especially for event planning. You can get a dedicated account manager, phone support, and onboarding help, but those perks usually come with higher pricing tiers. Some users love the hands-on attention; others say the platform still feels hard to learn, even with that extra support.
Bottom line: Givebutter gives you a solid DIY experience with just enough help to get you rolling. GiveSmart is more high-touch, which is great if you’re managing big events and want someone walking you through the process.
Real nonprofit results: performance and impact
When it comes to results, both platforms have stories to tell, but they show up in different ways. Nonprofits using Givebutter often mention how fast they were able to launch their first campaign and how easy it was to get donors involved. Many see a boost in recurring donations just from using features like text-to-give and personalized thank-you messages.
GiveSmart users tend to highlight the success of big events, like auctions or galas. Their tools help manage everything from ticketing to bidding, and that can translate into major fundraising wins for organizations with those kinds of events.
The difference comes down to scale and style. Givebutter works best for ongoing, all-year giving and digital-first campaigns. GiveSmart tends to shine during larger, one-time events where logistics matter just as much as donations.
Security and compliance: protecting donor trust
When people give to your cause, they trust you to keep their info safe. Both Givebutter and GiveSmart take that seriously, but they go about it a bit differently.
Givebutter is PCI-compliant, which means donor payments are processed securely. They use trusted payment partners and encrypt sensitive data. For most small to midsize nonprofits, that covers the basics and keeps things simple.
GiveSmart also follows security best practices and is PCI-compliant. Because they often work with larger organizations and big events, they tend to include more enterprise-level security options. This can be helpful if you’re handling a high volume of transactions or need detailed reporting for compliance.
In short, both platforms protect donor data. The difference is more about scale. Givebutter keeps it lightweight and secure. GiveSmart offers more options if your organization has complex needs.
Which platform fits your fundraising strategy?
Not every nonprofit runs the same kind of campaign, so the best platform depends on what you're planning to do.
Givebutter is great for digital-first fundraising. If you rely on peer-to-peer, recurring giving, or virtual events, it has tools that make it easy to connect with donors and keep them engaged over time. It's flexible and built for teams who want to launch campaigns quickly and test new ideas.
GiveSmart is a better fit if your strategy centers around large, planned events like auctions or annual galas. It gives you more tools for managing the details of those events, from ticketing to bidding, but may require more setup and a bigger budget.
Think about your year ahead, if your team is running lots of online drives, Givebutter will probably give you more value. If your fundraising is built around one or two major events, GiveSmart might be a better match.
The better choice
At the end of the day, both Givebutter and GiveSmart can help you raise money, but the better choice depends on your goals, your team, and how you like to work.
If you want a flexible, easy-to-use platform that helps you grow giving year-round without big fees, Givebutter might be the better fit. It’s especially good for small teams, digital campaigns, and organizations that want to move fast.
If your nonprofit runs big events like auctions or galas and you need help managing every detail, GiveSmart could offer more of what you need. Just be ready for a higher cost and a steeper learning curve.
Whether you're scaling your mission or refining your strategy, choosing the right fundraising partner is critical. Explore how Harness can elevate your efforts.
