How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- GoFundMe is the best default for personal causes, with the widest donor trust and 0 percent platform fee plus 2.9 percent plus $0.30 processing per donation.
- Givebutter and spotfund offer 0 percent platform fees with optional donor tips, plus events and team tools.
- FundRazr, RallyUp, and BetterWorld add perks, auctions, and raffles for campaigns that go beyond a simple donation page.
- Donorbox suits recurring giving and embedded forms, though it leans toward organizations.
- Fees and payout timing vary, and donations to individuals are generally not tax deductible. Read the fee screen and payout schedule before launching, and never promise donors a tax receipt an individual campaign cannot give.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 GoFundMe | Widest donor trust | 2.9% + $0.30 per donation | Yes |
 Givebutter | Free with tips plus events | Free with tips | Yes |
 spotfund | Personal causes at 0% platform | 2.9% + $0.30 per donation | Yes |
 FundRazr | Flexible campaign types | Free with tips | Yes |
 Donorbox | Recurring giving and forms | 2.95% per donation | Yes |
 RallyUp | Auctions, raffles, and events | Free with tips | Yes |
 BetterWorld | Simple free campaigns | Free with tips | Yes |
 FreeFunder | Zero platform fee personal causes | Free | Yes |
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#1GoFundMe
Best for: Widest donor trust3.1/5 on
G2 (33 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit gofundme.com
Starting price2.9% + $0.30 per donation
Free planYes
GoFundMe removed its 5 percent platform fee for US campaigns in 2017, and what remains is a transaction fee of 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per donation, with an additional 5 percent on recurring donations. Donors may add an optional tip to GoFundMe on top of their gift, which never reduces what the organizer receives. That fee clarity plus unmatched brand trust is why most personal campaigns start here.
The limits are customization and recurring costs. Event tools, auctions, and team features are thinner than Givebutter or RallyUp, and the recurring surcharge adds up for ongoing support. For a medical, funeral, or emergency campaign where donor trust matters most, GoFundMe is the default.
What we like- Largest donor recognition for personal causes
- 0 percent platform fee in the US
- Organizer protections and donor safeguards
Watch out for- Processing fee of 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per donation
- Recurring donations add 5 percent
- Limited customization for events
#2Givebutter
Best for: Free with tips plus events4.7/5 on
G2 (2,256 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit givebutter.com
Starting priceFree with tips
Free planYes
Givebutter combines free fundraising with events, auctions, ticketing, and team pages, plus a built in donor manager. With donor tips on, the platform fee is 0 percent and only payment processing of 2.9 percent plus $0.30 applies. With tips off, a platform fee of up to 3 percent plus processing applies, and a Plus plan from $29 per month adds advanced features.
That flexibility suits individuals running a benefit event or a team campaign, not just a single page. Donors should know tips are optional and adjustable. For a personal campaign that also needs an event or auction, Givebutter is the strongest free option.
What we like- 0 percent platform fee when donor tips are on
- Events, auctions, and team pages included
- Built in donor management
Watch out for- 3 percent platform fee if tips are turned off, plus processing
- Plus plan from $29 per month for advanced features
- Tips default can surprise donors
Starting price2.9% + $0.30 per donation
Free planYes
spotfund offers personal, medical, and community campaigns with a 0 percent platform fee and standard processing of 2.9 percent plus $0.30. Setup is simple, and the platform suits organizers who want GoFundMe style fees without GoFundMe's scale. Fees were checked in October 2026 comparisons, though payment method and location can change what a campaign pays.
The trade is reach. Fewer donors recognize the name, so social sharing matters more, and event tools are thinner than Givebutter. For a personal campaign where every dollar counts and the organizer drives traffic, spotfund is a low cost alternative worth testing.
What we like- 0 percent platform fee for personal and community causes
- Standard processing only
- Simple setup for medical and community campaigns
Watch out for- Smaller brand recognition than GoFundMe
- Fewer event tools than Givebutter
- Processing terms vary by payment method
Starting priceFree with tips
Free planYes
FundRazr offers flexible campaign types with a 0 percent platform fee when donor tips are on, or 1 to 5 percent without tips, plus processing of 2.9 percent plus $0.30. Wishlist and perk rewards let organizers offer thank you gifts, which suits creative and community campaigns that want more than a plain donation page.
Perks add work: the organizer must deliver whatever is promised, and the US audience is smaller than GoFundMe's. For an individual running a creative or community campaign with rewards, FundRazr's flexibility is a real advantage.
What we like- 0 percent platform fee with tips on
- Wishlist and perk rewards
- Flexible campaign types for personal and creative causes
Watch out for- Platform fee of 1 to 5 percent without tips, plus processing
- Smaller US audience than GoFundMe
- Perk fulfillment is the organizer's job
#5Donorbox
Best for: Recurring giving and forms4.6/5 on
G2 (1,515 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit donorbox.org
Starting price2.95% per donation
Free planYes
Donorbox is best known for organizations, but individuals running ongoing support campaigns benefit from its recurring giving and embedded donation forms, which sit on any website. Standard pricing is 2.95 percent plus payment processing, with 1.75 percent on Pro plans, and multi currency forms help campaigns with international donors.
The platform fee applies on top of processing, so total cost runs higher than GoFundMe or spotfund, and the toolset leans organizational. For an individual who needs monthly supporters and a form on a personal site, Donorbox is the most capable option.
What we like- Strong recurring giving and embedded forms
- Multi currency support
- Donor management included
Watch out for- Platform fee of 2.95 percent, or 1.75 percent on Pro, plus processing
- Leans toward organizations
- Pro plans cost more
#6RallyUp
Best for: Auctions, raffles, and events4.8/5 on
G2 (117 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rallyup.com
Starting priceFree with tips
Free planYes
RallyUp combines crowdfunding with auctions, raffles, sweepstakes, ticket sales, and peer to peer events on one platform. Its free plan runs on donor tipping with standard processing, while the Flex plan charges platform fees up to 6.9 percent for advanced features and custom branding. Gamified leaderboards and live event displays suit benefit galas and team fundraisers.
Raffle and sweepstakes rules vary by state, so organizers must check local law before running one. For an individual or family running a benefit event with auctions and raffles, RallyUp covers formats that GoFundMe cannot.
What we like- Free plan with donor tipping
- Auctions, raffles, sweepstakes, and peer to peer events in one place
- Gamified leaderboards
Watch out for- Flex plan platform fees up to 6.9 percent
- Event tools suit groups more than solo campaigns
- Raffle rules vary by state
Starting priceFree with tips
Free planYes
BetterWorld offers free fundraising on a tipping model, with events and raffles included and a simple setup for small campaigns. It suits individuals and small groups who want a no cost page without learning a complex platform, and its tools cover the basics well.
Audience size and customization are limited compared with GoFundMe and Givebutter, so organizers should expect to drive their own traffic. For a small personal or community campaign on a zero budget, BetterWorld is a clean, free choice.
What we like- Free with a tipping model
- Events and raffles included
- Simple setup for small campaigns
Watch out for- Smaller audience than leaders
- Customization is partial
- Best for small nonprofits and individuals, not large campaigns
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
FreeFunder competes directly on personal causes with a zero platform fee model, plus bonus donations for Facebook shares in some programs. It suits organizers who want the lowest platform cost and are happy with a simple page.
The platform is smaller, so donor trust and organic discovery are lower, and standard payment processing still applies. Tooling is thinner than Givebutter or RallyUp. For a personal campaign where the organizer brings the audience, FreeFunder keeps the most of each donation.
What we like- Zero platform fee for personal causes
- Bonus donations for social shares in some programs
- Simple personal campaign pages
Watch out for- Smaller platform with less donor trust
- Processing fees still apply
- Fewer tools than Givebutter or RallyUp
How we chose
We ranked platforms by total cost to the organizer first, counting platform fees, processing fees, and tip defaults. We then weighed donor trust, payout timing, and tools for events, teams, and recurring gifts. Platforms built only for registered nonprofits, such as Zeffy, were left out, since this list serves individuals, though Zeffy remains a strong zero fee option for nonprofits.
We stated tax limits plainly. Donations to an individual are generally not tax deductible, unlike gifts to a registered charity, and no platform can change that. Organizers should never promise tax receipts, and donors should check a campaign's legitimacy before giving, since personal campaigns carry more fraud risk than charity campaigns.
Buying guide
Start with the fee math for your expected donations. On $20,000 raised through 200 gifts of $100, a 0 percent platform fee with standard processing keeps about $19,360, while a 3 percent platform fee keeps about $18,760. Tips change the picture: if donors tip the platform generously, the organizer keeps more, but if donors decline tips, some platforms charge the organizer instead. Read the fee screen for your exact plan.
Next, check payout timing and verification. Most platforms verify the organizer and beneficiary before releasing funds, which can take days, and first payouts are often slower. Set up the campaign early, complete verification promptly, and tell donors when funds will arrive. For urgent medical bills, ask the platform's support about expedited review.
Finally, run the campaign honestly. Write a clear story with a specific goal, post updates with photos and receipts, and thank donors by name where privacy allows. Share through personal networks first, since most personal campaigns raise from people who know the organizer. If the goal is large, pair the page with an event on Givebutter or RallyUp to reach beyond the first circle.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best fundraising platform for an individual?
GoFundMe is the best default for personal causes because donors trust it and its platform fee is 0 percent in the US. Givebutter and spotfund are strong low cost alternatives, especially for events or team campaigns.
How much do fundraising platforms take?
Most charge payment processing of 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per donation, with platform fees from 0 to 3 percent depending on tips and plan. On $20,000 from 200 gifts, an organizer typically keeps about $18,760 to $20,000 depending on the platform and tip settings.
Are donations to an individual tax deductible?
Generally no. Tax deductions apply to gifts to registered charities, not to personal campaigns. Organizers should never promise a tax receipt for an individual fundraiser.
How fast do organizers receive the money?
Payout timing varies by platform and verification status, with first payouts often taking several days. Complete identity and bank verification early, and ask support about timelines for urgent needs.
How can donors avoid fundraising scams?
Check that the organizer is known to the beneficiary, read updates and photos, and look for platform verification badges. Be cautious with vague stories, no updates, or pressure to give outside the platform, and report suspicious campaigns to the platform.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.