BiddingForGood vs GiveSmart
BiddingForGood
frontstream.com
GiveSmart
givesmart.comSide by side
| Figure | BiddingForGood | GiveSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $250/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 4 |
| Spec score · Charity Auction Software | 7.2 (#22) | 8.9 (#4) |
| Founded | 2007 | LinkedIn lists the Gesture organization, now GiveSmart, as founded in 2011. |
| Integrations | FrontStream lists Constant Contact, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, Google Pay, Apple Pay, ACH, SailPoint, Gusto, Bambora, Pinch, Stripe, and Global Impact integrations; API access may also be available. | Officially listed connections include Salesforce, Google Analytics, YouTube and Vimeo, plus report exporting. |
| Mobile bidding | Mobile bidding includes instant text updates for bidders. | The platform supports mobile bidding for silent and live auctions, including max bids, buy-now items and self-checkout. |
| Security | FrontStream states that it is Level 1 PCI Compliant and securely processes donations, ticketing, and auction payments. | GiveSmart states that its system is PCI and SOC 2 compliant and describes controls including encryption, restricted access, vulnerability testing, and independent audits. |
| Support | FrontStream offers a help center, email and phone support, onboarding assistance, training, campaign page building, and onsite event support. | GiveSmart advertises 24-hour, seven-day support by chat and email, with live agents reachable from the product Help button. |
Plans
BiddingForGood
- FrontStream EngagePriced on request
- FrontStream EventsPriced on request
- FrontStream StarterPriced on request
- FrontStream WorkplacePriced on request
GiveSmart
- Pay-As-You-GoFree
- Pay-As-You-GoFree
- Listed starting price$3,000 a year
- Annual Fee SubscriptionPrice not published
In their own words
BiddingForGood
BiddingForGood is FrontStream’s web platform for charity auctions and fundraising events serving schools and nonprofits. It supports virtual, in-person, and hybrid auctions, including live, silent, and online formats. Event tools include auction pages, mobile bidding, guest management, ticketing, live streaming, seating charts, payment processing, and event reporting. Mobile bidding can send instant text updates to bidders. A partner marketplace offers high-value consignment items without upfront cost, and FrontStream says its community includes 4.4 million philanthropic shoppers. Configurable payments include credit and debit cards, ACH, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. FrontStream states that it is Level 1 PCI Compliant. Listed integrations include Constant Contact, Mailchimp, QuickBooks, payment services, and other business tools; API access may be available. Support includes a help center, email and phone assistance, onboarding, training, campaign-page building, and onsite event support. Pricing is on request, and transaction fees apply.
GiveSmart
GiveSmart provides fundraising and donor management tools for nonprofits, schools and associations. Its platform covers online fundraising, recurring giving, peer-to-peer campaigns, text-to-donate, auctions and ticketing. Mobile auction bidding supports maximum bids, outbid notifications, item management and self-checkout. Event tools include seating and group management, contactless check-in, guest communication and tax receipts; virtual and hybrid events can add livestreaming, chat, donor recognition and proxy bidding. Campaign reporting includes live reports, dashboards and exports, with receipts and tax letters generated automatically. GiveSmart lists Salesforce, Google Analytics, YouTube and Vimeo among its integrations and supported services. It says its system is PCI and SOC 2 compliant, with encryption, restricted access, vulnerability testing and independent audits. Support includes 24/7 customer service, implementation help, a Help Center and an assigned Client Success Manager. The platform is available on Android, iOS and web. Both pricing models provide full access, unlimited events and campaigns, but prices are available on request; there is no free plan.