BiddingOwl vs Handbid
BiddingOwl
biddingowl.com
Handbid
handbid.comSide by side
| Figure | BiddingOwl | Handbid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Charity Auction Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.4 (#17) |
| Auction formats | The platform supports online, mobile, silent, live, and offline auctions. | It supports silent, live, hybrid, sealed, timed, simulcast, forward, and reverse auctions. |
| Bidding | Bidders can save items to a watchlist and set a maximum proxy bid for automated bidding. | Bidders can use max bids, anti-sniping extended bidding, dynamic increments, Buy Now, and sealed bids. |
| Founded | 2012 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Gaylord, Michigan, United States | 9200 E Mineral Ave Ste 350, Centennial, Colorado 80112 |
| Security | The payment integrations page says Stripe and PayPal use SSL encryption and are PCI compliant. | The maker says payment processing is handled by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 provider, and card data is not stored or processed on Handbid servers. |
| Support | BiddingOwl offers phone and email support during weekday office hours and 24/7 critical emergency phone support. | Every license includes phone support during the event; onsite staff is a separately quoted line item. |
Plans
BiddingOwl
- Traditional silent/live auction and related servicesFree
- Online/mobile auction$5, paid once
In their own words
BiddingOwl
BiddingOwl provides online auction and fundraising tools for nonprofits, schools, charities, and other organizations. Organizers can run online, mobile, silent, live, or offline auctions and offer donations, admission and raffle tickets, Fund-a-Need, and paddle raises without separate paid add-ons. Bidders can follow items on a watchlist, set a maximum proxy bid, and receive SMS or email updates about outbids, wins, and events. Organizers can import items from CSV, export item data, manage or duplicate events, and retain their data; one login can manage multiple organizations and simultaneous auctions. Payments can be processed through Stripe or PayPal, or tracked as cash or check by manually marking invoices paid. Traditional silent and live auction services cost nothing; winning online or mobile bids incur a $5, paid once performance fee. Payment processor fees may apply. BiddingOwl is available on Android, iOS, and web. It offers weekday phone and email support and 24/7 critical emergency phone support.