BidJS vs Fish Auctions
BidJS
bidjs.comFish Auctions
auction.fishSide by side
| Figure | BidJS | Fish Auctions |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £200/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 3 | 1 |
| Spec score · Auction Software | 8.2 (#9) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Support | The maker says support is available when needed and provides a support portal; its about page says support staff work directly with the software team. | The help page offers FAQ answers, video tutorials, an AI agent connection, and an email contact form. |
Plans
BidJS
- Developer sandbox£200 a month
- BidJS annual contract£300 a month
- BidJS month-to-month£400 a month
In their own words
BidJS
BidJS is a JavaScript embed that lets auctioneers run timed and webcast auctions on their own websites and domains. Timed auctions can use scheduled or staggered lot closings, max bids, and overtime extensions; webcast auctions combine floor, phone, and internet bids in real time. Timed sales can also offer Buy Now, Make Offer, or private treaty listings. Auction teams can require identity checks, refundable deposits, or manual approval before granting bidder access. BidJS calculates buyer’s premium, creates itemised invoices, and supports Stripe deposit processing and Xero accounting connections. Installation options include WordPress and a JavaScript plugin for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, custom-built sites, and other websites. Bidders can browse, register, and bid in desktop, tablet, and mobile browsers without downloading an app; a branded native app is an optional extra. The service supports multilingual content and local currency formatting, and bidder data can be exported. BidJS is made by Bidlogix, which says it began building auction technology in Brighton in 2008. Listed plans include a £200 a month developer sandbox, a £300 a month annual contract, and a £400 a month month-to-month option.
Fish Auctions
Fish Auctions is a free web service for clubs running auctions for fish, reptiles, amphibians, food cultures and other pet-keeping supplies. Clubs can hold traditional in-person auctions or run them online. Online bidding supports proxy bids, and an auction can extend when bids arrive in its final 15 minutes. Organizers can manage lots, set reserve and buy-now prices, add labels, and project lot pictures during in-person events. Auction creators can give other users admin permissions to add users, edit lots, and view or export invoices. The site generates invoices automatically, but clubs handle payment collection themselves. Square payments are available to approved accounts, and invoices can be exported for PayPal import. CSV exports include breeder-point information, and lot images can include YouTube links. The site says online auctions can accommodate 200–300 simultaneous users without slowdowns in practice; larger use may slow it. Direct person-to-person sales outside a club auction are not permitted.