Bonfire vs GiveSmart
Bonfire
bonfire.comGiveSmart
givesmart.comSide by side
| Figure | Bonfire | GiveSmart |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $8.25/mo | $250/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software | 8.4 (#4) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Founded | 2012 | LinkedIn lists the Gesture organization, now GiveSmart, as founded in 2011. |
| Security | Bonfire says it is SOC 2 compliant and uses encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, continuous monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing. | GiveSmart states that its system is PCI and SOC 2 compliant and describes controls including encryption, restricted access, vulnerability testing, and independent audits. |
| Support | Bonfire says its fundraising experts answer questions, and its contact page says the team typically responds within 1–2 business days. | GiveSmart advertises 24-hour, seven-day support by chat and email, with live agents reachable from the product Help button. |
Plans
Bonfire
- Essentials$8.25 a month
- Super$24.92 a month
- Bonfire fundraising platformFree
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
Bonfire
Bonfire is web-based peer-to-peer fundraising software centered on supporter-created T-shirt campaigns for nonprofits. Supporters can create and share fundraisers on an organization’s behalf, with money raised sent directly to the nonprofit. Organizations can create profiles with their story, branding, links, and selected campaigns, then use a no-code editor to add text, images, and video to campaign pages. They can also make design templates for teams or supporters to customize. Bonfire provides supporter names, contact details, and purchase or donation amounts for viewing or download, plus CSV exports for CRM import. Donor data can sync with GoFundMe Pro and be sent to CRMs such as Salesforce. Payouts are available through PayPal, check, or ACH. Campaign selling is free, while additional contributions have an 8% processing fee, reduced to 3.5% for verified nonprofits. Nonprofit features require proof of 501(c)3 status; nonprofits outside the U.S. cannot currently be verified. The fundraising platform is free for verified nonprofits. Essentials costs $8.25 a month billed yearly, and Super costs $24.92 a month billed yearly.
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.