How CharityAuctionsToday Pricing Works
CharityAuctionsToday has two primary pricing models: Flex (free-plan) and Prepaid (subscription or per-auction fee). The differences are in platform fees, feature limits, and overall control over costs.
Flex (Free / Pay-as-You-Go) Plan
- No subscription fee up front — you pay only when items sell
- Platform fee is 5% of funds raised ghost.charityauctionstoday.com+2charityauctionstoday.com+2
- Payment processing fees (credit/debit cards) are 3% + $0.30 per transaction charityauctionstoday.com+2charityauctionstoday.com+2
- You can optionally allow bidders/donors to cover the fees or add a tip to support the platform (tips don’t reduce your proceeds) charityauctionstoday.com+2blog.charityauctionstoday.com+2
- Some live-auction features, like text messaging or keyword access, may be limited under Flex ghost.charityauctionstoday.com+2blog.charityauctionstoday.com+2
Prepaid (Paid / Subscription) Plan
- You pay in advance (for example, $297 to $1,500 per auction depending on your scale) charityauctionstoday.com+2blog.charityauctionstoday.com+2
- Platform fee is reduced — often 3% (or lower) instead of 5% charityauctionstoday.com+2charityauctionstoday.com+2
- Processing fees remain 3% + $0.30 per transaction charityauctionstoday.com+1
- Includes “unlimited access” to live-auction and premium features without the limitations of the free plan charityauctionstoday.com+3ghost.charityauctionstoday.com+3charityauctionstoday.com+3
Processing & Platform Fees (General)
- Processing fees (card charges) are passed through — they do not go to CharityAuctionsToday. You’ll commonly see 3% + $0.30 per transaction. charityauctionstoday.com+2ghost.charityauctionstoday.com+2
- Platform fees (5% or 3%) go toward operating and development costs of the platform. charityauctionstoday.com+1
- Tips/donations from bidders are optional and not deducted from your raised funds. charityauctionstoday.com+2blog.charityauctionstoday.com+2
Which Plan Makes Sense for You?
- Use Flex if you host only 1 or 2 auctions per year and want to avoid upfront costs.
- Choose Prepaid if you expect high fundraising volume (e.g. over $6,000) so your reduced platform fee pays off. charityauctionstoday.com
- Review feature limitations on Flex — for example, texting credits, attendee limits, or live features.
- Compare net proceeds: subtract processing + platform fees from your gross revenue to see how much you actually receive.
Related Guides
- How to Enable Pre-Register Credit Card Option
- How to Collect Payments from My Auction
- Cancel or Remove a Bid
- Import or Add Attendees for Live Event
- Auction Page Design Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a subscription cost?
Not for the Flex plan — no subscription fee, you only pay when items sell.
What are the processing fees?
Typically 3% + $0.30 per transaction. This covers credit card and payment gateway costs. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
What does the platform fee cover?
The platform fee helps cover infrastructure, support, development, and feature maintenance. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
Can donors cover the fees themselves?
Yes. CharityAuctionsToday gives the option for bidders/donors to cover the transaction + platform fees (or tip) at checkout. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Which fee is better: 5% or 3%?
If your expected fundraising is high, a prepaid 3% plan often costs less overall than paying 5% on every dollar raised under Flex. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
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