Straight answer
Best free donation platforms for small nonprofits
Last checked Nov 4, 2026. Every price comes from the tool's own pricing page.
The short answer
Four donation platforms list a free plan: Zeffy, Givebutter, Give Lively and Donorbox Standard. The difference is how each one earns money, so the cheapest for you depends on your donation sizes.
Zeffy says its price is $0 and asks donors for an optional contribution. Givebutter charges 0% platform fees with donor tips on and a flat 3% with tips off. Give Lively has no platform fee for U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities, but card processing fees apply. Donorbox Standard is free to start with fees of 2.95% to 3.95% per donation.
All details were read from each platform's own pricing page on Nov 4, 2026.
Compared, with sources
| Tool | What it does for you | Plans and fees (as shown) | Free plan | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zeffy | Donation forms, event tickets and donor tools; says every feature is free and is funded by optional donor contributions. | $0 ("Our price is $0") | Yes | Pricing page checked Nov 4, 2026 |
| Givebutter | Donation pages, events, a donor CRM and email tools, free with optional donor tips. | Free with tips on (0% platform fee) · tips off: flat 3% platform fee plus standard card processing | Yes | Pricing page checked Nov 4, 2026 |
| Give Lively | Free donation pages, ticketing, text-to-give and peer-to-peer for U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities. | $0 setup, platform and subscription fees · card processing fees apply | Yes | Pricing page checked Nov 4, 2026 |
| Donorbox | Donation forms, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer and a donor CRM. | Standard free, fees 2.95% to 3.95% per donation · Pro $150/mo, fees 1.75% to 2% | Yes | Pricing page checked Nov 4, 2026 |
Order: platforms that list no platform fee first, then the one with per-donation fees. Fees and eligibility are summarized from each pricing page; open the source for the full terms.
Questions people ask
What is the best free donation platform for a small nonprofit?
Four options list a $0 plan: Zeffy, Givebutter, Give Lively and Donorbox Standard. They are paid for in different ways. Zeffy and Givebutter rely on optional donor tips or contributions, Give Lively charges no platform fee but card processing fees apply, and Donorbox Standard charges 2.95% to 3.95% per donation. Read each pricing page before you choose, and compare the total cost on your own donation sizes.
Is Zeffy really free?
Zeffy's pricing page says "Our price is $0" and that it asks donors to leave an optional contribution to Zeffy. The contribution is the donor's choice. Check the donation form your donors will see.
Does Give Lively accept any nonprofit?
No. Its pricing page describes membership as open to U.S. 501(c)(3) public charities. Other kinds of organizations should check eligibility on its site.
What happens if I turn off donor tips on Givebutter?
Givebutter's pricing page says it charges 0% platform fees when tips are enabled and a flat 3% platform fee if you disable tips, and that standard processor rates apply when tips are disabled.
How were these prices checked?
Each price was read from the platform's own pricing page on Nov 4, 2026 and is linked in the table. We cannot give financial or legal advice. Nothing on this page is sponsored, and the order is not for sale.
Sorted for usefulness, not payment: nothing on this page is sponsored. Prices change, so check the tool's own page before you buy. Nothing here is legal, tax or financial advice. How we check prices
New tools and price changes, once a week
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