Donorbox vs GoFundMe: Which Is Better for Collecting Nonprofit Donations? (2026)
Setting up online donations for your nonprofit? Donorbox is a nonprofit donation platform that charges 1.6–2.95% per donation on top of payment processing fees. GoFundMe runs a crowdfunding platform for individuals and GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy) for nonprofits. Here's how all three compare to Zeffy, the 100% free fundraising platform trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits.
Zeffy is trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits
Donorbox VS GoFundMe
Zeffy is 100% free, always.
Why nonprofits choose Zeffy over Donorbox and GoFundMe
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Keep more of every donation
Donorbox charges a 1.6–2.95% platform fee plus payment processing (Stripe nonprofit rate 2.2% + $0.30 cards, PayPal 1.99% + $0.49). GoFundMe Pro charges 2.4–2.5% + $0.30 per transaction; GoFundMe (standard) charges 2.9% + $0.30, or 2.2% + $0.30 for verified charities. Zeffy gives you 100% — even when donors skip the optional tip. We cover processing fees.
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One platform for everything you need
Donorbox bundles donations, recurring giving, events, and memberships but charges different rates per feature (3.95% on events/memberships on the free plan). GoFundMe is built for crowdfunding; GoFundMe Pro adds a nonprofit suite at 2.4–2.5% + $0.30. Zeffy gives you donations, events, raffles, memberships, an online store, and donor management in one place — all free.
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Get real help when you need it
Donorbox has responsive support, but phone support is locked behind paid plans ($150/month and up). GoFundMe Pro offers phone support only on its Custom Pricing plan. Zeffy gives every nonprofit free phone support, 2–6 hour email responses, and office hours calls — no paid tier required.
Frequently asked questions
How does Zeffy's pricing compare to Donorbox and GoFundMe for nonprofit donations?
Donorbox charges a layered fee: 2.95% platform fee on the Standard (free) plan (1.75% on Pro at $150/month, 1.6% on Premium) plus payment processing pass-through (Stripe nonprofit rate: 2.2% + $0.30 cards, 0.8% ACH capped at $5; PayPal nonprofit rate: 1.99% + $0.49). GoFundMe has two products: GoFundMe Pro (pro.gofundme.com, formerly Classy): 2.4–2.5% + $0.30 per transaction, plus 1% for American Express. GoFundMe (gofundme.com): 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, or 2.2% + $0.30 for verified 501(c)(3) charities. Zeffy charges no platform fees, no transaction fees, no credit card fees — 100% of every donation reaches your nonprofit.
Can I access all features without upgrading to a paid plan?
Donorbox's Standard (free) plan covers donation pages but caps you at the 2.95% platform fee and reserves advanced features for paid plans (Pro at $150/month unlocks lower fees, automation, and CRM upgrades). GoFundMe (standard) is free but built for personal crowdfunding, not nonprofit operations. GoFundMe Pro Essentials starts at $0/month but layers per-transaction fees. Zeffy gives every nonprofit full platform access — donations, events, CRM, peer-to-peer, raffles, memberships — at $0/month and 0% in fees.
Why do Donorbox and GoFundMe charge fees when Zeffy doesn't?
Donorbox and GoFundMe are both for-profit companies that earn revenue from transaction and platform fees on donations. Zeffy is funded by optional donor contributions instead. When you raise money through Zeffy, donors can choose to leave a contribution at checkout to help keep the platform free. They can adjust or remove it at any time. Your nonprofit receives 100% of every donation either way.
Can I run events and sell memberships with these platforms?
Donorbox supports event ticketing and memberships, but they're billed at a higher rate (3.95% on the free plan; 2% on Pro/Premium) plus payment processing. GoFundMe (standard) is online-only crowdfunding — no events or memberships. GoFundMe Pro adds event ticketing, recurring giving, and donor portals at 2.4–2.5% + $0.30. Zeffy includes event ticketing, memberships, peer-to-peer, auctions, and raffles — all free.
Can I switch from Donorbox or GoFundMe to Zeffy without losing donor data?
Yes. You can export your donor and transaction data from Donorbox or GoFundMe and import it into Zeffy's donor management system. Our team can help you get set up and answer questions along the way.
Keep comparing — and see why nonprofits choose Zeffy
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As a startup nonprofit with only two members, and no funding (yet) we’d need something with low (or no) fees. Zeffy was a dream come true.
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