Square vs Zeffy: Fees, Features & What Nonprofits Actually Get
Square charges fees on every donation, but Zeffy covers all costs so you keep 100% of what donors give. Build donor relationships with personalized follow-ups and branded donation pages designed specifically for nonprofits.
Zeffy is trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits
Keep 100% of donations instead of losing them to fees
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Keep every dollar donors give you
Square takes 2.9% + 30¢ from every donation. That's $290 lost on a $1,000 gift that could fund your mission instead.
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Built for nonprofits, not retail stores
Square's retail-focused tools lack donor management, tax receipts, and fundraising features nonprofits need to build lasting relationships.
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Get help from people who understand nonprofits
Square's support team knows retail, not fundraising. Zeffy's nonprofit experts respond in 2-6 hours with jargon-free help that actually fits your mission.
Frequently asked questions
Can Zeffy handle the same payment types as Square for our nonprofit events?
Yes, Zeffy processes all major credit cards, ACH bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay just like Square. The key difference is you keep 100% of every payment with Zeffy, while Square takes 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction. For event fundraising, this means significantly more money stays with your cause.
How does Zeffy's donor management compare to Square's basic payment tracking?
Square only tracks basic payment information, while Zeffy includes complete donor management built for nonprofits. You get automated tax receipts, donor communication tools, giving history tracking, and relationship management features that help you build lasting supporter connections beyond just processing payments.
Why should nonprofits choose Zeffy over Square for donations?
Square charges 2.9% + 30¢ on every donation, while Zeffy processes all donations completely free. On a $1,000 donation, you keep $971 with Square but $1,000 with Zeffy. Plus, Zeffy offers nonprofit-specific features like automated tax receipts and donor management tools that Square lacks.
Does Zeffy really have no fees, or are there hidden costs?
Zeffy has zero platform fees, processing fees, or monthly charges. We cover all costs so nonprofits keep 100% of donations. Donors have the option to leave a voluntary contribution to support our platform, but this never reduces what your organization receives.
How does Zeffy's nonprofit support compare to Square's customer service?
Zeffy provides unlimited support specifically for nonprofits, including live chat with nonprofit experts, regular training webinars, and dedicated phone support. Square offers general business support that isn't tailored to nonprofit needs and may have limited availability based on your plan.
Can I use Zeffy for in-person fundraising events like Square?
Yes, Zeffy offers a Tap to Pay app that turns your smartphone into a point-of-sale system for in-person donations and sales, just like Square. The difference is Zeffy charges zero fees on every transaction, while Square takes 2.9% + 30¢ per card payment.
Does Square offer any free plans for nonprofits?
Square for Nonprofits has no platform or monthly fees, but you still pay 2.9% + 30¢ per card transaction and 1% for ACH transfers (capped at $10). Zeffy eliminates all fees—platform, processing, and monthly—so you keep 100% of donations.
Is Zeffy trustworthy and legitimate for nonprofits?
Yes, Zeffy is a legitimate platform with a 4.9/5 rating on G2 and SOC 2 certification for security. Thousands of nonprofits use Zeffy to process donations fee-free, and it includes IRS and CRA-compliant tax receipts.
Can Zeffy handle peer-to-peer fundraising and auctions like Square?
Zeffy includes built-in peer-to-peer fundraising, auctions, and raffles at no cost. Square does not offer these nonprofit-specific tools, making Zeffy a more complete solution for fundraising campaigns and events.
How much will my nonprofit save switching from Square to Zeffy?
On every $1,000 raised, you save $29 by switching from Square (which charges 2.9% + 30¢) to Zeffy's 100% free platform. For organizations processing $10,000 annually, that's $290 back to your mission.
Keep comparing — and see why nonprofits choose Zeffy
Zeffy was built for nonprofits like yours
focus on what matters
Built for small teams with big missions.
Zeffy is the fundraising platform that cuts out the fees, clears up your tech mess, and puts your cause first — so your team, even if you're a small team wearing many hats or a one-person show, can focus on what really matters.
ZERO-FEE
Keep 100% of every dollar.
No platform fees. No processing fees. No catch. We know it sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Every penny goes straight to your mission, while competitors take 2-3% off every donation.
ALL-IN-ONE PLatform
Ditch the tech mess.
Stop bouncing between MailChimp, Eventbrite, and all those spreadsheets. Now you can handle donations, ticket sales, memberships, raffles, and all your donor info in one spot.
plug-and-play
Get going, fast.
Built for teams like yours — whether you're volunteer-led or have limited staff. Set up donation forms, sell tickets, and launch campaigns without needing a tech wizard. It's super easy, and you'll be up and running in minutes.
mobile-first
Fundraise from every device, anywhere.
From QR codes on flyers to Tap-to-Pay on a phone, Zeffy makes it easy to accept donations on the go. Mobile-optimized and offline-ready, so no donor slips through the cracks.
No turnover
Never lose a donor to volunteer transition.
Centralize supporter relationships, automate thank-you messages, and preserve institutional knowledge when board members rotate out.
100,000+ nonprofits trust Zeffy — and keep their fees at $0.
For 7+ years, Zeffy has supported nonprofits with free, user-friendly fundraising tools.
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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.
Masey, Loose Ends.
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SUCCESS STORIES
Zero-fee fundraising in action — nonprofit stories worth sharing.
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