YourEventKit

GalaBid

GalaBid suits fundraisers who want guests to bid, donate and pay from a browser. The decision is partly about the checkout experience: optional tipping, percentage charges and a flat campaign fee have different trade-offs, and regional pricing can change the comparison.

Fundraising & Auction Registration & Ticketing Freemium
US offer: $0 platform with optional tips, 4.9% Pro, or US$1,250/campaign
Visit GalaBid →
Tool Nutrition Label
Founded 2011
Headquarters Not publicly confirmed in the sources checked
Company Size Not publicly confirmed in the sources checked
Funding Not publicly confirmed in the sources checked
Pricing Model Optional-tip, percentage-fee or upfront campaign model; processing additional
Free Trial Free account and optional-tip plan offered
Contract Campaign-based; confirm regional terms and any event services
Attendee Capacity No numerical attendee or bidder maximum established in the sources checked
Mobile App Guest browser access; no app-store download required
Offline Capability Not verified
Data & Compliance Not publicly confirmed in the sources checked
Expertise Level Intermediate
Event Types
School auctionsCharity dinnersCommunity fundraisers
Key Integrations
Stripe (Native)
Support Channels
Live chatEmailHelp centreWhatsApp
Best For
  • + Schools and clubs organising silent auctions
  • + Charities combining tickets, donations and bidding
  • + Volunteer teams needing browser access for guests
Not For
  • − Organisers treating published US pricing as valid in every country
  • − Events choosing the free model but requiring no tip prompt
  • − Buyers expecting the flat platform fee to include payment processing and staffed event services
Key Capabilities
✓ Run auctions with reserves, timed closing and overtime rules
✓ Offer ticket packages, donations and pledges
✓ Let guests access campaigns in a mobile browser
✓ Send email notices and request activation of eligible SMS functions
✓ Prepare sponsor pages and campaign branding
✓ Assist guests through volunteer accounts
✓ Collect payments through a connected Stripe account
Honest Limitations

Regional prices differ

The pricing page explicitly excludes Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Ireland from the displayed offer. Request the rate for the event’s location.

Free includes an optional tip prompt

Participants can decline the tip without penalty. Review the guest-facing checkout rather than assuming zero prompts or guaranteed tip revenue.

Processing remains additional

Stripe charges sit beside the selected platform model. The ability to mark an invoice paid by cash does not establish disconnected software operation.

Preview the bidding display

Kim M. described a useful school auction in December 2025 but wanted a different reserve/current-bid view. Test your intended display; the review is an individual, incentivised account.

Pricing Breakdown
Plan Price Details
Free with tipping US$0 platform fee Optional participant tips; Stripe processing additional; region-specific exceptions apply.
Pro without tips 4.9% platform fee No participant tip prompt; processing additional.
Flat Fee US$1,250 per campaign Upfront platform fee with no tip prompt; Stripe charges remain separate.

Cost at Common Event Sizes

100
attendees
US$245 Pro platform fee only
Hypothetical US campaign: 100 people each pay US$50, so 5,000 × 4.9%; Stripe excluded. Flat alternative: US$1,250.
500
attendees
US$1,225 Pro platform fee only
US$25,000 receipts × 4.9%; Stripe excluded. Flat alternative: US$1,250.
1000
attendees
US$2,450 Pro platform fee only
US$50,000 receipts × 4.9%; Stripe excluded. Flat alternative: US$1,250. Attendee count is only a scenario input.

Hidden Costs to Watch

  • ! Regional pricing can replace the displayed US offer.
  • ! Stripe processing, optional on-site support and consignment prizes require separate budgeting.
  • ! No tip-sharing revenue is assumed in the example totals.

Try the campaign as a guest before launch, including a bid, a voluntary donation and the final payment screen. Then rehearse how volunteers assist someone who cannot finish the transaction on their own phone.

The fit assessment follows the documented scope. Linked reviews are dated individual experiences and do not establish typical performance.

Sources

  • Official pricing — Official pricing
  • Platform features — Platform features
  • Company history and support — Company history and support
  • Auction organiser reviews — Kim M., school fundraiser, 2 December 2025, 5/5: support/reporting useful, wanted reserve and bid information in one view. Vendor-referred, incentive offered. Nico T., principal/fundraising, 21 January 2026, 5/5: useful navigation and support, no specific negative reported. Non-incentivised review; separate original author from Kim M.

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Event Planning & Management Paid

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Alternatives

Handbid

Premium fundraising and auction platform with mobile bidding, ticketing, registration, checkout, text-to-give, reporting, and concierge support.

Fundraising & Auction Paid

Compare a dedicated mobile bidding and fundraising product.

Auctria

Fundraising event and auction platform for nonprofits, with online auctions, mobile bidding, tickets, tables, donations, raffles, sponsorships, payments, texting, and reports.

Fundraising & Auction Freemium

Compare auction administration and event fundraising workflows.

ReadySetAuction

Cloud-based auction software for nonprofit live, silent, mobile, and online fundraising auctions.

Fundraising & Auction Paid

Compare preparation, bidding and checkout tools for a charity auction.

Questions to Ask the Vendor
  1. 1
    Which pricing model and currency apply in our country?
  2. 2
    What revenue is included in the 4.9% fee base?
  3. 3
    How do refunds and payments recorded as cash affect fees?
  4. 4
    Which SMS functions require activation and work in our region?
  5. 5
    What staff permissions, guest exports and event support are included?
How we research tools

We research each tool by reviewing official documentation, pricing pages, and user feedback from Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. If something's out of date or inaccurate, use the link below to flag it.

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