Software · head to head
Charity Navigator vs Handbid

Handbid
Software
Mobile-first auction and event fundraising platform
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Charity Navigator has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Charity Navigator charity Navigator is a free 501(c)(3) nonprofit service funded by donor donations rather than charging the charities it rates, so it has no vendor pricing model to compare (own about-us page).; Handbid the pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
- They diverge on capability: Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings, Handbid covers Mobile bidding.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Charity Navigator and Handbid actually diverge.
| Attribute | Charity Navigator | Handbid |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile-responsive | Web, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2001 | 2011 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Charity Navigator
- Nonprofit ratings
- Financial analysis
- Donor reviews
- Impact metrics
- Fundraising data
- GiveWell
- BBB Wise Giving Alliance
- Mobile-responsive support
Only in Handbid
- Mobile bidding
- Silent auctions
- Live auctions
- Fund-a-need
- Ticketing
- Salesforce
- Stripe
- PayPal
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Charity Navigator
- Business operationsnot Handbid
- Productivitynot Handbid
- Automationnot Handbid
Handbid
- Mobile bidding for charity and fundraising auctionsnot Charity Navigator
- Event ticketing, registration and check-in with tap to paynot Charity Navigator
- White-labelled online auctions for schools, nonprofits and corporate eventsnot Charity Navigator
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Charity Navigator
- Charity Navigator is a free 501(c)(3) nonprofit service funded by donor donations rather than charging the charities it rates, so it has no vendor pricing model to compare (own about-us page).
Handbid
- The pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
- There is no self-serve signup path; the only routes offered are Start Chatting, a consultation or a demo booking
- Because packages are assembled per event, the cost of white-label auctions, text-to-give and support levels is not published
Pricing, plan by plan
Charity Navigator
Free- Free ProfileFree
- Nonprofit profile
- Ratings
- Financial data
Handbid
On request- Starter$199/month
- Basic auction features
- Up to 50 items
- Professional$499/month
- Unlimited items
- Live streaming
- Fund-a-need
- Enterprise$999/month
- Multi-event license
- White labeling
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose Charity Navigator if
- You need nonprofit ratings.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- You also want financial analysis.
Choose Handbid if
- You need mobile bidding.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want silent auctions.
Questions people ask
- Is Charity Navigator or Handbid better?
- Neither clearly leads. Charity Navigator starts at Free and Handbid at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Charity Navigator or Handbid?
- Charity Navigator has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Charity Navigator and On request for Handbid.
- Does Charity Navigator or Handbid run on more platforms?
- Charity Navigator runs on Web, Mobile-responsive. Handbid runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Charity Navigator for free?
- Yes. Charity Navigator has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Handbid starts at On request.
- What is Charity Navigator best used for?
- Charity Navigator is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation. Of those, business operations and productivity are not what Handbid is typically brought in for.
- What can Charity Navigator do that Handbid cannot?
- Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings, Financial analysis, Donor reviews, Impact metrics. Handbid covers Mobile bidding, Silent auctions, Live auctions, Fund-a-need. Both handle Web support.
Related pages
More on Charity Navigator
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- Handbid vs Classy
- Handbid vs Constant Contact
- Handbid vs Donorbox
- Handbid vs GiveWP
- Handbid vs Network for Good
- Handbid vs Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
- Handbid vs Bloomerang
- Handbid vs EveryAction
- Handbid vs NeonCRM
- Handbid vs Apptio Monetize
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