Software · head to head
Charity Navigator vs Zeffy
The short version
- 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).; Zeffy 100% free for nonprofits with no platform or transaction fees; the vendor is funded instead by an optional donor contribution added at checkout that is never required, so nonprofits keep 100% of what they raise
- They diverge on capability: Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings, Zeffy covers Donation forms.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Charity Navigator and Zeffy actually diverge.
| Attribute | Charity Navigator | Zeffy |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Mobile-responsive | Web, IOS, Android |
| Founded | 2001 | 2019 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), 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 Zeffy
- Donation forms
- Event ticketing
- Membership management
- Peer-to-peer fundraising
- Recurring donations
- Mailchimp
- Zapier
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Charity Navigator
- Business operationsnot Zeffy
- Productivitynot Zeffy
- Automationnot Zeffy
Zeffy
No use cases recorded yet. See the Zeffy review.
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).
Zeffy
- 100% free for nonprofits with no platform or transaction fees; the vendor is funded instead by an optional donor contribution added at checkout that is never required, so nonprofits keep 100% of what they raise
Pricing, plan by plan
Charity Navigator
Free- Free ProfileFree
- Nonprofit profile
- Ratings
- Financial data
Zeffy
Free- Free ForeverFree
- Unlimited donations
- Ticketing
- Memberships
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 Zeffy if
- You need donation forms.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want event ticketing.
Questions people ask
- Is Charity Navigator or Zeffy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Charity Navigator starts at Free and Zeffy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Charity Navigator or Zeffy?
- Charity Navigator starts at Free and Zeffy at Free.
- Does Charity Navigator or Zeffy run on more platforms?
- Charity Navigator runs on Web, Mobile-responsive. Zeffy runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Charity Navigator for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Zeffy is typically brought in for.
- What can Charity Navigator do that Zeffy cannot?
- Charity Navigator covers Nonprofit ratings, Financial analysis, Donor reviews, Impact metrics. Zeffy covers Donation forms, Event ticketing, Membership management, Peer-to-peer fundraising. Both handle Web support.