Software · head to head
Google Nonprofit Tools vs GuideStar
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Google Nonprofit Tools governmental entities and organizations are not eligible; GuideStar guideStar and Foundation Directory are being retired and merged into a single Candid platform, per Candid's own learning.candid.org help pages, with existing subscribers redirected to log in at app.candid.org
- They diverge on capability: Google Nonprofit Tools covers Email and collaboration, GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Nonprofit Tools and GuideStar actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Nonprofit Tools | GuideStar |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Web, Mobile-responsive |
| Founded | 1998 | 1995 |
Identical on both: starting price (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 Google Nonprofit Tools
- Email and collaboration
- Cloud storage
- Ad Grants
- Analytics
- YouTube
- Search Console
- Google Workspace apps
- Zapier
Only in GuideStar
- Nonprofit profile
- Impact data
- Donor verification
- Financial transparency
- Ratings
- Salesforce
- Google Analytics
- Mobile-responsive support
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Google Nonprofit Tools
- Getting Google Workspace, Ad Grants and YouTube nonprofit features for a registered charitynot GuideStar
- Running a donation-funded organization on Google's productivity and advertising tools at reduced costnot GuideStar
GuideStar
- Business operationsnot Google Nonprofit Tools
- Productivitynot Google Nonprofit Tools
- Automationnot Google Nonprofit Tools
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Nonprofit Tools
- Governmental entities and organizations are not eligible
- Hospitals and health care organizations are not eligible, although their associated charitable arms or foundations are
- Schools, academic institutions and universities are not eligible, although the philanthropic arms of educational organizations are
- The organization must be registered as a charitable organization in one of the specific countries or regions where Google for Nonprofits has launched
- Eligibility requirements vary by country, and every account must pass verification before access is granted
GuideStar
- GuideStar and Foundation Directory are being retired and merged into a single Candid platform, per Candid's own learning.candid.org help pages, with existing subscribers redirected to log in at app.candid.org
- Candid's own pricing page lists Candid Premium (annual) at $1,199 per year in USD, and $219 per month if billed monthly, with an Ultimate annual tier at $1,699 per year adding compliance monitoring features
- Candid's free tier limits search results, profile views and dashboards; full grants and profile data downloads are capped even on Premium annual, at 1,000 grants downloads and 5,000 profile downloads per month
Pricing, plan by plan
Google Nonprofit Tools
Free- Nonprofit ProgramFree
- Google Workspace
- Gmail
- Drive
GuideStar
Free- ProfileFree
- Nonprofit profile
- Basic data
- Gold$300/month
- Enhanced profile
- Donor verification
- Impact reporting
Which should you pick?
Choose Google Nonprofit Tools if
- You need email and collaboration.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want cloud storage.
Choose GuideStar if
- You need nonprofit profile.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- You also want impact data.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Nonprofit Tools or GuideStar better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Nonprofit Tools starts at Free and GuideStar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Google Nonprofit Tools or GuideStar?
- Google Nonprofit Tools starts at Free and GuideStar at Free.
- Does Google Nonprofit Tools or GuideStar run on more platforms?
- Google Nonprofit Tools runs on Web, IOS, Android. GuideStar runs on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- Can I use Google Nonprofit Tools for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Google Nonprofit Tools best used for?
- Google Nonprofit Tools is most often used for getting google workspace, ad grants and youtube nonprofit features for a registered charity, running a donation-funded organization on google's productivity and advertising tools at reduced cost. Of those, getting google workspace, ad grants and youtube nonprofit features for a registered charity and running a donation-funded organization on google's productivity and advertising tools at reduced cost are not what GuideStar is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Nonprofit Tools do that GuideStar cannot?
- Google Nonprofit Tools covers Email and collaboration, Cloud storage, Ad Grants, Analytics. GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, Impact data, Donor verification, Financial transparency. Both handle Web support.