Software · head to head
GuideStar vs Network for Good
The short version
- Only GuideStar has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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; Network for Good network for Good is now sold as Bonterra Network for Good, and Bonterra's own fundraising and engagement pricing page publishes no figure for it
- They diverge on capability: GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, Network for Good covers Online donations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which GuideStar and Network for Good actually diverge.
| Attribute | GuideStar | Network for Good |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Founded | 1995 | 2000 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, Mobile-responsive), 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 GuideStar
- Nonprofit profile
- Impact data
- Donor verification
- Financial transparency
- Ratings
- Google Analytics
Only in Network for Good
- Online donations
- Donor management
- Peer-to-peer campaigns
- Email marketing
- Analytics
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Mailchimp
Both cover
- Salesforce
- Web support
- Mobile-responsive support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
GuideStar
- Business operations
- Productivity
- Automation
Network for Good
- Business operations
- Productivity
- Automation
Both are used for business operations, productivity, automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Network for Good
- Network for Good is now sold as Bonterra Network for Good, and Bonterra's own fundraising and engagement pricing page publishes no figure for it
Pricing, plan by plan
GuideStar
Free- ProfileFree
- Nonprofit profile
- Basic data
- Gold$300/month
- Enhanced profile
- Donor verification
- Impact reporting
Network for Good
On request- Essential$70/month
- Online donations
- Donor management
- Professional$150/month
- Peer-to-peer campaigns
- Email marketing
- Reports
Which should you pick?
Choose GuideStar if
- You need nonprofit profile.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- You also want impact data.
Choose Network for Good if
- You need online donations.
- You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
- You also want donor management.
Questions people ask
- Is GuideStar or Network for Good better?
- Neither clearly leads. GuideStar starts at Free and Network for Good at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, GuideStar or Network for Good?
- GuideStar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GuideStar and On request for Network for Good.
- Does GuideStar or Network for Good run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Mobile-responsive, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use GuideStar for free?
- Yes. GuideStar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Network for Good starts at On request.
- What is GuideStar best used for?
- GuideStar is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation.
- What can GuideStar do that Network for Good cannot?
- GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, Impact data, Donor verification, Financial transparency. Network for Good covers Online donations, Donor management, Peer-to-peer campaigns, Email marketing. Both handle Salesforce, Web support, Mobile-responsive support.
Related pages
More on Network for Good
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