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Nonprofits · head to head

GuideStar vs VolunteerHub

GuideStar logo

GuideStar

Nonprofits

Nonprofit profile and intelligence platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
VolunteerHub logo

VolunteerHub

Nonprofits

Volunteer management platform for nonprofits

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; VolunteerHub both published plans are billed annually and carry a set up fee on top of the monthly figure
  • They diverge on capability: GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, VolunteerHub covers Volunteer database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GuideStar and VolunteerHub actually diverge.

Attributes where GuideStar and VolunteerHub differ
AttributeGuideStarVolunteerHub
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile-responsiveWeb, IOS, Android
Founded19952011

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Nonprofits).

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
  • Salesforce
  • Google Analytics
  • Mobile-responsive support

Only in VolunteerHub

  • Volunteer database
  • Scheduling
  • Task management
  • Communication tools
  • Reporting
  • Zapier
  • Google Calendar
  • Slack

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GuideStar

  • Business operationsnot VolunteerHub
  • Productivitynot VolunteerHub
  • Automationnot VolunteerHub

VolunteerHub

  • Scheduling and self-registration for volunteer shifts and eventsnot GuideStar
  • Tracking volunteer hours and generating custom reportsnot GuideStar
  • Recruiting volunteers through branded opportunity landing pagesnot GuideStar

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

VolunteerHub

  • Both published plans are billed annually and carry a set up fee on top of the monthly figure
  • The entry Plus plan starts at $143 per month and Pro at $288 per month, both quoted as starting prices
  • Plans carry a user limit; only volunteers inactive for a full twelve months stop counting against it
  • Single Sign-On is an optional paid add-on on every tier including Enterprise, not an included feature
  • Background check integrations with Sterling Volunteers and PeopleFacts are optional paid add-ons on every tier
  • CRM integrations such as Raiser's Edge are optional add-ons rather than included
  • Volunteer fundraising is optional on Plus and Pro and carries a processing fee when used
  • The Enterprise tier has no published price and requires contacting sales

Pricing, plan by plan

GuideStar

Free
  • ProfileFree
    • Nonprofit profile
    • Basic data
  • Gold$300/month
    • Enhanced profile
    • Donor verification
    • Impact reporting

VolunteerHub

On request
  • Starter$75/month
    • Volunteer database
    • Scheduling
  • Professional$150/month
    • Advanced reporting
    • Mobile app
    • Integrations

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.
GuideStar review

Choose VolunteerHub if

  • You need volunteer database.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want scheduling.
VolunteerHub review

Questions people ask

Is GuideStar or VolunteerHub better?
Neither clearly leads. GuideStar starts at Free and VolunteerHub at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GuideStar or VolunteerHub?
GuideStar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GuideStar and On request for VolunteerHub.
Does GuideStar or VolunteerHub run on more platforms?
GuideStar runs on Web, Mobile-responsive. VolunteerHub runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use GuideStar for free?
Yes. GuideStar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. VolunteerHub starts at On request.
What is GuideStar best used for?
GuideStar is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation. Of those, business operations and productivity are not what VolunteerHub is typically brought in for.
What can GuideStar do that VolunteerHub cannot?
GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, Impact data, Donor verification, Financial transparency. VolunteerHub covers Volunteer database, Scheduling, Task management, Communication tools. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

VolunteerHub: What is VolunteerHub's least expensive plan?

The Plus plan starts at $143 per month when billed annually, plus a setup fee.

Source
VolunteerHub: What additional costs might apply with VolunteerHub's Pro plan?

The Pro plan starting at $288/month includes most core features, but advanced features are marked as optional, suggesting additional costs may apply for add-ons like group management and data import/export.

Source
VolunteerHub: Are there any limitations on users or reports with VolunteerHub?

No, all three VolunteerHub tiers (Plus, Pro, and Enterprise) include unlimited users and unlimited event configuration.

Source
VolunteerHub: What integrations does VolunteerHub support?

All VolunteerHub plans include integration with Zapier and access to CRM and background check integrations.

Source
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