Silent auction software has become an essential tool for modern fundraising, empowering nonprofits, schools, and community organizations to host seamless, engaging events—both in-person and online.
While traditional silent auctions once relied on clipboards and paper bids, today’s digital landscape demands intuitive, mobile-friendly solutions that enhance the donor experience and maximize fundraising potential.
In this guide, we’ve curated the top silent auction software platforms designed to simplify event planning, boost bidder participation, and help your organization raise more with less effort.
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Handbid
Handbid is a leading silent auction and mobile bidding platform designed specifically for nonprofits. With an emphasis on user experience and donor engagement, Handbid makes it easy to run live, virtual, or hybrid events with real-time bidding updates and gamified features. Its visually appealing interface keeps bidders engaged and coming back for more, increasing your fundraising potential.
Key Features:
Mobile-first bidding app (iOS & Android)
Secure in-app payment and checkout system
Live dashboards for performance tracking
Easy item management and auction setup
Tax-compliant receipts and post-auction reports
Why We Like It:
Handbid’s sleek design and emphasis on bidder engagement make it a strong choice for organizations looking to modernize their fundraising efforts without sacrificing simplicity.
Greater Giving
Greater Giving is a robust event fundraising platform tailored for nonprofits managing auctions, galas, and donor engagement year-round. It offers a full suite of tools for planning, promoting, and executing silent auctions—both online and at in-person events. The platform integrates donor data, ticketing, table management, and post-event analytics to support long-term fundraising growth.
Key Features:
️ Online + mobile bidding options
Advanced ticketing and table assignments
Donor CRM and database integration
Real-time bidding reports and dashboards
PCI-compliant payment processing
Why We Like It:
It’s an all-in-one solution ideal for organizations with complex event needs or multiple fundraising events throughout the year.
OneCause
OneCause is a top-rated auction and event fundraising platform used by over 10,000 nonprofits. It supports a wide range of events, from small school fundraisers to large virtual galas. OneCause stands out for its powerful virtual event capabilities, including live streaming integration, live auction support, and real-time donation tracking, all within a branded fundraising site.
Key Features:
Seamless virtual auction + livestream tools
Mobile bidding with item display and filters
Real-time push notifications for outbid alerts
Advanced donor and auction analytics
Integrated donor receipts and payment options
Why We Like It:
Its enterprise-level scalability and hybrid event features make it perfect for large nonprofits or multi-site organizations aiming to reach donors across different locations.
ClickBid
ClickBid is known for its ease of use, affordability, and reliable mobile bidding features. The platform is well-suited for smaller nonprofits or organizations hosting their first silent auction. It offers essential tools to manage items, collect bids, and check guests in and out—without overwhelming your team with unnecessary complexity.
Key Features:
User-friendly mobile and web bidding
Text-based outbid notifications
Customizable donation receipts
Secure payment collection and tracking
Easy import/export of donor and item data
Why We Like It:
ClickBid provides core auction features at a competitive price point, with a focus on fast setup and reliable performance.
GiveSmart
GiveSmart by Community Brands is a premium fundraising platform offering dynamic silent auction tools combined with donor engagement and campaign management features. From item management to guest check-in to post-auction reporting, GiveSmart makes running an event seamless and highly automated.
Key Features:
Mobile-first bidding and auction setup
Auto-generated receipts and thank-you messages
Performance tracking via intelligent dashboards
Event registration, ticketing, and seating
Multi-campaign support (raffles, donations, auctions)
Why We Like It:
Its automation features and intelligent reporting make it a powerful solution for nonprofits that want to streamline operations and gain deep insights into donor behavior.
BiddingOwl
BiddingOwl is a budget-friendly auction platform perfect for schools, clubs, and grassroots nonprofits. It offers a free plan for auctions raising less than $5,000, with a small percentage fee above that threshold. Despite its affordability, it provides customizable auction pages, mobile bidding, and donor reporting features.
Key Features:
Free for auctions under $5,000
Online bidding with mobile compatibility
Customizable auction item listings
Donor and item performance reports
Simple drag-and-drop auction site editor
Why We Like It:
For organizations looking to minimize costs without sacrificing core features, BiddingOwl is a smart starting point.
Auctria
Auctria offers powerful customization and branding tools for auction websites, making it a popular choice for nonprofits that want a polished, branded experience. It supports mobile and web bidding, detailed reporting, and multi-event capabilities for growing fundraising teams.
Key Features:
Branded auction website builder
Real-time bid updates and leaderboards
Secure checkout with multiple payment gateways
Multi-event and team collaboration support
Comprehensive financial and donor reports
Why We Like It:
Auctria gives fundraising teams a high level of control over branding and layout while offering flexible features that scale with your organization.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right silent auction software can make or break your event. Whether you’re organizing a small school fundraiser or a large hybrid gala, the right platform will save you time, engage your donors, and maximize your impact.
