← All Articles · 2026-04-24

How to Choose Online Fundraising Tools and Platforms

For any fundraiser involving online giving — crowdfunding, peer-to-peer pages, a simple donation form — the platform you choose has a direct effect on your bottom line, since fees and features vary considerably between options.

Understand the Fee Structure

Most platforms separate two types of fees: a payment processing fee (typically around 2.9% plus a small flat fee per transaction, charged by the underlying payment processor regardless of platform) and a platform fee on top, which can range from nothing to several percent depending on the service. Some platforms offer a "donor covers fees" checkbox that lets supporters voluntarily add a bit extra to offset processing costs, which can meaningfully increase your net total if enabled by default.

Read the Full Terms Before Committing

Beyond the headline fee percentage, check for setup costs, monthly subscription fees, and contract length requirements — some platforms that look free at first glance recoup costs through other charges that aren't obvious until you're locked into an agreement.

Match Features to Your Format

If you're running a peer-to-peer campaign, prioritize platforms with built-in personal fundraising pages and easy social sharing tools. If your priority is fast, low-friction in-person giving, look at QR-code "scan-to-give" tools that let supporters donate from a flyer or sign in under a minute without downloading an app.

Consider Reporting and Donor Management

Platforms that automatically track donor information and giving history make the follow-up and thank-you process — covered in our guide to thanking donors — considerably easier than manually tracking gifts in a spreadsheet.

Whichever platform you choose, our Fundraising Goal Calculator can help you set a realistic goal and timeline to plan around before you commit to a specific tool.