PayPal vs GoFundMe: Which Is Better for Collecting Nonprofit Donations? (2026)
Setting up online donations for your nonprofit? PayPal is a payment processor — it can accept donations via Donate Buttons, but you'll still need separate tools for donation pages, donor management, and tax receipts. GoFundMe runs a crowdfunding platform for individuals and GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy) for nonprofits. Here's how all three compare to Zeffy, the 100% free fundraising platform trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits.
Zeffy is trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits
Why nonprofits choose Zeffy over PayPal and GoFundMe
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Keep more of every donation
PayPal charges 1.99% + $0.49 for verified 501(c)(3) charities (2.89% + $0.49 otherwise). GoFundMe Pro charges 2.4–2.5% + $0.30 per transaction; GoFundMe (standard) charges 2.9% + $0.30, or 2.2% + $0.30 for verified charities. Zeffy gives you 100% — even when donors skip the optional tip. We cover processing fees.
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One platform for everything you need
PayPal handles transactions but doesn't include donation pages, donor management, tax receipts, or email tools — you'll need to build or buy those separately. GoFundMe is built for crowdfunding; GoFundMe Pro adds a nonprofit suite at 2.4–2.5% + $0.30. Zeffy gives you donations, events, raffles, memberships, an online store, and donor management in one place — all free.
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Get real help when you need it
PayPal support is built for general business users, not nonprofits. GoFundMe Pro offers phone support only on its Custom Pricing plan. Zeffy gives every nonprofit free phone support, 2–6 hour email responses, and office hours calls — no paid tier required.
Frequently asked questions
How does Zeffy's pricing compare to PayPal and GoFundMe for nonprofit donations?
PayPal charges 1.99% + $0.49 per donation for verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits (must apply for the charity rate), or 2.89% + $0.49 otherwise. GoFundMe has two products: GoFundMe Pro (pro.gofundme.com, formerly Classy): 2.4–2.5% + $0.30 per transaction, plus 1% for American Express. GoFundMe (gofundme.com): 2.9% + $0.30 per donation, or 2.2% + $0.30 for verified 501(c)(3) charities. Zeffy charges no platform fees, no transaction fees, no credit card fees — 100% of every donation reaches your nonprofit.
Can I switch from PayPal or GoFundMe to Zeffy without losing donor data?
Yes. You can export your donor and transaction data from PayPal or GoFundMe and import it into Zeffy's donor management system. Our team can help you get set up and answer questions along the way.
What fundraising tools does Zeffy include beyond payment processing?
PayPal is a payment processor — it doesn't include donation forms, donor management, or campaign tools. GoFundMe (standard) is built for crowdfunding campaigns. GoFundMe Pro adds donation pages, recurring giving, event ticketing, peer-to-peer, and a donor CRM at 2.4–2.5% + $0.30. Zeffy includes all of it — donations, events, peer-to-peer, memberships, raffles, auctions, an online store, and donor management — free.
Why do PayPal and GoFundMe charge fees when Zeffy doesn't?
PayPal and GoFundMe are both for-profit companies that earn revenue from transaction fees on donations. Zeffy is funded by optional donor contributions instead. When you raise money through Zeffy, donors can choose to leave a contribution at checkout to help keep the platform free. They can adjust or remove it at any time. Your nonprofit receives 100% of every donation either way.
Can I collect major gifts and in-person donations with these platforms?
PayPal supports in-person payments via PayPal Zettle with terminal hardware. GoFundMe Pro supports in-person event payments through partner integrations. GoFundMe (standard) is online-only. Zeffy includes in-person Tap to Pay (no extra hardware), event ticketing with at-the-door payments, and major-gift tracking via the built-in CRM — all free.
Keep comparing — and see why nonprofits choose Zeffy
Related content
Zeffy was built for nonprofits like yours
focus on what matters
Built for small teams with big missions.
Zeffy is the fundraising platform that cuts out the fees, clears up your tech mess, and puts your cause first — so your team, even if you're a small team wearing many hats or a one-person show, can focus on what really matters.
ZERO-FEE
Keep 100% of every dollar.
No platform fees. No processing fees. No catch. We know it sounds too good to be true, but it's not. Every penny goes straight to your mission, while competitors take 2-3% off every donation.
ALL-IN-ONE PLatform
Ditch the tech mess.
Stop bouncing between MailChimp, Eventbrite, and all those spreadsheets. Now you can handle donations, ticket sales, memberships, raffles, and all your donor info in one spot.
plug-and-play
Get going, fast.
Built for teams like yours — whether you're volunteer-led or have limited staff. Set up donation forms, sell tickets, and launch campaigns without needing a tech wizard. It's super easy, and you'll be up and running in minutes.
mobile-first
Fundraise from every device, anywhere.
From QR codes on flyers to Tap-to-Pay on a phone, Zeffy makes it easy to accept donations on the go. Mobile-optimized and offline-ready, so no donor slips through the cracks.
No turnover
Never lose a donor to volunteer transition.
Centralize supporter relationships, automate thank-you messages, and preserve institutional knowledge when board members rotate out.
100,000+ nonprofits trust Zeffy — and keep their fees at $0.
For 7+ years, Zeffy has supported nonprofits with free, user-friendly fundraising tools.
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As a startup nonprofit with only two members, and no funding (yet) we’d need something with low (or no) fees. Zeffy was a dream come true.
Masey, Loose Ends.
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SUCCESS STORIES
Zero-fee fundraising in action — nonprofit stories worth sharing.
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