SchoolAuction.net Charges $79/Event + 3% — Here's a Free Alternative for PTAs
Compare 0% fees vs 3% + $0.30 per transaction, plus get auctions, ticketing, and donor CRM in one place.
Zeffy is trusted by 100,000+ nonprofits
Zeffy VS SchoolAuction.net
Zeffy is 100% free, always.
Run your auction and keep raising funds year-round
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Run your auction and keep raising funds year-round
SchoolAuction.net is built for one event. Zeffy gives you auctions, donations, ticketing, and a donor CRM — so you don't start from scratch every year.
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Pay upfront or pay per bid — either way, you're paying
Zeffy doesn't charge platform fees or annual subscriptions. You keep 100% of what you raise, whether you run one auction or twelve campaigns a year.
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Built for one gala, not your year-round fundraising
Zeffy gives you auctions, donations, ticketing, and donor tools in one place — so you can run events and build relationships without switching platforms.
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Get started in minutes, not months
Zeffy's built for small teams who need to launch fast. No training required, no complicated setup — just create your auction and start fundraising.
Frequently asked questions
Does Zeffy charge platform fees or annual subscriptions for auctions?
No. Zeffy doesn't charge platform fees, annual subscriptions, or per-event costs. You keep 100% of every bid and donation. Donors have the option to leave a voluntary contribution to support our platform.
Can I use Zeffy for more than just my annual auction event?
Yes. Zeffy gives you auctions, donation forms, event ticketing, and donor management in one place. Run your gala and keep fundraising year-round without paying for multiple tools or starting over each event.
How long does it take to set up an auction on Zeffy?
Minutes. Create your auction, add items, and start accepting bids right away. No training sessions or complicated setup required. Our support team is here if you need help getting started.
What payment options can bidders use at my auction?
All major credit and debit cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bidders can also pay by ACH bank transfer for larger purchases. More payment options mean fewer barriers to bidding.
How much does SchoolAuction.net cost compared to free alternatives?
SchoolAuction.net charges $79 per event, 3% + $0.30 processing fees per transaction, and some plans add a 3% platform fee. Annual subscriptions start at $1,000/year. Zeffy charges nothing — no event fees, no processing fees, no subscriptions.
Is Zeffy a good SchoolAuction.net alternative for a small PTA or PTO?
Yes. Zeffy gives PTAs and PTOs the same auction tools without the fees. On a $10,000 auction, you'd pay over $500 with SchoolAuction.net. With Zeffy, you keep every dollar for your school.
Does SchoolAuction.net include donor management or just auctions?
SchoolAuction.net focuses primarily on auctions and doesn't include a donor CRM. Zeffy includes built-in donor management alongside auctions, donations, ticketing, and peer-to-peer campaigns — all free.
What kind of support does Zeffy offer compared to SchoolAuction.net?
Zeffy provides unlimited live chat, email, and phone support. SchoolAuction.net offers email-only support with unclear response times and no phone option.
Can parents pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay at a school auction?
On Zeffy, yes. Bidders can pay with credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or ACH bank transfer. SchoolAuction.net only accepts credit cards.
Keep comparing — and see why nonprofits choose Zeffy
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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
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