Best Online Fundraising Platforms in 2025 - Scrile

Fundraising in 2025 doesn’t look like it used to. It’s no longer about pleading for support — it’s about inviting people into an experience. Whether you’re a nonprofit on a mission, a content creator rallying fans, or a parent crowdfunding for your child’s surgery, the landscape has changed. The best online fundraising platforms aren’t just donation jars with buttons — they’re immersive, social, and built to connect. Livestream events, AI-powered donor chats, paywalled content, and exclusive merch drops are becoming standard. Campaigns are looking more like interactive fan hubs than traditional appeals.

And the numbers prove it’s working. Global online giving is on track to surpass $20 billion this year. Mobile now accounts for nearly 60% of donation activity, and donors expect more than a static page with a “donate” button. They want stories. Interactions. Transparency. A reason to stay involved beyond a one-time gift.

In short, the platforms that thrive in 2025 don’t just collect money — they build movements. This article walks you through the top tools out there, how to choose what fits, and what to do if you’ve outgrown the templates everyone else is using.

What the Best Online Fundraising Platforms Have in Common

When you’re choosing a platform to fundraise on, it’s tempting to go with whatever’s most familiar — the name you’ve heard before or the first result on Google. But familiarity doesn’t always equal fit. The best online fundraising platforms in 2025 share a set of qualities that go far beyond name recognition. If your chosen tool doesn’t tick most of these boxes, it’s probably holding you back.

Transparent Fees, or Better Yet — None at All

Let’s be real. No one wants to lose 5% of every donation to platform fees, especially when margins are tight. The most competitive fundraising platforms now either offer clear, low-cut pricing or run on optional tipping models — where donors choose to support the platform, not you. If fees are buried in fine print or change based on how “premium” your campaign is, run.

Mobile-First, or You’re Losing Donors

Most donors aren’t sitting at a desktop when they give. They’re on a phone, in line at the store, swiping through social media. The top platforms optimize donation flows for mobile by default — fast-loading pages, autofill for payments, easy sharing. If it takes more than 30 seconds to give, you’ve probably lost someone.

Built for More Than Just Donations

One-time gifts are nice. But best online fundraising platforms go further. They support peer-to-peer fundraising, where your supporters raise money on your behalf, plus tools for live events, team-based goals, and donor engagement over time. Some platforms even let you gamify giving or build tiered supporter experiences.

Balance Between Simplicity and Customization

You shouldn’t need a developer to launch a campaign. But you should have the freedom to make it feel like yours. The best platforms give you the essentials to start fast — and the flexibility to grow. That means custom branding, donor tagging, integration with your CRM or newsletter, and modular add-ons.

Future-Ready Features

Fundraising is evolving fast. Platforms that stay ahead of the curve now include AI-driven donor communication, live video integrations, and even membership-style monetization. If your tool feels frozen in 2018, it’s probably costing you more than you realize.

Platform Breakdown: Top Contenders in 2025

So you know what makes a great platform — now let’s talk names.

We dug into the most popular and emerging fundraising platforms being used right now, from household names like GoFundMe to more specialized tools like BetterWorld and Give Lively. These aren’t just the biggest platforms — they’re the ones that are actually helping people raise money, grow communities, and get results in 2025.

Each one comes with its own strengths and trade-offs. Some are built for speed. Others for scale. And a few are trying to reinvent what fundraising looks like entirely. Your ideal fit depends on who you are, what you’re trying to fund, and how much control you want over the process.

Here’s how they stack up — plain and simple.

GoFundMe — Best for Fast, Public-Facing Campaigns

GoFundMe is probably the most well-known name in online fundraising — and for good reason. It’s dead simple to set up, and it’s built for visibility. If you’re running a time-sensitive campaign — a medical emergency, a crisis response, or a local need that can spread fast on social media — GoFundMe gets the job done.

It’s not flashy, and you won’t find many bells and whistles. But it works. And most importantly, people trust it. In fact, GoFundMe users raise around $50 million per week, with more than 150 million people having donated through the platform to date.

Strengths

Instant name recognition and credibility
Easy to set up — takes minutes
Built-in tools for sharing updates and thanking donors
Integrated social sharing and email outreach
Donors can leave comments and boost visibility

Downsides

Not ideal for organizations needing advanced tools or branding
2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee on every donation
Very limited customization — you’re stuck in GoFundMe’s ecosystem
Doesn’t support peer-to-peer or recurring giving out of the box

BetterWorld — Best for Creative, Zero-Fee Fundraising

BetterWorld quietly carved out its space as one of the most flexible fundraising platforms available — and here’s the kicker: it’s completely free. No platform fees. No hidden charges. The company runs on a tip-based model, so all your campaign revenue goes to your cause.

BetterWorld shines when your campaign needs something beyond basic donations. Want to run a giveaway? Host an online auction? Set up a branded sweepstake with digital rewards? It’s all possible without needing to stitch together different tools.

Strengths

Zero platform fees — seriously
Supports raffles, auctions, events, giveaways
Fast setup with sleek templates
Custom branding options available
Peer-to-peer fundraising supported

Downsides

Less known than GoFundMe — may need more effort to build trust
No built-in livestreaming or multimedia features
Branding options are decent, but not fully white-label
Doesn’t support advanced CRM or donor segmentation

Donorbox — Best for Nonprofits That Want to Grow

Donorbox is a favorite among growing nonprofits — especially those looking for recurring donations and CRM-level control without needing enterprise software. It integrates easily with your website (via embedded forms or pop-ups) and plays nicely with tools like Mailchimp, Salesforce, and Zapier.

It’s used by over 50,000 organizations worldwide, and while it’s not as plug-and-play as GoFundMe, it gives you much more room to operate strategically over time.

Strengths

Built-in support for recurring donations and donor tiers
Embeddable forms for your existing website
Excellent integrations with CRM and email marketing platforms
Great reporting and analytics dashboard
Transparent pricing: 1.5% platform fee (plus payment processing)

Downsides

Setup is a bit more technical than casual platforms
Not ideal for one-off fundraisers or beginners
Design customization is limited without developer help
Extra features can feel gated behind upgrades or third-party tools

Givebutter — Best for Social, Video-First Campaigns

Givebutter is a newer player, but it’s grown fast — and for good reason. It feels like a hybrid between a fundraising platform and a social app. It’s built to be shared, to look good on mobile, and to keep donors engaged with videos, emojis, updates, and even livestreams.

Unlike some tools that feel like clunky donation forms, Givebutter campaigns actually look and feel fun. It’s especially popular with schools, student organizations, and grassroots campaigns that need energy and momentum from the crowd.

Strengths

Built-in livestreaming and video support
Accepts Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, cards — huge for Gen Z donors
0% platform fee (runs on optional tipping)
Real-time donor feeds and progress bars
Great for peer-to-peer and team fundraising

Downsides

Branding is somewhat limited (Givebutter logo sticks around)
Not ideal for large nonprofits needing CRM-level integration
UI feels youth-focused — may not suit formal campaigns
Some features gated behind paid plans

Classy — Best for Large-Scale, Enterprise Nonprofits

Classy isn’t trying to be scrappy or playful. It’s a professional-grade system built for nonprofits that are already operating at a higher level. If you’ve got a full development team, complex donor pipelines, or multi-channel fundraising campaigns, Classy gives you the muscle to manage it all.

It supports everything from event ticketing to recurring giving to corporate partnerships. But this power comes with a price — and a learning curve. Still, for larger orgs, it’s a proven solution backed by a solid reputation.

Strengths

Advanced analytics, donor segmentation, and reporting
Excellent for event-based fundraising and gala management
Supports recurring donations, branded pages, and campaign cloning
Used by high-profile nonprofits across multiple sectors
Built-in integrations with Salesforce and major CRMs

Downsides

Requires a subscription — not cheap
Takes time to learn and implement effectively
Not ideal for small or ad hoc fundraisers
Interface can feel overly complex for basic needs

Give Lively — Best for Small Orgs That Want Big Features for Free

Give Lively is a nonprofit platform that supports… nonprofits. Unlike most platforms funded by VCs or backed by corporations, Give Lively is funded by philanthropists — which means they can offer their platform to other nonprofits entirely for free.

Don’t let the price tag fool you. Give Lively comes with strong tech: text-to-donate, peer-to-peer campaigns, event ticketing, even video storytelling. It’s a huge asset for small-to-mid organizations with tight budgets but big ideas.

Strengths

100% free to use — no platform fees
Supports text giving, custom donation pages, and video integration
Integrates with Salesforce, Stripe, and other tools
Great for building donor trust and recurring gifts
Designed specifically for mission-driven orgs

Downsides

Limited design customization unless you embed everything manually
No white-label or full branding control
Doesn’t support creators, individuals, or for-profit use
Support and onboarding can be slower than commercial platforms

Facebook Fundraisers — Best for Built-In Reach and Social Sharing

Facebook may not be the first platform that comes to mind when you think of fundraising platforms, but it’s still one of the most effective — simply because of the audience it commands. With nearly 3 billion monthly active users, the potential reach is enormous, and you don’t need to drive traffic anywhere else. Your donors are already on the platform.

Fundraising on Facebook works best when your supporters are willing to spread the word. Campaigns gain traction through likes, shares, and personal posts. And because Meta waives its platform fee for most causes, 100% of donations go directly to the organization.

Still, while it works great for visibility, Facebook fundraising comes with real limitations. You don’t control the branding, layout, or even the donor list (you might not even get the donors’ emails). That means long-term donor relationships are harder to build — you’re working within Facebook’s walled garden.

Strengths

Massive built-in audience — no need to send donors elsewhere
0% platform fee for nonprofit campaigns
Easy to share, tag, and promote across the platform
Great for birthday fundraisers, memorial drives, and quick-response giving
Simple to set up, manage, and promote — anyone with a profile can run one

Downsides

Minimal control over design, layout, or campaign content
No access to full donor data unless users opt in
Not ideal for long-term relationship building or complex campaigns
Limited analytics and no integrations with external tools
You’re always at the mercy of Facebook’s algorithm — which can tank reach overnight

Wrapping Up the List: It’s Not Just About Features, It’s About Fit

So, what did we learn?

There’s no single “best” platform that works for everyone. GoFundMe is great for urgent public appeals but lacks customization. BetterWorld is a creative’s dream — if you’re comfortable building trust with your audience. Donorbox is the workhorse of growth-stage nonprofits, while Givebutter brings fundraising into the social-media era. Classy is built for heavy-hitters, Give Lively supports mission-first orgs with no strings attached, and Facebook makes use of your existing network — but at a cost to control.

What they all offer is a way to plug in and get going fast. But if you’re finding those limits — if you’re trying to build something more than just a page with a “Donate” button — then the next section is for you.

We’re about to talk about what happens when you stop using someone else’s tool… and start building your own.

Real Use Cases — What Successful Fundraisers Are Doing in 2025

It’s easy to get caught up in features and pricing grids, but real insight comes from seeing what people are actually doing. In 2025, fundraising is more personal, more creative, and more embedded in everyday life than ever. Here’s how individuals and organizations are putting the best tools to work — and why it’s working.

A Nonprofit Goes Recurring with Donorbox

An animal shelter in Colorado shifted from one-off donation drives to a recurring giving model using Donorbox. With embedded donation forms, integrated email campaigns, and supporter tiers, they now cover monthly food and vet bills with predictable income. It’s not flashy — it’s stable. And that’s the difference between surviving and scaling.

A Musician Crowdfunds a Tour with Givebutter

For indie musicians, touring is expensive and unpredictable. Instead of relying on ticket sales alone, Chicago-based artist Lena used Givebutter to crowdfund her regional tour. She livestreamed rehearsals, offered exclusive tracks for donations, and used Venmo for fast, mobile-friendly giving. Her audience didn’t just donate — they got involved in the process.

A Local Art Collective Runs a Virtual Auction with BetterWorld

A creative collective in Toronto hosted a virtual auction and art raffle using BetterWorld. The platform’s zero-fee model and built-in support for giveaways made it easy to run a hybrid event — half online, half in-person — without extra costs. They raised over $15,000 in one weekend and built a mailing list of committed supporters for future projects.

A Student Group Raises for Charity with Facebook Fundraisers

A university service club wanted to raise money for a local food bank but didn’t have the time or resources to build a full campaign. They launched a Facebook Fundraiser, encouraged members to share it on their timelines, and tapped into birthdays and Instagram stories to boost awareness. Within 10 days, they exceeded their $3,000 goal — with no fees, no overhead, and a ton of engagement.

From small collectives to serious nonprofits, the message is the same: the fundraising game in 2025 is about meeting your audience where they already are — on mobile, in stories, during live events. The tools are there. It’s how you use them that makes the difference.

Limitations of Off-the-Shelf Platforms

Let’s be honest: plug-and-play platforms are great — until they’re not. They get you up and running fast, but sooner or later, you hit the walls. And once you do, those walls can be hard to break through.

Most fundraising platforms give you a corner of their world, not a world of your own. You can customize a headline, maybe pick a theme color, upload a photo — and that’s about where your freedom ends. The campaign still lives inside someone else’s ecosystem, under their branding, their layout, and their rules.

You want flexibility? Here’s where it gets frustrating.

You Can’t Build a Fundraising Ecosystem When You’re Just Renting Space

Maybe you want to go beyond one-time donations. You want to livestream a fundraising event. Or run an AI-driven Q&A with your donors. Maybe you want to sell content, offer perks, or launch a fan club that supports you monthly. Now you’re stitching together half a dozen tools — none of which talk to each other.

This patchwork setup not only creates friction for your supporters, but it’s exhausting for you. And let’s not forget: all that valuable donor data? You often can’t export it. Some platforms even block you from seeing full email addresses unless donors opt in. That’s a problem if you’re trying to build real, lasting relationships — not just collect one-time donations.

And the bigger you get, the harder it is to scale inside someone else’s system. Want to remove their branding? Pay more. Want to run a campaign they don’t approve of? Good luck. If the platform goes down or pivots strategy, your entire fundraising machine is vulnerable.

At some point, the question becomes: why not just build it yourself?

That’s exactly what we’re covering next — how to stop piecing things together and start building something truly yours.

Scrile Connect: Build a Platform That’s Yours, Not Theirs

If you’ve ever looked at a donation page and thought, “This isn’t really me,” then Scrile Connect might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for. It’s not another plug-and-play fundraising app — it’s a fully customizable development service that helps you build your own fundraising platform from scratch.

That means no templates, no limitations, and no sharing your audience with a big marketplace. You decide what your platform looks like, how it works, and how your supporters engage with it.

Scrile Connect isn’t about collecting tips — it’s about building a digital home base for your mission, community, or brand.

Fundraising That Feels Like a Full Experience

Where most tools stop at donation forms, Scrile Connect opens up a full ecosystem. Imagine combining content, communication, and revenue in one place — with zero outside branding, no distracting ads, and full control over the features you offer.

You could host a live-streamed fundraiser, let supporters chat with an AI persona tied to your mission, offer exclusive content behind a paywall, sell merch, or build a fan club with monthly tiers. This is next-level fundraising — designed to match how people actually engage in 2025.

What Sets Scrile Connect Apart

Here’s what you can build into your fundraising experience — all under your own name, logo, and domain:

Livestreaming: Run live donation events, Q&As, or performances with built-in tipping
AI Personas: Let supporters interact with an intelligent avatar based on you or your cause
Fan Clubs: Offer membership tiers, perks, or behind-the-scenes access
Content Monetization: Sell videos, blog posts, digital downloads, or courses
Merch Integration: Promote and sell physical products without third-party stores
Community Tools: Forums, private messages, direct supporter interaction
Custom Payments: Stripe, crypto, or custom gateways — it’s your platform, your rules

Every feature works together seamlessly — no duct-taped plugins or lost logins. And unlike third-party platforms, you keep all your data, branding, and traffic. You’re not building someone else’s business — you’re building your own.

Scrile Connect is for creators who are tired of algorithm-driven platforms, for nonprofits who don’t want to keep reintroducing themselves to donors, and for organizations that want to build something lasting.

If you’ve tried all the “best online fundraising platforms” and still feel boxed in, maybe it’s time to stop trying to fit the mold — and start building your own.

What’s Next? Fundraising Isn’t Slowing Down

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that fundraising is no longer confined to galas, cold emails, or awkward pitches. It’s now creator-first, content-driven, and built around ongoing community. And we’re only just scratching the surface.

Expect to see online giving platforms evolve rapidly — or get left behind. Donors are used to fast, personalized experiences in every area of life. They’re not going to tolerate clunky donation forms or one-size-fits-all campaigns anymore. That means platforms need to get smarter, faster, and far more adaptable.

One of the biggest shifts in 2025? Fundraisers are looking more like creators — and vice versa. A growing number of artists, educators, coaches, and activists are now monetizing content while also inviting supporters to contribute to a larger mission. It’s no longer just about “donate now.” It’s buy this, watch that, join here — and yes, give if you believe in it.

We’re also seeing the rise of hybrid campaigns that blend media, commerce, and community. Think: a limited merch drop tied to a fundraising goal, or a livestream event with tipping and digital downloads built in. These aren’t things traditional fundraising tools were built to handle — but that’s exactly what modern fundraisers need.

Then there’s the AI layer. Early adopters are already experimenting with AI chatbots that answer donor questions, recommend giving options, or even walk someone through a pledge process in real time. It’s engagement without the burnout — and it’s becoming a must-have, not a gimmick.

Most importantly, the shift toward white-label ecosystems is only accelerating. More organizations are waking up to the value of owning their own infrastructure. Why compete on a crowded platform with someone else’s logo, terms, and traffic rules when you can build your own? Custom-built platforms aren’t just a vanity move — they’re a long-term strategy for survival and growth.

The future of fundraising belongs to those who adapt. The fundraising tools that will lead the next decade won’t be the flashiest — they’ll be the most flexible. They’ll meet users where they are, not the other way around.

Conclusion: It’s Not About the Platform — It’s About Control

Let’s call it like it is: platforms like GoFundMe are great if you need to launch a campaign fast. Same with BetterWorld, Donorbox, and other best online donation platforms for nonprofits — they’ve earned their place by helping people raise real money for real causes.

But if you’re here to build something more permanent — a community, a content-driven experience, a brand — you’re going to hit the ceiling fast.

That’s where control comes in. Real fundraising power isn’t just about the tools you use — it’s about how much freedom they give you. Can you brand it your way or scale it? Can you own the data, the experience, the future?

The best online fundraising platforms in 2025 don’t just collect donations — they give creators, nonprofits, and organizers a stage to build movements.

If you’ve hit the limits of off-the-shelf tools, maybe it’s time to stop adapting to someone else’s system — and start building your own.

Talk to the Scrile Connect team and explore how to launch your own fundraising platform, fully customized, fully yours.

FAQ

Which online fundraising site is best?

If you’re looking for a trusted, plug-and-play solution that works right out of the box, GoFundMe still leads the pack. It’s fast, familiar, and comes with massive name recognition — which matters when you need support quickly. Over 150 million people have used it, and campaigns raise around $50 million every week.

You can launch a campaign in minutes, post updates, thank donors, and even transfer funds to your bank account daily. It’s especially useful for individual causes, medical emergencies, or quick-response fundraisers where speed and visibility are key. But if you need more customization or advanced tools, it may fall short.

Is there a better website than GoFundMe?

BetterWorld is an excellent alternative — and in some ways, it offers more flexibility. Unlike GoFundMe, BetterWorld supports a wide range of fundraising formats: from classic crowdfunding to online auctions, giveaways, peer-to-peer challenges, and even monthly donation models.

The best part? It’s completely free to use, relying on optional tips rather than platform fees. For campaigns that need creativity, community involvement, or event-based formats, BetterWorld can be a stronger fit. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t have the same built-in visibility as GoFundMe, so you’ll need to put in more work promoting your campaign.

Which social media platform is best for fundraising?

Facebook remains one of the most effective social media platforms for fundraising — and not just because of its size. With nearly 3 billion active users, it offers unmatched reach. You can launch birthday fundraisers, support nonprofit causes, and share donation drives instantly with friends and followers.

What really makes Facebook powerful is its built-in trust and sharing tools. Fundraisers can go viral with the right timing, and the platform doesn’t charge fees for most nonprofit donations. However, your control is limited: you can’t fully customize pages, access all donor data, or integrate other tools. It’s a great funnel, but not a standalone solution.