GoFundMe has become a household name in the world of online fundraising, empowering countless individuals and communities to rally support for their causes. As one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms, it has helped millions turn their dreams into reality and provided a lifeline during challenging times.
Crowdfunding campaigns have become more and more popular over the years. Unfortunately, so has the prevalence of fraud and scams on fundraising sites like GoFundMe.
If you’re exploring alternatives to GoFundMe, you’re in the right place—let’s embark on a journey to discover the perfect fundraising solution for you!
Whether you’re supporting a personal cause, launching a creative project, or organizing a community event, you deserve a platform that maximizes your fundraising potential.
Today, we’ll discuss eight trusted crowdfunding platforms that are safe and free GoFundMe alternatives. We’ll also give a brief overview of a variety of types of crowdfunding and how to raise money with each one.
In this crowdfunding platform comparison, you’ll discover GoFundMe alternatives that can help turn your fundraising vision into reality. Let’s dive in!
Reviewing the 8 Best Alternatives to GoFundMe
1. AngeLink: Best For Personal Fundraising
Comparing AngeLink vs. GoFundMe for your personal fundraiser? We think you’ll love AngeLink!
When it comes to personal fundraising, AngeLink stands out as a powerful GoFundMe alternative that puts trust and community at the forefront.
As the world’s first women-powered crowdfunding platform, AngeLink has built an impressive community of over 80,000 users who are turning their dreams into reality.
What sets AngeLink apart is its commitment to integrity. Every fundraiser undergoes a thorough review process before publication, ensuring your donors can give with confidence.
Their innovative AI-Wizard™ technology has proven remarkably effective, with over 80% of fundraisers using this feature successfully raising funds.
Fundraising Platform Overview
AngeLink offers several standout features that solve common fundraising problems and boost your success:
- Innovative fundraising tools, like achievement badges to track progress
- QR code-enabled printable flyers
- Multi-platform social media integration
- Mobile fundraising through iOS and Android apps
- Angel Grants program where they donate funds to eligible fundraisers
- Fundraising ideas and fundraising tips available for free on the blog
- Personalized fundraising pages to make raising money easier!
With AngeLink, users can easily and quickly create fundraisers from start to finish. They also don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of by scammers.
AngeLink takes fraud prevention seriously and reviews each fundraiser that is created to ensure to safety of its donors and organizers.
Pricing
You’ll appreciate AngeLink’s transparent pricing structure. The platform charges no platform fees, making it truly free to use.
The only cost is a standard payment processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, which goes directly to payment processors.
TrustPilot Rating
AngeLink has received an “Excellent” rating on TrustPilot, with a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 51 reviews.
The platform’s commitment to community support shines through in user testimonials, particularly during crisis situations.
During Hurricane Ian, for example, AngeLink provided comprehensive support including financial aid, essential supplies, and community assistance, demonstrating their dedication to making a real difference in people’s lives.
2. Givebutter: Best For Fundraising Events
Power up your next fundraising event with Givebutter, a dynamic platform that’s revolutionizing how organizations can host a successful fundraising campaign.
As one of the most versatile platforms, Givebutter lets you create engaging experiences for your supporters, whether they’re joining in person or virtually.
Fundraising Platform Overview
What sets Givebutter apart is its comprehensive event management toolkit. You’ll have everything needed to run successful fundraising events:
- Live display capabilities for real-time engagement
- Text-to-donate and scan-to-donate features
- Mobile app for ticket scanning and payments
- Automated event reminders and messaging
- Customizable ticketing options
Your supporters can participate through various channels, making it easier to boost engagement and donations.
The platform’s mobile app enables seamless check-ins and payment processing, while the live display feature keeps your audience connected and motivated throughout the event.
Pricing
Here’s where Givebutter truly shines as a free GoFundMe alternative. The platform operates on a unique model where 95% of donors choose to cover the standard payment processing fee. This remarkable donor participation means organizations keep an impressive 99.5% of what they raise.
The standard processing fees are straightforward:
- 2.9% + $0.30 for credit cards and digital wallets
- 1.9% + $0.30 for ACH donations (verified nonprofits only)
With Givebutter’s donor-centric approach, you can focus on creating meaningful events while maintaining more of your fundraising dollars for your cause.
However, when comparing AngeLink vs. Givebutter, AngeLink guarantees that the fundraiser owner will keep more of what they earn.
TrustPilot Rating
Givebutter has received a “Poor” rating on TrustPilot, with a score of 2.5 out of 5 stars based on 45 reviews.
While some users praise its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and responsive customer service, others express significant concerns. The main issues revolve around the tipping system, with reports of unintended charges and confusion about the process.
Some users also mention difficulties in accessing funds and unexpected fees. Despite these negative reviews, Givebutter actively responds to feedback, offering explanations and support.
3. Give A Hand: Best for Charitable Fundraising
Give A Hand is a modern crowdfunding platform that emphasizes simplicity, reliability, and global reach. It positions itself as a leader in online fundraising, catering to a wide range of causes and personal fundraising efforts.
Fundraising Platform Overview
- Operates in over 80 countries, making it a global leader in crowdfunding
- Offers a user-friendly interface for easy campaign setup and management
- Provides tools for sharing across multiple social platforms and mobile devices
- Supports various categories including medical aid, funeral expenses, community projects, and more
- Features a unique “Pray” button, reflecting its faith-friendly approach
Pricing
- 0% platform fee
- Standard payment processing fees apply (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
- Donors have the option to cover the processing fees
TrustPilot Rating
Give A Hand does not have a notable presence on TrustPilot, which could be due to the platform being relatively new or not actively encouraging reviews on this particular site.
4. GiveSendGo: Best for Faith-Based Fundraising
GiveSendGo brands itself as a Christian crowdfunding platform, offering a unique blend of fundraising and faith-based support. It has gained popularity as an alternative to mainstream crowdfunding sites, particularly for causes aligned with conservative values.
Fundraising Platform Overview
- Emphasizes freedom of speech and supports a wide range of causes
- Offers a prayer support feature, where staff members personally call campaign organizers to offer prayers
- Provides easy-to-use tools for campaign creation and social media sharing
- Supports various fundraising categories, including medical expenses, missions, disaster relief, and personal needs
- Offers a “Give Back” program where the platform donates to active campaigns
Pricing
- 0% platform fee
- Standard payment processing fees apply (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
- Relies on voluntary donations to support its operations
TrustPilot Rating
GiveSendGo has a strong presence on Trustpilot with an “Excellent” rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 383 reviews. Users frequently praise the platform for its customer service, ease of use, and alignment with their values.
5. FreeFunder: Best for Social Sharing Incentives
FreeFunder positions itself as a completely free crowdfunding platform for personal causes. It was created to provide an option for fundraisers to keep 100% of the donations they receive, setting it apart from many other platforms in the market.
Fundraising Platform Overview
- Offers a simple and quick campaign setup process
- Provides easy sharing tools, including social media integration
- Features a unique Text-To-Donate feature for offline fundraising events
- Allows the addition of team members to help manage campaigns
- Offers embedded fundraiser widgets for use on personal websites
- Provides email update tools to keep donors informed
Pricing
- 0% platform fee
- Standard payment processing fees apply (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction through Stripe)
- Relies on voluntary donations to support its operations
- Unique feature: FreeFunder donates up to $70 to campaigns based on Facebook shares
TrustPilot Rating
FreeFunder has an “Excellent” rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 39 reviews. Users consistently praise the platform for its truly free model, ease of use, and helpful customer support.
6. Bonfire: Best For T-Shirt Fundraising
Transform your fundraising efforts into a powerful movement with Bonfire’s innovative t-shirt fundraisers. This unique platform among GoFundMe alternatives lets you create custom apparel that not only raises funds but builds lasting community connections.
Fundraising Platform Overview
Bonfire empowers you to design and sell custom apparel without any financial risk. Their user-friendly platform offers everything you need to launch a successful fundraiser:
- Free design tools with hundreds of templates
- Direct-to-supporter shipping
- Customizable organization profiles
- Peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities
- Premium integrations with popular platforms
Have a nonprofit organization? Bonfire provides additional features including downloadable supporter lists and verified organization profiles that enhance credibility and reach.
Pricing
Bonfire stands out with its transparent, risk-free pricing model. The platform charges no platform fees, making it completely free to use. The only cost is an 8% processing fee for additional donations, which reduces to 3.5% for verified nonprofits.
TrustPilot Rating
Bonfire has received an “Excellent” rating on TrustPilot, boasting an impressive score of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 3,502 reviews. This high rating reflects a strong level of customer satisfaction with the platform’s services.
Users consistently praise Bonfire’s seamless donation process and quick shipping. Supporters appreciate the platform’s dual benefit – getting quality merchandise while supporting meaningful causes.
The platform receives particular recognition for its easy-to-use interface and excellent customer service, with users highlighting the straightforward process of adding extra donations to their purchases.
7. Kickstarter: Best For Creative Project Fundraising
Unleash your creative vision through one of the most established GoFundMe alternatives in the crowdfunding space. Kickstarter has become a powerhouse for innovative projects, having successfully raised over $7.60 billion for nearly 250,000 projects.
Fundraising Platform Overview
What sets Kickstarter apart is its laser focus on creativity and innovation. The platform excels in supporting projects across art, music, film, and technology sectors. For gaming enthusiasts, Kickstarter offers exceptional opportunities, with the Gaming category alone raising an impressive $2.23 billion.
Key platform features include:
- All-or-nothing funding model
- Comprehensive project dashboard with funding analytics
- Custom referral tracking system
- Flexible reward tiers with add-on options
Pricing
Kickstarter maintains a straightforward fee structure. You’ll only pay if your project succeeds:
- Platform fee: 5% of total funds raised
- Credit card processing fee: 3% + $0.20 per pledge
- Discounted micropledge fee for pledges under $10: 5% + $0.05
TrustPilot Rating
Kickstarter has received a “Bad” rating on TrustPilot, with a score of 1.2 out of 5 stars based on 1,004 reviews. This low rating reflects significant dissatisfaction among users, particularly regarding the platform’s handling of failed or fraudulent projects.
Many reviewers express frustration with Kickstarter’s lack of accountability when projects don’t deliver promised rewards, leaving backers without recourse to recover their investments.
8. Fundly: Best For Grassroots Fundraising Initiatives
Looking to mobilize your community for a cause? Fundly empowers grassroots initiatives with a user-friendly platform that puts your story front and center. This powerful GoFundMe alternative helps you create engaging fundraisers that resonate with supporters.
Fundraising Platform Overview
Fundly stands out with its multimedia-rich approach to storytelling. Your fundraiser page features an interactive video and photo gallery that brings your cause to life. The platform offers several engagement-boosting features:
- A customizable fundraising page with mobile optimization
- Social media broadcasting with Facebook integration
- Real-time activity feed showing supporter engagement
- Comprehensive fundraising guides for beginners
- Email notification system for fundraiser updates
Pricing
You’ll appreciate Fundly’s transparent pricing structure. The platform charges 4.9% platform fees for organizers. The additional cost is a standard payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction through their partner, Stripe.
TrustPilot Rating
Fundly has received an “Average” rating on TrustPilot, with a score of 2.9 out of 5 stars, though it’s important to note that this rating is based on only 2 reviews and may not provide a comprehensive picture of the platform’s performance.
Launch a Winning Fundraiser with One of the Best GoFundMe Alternatives!
As you can see, there are many sites like GoFundMe that can help you achieve the goals you set for your crowdfunding campaign.
Take the first step toward making your dreams a reality with a platform that truly understands your journey. AngeLink is one of the top free GoFundMe alternatives out there, and it’s an especially good fundraising site for personal causes.
Starting your fundraiser on AngeLink combines the power of community support with cutting-edge technology to maximize your success.
Getting started is refreshingly simple with these three powerful steps:
- Set Your Goal: Begin by determining your fundraising target. Make it realistic and specific to inspire confidence in potential donors. You’ll add this goal to your campaign page.
- Craft Your Story: Utilize AngeLink’s innovative AI-Wizard™ technology to tell your story effectively. Fundraisers using this feature have shown remarkable success in connecting with donors.
- Share With Impact: Leverage your community connections through multiple sharing options, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Your fundraiser undergoes a thorough review process before publication, ensuring donor confidence and protecting against fraud. This commitment to security has helped build a thriving community of over 80,000 users who trust AngeLink with their fundraising needs.
Remember, you’re not just starting a fundraiser—you’re joining a supportive community that’s powered by women and open to all. Ready to raise funds and make a real difference?