Online donations are now one of the most important income streams for charities and nonprofits. That’s why the online donation platform you choose to use on your website matters. It creates your website’s digital donation experience and directly influences how many visitors will turn into active supporters.
Whether youโre running grassroots campaigns or managing long-term fundraising efforts, a smooth, trustworthy donation process can dramatically increase supporter confidence and lead to more recurring gifts.
But with so many online donation platforms out there, how do you choose the right one?
In this guide, weโll walk you through what to look for, how top platforms compare, and how to pick the best fit based on your budget, capacity, and goals.
What to Look for in an Online Donation Platform
Not all online donation platforms are created equal. When deciding which platform is best for your organisation, it’s important to be clear on what you need and pick the platform that aligns best with your current setup, goals, and future plans. And remember: itโs okay to test and refine as you grow.
Here’s what to consider when evaluating your options:
1. Fees and Pricing
- Look for transparent pricing, some platforms take a percentage of each donation, charge monthly fees, or both.
- Consider hidden costs like setup fees or add-ons for key features.
2. Ease of Use
- How quickly can you get up and running?
- Is it easy for both staff and supporters to navigate?
3. Branding and Customisation
- Can you match the look and feel of your organisation?
- Are you able to add custom donation tiers, messaging, or impact statements?
4. Mobile Responsiveness and Accessibility
- Over 50% of users browse on mobile. The donation experience on your website should work seamlessly across all devices.
- Accessible forms ensure no one is excluded. Make sure your forms are compatible with keyboard navigation and are compatible with screen readers.
5. Payment Options
- Does it support major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or international currencies?
- Can supporters set up recurring gifts?
6. Integration with Your Tools
- Will it connect with your email software, CRM, website builder, or analytics tool?
- Automating follow-ups and tracking donor behaviour can save you valuable time.
7. Data Ownership and Reporting
- Do you own your supporter data?
- Are reports clear and actionable?
8. Trust and Security
- Ensure the platform is PCI-compliant and GDPR-friendly.
- Look for SSL encryption and fraud prevention measures.
Comparison of Top Online Donation Platforms
Hereโs how some popular donation tools stack up:
1. Fundraise Up
Fundraise Up is a donation platform designed to increase conversions and revenue for nonprofits through AI-optimised donation flows, slick UI, and integrated payment options. It supports one-time and recurring donations, donor upsells, and integrates with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot.
Great for: smart and automatic ways to increase conversions
Transaction fees: Stripe or PayPal fees apply (typically ~2.2โ2.9% + ยฃ0.20 per transaction in the UK)
Pros: Includes easy-to-use donor portal, a huge variety of website widgets, upsell nudges, and recurring donation tools
Cons: Requires Stripe or PayPal for payment processing adding an extra fee layer
2.PayPal Giving Fund
PayPal Giving Fund is a registered charity that enables PayPal users to donate to nonprofits without transaction fees. Donations go through the fund, which then grants the money to your charity. It’s often used via platforms like eBay, Humble Bundle, or directly through PayPal.
Great for: simplicity, recognisable brand, registered UK charities
Transaction fees: 0% on donations via the Giving Fund; standard fees apply on direct PayPal donations
Pros: Trusted by users, easy setup
Cons: Limited customisation, funds can take time to arrive
3. Donorbox
Donorbox is a cloud-based donation platform that works on any website. It offers embeddable donation forms, recurring donation options, and integrations with tools like Mailchimp and Salesforce.
Great for: recurring donations, international supporters
Transaction fees: 1.75% platform fee + Stripe/PayPal fees; free for under $1,000/month
Pros: Embedded forms, gift matching, integrates with CRMs
Cons: Custom branding requires paid plan
4. JustGiving
JustGiving is one of the UKโs most popular online fundraising platforms, used by thousands of charities and individual fundraisers. Itโs designed to make peer-to-peer fundraising easy. Donors can give quickly and securely, and the platform handles Gift Aid claims on behalf of the charity.
Great for: peer-to-peer fundraising
Transaction fees: 1.9% + 20p per donation (UK credit/debit cards).
Pros: No platform fee, offers integration with various CRM and fundraising tools
Cons: JustGiving branding is prominent โ your charityโs brand can be secondary.
5. Stripe (via integration)
Stripe is a powerful online payment processor used globally to accept credit and debit card payments. While not a donation platform on its own, it can be integrated into donation forms (like those built with GiveWP or custom websites).
Great for: full control, developer-led websites
Transaction fees: 1.4% + 20p per UK transaction (Stripe fees only)
Pros: No platform fee, highly customisable
Cons: Requires developer help or plugin integration
6. GiveWP (WordPress plugin)
GiveWP is a WordPress plugin that allows nonprofits to add fully customisable donation forms directly to their websites. Itโs ideal for organisations managing their own site and wanting control over the donation experience.
Great for: WordPress-based websites
Transaction fees: Free version available, premium add-ons for full features
Pros: Highly flexible, donation forms built into your site
Cons: Requires WordPress knowledge and some setup
7. Enthuse
Enthuse is a UK-based donation and fundraising platform built specifically for charities looking for a fully branded and customisable donation experience. Unlike third-party platforms, Enthuse prioritises putting your organisationโs identity first, so supporters feel like theyโre donating directly to your cause, making it a strong choice for nonprofits focused on building long-term supporter relationships.
Great for: UK-based campaigns and event fundraising
Transaction fees: 1.9% + 20p per donation.
Pros: Easy for supporters and integrates with CRM systems
Cons: No built-in peer-to-peer fundraising
Tips for Encouraging Online Donations
Choosing the right tool is only one piece of the puzzle. Hereโs how to make it count:
- Use clear, emotional calls to action: โSupport Our Workโ or โHelp a Family Todayโ
- Explain impact clearly: for example, โยฃ10 feeds a family for a weekโ
- Keep donation forms short: ask only for essential information
- Make monthly giving easy: use a simple checkbox
- Display trust signals: charity number, testimonials, secure payment icons
Final Thoughts
The best online donation platform is the one that works for your organisation and your supporters.
Rather than chasing the fanciest features, focus on what will give your audience the smoothest, most trustworthy experience so theyโre more likely to donate and give again.
If you need help improving your online donation flow, we can help. At Circular Design, we support nonprofits with UX audits, website strategy, and content design that drives action.
Want help reviewing your donation setup?
We offer bespoke website design and development for purpose-led teams. Reach out to us today to get started.
