PayBee vs GiveSmart: Which Auction & Gala Platform Is Right for Your Nonprofit? (2026)

The Bottom Line: PayBee and GiveSmart (by Momentive Software) are both solid solutions when it comes to gala and auction management, and both deliver silent and live auctions, mobile bidding, fund-a-need paddle raises, event ticketing, check-in and livestreamed hybrid events. So how do you choose?

• Choose PayBee if you want transparent flat 2% pricing, an intuitive and easy to learn dashboard, native mobile tap-to-pay checkout system and no required annual contracts to pay on a monthly basis.
• Choose GiveSmart if you are a mid to large nonprofit needing an enterprise scale solution with a dedicated built-in Donor CRM and you don't mind custom quote pricing which is offered via annual subscription or pay-as-you-go options.

Making Event Technology Decision for 2027

In today’s highly saturated nonprofit landscape, it’s more important than ever to have a software solution that’s easy to learn, use and deploy so you can keep your revenues flowing while offering the least amount of work for you and your team.

For development directors, auction chairs looking for the best software solutions to run their organizations, both PayBee and GiveSmart are both excellent options and capable of executing seamless fundraising experiences.

Since both platforms handle everything from mobile bidding to postbevent checkout, the choice between PayBee and GiveSmart isn’t which has the solutions you need as both handle many of your needs well, rather your choice will come down to four practical operational factors: pricing transparency, administrative simplicity, mobile point-of-sale tech and donor management scale.

Our Quick PayBee vs GiveSmart Comparison Table

Platform Overviews

What Is PayBee?

PayBee is a fundraising and event management platform that was specifically engineered  to make auctions, galas and online giving simple, transparent, and low stress for organizations in the nonprofit sector specifically. Their solution is designed around the real world flow of live, virtual and hybrid events while at the same time creating their platform to be super easy for  event chairs, staff and volunteers to use so they can spend their time on what really counts, deepening their relationships with your supporters. 

Key highlights of the PayBee platform include:

• Predictable, Public Pricing: PayBee operates on a flat 2% platform fee on electronic payments while other types of donations like cash and check transactions are always free. Your organization doesn’t need to sign any sort of contract or get caught up in monthly subscription fees although they do offer a highly affordable Premium Plan for additional one on one support before, during and after events at a one time fee of $599 for two full years of service. 
• Frictionless Donor Experience: Although your guests will never be forced to download an app like other solutions in order to participate in bidding, ticket purchases or to make a donation as they can do all of this and more from a simple phone browser, they do offer an app that can enhance their experience greatly. 
• Event-Day Point of Sale: PayBee focuses on mobile features like their native mobile tap-to-pay checkout that allows your guests to get their final tally and pay directly from their phones while never standing in a line, or giving your volunteers a way to assist your guests with their own mobile devices while never needing any additional software. 
• Flexible Support: Paybee’s support is second to none and in addition to their standard support, they even offer dedicated virtual assistance on your event night and can also offer on site support with trained staff physically showing up at your event to make sure every aspect of your night is covered (this is optional and there is a fee for this service). 

While PayBee is one of the most complete platforms available for collecting donations and running live or virtual events, it is light on enterprise donor CRM capabilities on purpose as they’ve engineered their platform to focus mainly on seamless event execution and high conversion giving workflows.

What Is GiveSmart?

GiveSmart by Momentive Software (formerly part of Community Brands prior to its corporate rebranding in July 2024) is an established, enterprise grade fundraising and donor management software suite and has been around since 2017. Their business model is geared towards mid sized and large organizations and educational institutions that need a multi product solution that can handle both year round fundraising as well as large scale fundraising events. 

Key highlights of GiveSmart includes:

• Integrated Product Suite: GiveSmart has three different core offerings including GiveSmart Events which handles auctions, mobile bidding, guest seating and hybrid galas, GiveSmart Fundraise which was formerly MobileCause and acquired in 2021and provides text-to-give and peer-to-peer campaign options and a dedicated GiveSmart Donor CRM as it’s third pillar. 
• Enterprise Scale & Maturity: Backed by parent company Momentive Software (and PE firm TA Associates), GiveSmart serves somewhere between 30,000 and 37,000 organizations giving it a serious institutional position in the nonprofit sector. 
• Flex Pricing Structure: GiveSmart moved to a dual-option "Flex Pricing" model, offering both traditional Annual Subscriptions and a Pay-As-You-Go option similar to Paybee’s although we do not know the true costs of either as both options are custom quote only, so you’ll need to discuss transaction rates during your sales onboarding.
• Dedicated Account Management: GiveSmart offers dedicated Client Success Managers and account management resources to help assist organizations through complex event setups and logistics.

While GiveSmart provides an all-in-one suite of options that are capable of serving large institutional needs, reviewers often note that there’s a steeper learning curve across its backend modules and a much higher overall financial commitments compared to streamlined event platforms like Paybee and others.

Key Differentiators & In Depth Analysis

While both PayBee and GiveSmart offer software solutions capable of running a myriad of events, where they differ significantly is in their approach to pricing, backend user experience, point-of-sale technology and donor management depth, each of which we’ll dive into here.

1. Pricing Transparency & Financial Commitment (The Lead Wedge)

Often the most important consideration any nonprofit can make, and the more transparent the fees, the easier it is to manage your investment over the course of the year.

PayBee's Public Flat-Rate Model: PayBee is extremely transparent in their pricing structure and offers all clients the same public flat 2% platform fee on electronic payments while cash and check donations are completely free to all of their clients regardless of size. There are also no required subscriptions, although they do offer a Premium Support plan for $599 for a full two years of coverage. So with Paybee, you know your exact software costs before ever speaking with a representative.

GiveSmart's Custom-Quote "Flex Pricing": GiveSmart doesn’t publish any of their pricing publicly although we do understand the model they use is called Flex Pricing. We know they do offer two plans, either their Annual Subscription plan or a Pay-As-You-Go option that doesn’t require an upfront cost. The problem is for this article is we have no way of giving you an exact price for either of their pricing tiers. The only way to know exactly what you’ll need to pay is by getting a quote directly from their sales team.

We were however able to get a basic idea through third party industry estimates for GiveSmart’s annual plans and they typically seem to range from ~$1,400 to over $10,000 per year depending on the size of your charity. And for credit card processing rates we’ve seen reports in reviews from around 3.5%, and higher for Amex.

2. Ease of Use, Backend Complexity & Learning Curve

Software solution like these are often managed by small staff teams and dozens of volunteers who only log into the system once a year, so the easier they are to use and manage, the less resources you’ll need to train staff and actually use the system.

PayBee's Unified, Guided Workflow: PayBee is engineered specifically to eliminate administrative overhead and created a single, unified dashboard that visually walks event chairs through ticketing, auction item cataloging, seating charts and checkout in a single linear interface that they can even access from their smartphone. Because of it’s ease of use, your volunteers will require minimal training and using the platform will be straightforward and stress free.

GiveSmart's Multi-Product Ecosystem:

Because GiveSmart grew through strategic acquisitions combining GiveSmart Events, GiveSmart Fundraise (formerly MobileCause), and GiveSmart Donor CRM rather than being created as one cohesive solution, reviewers on G2 and Capterra frequently state that their system is much harder to learn and that each component feels like it’s own software silo which makes learning time consuming and complex.

3. On-Site Point-of-Sale Tech: Native Tap-to-Pay vs. Peripheral Swipers

The actual donation comes at the time of payment, so the least amount of friction is what should stand out here.

• PayBee's Native Tap-to-Pay: PayBee provides native mobile tap-to-pay checkout which means your volunteers can process guest’s credit cards and contactless mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay all while using either their own phones or tablets with no extra hardware needed. 
• GiveSmart's Hardware Reliance: From our understanding, there is no tap to pay system for Givesmart. Instead, the company relies on iPad set ups and old style credit card swipe machines that can create bottle necks and keep you locked into Apple’s sofwtare system regurdless of your native OS systems. 

4. Donor CRM & Enterprise Scale (Where GiveSmart Wins)

Since we need to create a fair comparison here, we will mention that Givesmart’s CRM is more robust that Paybee’s lighter solution. 

• GiveSmart's Dedicated Donor CRM: GiveSmart offers a full fledged CRM module that is complete and can run all your CRM needs for the year. They also deeply integrate with Salesforce which gives their own CRM even more options. 
• PayBee's Streamlined Donor Capture: PayBee decided when the platform was created to keep CRM abilities light in order to keep client costs low and focus specifically on the fastest and most reliable event software knowing that options like Salesforce and others are readily available and easy to integrate into their platform. 

Detailed Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Because both PayBee and GiveSmart are complete gala and auction management solutions, they share a wide range of core capabilities which can blur the lies where one is better that the other. So to make their potentials crystal clear, we’ve compared them by features to see which will be better for your own charity.

1. Silent & Live Auctions

• The Answer First: Both PayBee and GiveSmart provide solid solutions for all your auction and gala needs. 
• PayBee Execution: PayBee streamlines auction management with quick item creation, automated outbid notifications, buy-it-now options and auto bidding or proxy bidding solutions while your guests can view items, track their bids and instantly checkout on their own all without downloading an app.
• GiveSmart Execution: GiveSmart provides solid tools as well which include proxy bidding, instant text alerts, bid package creation and real time bid tracking across both physical display boards and donor phones.

2. Mobile Bidding & Guest Experience

• The Answer First: Both platforms give event attendees the ability to browse items and place their bids directly from their mobile devices in real time.
• PayBee Execution: PayBee gives your donors the choice of whether they want to use the Paybee app to enter your auction.or stay with their phone’s native web browser in order to participate. App downloads are never required to participate.
• GiveSmart Execution: GiveSmart relies on a web-based mobile bidding interface accessed via browser link or text. While intuitive for bidders on event night, managing backend settings during the event can involve navigating across GiveSmart’s broader product modules.

3. Fund-a-Need / Paddle Raise

• The Answer First: Both platforms feature paddle raises, also called fund a need auctions and can be synced to your attendees phones to drive maximum donations during the event. 
• PayBee Execution: Their live paddle raise interface updates instantly on main stage’s projection screens which can include a goal thermometer and even the donor’s name.
• GiveSmart Execution: GiveSmart also includes visualizations like goal trackers along with automated text-to-give prompts.

4. Ticketing, Seating Charts & Contactless Check-In

• The Answer First: Both PayBee and GiveSmart handle pre-event ticket sales, table/seating assignments, guest registration and fast event night check-ins for your guests.
• PayBee Execution: PayBee provides custom ticket types, promo codes, sponsorship package sales and intuitive drag-and-drop seating management, then on event night your staff and volunteers can check in guests quickly while also pre-authorizing credit cards and issuing digital event passes.
• GiveSmart Execution: GiveSmart also offers strong ticketing and seating capabilities including contactless check-in, automated guest registration reminders and custom sponsor intake forms.

5. Text-to-Give & SMS Campaigns

• The Answer First: Both platforms support SMS-based fundraising which allows donors to give or join auctions directly from their phones.
• PayBee Execution: PayBee includes built-in SMS messaging for event reminders, outbid notifications, custom text-to-give keywords and direct payment links.
• GiveSmart Execution: Powered by its GiveSmart Fundraise module (formerly MobileCause), GiveSmart offers text-to-give and SMS campaign capabilities.

6. Virtual & Hybrid Galas + Livestreaming

• The Answer First: Both PayBee and GiveSmart fully support virtual and hybrid events with live broadcast feeds.
• PayBee Execution: PayBee features native video streaming, real-time chat, synchronized virtual paddle raises and live auction bidding for remote guests alongside in-person attendees.
• GiveSmart Execution: GiveSmart supports virtual and hybrid event setups with embedded live video streams, interactive virtual bidding corridors and remote donor tracking.

7. Support & Event-Night Experience

Both PayBee and GiveSmart earn high praise across G2 and Capterra for their customer service, but their support models are a bit different and cater to different preferences.

1. PayBee's Flexible & On-Site Support

PayBee includes dedicated support to all levels of users. But if you want more direct virtual support throughout your event planning and event night execution, they offer a $599 plan that covers two years of this type of support. Paybee even offers real humans with its optional on-site event support for an additional fee and send event specialists to physically help you manage check in technology, train volunteers and oversee live checkout.

2. GiveSmart's Enterprise Account Management

GiveSmart provides mid-to-large nonprofits with dedicated Client Success Managers (CSMs). Their support team can assist with initial account setup, campaign design and remote event monitoring with event night phone and chat support. More direct support is offered but does require spending on a higher tier.

Strategic "Best For" & Use Cases

To summarize how to evaluate both platforms for your organization's specific goals:

Choose PayBee If:

• You Want Public Transparent Pricing: You prefer a predictable flat 2% platform fee on electronic payments with no hidden setup charges or forced multi-year contracts.
• You Need an Intuitive, Low-Stress Setup: You rely on volunteers or small staff teams and need a single, unified interface that requires minimal onboarding time.
• You Want Native Tap-to-Pay Checkout: You want staff and volunteers to collect guest payments instantly using smartphones or tablets without relying on external swipers or iPad hardware setups.
• You Seek Low Commitment: You want the option to run single events without paying thousands of dollars upfront or signing complex annual agreements.

Choose GiveSmart If:

• You Need a Dedicated, Full-Suite Donor CRM: Your organization is seeking a single vendor to handle enterprise-level donor databases, year-round giving programs, and large-scale galas in one platform.
• You Are an Enterprise or Mid-to-Large Nonprofit: You’re fine with custom-quote licensing (annual subscription or pay-as-you-go) and have the budget. 
• You Require Deep Enterprise Integrations: Your charity’s workflow relies on integrations with platforms like Salesforce or specialized donor management ecosystems.

Switching from GiveSmart to PayBee

If it’s time to walk away from unpredictable renewal costs, making the switch to Paybee is extremely easy and straight forward. 

A Streamlined Migration Path

1. Seamless Data Import: Simply download your existing donor lists, supporter contacts and previous auction catalog spreadsheets in CVS format and upload to Paybee.
2. Instant Event Setup: Since all your information is now in one seamless dashboard, setting up your next event can be done in a fraction of the time.
3. Zero Financial Lock-In: Host your next event with no deposit needed, just a flat 2% fee on electronic donations with no other fees or hardware necessary! 

Yes, it really is this easy! But don’t take our word for it, try our free demo here and see for yourself just how easy and truly powerful our platform really is. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does GiveSmart cost?

You must get a custom quote to know your exact cost. We do know they offer a "Flex Pricing" model which includes an Annual Subscription or a Pay-As-You-Go option that third parties estimate for annual plans from ~$1,400 to $10,000+ per year plus processing fees. By contrast, PayBee charges a flat 2% platform fee on electronic payments.

Is GiveSmart the same as Community Brands or MobileCause?

Momentive Software is the company that owns Givesmart and is the new offical rebranding of Community Brands. Mobile Cause was aquired in 2021 by the company and is now their GiveSmart Fundraise module.

Is PayBee or GiveSmart cheaper for nonprofits?

Since Givesmart is not transparent on their pricing, it is not clear, although Paybee’s predictable 2% flat fee seems as though it would be a strong contender as far as being the least expensive platform. 

Does GiveSmart do auctions and virtual galas?

Yes, both GiveSmart and Paybee fully support silent and live auctions.

Does GiveSmart have tap-to-pay?

Research suggests they do not offer native phone based tap-to-pay checkout and rather rely on iPad hardware and physical card swipers.

What is the best GiveSmart alternative?

PayBee is widely considered one of the best GiveSmart alternatives for nonprofits seeking transparent pricing, tap-to-pay, and an easy learning curve. Other notable platforms in the gala and auction category include OneCause, Handbid and Greater Giving.

Wrapping Up and Choosing the Right Event Partner for 2027

Both PayBee and GiveSmart (by Momentive Software) offer solid solutions for nonprofits and organizations looking to raise money through events and donations. 

So if your organization is an enterprise or mid-to-large nonprofit looking for a dedicated Donor CRM, year-round giving programs and tailored custom pricing then GiveSmart offers you a mature ecosystem worth exploring via a custom quote.

However, if your priority is pricing transparency, simplicity and low-stress event execution, PayBee stands out as the clear choice. With a public 2% platform fee and no required annual contracts and a complete and intuitive suite of tools, your volunteers and donors will win out. 

Ready to See PayBee in Action?

Take the guesswork out of your next auction or gala software setup. Book a free PayBee demo today to explore our comprehensive suite of live auction tools, test our mobile tap-to-pay solutions and see how simple transparent fundraising can be.