Donation processing
Zeffy
Yes, Zeffy is really free. No platform fee and no processing fee: a $100 gift puts $100 in your account. The model funds itself by offering your donors an optional tip to Zeffy at checkout, and payments run on Stripe underneath. For a fee-sensitive shop, the math has no competition.
Who it fits
Grassroots and small shops where every fee dollar matters, and any organization whose online giving is forms, ticketing, and campaigns rather than complex integrations. Keeping 100% of ticket sales to a community event is the pitch, and it delivers exactly that.
What it costs
| Item | Cost to you |
|---|---|
| Platform fee | $0 |
| Processing fee | $0 |
| Funded by | Optional donor tips at checkout |
Two things to plan around. The tip prompt is donor-facing, so look at the checkout flow yourself and make sure you’re comfortable with it; many shops are, and donors can always decline. Payouts are scheduled rather than instant, so if event cash needs to arrive by a specific date, check the disbursement calendar ahead of time.
How it compares
Donorbox charges a platform fee and, in exchange, brings deeper recurring-gift tooling and a bigger integration ecosystem. Givebutter is also free with tips on and is stronger for events and peer-to-peer campaigns. Zeffy is the purest keep-everything option of the three.
Bottom line
Zeffy has no affiliate program, so this site earns nothing from recommending it. We recommend it anyway wherever the fit is right, and trying it costs exactly nothing: set up a form, run a test gift, and watch the full amount arrive.
Strengths
- Zero fees to the nonprofit: a $100 gift deposits $100
- Covers donations, ticketing, raffles, and memberships
- Runs on Stripe underneath
Limitations
- Donors see an optional tip prompt at checkout
- Payouts run on a schedule, not on demand
- Fewer integrations than paid processors