ReadySetAuction

ReadySetAuction is best for nonprofits that want a structured auction system and especially for teams already using DonorPerfect. Its annual pricing and no-proceeds-fee model are clear advantages, but the interface and setup may feel dated compared with newer fundraising platforms.

Published plans start at $1,099/year
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Tool Nutrition Label
Founded 2003
Headquarters Fort Washington, PA via SofterWare and DonorPerfect
Company Size SofterWare and DonorPerfect are established nonprofit software businesses; exact ReadySetAuction team size is not published
Funding Division of SofterWare/DonorPerfect; acquired by SofterWare in 2016
Pricing Model Annual SaaS plans with unlimited nonconcurrent events and no back-end percentage on auction proceeds
Free Trial No public self-serve free trial found; demo and sales-led evaluation
Contract Annual plan
Attendee Capacity Not priced per attendee; plans support unlimited nonconcurrent events, with practical limits driven by auction size, bidders, devices, staff, and connectivity
Mobile App No bidder app download required; mobile bidding runs in the device browser
Offline Capability No
Data & Compliance Cloud-based SaaS; confirm hosting, payment, privacy, and retention terms with SofterWare
Expertise Level Intermediate
Event Types
Charity GalasSchool AuctionsNonprofit FundraisersOnline AuctionsMobile Bidding EventsLive AuctionsSilent Auctions
Key Integrations
DonorPerfect (Native) SafeSave Payments (Native) Browser-based mobile bidding (Native)
Support Channels
Email supportOnline knowledge baseLive and recorded videosDonorPerfect support teamSales phone
Best For
  • + Nonprofits, schools, arts groups, faith groups, and foundations running annual auctions
  • + DonorPerfect customers who want auction data to sync back into donor records
  • + Teams running live, silent, mobile, online, or hybrid auction fundraisers
  • + Organizations that prefer annual pricing without a percentage fee on auction proceeds
Not For
  • Fundraisers that want a modern all-in-one campaign platform with heavy customization
  • Teams unwilling to train staff or volunteers before auction night
  • Organizations not using DonorPerfect and needing broad CRM choices
  • Events with weak Wi-Fi or cellular coverage for mobile bidding
Key Capabilities
Manage donors, donations, auction items, guests, tickets, sponsorships, and seating
Run online and mobile bidding from bidder-owned phones, tablets, or shared stations
Create hosted auction websites, online catalogs, and procurement forms
Check in guests, capture cards, cashier purchases, process payments, and email receipts
Print bid sheets, catalogs, display sheets, and other auction materials
Sync auction data with DonorPerfect donor management
Honest Limitations

Setup Takes Work

Auction item entry, bidder setup, payment configuration, volunteers, and bidder communications still require disciplined prep.

Interface Expectations

G2 reviewers mention ease for core workflows but also dated design, limited customization, and setup complexity.

DonorPerfect-Centered

The strongest integration story is DonorPerfect, so teams on other CRMs should validate export and reconciliation workflows.

Connectivity Required

Mobile and online bidding depend on reliable venue Wi-Fi or cellular service.

Annual Commitment

Pricing is published annually, which may be inefficient for organizations running only one small auction.

Pricing Breakdown
Plan Price Details
Essentials $1,099/year Auction prep, cashiering, hosted auction website, procurement form, and core auction workflows
Higher Plans See vendor pricing sheet Additional mobile and online bidding features, event workflows, support, and package options vary by plan

Hidden Costs to Watch

  • ! Payment processing, merchant services, and any needed hardware or shared bidder stations should be budgeted
  • ! Staff and volunteer training time can be significant
  • ! DonorPerfect value is highest when CRM data cleanup and sync ownership are planned

ReadySetAuction is a practical auction operations system for nonprofits that want donor, item, bidder, ticket, and checkout workflows in one place. It is especially compelling when DonorPerfect is already the donor database.

The tradeoff is polish. Budget enough setup and training time, and test the bidder experience before guests arrive.

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Questions to Ask the Vendor
  1. 1
    Which plan includes the exact mobile bidding, ticketing, seating, and checkout workflows we need?
  2. 2
    How does DonorPerfect sync handle donors, guests, soft credits, auction items, and payments?
  3. 3
    What payment processing setup is required, and what fees apply?
  4. 4
    What training and live event support are included?
  5. 5
    What venue Wi-Fi or cellular requirements should we test before auction night?
How we research tools

We research each tool by reviewing official documentation, pricing pages, and user feedback from Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. If something's out of date or inaccurate, use the link below to flag it.

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