$0 platform and processing fees
Zeffy absorbs everything; no fees passed to the nonprofit.
Zeffy
100% free fundraising and ticketing platform for US & Canadian nonprofits, funded entirely by optional donor tips, so the organisation pays nothing.
4.6 / 5based on 898reviews across Trustpilot, Capterra & Google
About Zeffy
Zeffy is a Montreal-based fundraising-and-ticketing platform that's 100% free for registered nonprofits in the US and Canada. The model: Zeffy absorbs all platform and payment-processing costs themselves, and the platform is sustained entirely by optional donor tips at checkout.
Donors are asked to add an optional contribution to Zeffy on top of their donation or ticket purchase, usually around 17% suggested, but fully donor-editable down to zero. The nonprofit always receives 100% of the donor's original ticket or donation amount.
What you get
Key features
Donor tip funding
Sustained by optional donor tips at checkout, donor-editable.
Ticketed events
Sell paid tickets, free RSVPs, or hybrid events.
Donation forms
Built-in donation forms with recurring donation support.
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Supporter fundraising pages, team campaigns, donor recognition.
Auctions
Run silent auctions and lotteries directly through Zeffy.
Tax receipts
Automatic 501(c)(3) and Canadian charity tax receipts.
Donor CRM
Built-in donor database with engagement history.
Side by side
How Zeffy compares with Eventbrite
Zeffy is the cheapest possible option for any nonprofit eligible to use it: there's nothing else in the market that's genuinely free. Eventbrite would charge a US nonprofit roughly $5.05 per $50 ticket; Zeffy charges $0.
The trade-offs: Zeffy requires registered nonprofit status (US 501(c)(3) or Canadian charity), the donor-tip prompt at checkout can feel awkward for some donors, and the feature set leans towards fundraising rather than complex event operations. For a charity gala, it's hard to beat. For a multi-day festival, Eventbrite or a dedicated platform may still fit better.
Pros & cons
The honest balance: what reviewers consistently praise and consistently flag.
Pros
- Genuinely 100% free for the nonprofit; no fees ever
- Automatic 501(c)(3) and Canadian tax receipts
- Built-in donation forms, P2P fundraising, and auctions
- Strong donor CRM included free
- Mission-aligned for any registered charity or 501(c)(3)
Cons
- US and Canada only; not available in the UK or elsewhere
- Registered nonprofit status required (no for-profit option)
- Donor tip prompt can feel awkward to some donors
- Less suited to complex multi-day events or festivals
- No reserved seating support
Real reviews
What Zeffy users actually say
Choose a category to see verified Trustpilot reviews grouped by topic.
Zeffy users love that the platform is 100% free for nonprofits, with built-in tax receipts and a clean donor experience.
Zeffy has been such a wonderful tool to…
Zeffy has been such a wonderful tool to have in our toolbox. We are a non-profit that only does a few fundraisers per year and this is the perfect tool for us. It's easy to use, easy to set up events, tracks all the…
Perfect.
The site is gorgeous. Incredibly functional but simple on both the frontend and backend. Loved the transparency and the communication. Friendly, approachable and values driven. Payment services worked really well and…
I am using Zeffy now for the last year
I am using Zeffy now for the last year, for fundraising for my church and nonprofit. I love that I have flexibility, I can either use it to create tickets for Events for my church for fundraising, or for specific…
Great experience for a first-time user
Great experience for a first-time user. The system was easy to maneuver. The reporting made life easier. I had to issue a refund, and it was a smooth process. I like the opportunity to send our various communications…
Pricing
What Zeffy costs
Zeffy charges $0 to the nonprofit: no platform fee, no per-ticket fee, and Stripe processing is absorbed by Zeffy. Funded entirely by optional donor tips at checkout (around 17% suggested, fully editable by the donor including down to zero). Nonprofits always receive 100% of the original payment amount.
US ($)
$0.00 / ticket
UK (£)
£0.00 / ticket
Is Zeffy right for you?
Honest guidance on who fits, and who doesn't.
Perfect for you if
- You're a registered US 501(c)(3) or Canadian charity
- Your event is a fundraiser, gala, or donation-led event
- You want a $0 cost platform with no hidden charges
- You also need donation forms, P2P fundraising, or auctions
- Tax receipts are important to your donors
Consider alternatives if
- You're not a registered nonprofit (Zeffy isn't an option)
- You're outside US/Canada
- You run complex multi-day festivals or operations-heavy events
- You need reserved seating