RallyUp vs.
OneCause 

Ever catch yourself thinking something like:

“I’m totally lost with all these fundraising platforms. What is the difference between them? Do I even need one?”

You’re not alone. Most people who end up here—whether through a quick Google or a tip from a friend—are just trying to find something that actually works for them.

Some are looking for an easier, faster way to raise money. Others want their fundraisers to look more polished and professional. A lot of folks just want real people to help them out—or even build a fundraiser for them. And yeah, pretty much everyone wants tools that help bring in more donations.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the right spot.

This RallyUp vs. OneCause breakdown will show you why RallyUp might be just what you’re looking for. Two differences stand out right away. First, ease of use: OneCause has been around since 2008, and its interface shows its age — reviewers consistently mention a learning curve, while RallyUp is genuinely, seriously easy to use and takes about 15 minutes to launch. Second, cost and commitment: OneCause runs on costly annual subscriptions with added platform and processing fees, while RallyUp has no contracts and no subscriptions — you can start on a free plan and pay only per campaign.

Last updated: July 2026

Features Comparison

All-in-one fundraising platform

One platform for every campaign type — Raffles, Auctions, Galas & Events, Sweepstakes, Events & Ticketing, Crowdfunding, Peer-to-Peer, A-Thons, Store, Livestreaming, and Donation Pages — all under one login

Limited functionality and campaign types: No Online Store, A-Thons, Standalone Crowdfunding (only via peer-to-peer)

An expert will build your campaign for you, for free

Fundraising experts build professional campaigns tailored to your cause

Expert campaign review and optimization, for free

Fundraising experts review your campaign and offer guidance for success before you launch

Professional campaign planning, for free

Personal meeting with a pro who will help you plan the perfect fundraiser

Predesigned campaign templates built into the app

Quick start campaigns with Instant Fundraiser Templates. Just pick one and go

Combine different campaign types in a single fundraiser

Combine any/all: Raffles, Auctions, Events & Ticketing, Sweepstakes, Crowdfunding, A-Thons, Store, Livestreaming

Campaigns run as separate events — no single campaign that combines multiple fundraising types under one URL and checkout

In-person fundraising events

Galas, Ticketing & Registration, Fund-a-Need, Paddle Raise+, Live and Silent auctions, Live Display

A capable event platform with ticketing, mobile bidding, live and silent auctions, and dedicated on-site event support

Peer-to-Peer with all types of fundraisers

Peer-to-Peer with Raffles, Events & Ticketing, Sweepstakes, A-Thons, Crowdfunding, Store, Livestream

Peer-to-Peer limited to crowdfunding/donations — not available across raffles, sweepstakes, A-Thons, ticketing, or store campaigns

Total Custom Branding

Extensive customization options for complete branding capabilities at no cost

Branding controls tied to paid subscription tiers

Livestreaming

Built-in Livestreaming with fundraising games and spotlights for instant donations

No native livestreaming — relies on third-party integrations (YouTube Live, Facebook Live, etc.)

Platform fees

Free Pricing: No platform fee; donors are prompted to leave optional tips

Flex Pricing: Platform fees apply based on campaign type:

2.9% for Events

2.9% for Online Store

4.9% for Auctions

4.9% for A-Thons & Crowdfunding

6.9% for Raffles & Sweepstakes

0% for Donation Pages

0% for Peer-to-Peer

0% for Livestreaming

This is in addition to processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction or 1.9% + $0.30 for ACH transactions

No free plan. Annual subscription (Professional Auction & Event package reported at ~$2,995/year) or a pay-as-you-go option (from ~$200) that carries a 5% platform fee — an up-front commitment before your first dollar is raised

Plus payment processing reported up to 4.35% + $0.35 per transaction (varies by processor)

Donor Tipping

On the Free plan, donors are prompted for an optional tip that RallyUp keeps; disable tipping and switch to flat-rate Flex pricing anytime. You choose the model that fits your campaign

No donor-tipping model. Fees come from the subscription and 5% platform fee — donors can cover fees at checkout, but there is no optional tip the organization keeps

Platform fee coverage options (when donor tipping is disabled)

Organizers can pay fee, ask donors to cover it, or charge a flat convenience fee

Organizers can absorb the fee or ask donors to cover it — but there is no flat convenience-fee option

Intuitive UX design

Genuinely, seriously easy to use — launch a polished campaign in about 15 minutes, no training or onboarding calls required

Powerful for events, but widely reported to carry a learning curve — setup and customization can require training and hands-on support

Diverse payment options

Credit and debit cards, ACH Transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal

Credit and Debit Cards, ACH Transfers, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal

No annual subscription or contract

Launch on the Free plan and pay only per campaign with Flex pricing — no annual license, no contract, no sales process

Annual subscription or a paid pay-as-you-go commitment before you launch

Sweepstakes fundraising

Run compliant Sweepstakes as a standalone campaign or stacked with others

Not available

A-Thon fundraising (walk/run/bike/read)

Dedicated A-Thon Component with pledges, milestones, and Peer-to-Peer built in

Not available

Online fundraising store

Sell branded merchandise with a built-in Store Component

Not available

In-platform raffle drawing

Automatic or manual randomized draw performed inside the platform, with automatic winner notification and records retained

Not a dedicated raffle platform — no in-platform randomized draw

Auction Gifts

Non-winning bidders can pledge a gift, charged only if they win nothing — lifts auctions 20–35% on average

No equivalent

AI fundraising content built into the campaign builder

Embedded ‘Generate with AI’ across every major Component — prize and item descriptions, campaign copy, and donor emails, with adjustable tone and length. No prompts required

Auction AI generates auction-lot descriptions only

Free plan with no up-front cost

A genuinely free plan — launch and raise with $0 in platform fees on the Free plan (optional donor tips)

No free plan available, and no trial period

Reviews

4.8 rating

4.7 rating

vs. OneCause

Final Takeaway

Let’s be fair: OneCause is a capable event platform. If galas, live and silent auctions, and mobile bidding are the whole picture, it has a long track record and dedicated event tooling — including features like assigned seating and on-site staffing that some large galas rely on. That longevity comes with a trade-off, though: it’s been around since 2008, and its interface shows its age. Reviewers regularly note a learning curve and setup that can require training and hands-on help.

Here’s where RallyUp pulls ahead. Start with ease of use: RallyUp is genuinely, seriously easy to use — a modern, intuitive platform that most organizers use to launch a polished campaign in about 15 minutes, with no training and no sales calls. It’s the opposite of a dated, clunky interface. And RallyUp does far more than events: raffles, sweepstakes, A-Thons, an online store, crowdfunding, Peer-to-Peer, and galas, all from one platform. You can even combine several campaign types in a single fundraiser — organizations that stack campaign types raise 38% more on average.

Then there’s the cost. RallyUp has no contracts and no subscriptions — you start on a free plan with a $0 platform-fee option and pay only per campaign with Flex pricing. OneCause works the other way around: a costly annual subscription (reported from ~$2,995/year and climbing with size and features) or a pay-as-you-go plan that adds a 5% platform fee, all on top of payment processing. With RallyUp there’s nothing to sign and nothing due before your first dollar is raised. Best of all, our free Create My Campaign service puts a fundraising expert on your side to build and optimize your campaign at no cost — something no competitor offers at any price.