The 5 best Bonterra alternatives

Bonterra offers a broad ecosystem of tools designed to support fundraising, engagement, and impact at scale. 

For some organizations, that scope is a strength. For others, especially small and mid-sized nonprofits, it can introduce more complexity and cost than they expected.

If the latter sounds like you, odds are you’re looking for an easier, more cost-effective, and modern way to raise funds for your cause. And preferably, one that helps you raise even more year over year.

In this guide, we break down the five best Bonterra alternatives out there. They are:

1. Givebutter: Free, all-in-one fundraising alternative to Bonterra
2. CharityEngine: Clean data and reporting in a fundraising platform
3. Donorbox: Flexible payment options for global donations
4. Neon One: CRM & membership management for growing nonprofits
5. Bloomerang: CRM with fundraising add-ons

Why nonprofits like yours look for Bonterra alternatives

Bonterra isn’t the right fit for every nonprofit. Here are the most common reasons, based on public reviews, that teams decide it’s time to explore other options.

Rising costs tied to records 💸

Pricing is one of the biggest friction points nonprofits raise when using Bonterra. Costs can increase based on the total records in the system, even when those contacts aren’t donors or revenue-generating supporters.

For organizations with growing audiences but limited budgets, paying for contacts that don’t donate can eat into a budget they don’t have.

When asked: What do you dislike about Bonterra Network for Good?, one user shared:

Being charged for records with zero-dollar donations. We have many subscribers, such as local media, who are not donors, but who receive our monthly digital newsletter; each of those non-revenue-generating records increases the price of our Bonterra subscription. — Kate H., Chief of Staff [G2]

High subscription costs 🧾

Beyond record-based pricing, some nonprofits find Bonterra’s overall subscription cost difficult to justify. When budgets are tight, ongoing software costs can quickly compete with mission priorities. And when there are free platforms that genuinely help teams manage donor records and fundraise more effectively…what’s the point?

It came up as a pain point for users answering What do you dislike about Bonterra Network for Good?. Here’s what one user said:

I find the cost to be a little on the high side. — Melanie S., Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper [G2]

Steep learning curve & reliance on coaching 🧠

Bonterra offers coaching and support services, but some users say the platform itself can feel difficult to use independently. Without that extra guidance, teams may struggle to feel confident navigating the system on their own.

That’s why one user listed depending on their coach as a con:

There is so much to learn that I am concerned. I'm not confident in using [Bonterra] on my own yet. We depend on our coach for a lot. — Teresa S., Library Director [Capterra]

Event & auction workflows that feel limiting 🎟️

Events and auctions are core fundraising channels for many nonprofits, but some Bonterra users report challenges with speed and usability, especially during high-pressure moments like check-in or checkout.

Here’s what one user wrote when asked: What do you dislike about Bonterra Network for Good?

Events and auctions could use some improvement. The check-in feature for guests attending our events is much too slow to be an effective tool for our organization. Also, the Auctions function was not the best. — Nici B., Development and Volunteer Coordinator [G2]

When tools don’t perform smoothly in real time, it can impact both staff confidence and the supporter experience.

A growing list of acquisitions & questions about what comes next 🔄

Bonterra isn’t a single platform built from the ground up. Instead, it’s a collection of separately developed products brought together under one brand.

Starting in 2021, Apax Partners acquired CyberGrants, Social Solutions, EveryAction, and Network for Good in quick succession, rebranding the combined entity as Bonterra in 2022. Since then, the acquisitions have continued, most recently adding WeSpire and OneCause to the portfolio in 2024 and 2025.

For nonprofits, that history raises a practical question: when a platform is built by stitching together separately developed products, how seamlessly do those tools actually work together?

Some users have noticed the friction. One Trustpilot reviewer wrote directly about the impact of the merger:

Since Network For Good merged with Bonterra, our experience has been terrible. We cannot talk to anyone to resolve issues, and we are being overcharged. Chats are the only option, and they are not effective at all. — James R Bryant [Trustpilot]

The #1 Bonterra alternative: Why nonprofits choose Givebutter

Givebutter is a free, all-in-one fundraising platform and CRM that offers a more intuitive, mobile-first experience that today's donors expect. 

Instead of asking nonprofits to adopt a large ecosystem or navigate tools stitched together through acquisitions, Givebutter offers a single, purpose-built platform focused on fundraising. 

Everything works together by default, so teams don’t have to manage complexity just to run a campaign or communicate with supporters.

Givebutter vs. Bonterra: A side-by-side comparison ⚖️

Why Givebutter is the best Bonterra alternative ✅

Givebutter aims to make fundraising as effortless and as affordable as possible. 

Because every moment spent learning the platform is a moment you could have been fundraising. And every dollar you pay in subscription fees is a dollar that could have gone toward making a difference.

So, while Bonterra's Fundraising and Engagement solution requires ongoing subscription fees and paid tiers to access core fundraising tools, Givebutter gives nonprofits everything they need to fundraise for free.  

There are no long implementation timelines, and you’ll never be pressured to upgrade.

[Bonterra] was costing us $3K a year. After a customer service snafu, I was heading into the holiday season with no good solution for accepting online donations. Within a few hours, I was able to import my data and get Givebutter integrated into my website. — Rachel McDonnell from the Claremont Forum

Givebutter is also designed for today’s donors. Mobile-friendly pages, social sharing, and modern payment options make it easier for supporters to give in the way they’re most comfortable.

Just as importantly, Givebutter is stable and purpose-built. Instead of navigating an ecosystem of acquired tools in transition, nonprofits get one consistent experience that’s easy to learn and easy to trust. Teams can move quickly, make changes confidently, and stay focused on fundraising instead of software.

Making the switch is easy. 

More to explore

See why real nonprofits love Givebutter →

Givebutter’s standout features 💰

Bonterra doesn’t list its platform pricing publicly. So you won't know what you’re paying until you speak to their team. That can waste precious time if, at the end of the demo, you learn it's beyond your budget. 

You’ll never have to worry with Givebutter because all core features are free. 

Givebutter offers unlimited:

• Donor management and CRM (add as many contacts as you need at no extra fee)
• Donation forms and widgets
• Fundraising pages
• Email marketing
• Analytics
• Events and auctions
• Secure payment processing
• Mobile app
• Integrations
• 24/7 support

Givebutter is free thanks to optional donor tips. 

With tips on, your nonprofit pays nothing in platform fees. Donors simply choose whether to cover processing costs, and if they don't, the Givebutter Guarantee picks up the tab—so you keep every dollar raised.

No tips? No problem. A flat 3% platform fee plus standard processing fees apply (2.9% + 30¢ for cards, 1.9% + 30¢ for ACH), with full flexibility over who covers them.

Want more? Givebutter Plus adds text messaging, an advanced email editor, discounted direct mail, and native QuickBooks integration for $29/month. It’s completely optional, and always your call.

Who is Givebutter built for? 🏗️

Givebutter is made for nonprofits, startups, schools, sports teams, and faith-based groups, among others. 

The most important criterion is that they want to do more good, more quickly, without overstretching their already spread-thin team.

It doesn’t matter if you’re launching your first online fundraiser or running campaigns, events, and donor outreach year-round; Givebutter is designed to feel intuitive for staff, volunteers, and supporters alike.

That's why organizations like GOSUMEC Foundation USA use Givebutter to power high-impact fundraising. Founded by a single physician with a vision to support medical students in India, GOSUMEC used Givebutter to manage donors, track multi-year pledges, and run events—raising more than $1.5M from 550+ supporters and establishing the first permanent endowment for a medical school in India.

If your organization wants fundraising and donor management tools that help you move faster without adding complexity, Givebutter is built for you.

4 other Bonterra alternatives to consider

While Givebutter is a strong alternative to Bonterra, it’s not the only one. Here are four others worth your consideration.

1. CharityEngine: Clean data and reporting in a fundraising platform 📊

CharityEngine is for nonprofits that want cleaner data, stronger reporting, and more control over how fundraising performance is measured and optimized. 

This platform is especially well known for its strength in recurring giving, with tools built to optimize monthly gift conversion, retention, and collection rates over time.

✅ Why CharityEngine is a good Bonterra alternative: CharityEngine works well for nonprofits that want everything in one tightly connected database. Unlike Bonterra’s multi-product ecosystem, CharityEngine keeps fundraising, recurring giving, email, and reporting in a single system built around clean data.

🔥 CharityEngine’s standout features: 

• Unified CRM, fundraising, and email marketing platform
• Donation processing and recurring gift management
• Event management and ticketing
• Marketing automation and segmentation
• Payment processing and donor self-service portal
• Advanced reporting and analytics

💰 Cost: CharityEngine uses a tiered subscription pricing model that’s tailored to each organization’s needs, with plans starting around $550 per month for the Starter level and higher tiers (Pro and Premier) available via custom quotes based on advanced features and scale.

2. Donorbox: Flexible payment options for global donations 💰

Donorbox is a fundraising-first platform best known for its flexible, fast-loading donation forms and wide range of payment options. Nonprofits that prioritize online giving over deep CRM functionality often find it a good alternative to Bonterra.

✅ Why Donorbox is a good Bonterra alternative: Donorbox is a good fit for teams that just want online donations to work fast. It focuses on high-converting donation forms, recurring gifts, and modern payment options without the weight or cost of a full fundraising platform like Bonterra.

🔥 Donorbox’s standout features: 

• OmniGive donation forms
• Recurring donations
• Multi-currency support
• Multiple payment methods (credit card, ACH, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Crowdfunding campaigns
• Peer-to-peer fundraising
• Donor portal

💰 Cost: Organizations can choose from three pricing plans, including a free plan. However, all their plans have built-in payment processing fees (unlike Givebutter), and their CRM has a separate monthly cost based on the number of contacts you have.

More to explore

Get the full Givebutter vs. Donorbox comparison →

3. Neon CRM: CRM & membership management for growing nonprofits 🧱

Neon CRM is a donor management system that helps nonprofits track supporters, donations, events, and communications in one central database. The module is part of the broader Neon One platform, where features can be added on for a cost.

✅ Why Neon CRM is a good Bonterra alternative: Neon CRM is worth considering for nonprofits that want more transparency and control than Bonterra offers, but it comes with its own ecosystem of products under the Neon One umbrella—so teams should evaluate whether they'd be consolidating tools or simply trading one multi-product platform for another.

🔥 Neon CRM’s standout features: 

• Donor database
• Engagement timeline
• Volunteer management
• Workflow automation
• Reports

💰 Cost: Neon CRM’s pricing starts at $99 per month if your total revenue is under $1M. Additional plans with extra features are also available.

More to explore

Compare Givebutter to Neon One side-by-side →

4. Bloomerang: A CRM with fundraising add-ons ➕

Bloomerang is a donor management platform focused on helping nonprofits understand, retain, and grow their supporter base through engagement and retention insights. Built through acquisitions of tools like Qgiv, Kindful, and InitLive, its fundraising, events, and CRM features often live in separate modules with separate costs.

✅ Why Bloomerang is a good Bonterra alternative: Bloomerang is a better fit for nonprofits that want to focus on donor retention and engagement. The platform has clear donor timelines and engagement insights that help teams understand who’s giving and who might drop off.

🔥 Bloomerang’s standout features: 

• Interactive dashboard
• Donor timeline
• Data segmentation
• Wealth screening

💰 Cost: Bloomerang’s pricing starts at $125 per month, billed yearly. You can choose to add fundraising tools for $40 a month or invest in volunteer management or membership management for additional monthly fees.

More to explore

Compare Givebutter to Bloomerang side-by-side →

How to choose your Bonterra alternative

Before switching platforms, it helps to think through what your team actually needs and not just what a platform promises.

Start with how your team works day to day 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 

If fundraising, donor follow-up, events, and reporting all fall on the same few people, a lighter, easier tool will likely serve you better than a large ecosystem built for many use cases at once.

Be honest about how much complexity you can manage 🧠 

Some platforms offer deep customization, advanced automation, or enterprise-level reporting…but that often comes with longer setup, steeper learning curves, and higher costs. 

If your team doesn’t have a dedicated admin, simplicity matters.

Look closely at pricing and how it scales 💸 

Subscription fees, record-based pricing, add-ons, and required upgrades can add up quickly. Make sure you understand what’s included, what costs extra, and how pricing will change as your contact list or fundraising grows.

Think about your donors, not just your database 📱 

Modern supporters expect mobile-friendly pages, familiar payment options, and a smooth giving experience. A platform that fits how your donors already give can have just as much impact as back-end features.

Give better with Givebutter

Nonprofits don’t need more software to manage—they need fewer barriers to fundraising. 

With Givebutter, you can get started quickly, run campaigns with confidence, and manage donor relationships without needing extra staff, training, or budget approvals.

Because Givebutter’s core tools are free to use, nonprofits have the freedom to focus on what matters most: showing up for their community, telling their story, and building support that lasts. No pressure to upgrade. No penalties for growth. Just a platform that works alongside your mission.

If you’re ready for fundraising to feel more manageable and a little more human, it’s time to give better with Givebutter. 🧈

Sign up for Givebutter today.

FAQs about Bonterra alternatives

Does switching platforms affect donor experience?

Switching platforms doesn't have to disrupt your donor experience. 

Most modern platforms, including Givebutter, support data imports so your donor history and records carry over. From there, donors interact with your new donation pages directly—so the experience they have is shaped by the platform you move to, not the one you left. 

Givebutter's pages are mobile-friendly, support modern payment methods like Venmo, PayPal, and donor-advised funds, and are designed to make giving as frictionless as possible.

Can I migrate donor data from Bonterra to Givebutter?

Yes. Givebutter offers easy, self-serve import tools that let you move contacts, donations, and recurring gifts from Bonterra. Many nonprofits are able to migrate their data quickly. Once your data is imported, you can start fundraising immediately with Givebutter’s donation forms, campaigns, and events.

When might Bonterra still be a better fit?

Bonterra can make sense for large organizations that need advanced volunteer management, formal coaching programs, or a broad suite of connected solutions beyond fundraising. For teams focused primarily on raising money efficiently, simpler platforms are often a better match. 

Givebutter is broad enough that you only need one platform, but simple enough that it’s not overwhelming. And it’s free for all core features. If you do need to upgrade, it’s simple, and it’s better for your budget than most other tools’ starting prices.