Compare
Silent auction software, compared honestly
The popular free platforms all work — they just make their money in different ways. Here's what each one costs you, and your bidders, as of September 2026.
| Feature | SilentBid | 32auctions | GalaBid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 15 items | Up to 20 items (1 photo each) | No platform fee |
| What pays for the free plan | Nothing shown to bidders | House ads on your auction page | Tip prompt for supporters at checkout |
| Cost for a bigger auction | $29 CAD (50 items) or $79 CAD (150 items), once | About US$170 per event (Most Popular package) | Pro and flat-fee plans |
| Fees on money raised | None | None if self-collected; 2.9% + US$0.40 per online payment | Stripe card fees (you or the winner pays) |
| Card payments through the platform | No — winners pay you directly | Paid upgrade | Yes |
| Live bid feed for guests | Every plan | — | — |
Competitor details from each company's public website, checked September 2026. Prices and features change — please check their sites for the latest. Sources: 32auctions — free silent auction platform, GalaBid — silent auction software (Canada).
“—” means we couldn't confirm it from their public site.
The short version
Collect money your own way? SilentBid is the simple choice.
No ads. No tip prompts. No fees on what you raise. Free for up to 15 items, and never more than $79 CAD for an event.
- Free up to 15 items
- No credit card
- No fees on what you raise
FAQ
Choosing a platform
What is the best free silent auction software?
It depends on how you collect money. If you want the platform to take card payments, 32auctions and GalaBid both do that for a fee. If you collect from winners yourself by e-Transfer, cash, or cheque, SilentBid is the simplest option: no ads, no tip prompts, no fees on funds raised, and free up to 15 items.
Which silent auction platform has no fees?
SilentBid never processes payments, so it never takes a fee on money raised. Its only cost is an optional one-time $29 or $79 CAD per event for auctions over 15 items.
Do bidders need to download an app?
Not on SilentBid, and not on 32auctions. On SilentBid, guests scan a QR code or type a 4-letter code and bid in their phone's browser.
Ready to raise more for your cause?
Setup takes about ten minutes. Your first auction is free — no credit card, no catch.
Or try the live demo first →