SilentBid vs GalaBid
A GalaBid alternative with no tip prompts and no card fees
GalaBid is a capable platform that handles payments for you. If you'd rather keep your supporters' checkout free of tip requests and collect from winners your own way, here's how SilentBid compares.
- Free up to 15 items
- No credit card
- No fees on what you raise
Side by side
SilentBid and GalaBid at a glance
| SilentBid | GalaBid | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 15 items, no platform fee | No platform fee |
| How the free plan is paid for | Paid plans for bigger auctions | Optional tip requested from supporters at checkout |
| Card processing fees | None — we never process payments | Stripe card fees, paid by you or the winner |
| Online card payments | No — winners pay you directly | Yes, through Stripe |
| Paid plans | $29 or $79 CAD, once per event | Pro and flat-fee options |
| Your funds | Go straight to you | Go straight to you |
Competitor details from each company's public website, checked September 2026. Prices and features change — please check their sites for the latest. Sources: GalaBid — silent auction software (Canada).
Why organizers switch
Where SilentBid shines
No asks at checkout
Your supporters just bid and win. Nobody is asked to tip the platform on top of their donation.
Nothing comes off the top
Because SilentBid never processes payments, there are no card fees on what you raise. Winners pay you by e-Transfer, cash, or cheque.
One flat price
Free up to 15 items, then a one-time $29 or $79 CAD for the event. Easy to budget and easy to explain to your board.
A room that feels alive
A live feed of bids on every auction, and on Pro a big-screen total that ends in a confetti celebration.
Being fair
When GalaBid might be the better fit
- You want winners to pay by card at checkout, inside the auction platform.
- You want automated payment collection and receipts handled for you.
- You're comfortable with a tip prompt funding the free plan.
For everyone else — especially schools, teams, and community groups who already collect money their own way — SilentBid is simpler and costs less.
FAQ
SilentBid vs GalaBid: questions
Does SilentBid ask my supporters for tips?
No. SilentBid never asks bidders or winners for anything beyond their bid. Bigger auctions are funded by a one-time plan price paid by the organizer.
How do winners pay on SilentBid?
Directly to your organization. When bidding closes, every winner gets an email and you get a report of who owes what, so you can collect by e-Transfer, cash, cheque, or your own card reader.
Is SilentBid a Canadian company?
SilentBid was built in Toronto and plans are priced in Canadian dollars — and it works for organizations anywhere.
Also comparing SilentBid vs 32auctions or all platforms side by side?
Try SilentBid free — it takes ten minutes
Setup takes about ten minutes. Your first auction is free — no credit card, no catch.
Or try the live demo first →