ClickBid vs Merkeleon Internet Auction Software Comparison: Everything You Need to Know Before Choosing

ClickBid is an event fundraising platform for nonprofits, developed in the United States and focused on mobile bidding for charity auctions and galas. It addresses the operational strain that fundraising events place on development teams and volunteers: paper bid sheets limit participation and competition, check-in and checkout queues frustrate guests, and reconciling payments afterwards takes days. ClickBid’s approach is to move the auction and giving experience onto guests’ own smartphones, allowing them to browse items, place bids, receive outbid notifications and donate from anywhere in the venue or remotely. Combined with registration, ticketing and payment processing, this approach aims to increase revenue per event while reducing administrative effort and making the organisation’s fundraising results easier to track. Key features include silent and live auction management, mobile bidding with text message alerts, fund-a-need and paddle-raise giving, raffles and online donations, and customisable event websites. Ticketing and registration tools manage seating and guest information, while express check-in and self-checkout speed up event logistics. Leaderboard displays and projector screens create competition and energy in the room, and item procurement tools help organisers track donated items and sponsors. Reporting covers revenue by item, bidder and category, and donor data can be exported or synchronised with CRM platforms such as Salesforce and Bloomerang. Integrated payment processing handles card transactions, and card readers support in-person payment. ClickBid supports in-person, virtual and hybrid events and is delivered as a cloud service accessible through web browsers, without requiring guests to install an app. It is aimed at charities, schools, parent-teacher associations, religious organisations, hospitals and foundations that run auctions or gala fundraisers. The company emphasises transparent pricing and live support during events. Pricing starts from around USD 795, typically per event, with a free trial; there is no permanently free version.