RallyUp Says “Free Forever.”
Your Raffle Tells a Different Story.
RallyUp’s Free plan puts a 17%+ tip prompt between your donor and the Buy button, above the abandonment cliff. Their Flex plan charges 6.9% off your raised total. And neither plan supports basket raffles, Queen of Hearts, or duck races. Here’s the full picture.
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Cart abandonment on RallyUp Free raffle checkout, tip prompt starts at 17%
RallyUp Flex platform fee on raffle entries, deducted from your raised total
Chance2Win Premium effective rate, always lower than RallyUp Flex, at every event size
What “Free Forever” Actually Costs Your Raffle
The word “free” gets a lot of mileage in fundraising software marketing. Before you pass it on to your board, run your own numbers. The table below compares RallyUp’s Free plan (after tip abandonment) to Chance2Win Zero Fee, with Premium effective rates shown for comparison.
| Raffle Goal | RallyUp Free (tip model) | Chance2Win Zero Fee | C2W Premium Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| School / Family Event, ~30% cart abandonment on RallyUp Free tip model | |||
| $20,000 | $14,000 received ~$6,000 abandoned at checkout | $19,800 received 1% normal friction at 12% | 3.9% $788 |
| $50,000 | $35,000 received ~$15,000 abandoned | $49,500 received | 3.6% $1,775 |
| $100,000 | $70,000 received ~$30,000 abandoned | $99,000 received | 3.4% $3,420 |
| Church / Community Event, ~40% cart abandonment on RallyUp Free tip model | |||
| $20,000 | $12,000 received ~$8,000 abandoned | $19,800 received | 3.9% $788 |
| $50,000 | $30,000 received ~$20,000 abandoned | $49,500 received | 3.6% $1,775 |
| $100,000 | $60,000 received ~$40,000 abandoned | $99,000 received | 3.4% $3,420 |
Chance2Win Zero Fee: the 12% donor service charge is added to the supporter’s total at checkout, your organization keeps 100% of ticket proceeds. The ~1% reflects normal buyer friction at the 12% level. RallyUp Free: ~30–40% abandonment observed on raffle transactions where tip prompt is active. C2W Premium effective rate shown for comparison. Individual results vary.
Why 12% Barely Moves the Needle.
Why 17% Destroys Conversions.
There’s a well-documented threshold effect in e-commerce and nonprofit transaction research. Buyers respond very differently to service charges depending on where they sit relative to familiar reference points like sales tax.
Below 10%, buyers don’t register the charge as unusual, it blends into normal purchase behavior. At 12%, you see a small uptick: roughly 1–2% of buyers don’t complete. That’s normal. At 15%, something changes. Buyers start reading the charge as a penalty, not a fee. Abandonment jumps to around 25%. Above 15%, where RallyUp’s tip starts at 17%, abandonment runs 30–40% on raffle transactions.
The 15% line is the cliff. Everything above it costs you real money. RallyUp’s Free plan tip starts at 17%. Chance2Win Zero Fee is at 12%, below the cliff. Chance2Win Premium eliminates the service charge from the supporter entirely.
Behaves like sales tax. 1 in 300 abandon. No measurable impact.
10–14%
Chance2Win Zero Fee
Slightly above normal. Buyers treat it like a booking fee. Acceptable range.
15%
Abandonment skyrockets. Buyers read the charge as a penalty. Trust collapses.
RallyUp Free tip range
Donors close the window angry. Pre-checked unknown tip above the cliff.
Threshold data from e-commerce and nonprofit fundraising research across tens of thousands of raffle transactions. The 15% inflection point is consistent across cause types.
RallyUp’s Flex Plan: Is It Better? On paper, yes, removing the tip prompt eliminates the abandonment problem. But Flex charges 6.9% of raffle entry proceeds deducted from your raised total. On a $20,000 raffle: $1,380 in platform fees before processing. Chance2Win Premium on the same event: $788 (3.9% effective). Neither Chance2Win plan deducts a percentage from your raised funds. RallyUp Flex does.
Why the Tip Prompt Costs More Than It Looks Like
When someone decides to buy raffle tickets, the decision is already made. They know what they want to spend. They pull out their phone, find the link, pick their bundle, and head to checkout. The last thing they need is a prompt asking them to also tip a software platform they’ve never heard of.
But that’s exactly what RallyUp’s Free plan puts between your supporter and the Buy button, a suggested tip starting at 17%, pre-checked, with “bonus entries” framing designed to make removing it feel like leaving value on the table. On a donation campaign, that framing is clever. On a raffle transaction, where the buyer already committed to a specific spend, it’s friction at the worst possible moment.
The Legal Issue Worth Knowing About: Most U.S. states that regulate charitable gaming require the price per raffle entry to be fixed and fully disclosed before the buyer commits. RallyUp’s Free plan tip, starting at 17%, requiring active removal, may not meet that standard in regulated states. RallyUp’s Flex plan (fixed fee structure) is lower risk on this dimension. Chance2Win’s fixed 12% service charge is shown before purchase and is designed to meet most state fixed-price disclosure requirements. This is not legal advice, consult a qualified attorney before your event.
The Call We Get Every Fall Gala Season
“We found RallyUp through a Google search, it came up as the ‘best free online raffle platform’ on a couple of lists. Setup was genuinely easy, I’ll give them that. But when we went live with our basket raffle night, we hit two problems we hadn’t expected.
First: there was no way to give each basket its own ticket pool. Everything went into one drawing. We had 24 baskets and supporters who specifically wanted to enter certain ones, that’s the whole point of a basket raffle. We had to explain to people at the event that it didn’t work that way. Some of them just didn’t buy.
Second, the next day we pulled our analytics and saw how many people started checkout and never finished. The tip prompt. We had no idea it was there. We raised about 60% of what we projected. We switched before the spring event.”
Fall Gala Chair, community nonprofit · Composite account based on calls received by Chance2Win support team
The switch rarely happens because someone read a comparison article. It happens because one event makes the gap impossible to ignore. If you’re reading this before that event, you’re already ahead. See how basket raffles work on Chance2Win →
A recent real example of why this matters: A Civil War reenactment organization sold raffle tickets on a Stripe-based platform for six weeks on a museum-quality antique rifle. No warning, their account was suspended mid-campaign. Chance2Win’s manual order entry imported every previous ticket purchase. The drawing ran with a complete pool. No supporter lost their entry. Full account on our Givebutter comparison page →
What Chance2Win Does That RallyUp Simply Doesn’t
RallyUp is a well-designed platform for auctions, galas, sweepstakes, and peer-to-peer. The gap is specific: raffle checkout and raffle format depth. Both matter when your event is a real raffle, especially when running a hybrid raffle with cash and check entries.
| Feature / Capability | ✦ Chance2Win | RallyUp |
|---|---|---|
| Online raffle ticket sales | Full support raffle-specific infrastructure since 2005 | Supported Standard single/multi-prize raffle works well |
| Checkout model | Fixed 12% donor fee, shown upfront Org keeps 100% of ticket proceeds | Free: tip prompt 17%+, pre-checked ~ Flex: 6.9% deducted from your raised total |
| Effective cost at $20k event | Zero Fee: 0% to org Premium: $788 (3.9%) Less than half RallyUp Flex | Free: 30-40% abandonment Flex: $1,380 deducted (6.9%) |
| Cart abandonment on raffle transactions | ~1-2% at 12% Below the abandonment cliff | Free: 30-40% ~ Flex: lower but 6.9% costs more |
| Basket raffles / tricky trays | Full support, since 2005 Separate pools per basket, per-basket draws, ticket splitting | Not supported All entries go into one pool, not basket raffle infrastructure |
| Queen of Hearts (progressive jackpot) | Full workflow Jackpot logic, card management, multi-week draws | Not supported No progressive jackpot infrastructure |
| Duck races & ball drops | Pre-numbered pool management Gap-free, refund-safe, winner traceable | Not supported |
| 50/50 raffles | Full support Real-time split tracking, hybrid entries | Limited Can set % split; limited 50/50-specific logic |
| Hybrid events (cash + check + online) | Unified drawing pool No spreadsheets, no night-of reconciliation | Online and card-present only No cash/check ticket pool management |
| Multiple payment processors | Flux Payments, Stripe, Square, or Authorize.net & more Authorize.net for restricted prizes (firearms, alcohol) | Stripe and PayPal only Restricted prizes may violate processor terms |
| Cash & check ticket sales to drawing pool | Manual entry, any payment type Cash at the door, checks mailed in, all enter the same pool as digital purchases. One drawing, one audit trail. | No path for cash or check entries Card-present Stripe Terminal ≠ cash. Cash buyers cannot enter RallyUp's drawing pool. |
| Platform rescue / ticket import | Manual order entry, any source Tickets sold elsewhere imported into the pool. Complete drawing even mid-migration. | No import mechanism Locked account = inaccessible ticket history. |
| Printable physical tickets | Blank and prefilled from admin | Not available |
| State charitable gaming compliance | Fixed disclosed fee, meets most requirements | Free: variable tip, compliance risk ~ Flex: fixed fee, lower risk |
| Phone support during live events | Real humans who understand raffle ops Answer when your event is live Saturday night | Scheduled calls only Reviews note 2-day wait; on-demand support not confirmed |
| Fund payout timeline | Standard payment processor timeline | 90-day payout noted in verified reviews Real cash flow issue for nonprofits, verify before committing |
What Purpose-Built Raffle Infrastructure Means in Practice
Basket Raffles & Tricky Trays
Every basket is its own prize pool. Supporters spread tickets across multiple baskets. Each basket needs its own independent drawing. RallyUp has no per-basket ticket pool in its architecture. The team behind Chance2Win has been running basket raffles since 2005, it’s what we were built for.
✦ Chance2Win only
Queen of Hearts
Progressive jackpot logic, weekly drawings, card management across weeks or months. RallyUp has no native Queen of Hearts support. Chance2Win supports the full workflow, because we built raffle software first, and Queen of Hearts is one of the highest-revenue formats nonprofits run.
✦ Chance2Win only
Duck Races & Ball Drops
✦ Chance2Win only
50/50 Raffles
A basic 50/50 is technically configurable in RallyUp. The full experience, real-time growing jackpot display, hybrid cash entries merged with online, live event management, is what Chance2Win delivers. If the 50/50 is a real revenue source, the infrastructure difference shows.
Both, with differences
Cash + Check + Online in One Pool
RallyUp handles online and card-present payments. It doesn’t manage cash and check entries as part of a unified drawing pool. Chance2Win unifies all entry types, no separate spreadsheets, no reconciliation the night of the event.
✦ Chance2Win advantage
Traditional Online Raffles
Both platforms handle this. The difference is checkout model (tip vs fixed fee) and whether in-person cash and check entries can be unified with online. For a simple single-prize online raffle, both platforms work, the gap is what happens when your event needs more.
Both platforms
Built for Real Raffles. Not Generic Fundraising Tools.
Chance2Win vs RallyUp
RallyUp can run raffles, but on its Flex plan raffles carry a 6.9% platform fee, the highest of all its component fees, and its free plan leans on optional donor tips. Chance2Win charges a tiered software fee with no percentage skimmed from entries.
| Factor | RallyUp | Chance2Win |
|---|---|---|
| Raffle platform fee | 6.9% on raffle & sweepstakes entries (Flex plan) | From $329 (Premium), no % per entry, or $0 on Zero Fee |
| Free option | Optional donor tip (Free plan) | Zero Fee, fixed, disclosed 12%, no tip prompt |
| Payment processing | 1.9–2.9% + $0.30, charged separately | Included on Zero Fee, standard processing on Premium |
| Cash & check in one pool | Limited | Yes, unified hybrid drawing pool |
| Payment processors | Stripe-based | Flux Payments, Stripe, Square, or Authorize.Net |
| Support | Standard support | US-based phone support |
On a typical $20,000 raffle
RallyUp raffle/sweepstakes fee = 6.9% on the Flex plan. Processing (1.9–2.9% + $0.30) applies separately on both platforms.
Chance2Win Full Transparent Pricing
Zero Fee
Best for raffles under $10,000- All raffle formats, basket, QoH, ball drop
- Fixed 12% shown upfront, no surprises
- Hybrid cash + check + online unified pool
- Flux Payments or Stripe
- Printable physical tickets
- Phone support for live events
- Compliant fixed-price structure
Best for raffles under $10,000Payments Processed through
Premium Plan (Most Popular)
Starting at $329.00
$329 ≤$5k · $459 ≤$10k · +$329/additional $10k. 3.4–6.6% effective, always lower than RallyUp Flex.
- Best for raffles over $10,000
- Everything in Zero Fee, plus:
- Cleanest checkout, ticket price only shown
- Org-controlled service charge, 100% to your org, not to Chance2Win
- $20k: $788 vs $1,380 Flex (6.9%)
- $100k: $3,420 vs $6,900 Flex (6.9%)
Easily connects to
Which pricing model is right for us?
Zero Fee or Premium how do we choose?
When does Premium beat Zero Fee?
What exactly is the 12% on Zero Fee?
Will supporters get hit with surprise fees or tip prompts?
What is the optional 8% on Premium?
Chance2Win Premium, Full Rate Breakdown vs RallyUp Flex 6.9%
At every event size from $5,000 to $100,000, Chance2Win Premium costs less than RallyUp Flex, and unlike Flex, nothing is deducted from your raised total. You pay the fee. You keep everything else.
| Event Size (Raised) | C2W Premium Fee | C2W Effective Rate | RallyUp Flex @ 6.9% | You Save | C2W Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | $329 | 6.6% | $345 | $16 | ✓ |
| Up to $10,000 | $459 | 4.6% | $690 | $231 | ✓ |
| Up to $20,000 | $788 | 3.9% | $1,380 | $592 | ✓ |
| Up to $30,000 | $1,117 | 3.7% | $2,070 | $953 | ✓ |
| Up to $50,000 | $1,775 | 3.6% | $3,450 | $1,675 | ✓ |
| Up to $75,000 | $2,762 | 3.7% | $5,175 | $2,413 | ✓ |
| Up to $100,000 | $3,420 | 3.4% | $6,900 | $3,480 | ✓ |
Compliance note: Most states regulating charitable gaming require fixed, upfront-disclosed ticket pricing for regulated paid-entry raffles. Chance2Win’s fixed service fee model is designed with this in mind. RallyUp’s Free plan tip (variable 17%+, pre-checked) may not meet that standard in regulated states. Always verify with a qualified attorney before your event.
Is RallyUp Ever the Right Choice?
Yes, For the Right Event.
- NRallyUp performs well when:
- NGeneral multi-component events: auctions + raffle + crowdfunding
- NCorporate events where auctions are the primary driver
- NFully digital events with no in-person cash or check sales
- NOrganizations that want a broader fundraising stack
- NSmall events comfortable with Flex fees on a simple raffle
- NThe comparison changes when:
- MBasket raffles / tricky trays, no per-basket infrastructure
- MQueen of Hearts, no progressive jackpot, not possible
- MDuck races, ball drops, no numbered pool management
- MHybrid cash + check events, no unified offline entry pool
- MPayout timing matters, 90-day timeline per verified reviews
- MYou need someone on the phone Saturday night, not a scheduled call
The test we recommend: Before your next event, ask your platform vendor, “Can you run a basket raffle where each basket has its own ticket pool and its own independent drawing?” If the answer isn’t a clear yes with a working demo, you’re using a fundraising tool for a raffle job. See how basket raffles work on Chance2Win →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RallyUp actually free?
RallyUp's Free plan charges no platform fee to the organization. To cover operating costs, a tip prompt appears at donor checkout, starting at 17%, pre-checked, with optional removal. For raffle transactions this drives roughly 30% checkout abandonment on school and family events, and around 40% on general community fundraisers. RallyUp's Flex plan removes the tip but charges 6.9% of raffle entry proceeds, deducted from your raised total. "Free software" and "free outcome" are not the same thing.
What is RallyUp's actual fee for a raffle?
Free plan: no org invoice, but tip abandonment costs you 30–40% of potential raffle sales. Flex plan: 6.9% platform fee on raffle entries, deducted from your raised total, plus 1.9–2.9% + $0.30/transaction in payment processing. A $50,000 raffle on Flex costs $3,450 in platform fees before processing. Chance2Win Premium on the same event: $1,775 (3.6% effective). You keep $1,675 more.
How does Chance2Win Premium pricing work?
$329 for events up to $5,000 raised (6.6% effective). $459 for events up to $10,000 (4.6%). Each additional $10,000 raised adds $329. A $20,000 event: $788 (3.9%). A $100,000 event: $3,420 (3.4%). At every size, Chance2Win Premium is lower than RallyUp Flex's 6.9%, and nothing is deducted from your raised funds. You pay the fee. You keep everything raised. See: Full Pricing Details →
Does RallyUp support basket raffles?
No, not in the way a real basket raffle requires. Basket raffles need separate ticket pools per basket, independent drawings for each prize, and ticket splitting across baskets. RallyUp uses a single unified ticket pool. The team behind Chance2Win has been running basket raffles since 2005 because that's what we were built for. See: Basket Raffle Website →
Can RallyUp run a Queen of Hearts raffle?
No. Queen of Hearts requires progressive jackpot logic, ongoing multi-week ticket infrastructure, and card management. RallyUp has no native Queen of Hearts support. Chance2Win supports the full workflow. See: Queen of Hearts Website →
Can RallyUp run a duck race or ball drop?
Does RallyUp have live phone support during events?
RallyUp lists phone support as an option, but multiple verified user reviews note that calls are scheduled in advance, not available on demand. One review documented a two-day wait. Chance2Win's support team answers during live events. When something goes wrong at 7pm on a Saturday, you need a person immediately, not a scheduled callback.
How long does RallyUp take to pay out funds?
Multiple verified user reviews across Capterra and Software Advice note a 90-day payout timeline. Nonprofits managing event costs, prizes, and operational budgets need to account for this. Confirm current payout timing directly with RallyUp before committing to an event.
Does RallyUp's tip model create state compliance risk?
It can. Most U.S. states regulating charitable gaming require a fixed, upfront-disclosed price per entry. RallyUp's Free plan tip (variable 17%+, pre-checked, removal required) may not meet that standard in regulated states. RallyUp's Flex plan has lower compliance risk on this dimension. Chance2Win's fixed 12% service charge is shown before purchase. This is not legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.
Can I add cash and check ticket sales to the same drawing pool as online purchases?
Not on this platform, and this is a gap most organizations discover on event night. Cash buyers at the door, supporters who mail a check, board members who pay in person, these entries have no path into the digital drawing pool. Card-present Stripe Terminal payments are a digital transaction at a physical location, not the same as accepting cash. Chance2Win is the only major online raffle website where cash sales, check payments, and online purchases all enter the same unified drawing pool, one drawing, one audit trail.
What if I've already sold tickets on another platform and need to switch mid-campaign?
Chance2Win's manual order entry lets you import all previously sold tickets, name, contact, ticket count, prize selections, directly into a Chance2Win drawing pool. Every prior buyer keeps their entry with equal standing to digitally purchased tickets. This has resolved real emergency situations: organizations whose accounts were locked or restricted mid-campaign have moved to Chance2Win and run a complete drawing with every ticket intact. Contact our support team to walk through your specific situation: Contact Support →
Can RallyUp handle hybrid events with cash and check sales?
No. RallyUp processes online and card-present payments through Stripe and PayPal. It does not manage cash and check entries as part of a unified drawing pool. Chance2Win unifies all entry types, online, cash, and check, into one pool with no manual reconciliation required.
Talk to a Support Team Member
Raffle Mastery: The Complete Book to Running Profitable Nonprofit Raffles
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- Bundle psychology, why the right packages outperform discounts
- Hybrid event playbooks for in-person + online sales
- Common compliance mistakes and how to avoid them
Ticket pricing strategies that increase average order value
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