GoFundMe alternative
Looking for a GoFundMe alternative? Discover Spendenaktion
A European fundraising platform with personal support, transparent fees and no tip requests to your donors.
Want to raise money online and looking for an alternative to GoFundMe? Then it is worth looking beyond how well known a platform is. Perhaps you value personal contact, or you want to know in advance exactly how donations and fees are handled.
Raise money online with Spendenaktion
With Spendenaktion you can easily start an online fundraiser for yourself, for someone else, for a club or for a good cause. Creating a fundraiser costs nothing. Fees only apply once you actually receive donations.
And unlike GoFundMe, where donors are asked during checkout whether they also want to give a voluntary contribution to the platform, your donors on Spendenaktion get no tip request. They only pay their donation to your fundraiser.
But what exactly are the differences between Spendenaktion and GoFundMe? And which platform suits your fundraiser best? We list the key points below.
Why do people look for a GoFundMe alternative?
GoFundMe is a well-known international crowdfunding platform. You can raise money there for personal situations, unexpected costs and social causes. For many people that works fine.
Still, there can be reasons to choose a different platform. For example because you:
- prefer a European platform
- want to be able to reach someone personally, for example by phone
- want clarity about the fees per donation
- do not want friends and family to be asked for an extra contribution to the platform while donating
- value familiar payment methods such as SEPA transfer, Wero or, in Austria, EPS
- want to know in advance how and when donations are paid out
A GoFundMe alternative does not have to be cheaper or more extensive on every point. What matters is which features are important for your fundraiser and your donors.
Spendenaktion and GoFundMe compared
The main differences between the two platforms at a glance.
| Feature | Spendenaktion | GoFundMe |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of the platform | European, an initiative of Sponsor Europe B.V. (Netherlands) | International platform of American origin |
| Tip request to your donors while donating | No, donors only pay their donation | Yes, donors are asked for a voluntary contribution to GoFundMe |
| Starting a fundraiser | Free | Free |
| Standard fees on donations | 5% + €0.50 per donation, VAT included | 2.9% + €0.25 per donation, VAT included, for personal fundraisers in Germany and Austria |
| Payment methods | PayPal, credit card, Wero, SEPA transfer, Pay by Bank and, in Austria, EPS | Debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Klarna |
| Payouts | Weekly on Wednesdays as standard, after verification | Daily, weekly or monthly, after processing and verification |
| Support | Personal support by phone, WhatsApp, chat and email | Online help centre |
The key difference? GoFundMe asks your donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate. Spendenaktion does not: your donors only pay their donation, and Spendenaktion works with a fixed fee published in advance. GoFundMe, on the other hand, charges lower standard transaction fees.
Spendenaktion and GoFundMe on Trustpilot
What do people who have used the platform themselves think? This is how users rate both platforms on Trustpilot.
No tip request to your donors
When you start a fundraiser, you often ask people close to you for help: family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. You want them to feel comfortable when they donate.
On GoFundMe, donors are asked during checkout whether, on top of their donation, they also want to give a voluntary contribution to GoFundMe. That contribution is optional and goes to the platform, not to your fundraiser.
What your donor sees at checkout
On GoFundMe: the donation to your fundraiser, plus the question of a voluntary contribution to the platform.
On Spendenaktion: only the donation to your fundraiser. No tip request and no extra decision to make.
Spendenaktion deliberately works this way. The platform earns from the fees published in advance, which are deducted from the proceeds. Someone who wants to give €25 to your fundraiser pays €25 and is not also asked how much they would like to give to Spendenaktion.
Your donors notice that difference straight away. No extra decision about a tip for the platform, just their attention on the cause they came for.
Want to know more about this topic? Read: 0% platform fees sounds free, but who ends up paying the bill?
A European alternative to GoFundMe
Spendenaktion is an initiative of Sponsor Europe B.V., which has been helping people and charitable organisations raise money since 2003. On the website you can see which company is behind the platform and how to get in touch if you have questions.
Many organisers find that reassuring. You might be raising money for medical treatment, a funeral, a pet, a sports club or a family that unexpectedly needs help. In situations like these, you mostly want starting a fundraiser to be easy, and someone to be reachable if you get stuck.
Spendenaktion is designed for users in Germany and Austria, with personal support and familiar payment methods. At the same time, people in other countries can also contribute to a fundraiser.
What does a fundraiser cost on Spendenaktion and GoFundMe?
On both platforms you start for free, and fees are deducted from donations received. GoFundMe charges lower transaction fees, but asks your donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate. On Spendenaktion you pay a fixed fee published in advance of 5% + €0.50 per donation, VAT included, and your donors get no tip request.
For Wero and SEPA transfer there are no extra costs on top of that. For some other methods, such as PayPal, credit card or EPS, variable costs apply. See the full overview of our fees and payment methods.
Start your fundraiser for free
Create a fundraiser page at no cost, share your story and let family, friends and colleagues donate without a tip request.
Donate with confidence using familiar payment methods
How easily someone can donate matters at least as much as the fundraiser page itself. On Spendenaktion, donors can pay with, among others:
The payment method someone chooses can affect the transaction costs that apply.
In Germany and Austria, GoFundMe offers Apple Pay, Google Pay and Klarna, among others, which are not listed in Spendenaktion's fee overview. Spendenaktion, in turn, offers Wero, SEPA transfer and, in Austria, EPS. So consider which methods your donors prefer.
When are the donations paid out?
If you are raising money for an urgent situation, it helps to know when you can use it.
Spendenaktion pays out donations every Wednesday as standard, once the required bank details have been added and verified. You do not have to wait until your target is reached or the fundraiser has ended. You can follow payouts and donations in your dashboard. When the money arrives in your account then depends on processing by the bank.
On GoFundMe, after verification, you can choose daily, weekly or monthly transfers. In addition, time is needed to process donations and to receive transfers in your bank account.
Here too: compare how each works and choose what suits your situation best.
Is Spendenaktion trustworthy?
Trust matters when you raise money online. You share your story with others and ask them to contribute financially. That is why you want to know who is behind the platform and how payments are handled.
Personal support
Questions about your fundraiser? You can call, WhatsApp, chat with or email Spendenaktion. So there is always someone to help if you get stuck.
Donations held in trust accounts
Donations are received through Mollie and PayPal, payment partners with a PSD2 licence, and paid out through Payaut. The money flows through separate trust accounts, never through the platform operator's own bank account.
Verification and abuse monitoring
Organisers' identity and bank account are checked before any payout. Suspicious fundraisers are investigated, and every visitor can report misuse.
Experience since 2003
Spendenaktion is run by Sponsor Europe, a bridge between donors and good causes since 2003, with sister platforms in the Netherlands and Belgium.
It is important to distinguish between the security of the platform and the content of an individual fundraiser. Even when you donate through a secure platform, it is wise to check who is organising a fundraiser and what the money is being raised for. Read more about safety and reliability at Spendenaktion or see the reviews on Trustpilot.
What can you use Spendenaktion for?
One of the advantages of crowdfunding is that you do not first have to set up a club or foundation to ask people for support. On Spendenaktion you can raise money for, for example:
- Medical helpTreatments, aids or necessary care costs.
- AnimalsAn operation, shelter or unexpected vet bills.
- Funerals and remembranceA dignified farewell or support for the bereaved.
- Financial setbacksUrgent costs after illness, a fire or another drastic event.
- Clubs and sportEquipment, events, youth activities or a joint project.
- Schools and local initiativesFundraisers organised by a class, neighbourhood or group.
- Charities and foundationsRaising money for a social project.
You can start a fundraiser for yourself or raise money together for someone else. In the latter case, explain clearly who you are raising money for and agree on any personal information with the person involved.
How to start a fundraiser on Spendenaktion as a GoFundMe alternative
Create your fundraiser page
Sign up for free with Spendenaktion. You can prepare your fundraiser at your own pace and publish it once you are happy with it.
Explain what you are raising money for
Write a personal and clear story. Explain what happened, what goal you want to reach and what the money will be used for. Add a suitable photo and set a target amount if you like.
Publish and share your fundraiser
Share the link with family, friends, colleagues, clubs and on social media. Ask people not only to donate, but also to share your fundraiser further.
Keep your donors updated
Post updates on your progress and show what the contributions make possible. That keeps people involved.
Follow your donations and payouts
Your dashboard shows your donations and payouts. After the required verification, you receive the proceeds in the weekly payout cycle, minus the applicable fees.
Frequently asked questions about GoFundMe alternatives
What is a good alternative to GoFundMe?
Spendenaktion is a European fundraising platform for Germany and Austria, where you can start a fundraiser for personal causes, clubs, foundations and other initiatives. It offers personal support, familiar payment methods and a donation process without a tip request to your donors. Whether it is the best alternative for you depends on what matters to you.
Is GoFundMe free?
Starting a personal fundraiser on GoFundMe is free. The platform does deduct transaction fees from donations received. Donors can also choose to give a voluntary extra contribution to GoFundMe.
Is starting a fundraiser on Spendenaktion free?
Yes. Creating and starting a fundraiser costs nothing. From donations received, a standard 5% platform fee and €0.50 per donation are deducted, VAT included. Additional costs may apply for certain payment methods.
What is the biggest difference between Spendenaktion and GoFundMe?
GoFundMe asks donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate; Spendenaktion does not, and your donors only pay their donation. Spendenaktion also offers personal support by phone, WhatsApp, chat and email. GoFundMe has lower standard transaction fees for personal fundraisers in Germany and Austria. Payment methods and payout options also differ.
Which payment methods do Spendenaktion and GoFundMe offer?
On Spendenaktion, donors can pay with PayPal, credit card, Wero, SEPA transfer, Pay by Bank and, in Austria, EPS, among others. For Germany and Austria, GoFundMe lists debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Klarna.
Can I move my existing GoFundMe fundraiser to Spendenaktion?
You can start a new fundraiser on Spendenaktion and post your story, photos and goal there again. Do not assume that previous donations, comments or the progress bar will be transferred automatically. Explain to your donors why you are choosing a new platform and how they can find your new fundraiser.
Will my money be paid out if I do not reach my target?
Yes. On Spendenaktion you do not have to reach your target to receive payouts. Once the required details have been verified, available donations are paid out in the usual weekly cycle.
Is Spendenaktion also suitable for a club or foundation?
Yes. Clubs, foundations, schools, teams and other groups can raise money through Spendenaktion. Business bank accounts and some business payment solutions are subject to additional verification requirements and possibly different costs.
Will I get donors automatically when I start a fundraiser?
No. Spendenaktion gives you the fundraiser page, payment environment and tools to receive donations. It is up to you and your network to bring the fundraiser to people's attention. A clear story, personal messages, regular sharing and posting updates all help.
Choose the platform that suits your fundraiser
With Spendenaktion you know in advance how the fee model works. You start for free, share your fundraiser easily and follow donations in your own dashboard. And your donors can focus on what they came for: supporting your fundraiser.