Cheddar Up vs. Zeffy: More than fundraising, payments & forms for any group
What’s the difference between Cheddar Up and Zeffy? Easy. Zeffy is built for fundraising. Cheddar Up is built for everything.
From collecting payments and forms to sign-ups and waivers, Cheddar Up gives any group one powerful place to manage it all.
Cheddar Up
Cheddar Up enables any group to manage group payments, sign-ups, dues, fundraisers, events, and online sales, all in one place.
Zeffy
Want to see how Cheddar Up can work for you? Check out our template library for customizable options that fit your needs!
Compare Features: Cheddar Up vs. Zeffy
Cheddar Up offers a complete solution for group management, while Zeffy focuses on fundraising. Use this side-by-side comparison to see which platform delivers the features you need.
Track attendees, filter ticket sales, and download guest lists.
Automated reminders, allow volunteers to update/cancel their timeslots, create sign up lists or schedules.
Track sales, payments, and donor data with custom reports.
Collect information for events, volunteers, and more with or without payments.
Share a simple payment link via text or display a QR code.
Centralize all sign-ups, payments, and fundraising in one link.
Store donor information and engagement history.
Accept payments in person with a phone.
Access your funds when you need them with on-demand withdrawals.
Transactions can be seamlessly sent from your collection to MoneyMinder for easy accounting.
Empower teams with customizable pages for group or individual fundraising.
Cheddar Up vs. Zeffy Fees
Zeffy asks donors to cover all costs through “tips”, typically set at 15% or more. That’s nearly 4x what they’d pay in standard processing fees. If your supporters are giving extra, shouldn’t it go to your cause?
Transparent and simple. A fee is charged only when a payment is processed. By default, donors cover fees, but Organizers can opt to pay them instead.
Basic Plan: 3.95% + $0.95
Pro Plan: 3.59% + $0.59
Team Plan: 3.59% + $0.59
Pro Plan: 1.59% (min $1)
Team Plan: Flat $0.95
Free (and tracked!)
Free (standard, 1-3 days) or instant for 1.95% (min $1)
Zeffy asks donors to leave a “tip”
to pay for Zeffy.
Default 17% “tip” to Zeffy
at checkout.
Default 17% “tip” to Zeffy
at checkout.
Can be entered manually.
Free (weekly or monthly payout schedule, not on-demand)
*Fees shown as of 12/2025 and tip fees based on a $75 donation. Please confirm with other vendors’ fees in case of changes or increases.
Skip the Tip
Cheddar Up keeps pricing simple and transparent: no tip prompts, no confusion. Donors know their contribution goes straight to your cause, and you decide how to handle fees: pass them along or cover them. No surprises. Just clarity and control.
You’re in good company
Each month, Cheddar Up serves thousands of groups and communities across the US, helping them collect millions of dollars in payments (plus information) for just about anything. But don’t take our word for it, check out Cheddar Up reviews from our users.
CSA
6TH Grade Parents’ Committee 22
Why Organizers Choose Cheddar Up vs Zeffy
AUTOMATIC TRACKING
FRICTION-FREE PAYMENTS
PAYMENTS + INFO
CUSTOM PAYMENT PAGES
INTEGRATED POINT OF SALE
EASY HANDOFF
Frequently Asked Questions
Zeffy Pricing, Revenue Model, and Reviews
How does Zeffy make money?
Zeffy runs on a “tip-funded” model. Instead of charging platform or processing fees directly, it nudges donors to leave an optional “tip” at checkout — typically defaulting to 17%. That’s up to 5x more than standard processing fees, and those “tips” go straight to Zeffy to cover its costs.
Is Zeffy really free for nonprofits?
Technically, yes. But here’s the fine print: Nonprofits don’t pay Zeffy — donors do. That “100% free” claim is funded by well-meaning donors unknowingly covering high “tips”, thinking they’re helping the nonprofit, not the platform.
The cost to the nonprofit? Possibly donor trust, which can be far more expensive than a subscription or transaction fee.
Are there downsides to Zeffy’s pricing model?
Lack of transparency: Donors may feel misled or pressured into “tipping”.
No control: Nonprofits can’t adjust the messaging around what the “tips” are when the donors see them.
Trust erosion: If donors learn where their “tip” actually goes, they may give less to the nonprofit or not at all.
A better alternative to Zeffy is one that keeps the platform free for organizers and maintains donor trust. A nonprofit can choose to pass any applicable fees to the donors during the checkout process in a transparent way that does not appear deceptive. Additionally, giving a choice of payment methods to the donor can significantly lower fees. For example, donors can pay as low as $0.95 on Cheddar Up by selecting eCheck or no fees at all if they pay in cash or check, which can still be tracked alongside online payments for better financial management in Cheddar Up.
How does Zeffy compare to Cheddar Up?
Cheddar Up flips the script with transparent pricing, optional fees, and more control. Organizers can:
- Choose whether to pass on our transparent, industry-low processing fees to donors, let the donor choose to cover them, or pay the fees. 90% of the time, nonprofits pass the fees along to their donors.
- Offer lower-fee payment options like eCheck or even no-fee choices like cash or check.
- Maintain 100% donor trust because any fees, whether passed on to the donor or not, are simple and fully transparent.
Plus, Cheddar Up supports not only fundraising but any type of payment or custom form, including event ticketing and volunteer sign-ups.
With Cheddar Up, donors always know where their money is going, and organizers stay in control.
What are Zeffy’s reviews like?
Online Zeffy reviews are mixed. Some appreciate the “no-fee” positioning, but others express confusion and frustration over unexpected “tip” requests.
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