What is an online fundraising platform?
An online fundraising platform is a digital service that allows you to collect funds from a group of people for a common goal. According to 2024 data, the online fundraising platform market experienced 35% growth in France. Indeed, this progression reflects the increasing adoption of these digital solutions for fundraising. As a result, these services offer simple and secure tools for organizing contributions, whether it's funding an event, a personal project, a charitable cause, or a group gift.
Fundamentally, these online fundraising platforms operate on a transparent model. First, the creator launches a collection and sets a financial goal. Then, contributors deposit their funds directly through the platform. Additionally, the fundraising solutions offered by these providers generally include advanced management features, communication tools with contributors, and transaction security measures.
Today, the best fundraising platforms combine ease of use, reasonable fees, and security guarantees. They cater to all profiles: individuals, associations, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. Consequently, this article guides you through the best available options among online fundraising platforms and helps you choose the fundraising solution suited to your specific needs.
The best fundraising platforms on the French market
In France, several online fundraising sites stand out for their reputation, features, and reliability. Furthermore, each of these fundraising apps offers particular advantages depending on your collection context. Here is a comprehensive overview of the main online fundraising platforms available on the French market.
Leetchi: leader in fundraising services in France
Leetchi is undoubtedly the most well-known platform in France. Founded in 2009, it has facilitated more than 5 million collections. The total amount exceeds 2 billion euros, according to figures released by the company in 2024. Moreover, this online fundraising platform offers comprehensive fundraising tools: free creation, simplified management, and fund withdrawal within 48 hours.
The advantages of Leetchi include:
- Default fees of 4% on collections
- Entirely free creation and management
- Integrated social media sharing options
- Ability to create event-based or charitable fundraisers
- Secure payment by bank card, transfer, or PayPal
However, Leetchi imposes a 48-hour delay for collection validation. Indeed, this waiting period before fund withdrawal can be a drawback for urgent projects. Nevertheless, this measure ensures transaction security.
Tirelire: a solid alternative for association-focused collection sites
Tirelire is a fundraising platform specializing in association collections and charitable projects. According to available data, Tirelire manages more than 100,000 active collections annually in France and Belgium. As such, this fundraising solution stands out through its commitment to associations and humanitarian causes.
Among its main features are:
- Reduced fees for associations starting at 2.9%
- Standard fees of 4.9% for individuals
- SSL 256-bit security certification
- No withdrawal fees on collections
- Responsive and personalized customer support
Tirelire excels in creating fundraisers for social causes. Therefore, if you are organizing a collection for an association or a charitable organization, this online fundraising platform offers particularly attractive pricing advantages compared to other fundraising providers.
Ulule: participatory and creative fundraising platform
Ulule is primarily a fundraising platform dedicated to creative and entrepreneurial projects. Founded in 2010, it has raised more than 250 million euros for over 50,000 projects in Europe, according to 2024 data. Although it is mainly oriented toward crowdfunding, Ulule also offers fundraising services for specific collections.
Ulule's strengths are as follows:
- Large and engaged community of contributors
- Advanced and high-performing communication tools
- Average fees of 8%, higher than the competition
- Excellent for projects with a creative dimension
On the other hand, Ulule is better suited for entrepreneurs and creators with a project that has a strong narrative dimension. Thus, for a simple collection among friends, other online fundraising platforms will be better suited to your needs.
KissKissBankBank: crowdfunding and charitable fundraising tools
KissKissBankBank is another renowned French fundraising platform, specializing in creative projects and charitable causes. Since its creation in 2009, it has helped raise more than 150 million euros for approximately 30,000 projects. Furthermore, this online fundraising platform offers significant visibility to collections that align with its values.
Here are the main features of this provider:
- Fees of 8% for non-association projects
- Reduced fees for associations at 4%
- Project selection by the team based on quality criteria
- Community of more than 2 million active users
- Sophisticated and customizable storytelling tools
However, KissKissBankBank selects the projects displayed on its platform. Your collection must therefore meet their criteria to be accepted, which may represent an additional delay in the launch process.
Online fundraising sites: additional options and specialized niches
Beyond the major online fundraising platforms, several more specialized collection sites deserve your attention depending on your context. Indeed, these alternatives offer features tailored to specific needs.
GoFundMe: international leader for urgent causes
GoFundMe is the largest fundraising platform in the world, with more than 3 billion dollars collected since its founding in 2010. In France, it has gained popularity in recent years, particularly for emergency collections. Additionally, this online fundraising platform excels in rapid fund mobilization on an international scale.
Here are the key points to remember about GoFundMe:
- Fees of 2.2%, among the lowest on the market
- Immediate fund payment with no waiting period
- Potential worldwide audience for your collections
- Excellent for urgent or humanitarian causes
GoFundMe is particularly effective for collections with an emotional or urgent dimension. Consequently, its users are accustomed to contributing to serious and humanitarian causes, making it a relevant choice among online fundraising sites.
PayPal.me and direct payment services as fundraising solutions
For very simple collections among friends or colleagues, PayPal.me or similar solutions may suffice. Although it is not technically a dedicated online fundraising platform, these direct payment tools nevertheless offer a minimalist alternative with very low fees.
The advantages of these services are as follows:
- Minimal fees averaging 1.5%
- No specific account creation required
- Instant payment to your account
On the other hand, these solutions also have notable drawbacks:
- Lack of collection management features
- No transparent tracking of received contributions
- Less professional for significant collections
Fundraising apps: mobile solutions for easy collecting
Many fundraising apps allow you to manage your collections directly from your smartphone. These mobile fundraising tools thus offer increased flexibility and optimal accessibility for both organizers and contributors of online fundraising platforms.
Native apps from the main collection platforms
Leetchi, Tirelire, and other fundraising providers offer native mobile applications available on iOS and Android. These fundraising apps offer the same features as the web versions, with an interface optimized for small screens.
The advantages of mobile fundraising apps are numerous:
- Real-time management of your collection
- Instant notifications of new contributions
- Easy sharing via WhatsApp, SMS, or email
- Intuitive, fast, and ergonomic interface
According to a 2024 study, more than 60% of contributions to online fundraisers now come from mobile devices. This trend consequently underscores the importance of having a good fundraising app when using online fundraising platforms.
Essential features of mobile fundraising tools
The best fundraising apps integrate several crucial features to optimize your fund collection:
- Real-time notifications of received contributions
- Instant sharing on social media
- Management of comments and messages from contributors
- Progress tracking toward the set goal
- Complete history of completed transactions
- Fast and secure fund withdrawal options
When choosing an online fundraising platform, therefore check that its mobile app offers a smooth user experience. Indeed, a well-designed app can significantly increase the contribution rate to your collection.
Fundraising platform: essential selection criteria
Choosing the right fundraising platform depends on several important criteria. Here is consequently how to evaluate the different fundraising solutions available on the French market to make the best choice among online fundraising platforms.
Fees and pricing of fundraising solutions
Fees represent a crucial element in choosing a fundraising platform. Indeed, they vary considerably among fundraising providers and can directly impact the final amount of your collection:
| Platform | Standard fees | Association fees | Fund withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leetchi | 4% | 4% | Free (48h) |
| Tirelire | 4.9% | 2.9% | Free |
| GoFundMe | 2.2% | 2.2% | Free |
| Ulule | 8% | 4% | Free |
| KissKissBankBank | 8% | 4% | Free |
As a general rule, the lower the fees, the better for your collection. However, slightly higher fees may be justified if the online fundraising platform offers a better audience or better management features.
Security and compliance of fundraising services
Transaction security is paramount when using online fundraising platforms. The best fundraising platforms thus comply with the following standards:
See also: Online Fundraiser: Create and Manage Your Fund Collection Easily · Leetchi vs Tirelire comparison · Best free fundraising apps
- SSL 256-bit certification for data encryption