99Pledges vs PledgeAthon
Both are zero-platform-fee a-thon platforms. The differences worth comparing: PledgeAthon's card processing runs 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) vs 99Pledges' published 3.49% + $0.49, plus TipShare (10% of donor tip proceeds back to your org) and ongoing Stripe Connect payouts.
Looking for a 99Pledges Alternative?
If you've used 99Pledges for your school's walk-a-thon or read-a-thon, you know the model: kids get donation pages, donors give money, and the platform takes zero platform fees. PledgeAthon works the same way — and if you're comparing options for your next fundraiser, here's where the two platforms differ.
PledgeAthon covers the same essentials 99Pledges does: the zero-platform-fee model, flat and per-activity pledges, live leaderboards, cash and check tracking, and text, email, and social sharing for every participant page. The differences are in the details below.
The clearest one is cost. PledgeAthon processes card donations through Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30per transaction. 99Pledges' published pricing lists a card processing fee of 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. On top of that, PledgeAthon adds TipShare (10% of donor tip proceeds back to your org) and ongoing Stripe Connect payouts straight to your bank account.
Every dollar that doesn't go to card processing stays with your program. The worked examples below show exactly how the two rates compare at different fundraiser sizes.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
The shared essentials, plus where PledgeAthon differs: lower card processing, TipShare, and ongoing Stripe Connect payouts.
| Feature | PledgeAthon | 99Pledges |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 0% | 0% |
| Processing fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | 3.49% + $0.49 |
| Cost on $10,000 raised* | $320 | $398 |
| Cost on $25,000 raised* | $800 | $995 |
| TipShare (tips shared back to org) | 10% | Not advertised |
| Payouts | Ongoing via Stripe Connect | After event |
| Built-in sharing (text, email, social) | ||
| Auto participant pages | ||
| Flat + per-activity pledges | ||
| Live leaderboards | ||
| Cash/check tracking | ||
| CSV participant upload |
*Cost figures assume all donations are made by card at an average of $100 each (100 donations at $10,000; 250 at $25,000). PledgeAthon: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction via Stripe. 99Pledges: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction, per its published pricing. Cash and check donations carry no processing fee on either platform.
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Start Your Free FundraiserThe Real Cost Comparison
Both platforms charge 0% platform fee. The difference is in card processing. Every dollar saved goes back to your program.
Worked example: $5,000 raised across 100 card donations of $50
PledgeAthon
Per $50 donation: 2.9% + $0.30 = $1.75
100 donations × $1.75 = $175.00
$175.00 in fees
Your program keeps $4,825.00
99Pledges
Per $50 donation: 3.49% + $0.49 ≈ $2.24
100 donations × $2.24 = $224.00
$224.00 in fees
Your program keeps $4,776.00
Difference: $49.00 more stays with your program on PledgeAthon
Smaller average donations mean more per-donation fees for both platforms — the cards below use larger $100 averages, so the totals differ. Every example states its own assumptions.
$5,000 raised
50 donations of $100
PledgeAthon
$4,840
$160 in fees
99Pledges
$4,801
$199 in fees
You save $39
$15,000 raised
150 donations of $100
PledgeAthon
$14,520
$480 in fees
99Pledges
$14,403
$597 in fees
You save $117
$35,000 raised
350 donations of $100
PledgeAthon
$33,880
$1,120 in fees
99Pledges
$33,607
$1,393 in fees
You save $273
Assumes every donation is made by card at an average of $100 (50, 150, and 350 card donations respectively). PledgeAthon: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction via Stripe. 99Pledges: 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction, per its published pricing. Actual costs vary with average donation size and number of transactions; cash and check donations carry no processing fee.
One-Tap Sharing After Every Donation
Both platforms let participants share their donation pages by text, email, and social media. On PledgeAthon, the moment matters most right after someone gives — when they're most likely to pass it along.
After someone donates on PledgeAthon, they see a share modal with one-tap options: text message, WhatsApp, Facebook, X, email, and copy link. Every donor gets an easy prompt to spread the word in the group chats and social feeds where fundraisers gain momentum.
And we never spam your donors or participants. Donors share voluntarily, which means the messages come from people they trust, not from a platform they've never heard of.
What Makes PledgeAthon Different
One-Tap Sharing After Donating
Right after every donation, supporters get a one-tap prompt to share via text, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, or copy the link — at the moment they're most likely to pass it along.
Lower Processing Fees
PledgeAthon processes cards at 2.9% + $0.30 via Stripe. 99Pledges' published rate is 3.49% + $0.49. On a $25,000 fundraiser (about 250 card donations averaging $100), that's roughly $195 more in your organization's pocket with PledgeAthon.
QR Codes for Every Participant
Every participant gets a printable QR code for their donation page. Put them on flyers at school pickup, game-day programs, and church bulletins. One scan to donate.
Modern, Mobile-First Design
PledgeAthon was designed mobile-first with a clean, modern interface. Pledge pages load fast and look great on any phone, with Apple Pay and Google Pay built in.
Fast Stripe Payouts
PledgeAthon uses Stripe Connect for fast payouts directly to your organization's bank account. No waiting for the campaign to end.
TipShare — We Pay You Back
When donors leave an optional tip for PledgeAthon, we share 10% of the tip proceeds (after standard payment processing) with your organization. 99Pledges doesn't advertise a comparable tip-sharing program. It's real money back to your program.
Works for Every A-Thon
Walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, hit-a-thons, dance-a-thons, swim-a-thons, fun runs, color runs, and any creative pledge-per-activity event you can think of.
Free fundraising in 60 seconds. No platform fees, no contracts, no credit card.
Start Your Free FundraiserIs 99Pledges Right for You?
99Pledges is an established a-thon platform, and plenty of schools and teams have run successful fundraisers on it. It charges no platform fee, supports the core a-thon formats, and gives every participant a shareable donation page. If it's working for your group, that's a real endorsement.
PledgeAthon is built on the same zero-platform-fee model, with a few factual differences to weigh: card processing at 2.9% + $0.30 via Stripe (vs 99Pledges' published 3.49% + $0.49), TipShare that returns 10% of donor tip proceeds to your organization, and ongoing payouts through Stripe Connect.
We'd rather you pick the platform that fits your fundraiser than oversell ours. The comparison above lays out the facts — verify current 99Pledges pricing directly and choose what's best for your program.
Setting Up on PledgeAthon Takes 5 Minutes
You don't need to cancel anything or migrate data. Here's how to get set up:
- Create your free PledgeAthon account — takes 60 seconds. No credit card needed.
- Set up your fundraiser — name it, set a goal, pick your event type (walk-a-thon, read-a-thon, etc.).
- Upload your participant list— a CSV from your school's roster or student information system works. Upload it and every kid gets a unique donation page instantly.
- Connect Stripe — 5-minute onboarding. This is where donations go directly to your organization.
- Share and collect — share participant links via text, print QR codes for flyers, and watch the leaderboard fill up.
You can set up your next fundraiser on PledgeAthon and keep your 99Pledges account for historical data. There's no need to delete anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PledgeAthon really free?
Yes. PledgeAthon charges 0% platform fee, just like 99Pledges. The only cost is standard Stripe card processing at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. 99Pledges' published pricing lists a card processing fee of 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. Cash and check donations have no processing fee on either platform.
Can I switch from 99Pledges to PledgeAthon mid-fundraiser?
You can set up a new fundraiser on PledgeAthon in under 60 seconds. Upload your participant list via CSV, and every kid gets a new shareable donation page instantly. We recommend starting your next fundraiser on PledgeAthon rather than switching mid-event.
Does PledgeAthon work for the same types of events as 99Pledges?
Yes. PledgeAthon supports walk-a-thons, read-a-thons, fun runs, hit-a-thons, dance-a-thons, swim-a-thons, and any other pledge-per-activity fundraiser. If 99Pledges supports it, PledgeAthon does too, with lower processing fees and a modern mobile-first design.
What is TipShare?
When donors leave an optional tip to support PledgeAthon, we share 10% of tip proceeds (after standard payment processing on the tip) with your organization. 99Pledges does not advertise a comparable tip-sharing program. It's a straightforward way PledgeAthon puts more money back into your program.
How does sharing work on PledgeAthon?
Every participant gets a unique donation page with a shareable link. After donating, supporters can share via text message, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, or copy the link.
Why are PledgeAthon's processing fees lower?
PledgeAthon uses Stripe, which charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. 99Pledges' published pricing lists a card processing fee of 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction. On a $25 donation, that works out to about $1.03 with PledgeAthon vs about $1.36 with 99Pledges. Across a fundraiser with hundreds of donations, the difference adds up. We recommend verifying current 99Pledges pricing directly.
Learn more about how PledgeAthon works for different events:
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Competitor pricing, features, and service details are based on publicly available information as of July 2026. Pricing and features are subject to change. We recommend verifying current pricing directly with each provider. Actual savings and fundraising results will vary based on fundraiser size, average donation amount, number of participants, and other factors. 99Pledges is a trademark of 99Pledges, LLC. PledgeAthon is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by 99Pledges.