PledgeAthon vs 99Pledges
Both are zero-platform-fee a-thon platforms. But PledgeAthon has lower processing fees, built-in sharing tools, TipShare (10% of donor tip proceeds back to your org), and a modern experience 99Pledges doesn't offer.
Looking for a 99Pledges Alternative?
If you've used 99Pledges for your school's walk-a-thon or read-a-thon, you know the basics work. Kids get donation pages, donors give money, and the platform takes zero platform fees. That part is solid.
But if you've noticed that donation emails go unread, that the participant pages look dated on phones, or that your school is paying more in processing fees than it should, you're not alone. These are the exact reasons PTA presidents and booster club treasurers are switching to PledgeAthon.
PledgeAthon does everything 99Pledges does. Same zero-platform-fee model, same pledge types, same leaderboards. But we added the features that 99Pledges is missing: lower processing fees through Stripe instead of Braintree, built-in sharing tools so donors spread the word after donating, and a modern mobile-first design that makes donating feel easy, not clunky.
The result? When donation pages load fast, look great on phones, and make it easy to share with friends and family, more people donate. PledgeAthon is designed to maximize every click.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Everything 99Pledges does, plus lower fees, better sharing, and modern technology.
| 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 |
| SMS alerts for organizers (coming soon) | ||
| Built-in sharing (text, email, social) | ||
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | ||
| Fast payouts | ||
| Modern mobile-first design | ||
| Auto participant pages | ||
| Flat + per-activity pledges | ||
| Live leaderboards | ||
| Cash/check tracking | ||
| CSV participant upload | ||
| TipShare (tip proceeds back to org) | 10% | 0% |
| Payment processor | Stripe | Braintree |
Free fundraising in 60 seconds. No platform fees, no contracts, no credit card.
Start Your Free FundraiserThe Real Cost Comparison
Both platforms charge 0% platform fee. The difference is in processing. Every dollar saved goes back to your school.
$5,000 raised
PledgeAthon
$4,840
$160 in fees
99Pledges
$4,801
$199 in fees
You save $39
$15,000 raised
PledgeAthon
$14,520
$480 in fees
99Pledges
$14,403
$597 in fees
You save $117
$35,000 raised
PledgeAthon
$33,880
$1,120 in fees
99Pledges
$33,607
$1,393 in fees
You save $273
Based on average donation of $100. PledgeAthon: 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe). 99Pledges: 3.49% + $0.49 (Braintree). Actual costs vary based on average donation size and number of transactions.
The Sharing Advantage 99Pledges Doesn't Have
Here's the biggest difference between PledgeAthon and 99Pledges. It's not just about collecting donations. It's about making it easy for supporters to spread the word.
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 becomes a promoter. That's how fundraisers go viral in group chats and social feeds.
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.
Why Organizations Switch
Built-in Sharing Tools
After every donation, supporters can share via text, WhatsApp, Facebook, email, or copy the link. Every donor becomes a promoter.
Lower Processing Fees
Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30. Braintree (99Pledges) charges 3.49% + $0.49. On a $25,000 fundraiser, that's $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 offer any form of tip-sharing. 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 FundraiserSwitching from 99Pledges Takes 5 Minutes
You don't need to cancel anything or migrate data. Here's how schools make the switch:
- 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— export from 99Pledges or your school's roster as a CSV. 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.
Most schools set up their next fundraiser on PledgeAthon and keep their 99Pledges account for historical data. 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, which is lower than the 3.49% + $0.49 that 99Pledges charges through Braintree.
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 offer any form of tip-sharing. 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. Based on publicly available information, 99Pledges uses Braintree at approximately 3.49% + $0.49. On a $25 donation, that's $1.03 with PledgeAthon vs roughly $1.36 with 99Pledges. Over hundreds of donations, the savings add up. We recommend verifying current 99Pledges pricing directly.
Learn more about how PledgeAthon works for different events:
Ready to Switch?
Free fundraising in 60 seconds. No platform fees, no contracts, no credit card.
Competitor pricing, features, and service details are based on publicly available information as of April 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.