Charity Navigator vs Virtuous: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Charity Navigator and Virtuous side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Charity Navigator leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Charity Navigator
Empowering informed philanthropic decisions through unbiased charity ratings and donor resources.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Virtuous requires payment)
Virtuous
Modern fundraising platform creating inspiring donor moments and growing giving for nonprofits.
Best for you if:
- • You want removes data silos with an integrated suite
| At a Glance | Charity Navigator | Virtuous |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | Not published |
Category | Nonprofit Tools Fundraising | Nonprofit Tools Fundraising |
Rating | 3.5/5 Trustpilot 3.5 5 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Add-on module pricing (Raise, Insights, etc.) |
Choose Charity Navigator or Virtuous?
Choose Charity Navigator if
- You want a fully free tool (Virtuous requires payment)
- You want free access to extensive charity data and ratings
- You want unbiased ratings, as charities are not charged for evaluation
Choose Virtuous if
- You want removes data silos with an integrated suite
- You want leverages AI for predictive insights and task automation
In-Depth Analysis
Charity Navigator
Empowering informed philanthropic decisions through unbiased charity ratings and donor resources.
Strengths
- Pro: Free access to extensive charity data and ratings
- Pro: Unbiased ratings, as charities are not charged for evaluation
- Pro: Simplifies multi-charity giving through the Giving Basket
- Pro: Provides detailed insights into a charity's financial health and impact
- Pro: Offers curated lists for timely and impactful giving
Weaknesses
- Con: Only evaluates IRS-registered 501(c)(3) organizations
- Con: CEO salary is displayed but not directly factored into the overall rating metric
- Con: Relies on charities to provide data for evaluation, which may not always be complete for unrated organizations
Key features
Virtuous
Modern fundraising platform creating inspiring donor moments and growing giving for nonprofits.
Virtuous's pricing is opaque, with all tiers requiring a 'Request Pricing' quote, which typically indicates a higher-end, enterprise-focused solution.
Watch out
Add-on module pricing (Raise, Insights, etc.)
Strengths
- Pro: Removes data silos with an integrated suite
- Pro: Leverages AI for predictive insights and task automation
- Pro: Designed specifically for nonprofit fundraising needs
- Pro: Offers specialized solutions for sectors like healthcare
- Pro: Provides robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing information is not publicly available, requiring a request
- Con: May have a learning curve due to comprehensive features
- Con: Specific integrations with other tools are not fully detailed
Key features
Plans and prices: Charity Navigator vs Virtuous
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Charity Navigator | No plan prices on file | charitynavigator.org |
| Virtuous |
| virtuous.org/pricing read Sep 27, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Charity Navigator pricing and Virtuous pricing.
Key Takeaways
Charity Navigator
- Has a free plan
Virtuous
- Choose if you want modern fundraising platform creating inspiring donor moments and growing giving for nonprofits
What the data shows
On the data below, Charity Navigator leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Only Charity Navigator has a published user rating (3.5/5 from 5 reviews); Virtuous has none we can show.
- Only Charity Navigator has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Charity Navigator and Virtuous compare in 2026?
On the data below, Charity Navigator leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Only Charity Navigator has a published user rating (3.5/5 from 5 reviews); Virtuous has none we can show. Only Charity Navigator has a free plan.
What are Charity Navigator and Virtuous used for?
Charity Navigator: Empowering informed philanthropic decisions through unbiased charity ratings and donor resources. Virtuous: Modern fundraising platform creating inspiring donor moments and growing giving for nonprofits.
What does Charity Navigator cost vs Virtuous?
Charity Navigator is free. Virtuous has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between Charity Navigator and Virtuous?
Charity Navigator's main strength: free access to extensive charity data and ratings. Virtuous's main strength: removes data silos with an integrated suite.