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DonorSearch vs Zeffy: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between DonorSearch and Zeffy comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: DonorSearch is our overall pick for fundraising workflows. Pick Zeffy if you need a fully free option.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Jun 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

DonorSearch

AI-powered donor prospect research and fundraising intelligence for nonprofits.

Best for you if:

  • • AI-powered platform for donor prospect research and fundraising.
  • • Identifies high-potential donors based on wealth, philanthropy, and engagement.

Zeffy

All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.

Best for you if:

  • • 100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits.
  • • Covers all transaction and platform fees.
At a Glance
DonorSearchDonorSearch
ZeffyZeffy
Starts at
FreeFree tier available
FreeFree tier available
Best For
FundraisingFundraising
Rating
4.6/54.8/5

Choose DonorSearch or Zeffy?

DonorSearch

Choose DonorSearch if

AI-powered donor prospect research and fundraising intelligence for nonprofits.

  • Utilizes advanced AI and machine learning for predictive insights.
  • Combines wealth screening with philanthropic history for more accurate targeting.
  • Offers seamless integration with a wide range of CRM systems.
Zeffy

Choose Zeffy if

All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.

  • Truly 100% free with no hidden fees, platform fees, or transaction fees.
  • Nonprofits keep 100% of all funds raised.
  • Comprehensive suite of fundraising tools in one platform.
TOP RATED
DonorSearch logo

DonorSearch

AI-powered donor prospect research and fundraising intelligence for nonprofits.

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Zeffy logo

Zeffy

All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.

Visit Website
FeatureDonorSearchZeffy
Pricing ModelFreeFree
User Rating
★4.6/5
225 reviews
★4.8/5
880 reviews
Categories
FundraisingSales Intelligence
FundraisingNonprofit Tools

In-Depth Analysis

DonorSearchDonorSearch

AI-powered donor prospect research and fundraising intelligence for nonprofits.

Strengths

  • +Utilizes advanced AI and machine learning for predictive insights.
  • +Combines wealth screening with philanthropic history for more accurate targeting.
  • +Offers seamless integration with a wide range of CRM systems.
  • +Provides tools for both identifying new prospects and engaging existing donors.
  • +Backed by a dedicated client success team for support and strategy.

Weaknesses

  • -Specific pricing details are not publicly available and require a demo request.
  • -Requires integration with existing systems, which may involve an initial setup phase.

Key features

AI-powered donor prioritization (DonorSearch Ai)MLR Score (Measures donor engagement and likelihood to give)Enhanced CORE (Generative and Predictive AI platform)Generative AI (Content creation for donor communications)ProspectView Online (One-by-one and batch prospect screening)Wealth & Philanthropic Screening (Analyzes financial capacity and giving history)
Starts at Free

ZeffyZeffy

All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits.

Strengths

  • +Truly 100% free with no hidden fees, platform fees, or transaction fees.
  • +Nonprofits keep 100% of all funds raised.
  • +Comprehensive suite of fundraising tools in one platform.
  • +Automates administrative tasks like tax receipts.
  • +Supports various payment methods for donor convenience.

Weaknesses

  • -Relies on optional donor tips for its business model, which might not always cover all costs.
  • -May not offer the same level of advanced features or integrations as some paid enterprise solutions.

Key features

Donation forms (one-time, monthly, yearly options)Event ticketing with unlimited ticket types and custom questionsRaffles and lotteriesOnline store functionalityPeer-to-peer fundraising campaigns with customizable sub-campaigns and leaderboardsDonor management and emailing (tracking history, communications)
Starts at Free

Pricing: DonorSearch vs Zeffy

PlanDonorSearchZeffy
Tier 1
Free
Philanthropy Mastermind Series
Free
Free

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on DonorSearch pricing and Zeffy pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: DonorSearch

Want the highest-rated option?

DonorSearch: 4.6/5 (225 reviews). Zeffy: 4.8/5 (880 reviews).

Go with: Zeffy

Value user reviews?

DonorSearch: 225 reviews (4.6/5). Zeffy: 880 reviews (4.8/5).

Go with: Zeffy

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Both are fundraising tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

Zeffy is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5.

Key Takeaways

DonorSearch

  • Completely free
  • Our pick for this comparison

Zeffy

  • Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.6/5
  • Larger review base (880 reviews)

The Bottom Line

DonorSearch is our pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DonorSearch or Zeffy better?

DonorSearch is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.

What are DonorSearch and Zeffy used for?

DonorSearch: AI-powered donor prospect research and fundraising intelligence for nonprofits.. Zeffy: All-in-one fundraising platform with zero fees for nonprofits..

What does DonorSearch cost vs Zeffy?

DonorSearch is completely free. Zeffy is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

Related Comparisons & Resources

DonorSearch AlternativesZeffy AlternativesDonorSearch Full ReviewZeffy Full Review
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