Raffles are an engaging way to see a quick return on investment, but you’ll need the right tools.
Many raffle apps and websites are available to you, and the one you choose will make or break the experience for you and your participants. This is your quick guide to evaluate the best options on the market and make an informed decision to optimize your raffle results.
Best apps and websites for running an online raffle:
- Zeffy: Best for nonprofits looking to run a robust raffle for free (with no fees)
- GalaBid: Best for nonprofits looking to set up a quick raffle website
- RallyUp: Best for hosting enhanced 50/50 raffles
Best apps for making a raffle draw:
- Raffle Name: Easiest app for a simple raffle draw from your phone
- Easily Create: Manage Raffles: Best app for raffle customization and management
- RafflesNow: The most modern app to host a fundraising-specific raffle
What is a raffle app, and how does it work?
A raffle app is software available on a mobile device to support a raffle. Raffles allow individuals or organizations to sell tickets to participants who gain a chance to win a specified prize.
The appeal of unique raffle prize ideas engages a community and increases the potential to raise more money in a shorter time period. The more tickets someone purchases, the better odds they have of winning.
Before you choose a raffle app or website, you should always review the latest raffle rules by state.
Types of raffle apps for every step of the process
- Raffle draw apps: Name your raffle, input your entries, and choose a winner or rely on a randomizer to automate the process.
- Raffle management apps: Sell tickets for a raffle, choose and highlight your prizes, and manage entries per person.
- Branded raffle apps: Manage your raffle with deeper customization around the number of entries each individual can have, rules of engagement, and visualization or branding.
- Social media raffle apps: Bring your raffle to social media or host it like a giveaway and choose a winner from a list of usernames or comments on a particular post.
Check out how fundraisers can do a raffle in 9 easy steps.
3 Best apps and websites for running an online raffle
Zeffy: Best for nonprofits looking to run a robust raffle for free (with no fees)
Overview: Zeffy is a 100% free fundraising software for nonprofits. Zeffy’s online raffle platform makes it easy to sell raffle tickets to a broad audience of supporters with a seamless experience.
Why you should use this online raffle platform:
- Early bird ticket purchase
- Automatically generated, numbered, and customizable e-tickets
- QR codes and Tap to Pay to support in-person events
- Unlimited ticket types and entries
- Compliant tax receipts
- Online and offline donor management and tracking
- All credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH, PAD, and checks accepted
- Customizable raffle forms with ticket bundles, discount codes, and language options
- Automated and customizable pre and post-raffle emails
- Option to add a donation to raffle ticket purchase
Cons: Only available for registered nonprofits in the US and Canada.
Pricing: Zeffy is 100% free and includes features to support any fundraising campaign type.
“My overall experience with Zefy is absolutely incredible. They have saved me not only money but time. This is definitely the best site to use for fundraising” -Nonprofit Capterra review
GalaBid: Best for nonprofits looking to set up a quick raffle website
Overview: GalaBid is an online raffle platform that works great as a quick way to sell raffle tickets quickly. Nonprofits can create raffle website campaigns and start engaging supporters in minutes.
Why you should use this online raffle platform:
- Quick set-up time
- Pre-event ticket purchase
- Credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay accepted
- Immediate digital raffle tickets issued
- Visual display to broadcast raffle draw
- Certified random ticket selection
- Winner leaderboards
Cons:
- GalaBid is exclusively integrated with Stripe, which comes with Stripe’s fees.
- Text notifications and other features are only available on a fixed-fee pricing plan.
- Suggested tips are automatically added to participant invoices for free option.
Pricing: GalaBid offers three pricing options:
- Free software plus suggested tips + Stripe fees of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
- 4.9% software fee without tips + Stripe fees of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction (extra features)
- Flat fee upfront of $1250 USD or $1750 CAD without tips + Stripe fees of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction (for campaigns raising large amounts)
“It was easy to use and navigate. The Galabid team answered any questions I had as they came up and were very helpful.Visually when set up the auction platform looked a bit dated.” – Nonprofit Capterra review
RallyUp: Best for hosting enhanced 50/50 raffles
Overview: RallyUp is an app that supports fundraisers with ticket sales and the raffle draw. The tool offers enhanced features for anyone looking to host 50/50 raffles.
Why you should use this online raffle platform:
- Raffle management dashboard
- Capacity for multiple winners
- Ticketing tiers and impact levels
- Online and paper tickets
- Merchandise incentive options
- Scheduled raffle draws
- Text-to-donate and social media sharing
Cons:
- RallyUp requires a Stripe account, which comes with Stripe’s fees.
- The back-end interface is more complex to set up and run.
- Customers note service frustrations in Capterra reviews.
Pricing: RallyUp also offers two pricing options:
- Free software with donor tipping + Stripe fees of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
- Fixed platform fee of 7.5% + Stripe fees of 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
Grab all the information you need, including fees and features of Stripe for nonprofits.
“WE have used RallyUp for our annual raffle twice now, and find it easy-to-use and effective for both back-end use and our ticket buyers.–Sometimes the back-end interface was a bit confusing–there is a bit of back and forth to get everything just right.” – Nonprofit Capterra review
3 best apps for making a raffle draw
Raffle Name: Easiest app for a simple raffle draw from your phone
Overview: Raffle Name is an app that makes raffle draws simple. It’s a good option if you’re looking to run a raffle that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of customization but still offers a smooth experience.
Why you should use this raffle drawing app:
- Unlimited raffle lists
- Up to 9,999 entries per raffle
- Multiple tickets per individual
- Showcased probability of winning per entry
- Option to choose the number of winners
- Video recording of raffle draw
Cons:
- The app features many ads that can disrupt the experience
- While the app is intuitive, there are few instructions provided
- App speed is not always optimal, especially when recording the winner’s draw
Pricing: Access to all features, content, and functionality requires an annual subscription of $19.99.
“Love this app!! The best part is that you can choose to do the auto raffle –while you can record a video for everyone to see.” – Reviews from the App Store: 4.7/5 stars
Easily Create: Manage Raffles: Best app for raffle customization and management
Overview: Easy Create: Manage Raffles helps you organize a raffle effectively, quickly, and securely from your phone. This is a great option for someone looking to add more customization to their raffle experience.
Why you should use this raffle drawing app:
- Customized ticket design
- Raffle draw rules (date, number of winners, and prizes)
- Automated and fair raffle draws
- Real-time notifications
- Social media integration
Cons:
- Some functionality may need more tutorials than what is offered
- iPhone users rate the app lower than Android users
Pricing: Annual subscriptions are available at $5.99 per year.
“I had already downloaded almost 10 applications and they were all horrible, this one is simply amazing, objective and easy.” – Reviews from the App Store: 4.5/5 stars
RafflesNow: The most modern app to host a fundraising-specific raffle
Overview: RafflesNow is a raffle management app with a modern user experience on a mobile device. The app is built for nonprofits and fundraisers who intend to split the proceeds of a raffle with the winner as donations.
Why you should use this raffle drawing app:
- Virtual raffles and live events
- Specialty for 50/50 raffles
- Ease of use
- Intuitive and modern design
Get the ultimate guide to 50/50 raffles for fundraisers.
Cons:
- People must download the app to participate.
- Raffles cannot be scheduled.
- Payment processing is integrated and subject to transaction fees.
Pricing: There is no fee to use RafflesNow. There is a cost to running your raffle through the app, which equates to 10% of your total winnings after a 2.5% credit card fee is deducted.
“Finally an alternative for fundraising that does not involve calendars I do not need or coupon books I will never use. App is easy to use and extremely well designed.” – Reviews from the App Store: 4.7/5
Conclusion: The best way to run your raffle (for free)
You have no shortage of raffle apps and websites to help you reach your goals. For nonprofits, Zeffy is the only truly free option to host a successful fundraising raffle without hidden fees.
You get everything you need to run a raffle, collect donations, and host creative campaigns with a fundraising software platform built for nonprofits with Zeffy. We’ll help you put every dollar into your cause with the simplicity to do it confidently.
FAQ: Raffle apps and websites
Is there an app that draws a raffle?
There are many apps that draw raffles, ranging from free versions to paid apps. It’s important to choose an app that respects raffle laws and regulations in your state.
Once you understand which apps are compliant with your state, you can find an option that meets the scale and goal of your raffle.
How do you do a raffle draw online for free?
You can do a raffle draw online for free with a simple randomizer app. It’s important to note that many raffle draw apps exist but are subject to payment processor fees.
Zeffy offers the only 100% free fundraising platform for raffle ticket sales and management. Due to the raffle rules issued by the Gaming Authorities, Zeffy doesn’t have an automatic winner drawing tool. You can choose a free random name picker to pair with your Zeffy raffle at no cost.
Learn how to avoid the hidden costs of “free” software.
How to do a free online raffle?
You can do a free online raffle in a few steps. Zeffy’s 100% free raffle software guides you through setting up your online raffle to engage supporters and sell tickets.
Learn how to do an online raffle in 11 easy steps.
