Zeffy vs RallyUp 2026: Two Different Kinds of "Free"
Zeffy and RallyUp are the two most-searched raffle platforms among nonprofits evaluating "free" options. This comparison covers both honestly — including where Zeffy wins, where RallyUp wins, and where neither is the right answer.
Zeffy or RallyUp: Which Wins, and When
Both "Free" — Their Checkout Mechanics Are Meaningfully Different
| Zeffy | RallyUp Free | RallyUp Flex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform cost | $0 | $0 | 6.9% on raffles |
| Tip / fee model | 17–29% pre-checked tip — cannot be removed | Bonus entries offered for tipping — mandatory | No tipping — clean checkout |
| Compliance risk | Variable tip may affect regulated pricing rules | ⚠ Bonus entries for tips — drawing pool concerns in regulated states | Low — clean percentage fee |
| Incr. abandonment | 30–40% | 25–40% | ~2–5% |
| Net on $10K raffle | $6K–7K | $6K–7.5K | ~$9,100 |
| Net on $25K raffle | $15K–17.5K | $15K–17.5K | ~$22,625 |
What Both Platforms Can and Cannot Run
| Format | Zeffy | RallyUp |
|---|---|---|
| Standard online raffle | ✓ Full support | ✓ Full support (Free + Flex) |
| 50/50 raffle | ~ Partial | ~ Partial |
| Basket raffle | ✗ Not supported | ✗ Not supported |
| Queen of Hearts | ✗ Not supported | ✗ Not supported |
| Hybrid drawing pool | ✗ Stripe-locked | ✗ Stripe-locked |
| US phone support | ✗ No phone | ~ Limited chat |
| Campaign variety beyond raffles | Raffle/50/50 only | ✓ 12+ types — genuine breadth advantage |
Both platforms share the same specialty format gaps: no basket raffles, no Queen of Hearts, no duck races, no hybrid pools. Neither can include cash buyers in the drawing. Their shared limitations are as telling as their differences.
The Use Cases Both Platforms Cannot Handle
There are raffle scenarios where neither Zeffy nor RallyUp — in any tier — is the right tool:
- Basket raffles, tricky trays, Chinese auctions — multi-pool ticket allocation is not supported on either platform
- Queen of Hearts progressive jackpots — card selection mechanics don't exist on either platform
- Hybrid events — both are Stripe-locked; cash buyers cannot join the online drawing pool
- Wine, spirits, or firearms prizes — Stripe restrictions apply to both platforms
- Live events requiring phone support — neither has a US phone number to call when something goes wrong
- Large raffles above $25,000 — abandonment losses (free tiers) or fees (RallyUp Flex at 6.9%) both erode results significantly
Frequently Asked Questions
For simple raffles under $1,500 with highly engaged donors, Zeffy is slightly better — simpler setup and no bonus-entry compliance risk from the Free tier. For organizations that run multiple fundraising types and want one platform, RallyUp Flex is stronger despite the 6.9% raffle fee.
Zeffy uses a standard pre-checked tip prompt (17–29% at checkout). RallyUp Free uses a bonus-entry mechanic: buyers are offered additional raffle entries in exchange for tipping. RallyUp's model creates a specific compliance question for licensed raffles. Zeffy's standard tip model doesn't create this specific drawing-pool concern, though it has other compliance considerations.
No. Neither Zeffy nor RallyUp supports basket raffles (multi-pool ticket allocation) or Queen of Hearts. Both support standard online raffles only. For specialty formats, Chance2Win is the only major platform with native support. See our basket raffle platform guide and Queen of Hearts guide.
Zeffy Free is genuinely $0 to the organization. RallyUp Free is also $0. RallyUp Flex costs 6.9% of raffle gross — significantly more expensive than Zeffy at any scale. However, RallyUp Flex's clean checkout typically produces better conversion than Zeffy's tip model, which changes the true cost calculation on larger events.
Running a raffle neither Zeffy nor RallyUp can handle?
Basket raffles, Queen of Hearts, hybrid pools, wine/spirits/firearms prizes, live events with cash buyers — Chance2Win is built for exactly these use cases. That's an affiliated recommendation. It's also the accurate one.
Call (813) 699-9325 — real people, real raffle expertise.