FollowMyBid Pricing
How much does FollowMyBid’s subscription cost for individual users compared to enterprise clients? What are the various pricing tiers available, and how do they differ in terms of features and benefits? Can you break down the total cost of ownership, including any hidden fees like onboarding or licensing fees? Will the software’s per-user pricing scale effectively with our growing team? Is there a trial period or money-back guarantee to test the pricing structure before committing? How often are updates included in the implementation cost?
FollowMyBid Pricing Pricing
FollowMyBid operates on a transaction-based pricing model. There are no upfront costs to set up and explore the platform. Fees are applied as a percentage of the invoice total amount from successful bidders and donors after the auction closes. The cost per transaction is 10% + $0.30, which includes a 7.1% platform service fee for FollowMyBid and 2.9% + $0.30 for Stripe, their payment processor. The “Value Metric” is the total revenue generated through successful auctions. Participants can also cover the transaction fees.
| Number of Users | Estimated Annual Transaction Volume | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 | $103 |
| 10 | $10,000 | $1,030 |
| 100 | $100,000 | $10,300 |
Plans Compared
FollowMyBid offers a flexible platform with no tiered plans. All users have access to the same features, and the pricing is solely based on transaction volume. Key features include an auction site, item descriptions with photos, a partner-dedicated space, a real-time bid feed, instant messaging, a donation module, and simplified online payments.
The “Feature Gate” is the transaction volume: as auction revenue increases, the fees paid to FollowMyBid also increase.
Pricing Fit
FollowMyBid is well-suited for non-profits, recreational facilities, and any organization looking to host fundraising auctions. It’s particularly beneficial for organizations that need a bilingual platform. The “Time to Value” (TTV) is relatively short, as organizers can set up and run auctions with no upfront costs, and payment is only required when the auction closes.
Hidden Costs
There are no setup fees. The primary cost is the transaction fee. There be variations depending on the participant’s credit card and the type of organization receiving the funds. “Renewal Caps” are not applicable since there are no subscriptions. Training is minimal due to the platform’s ease of use.
Alternatives Compared
| Competitor | Pricing Model |
|---|---|
| Givebutter | Free version available: contact vendor for pricing on paid plans |
| OneCause | Free trial available: contact vendor for pricing on paid plans |
| Bonterra Network for Good | Free trial available: contact vendor for pricing on paid plans | Accelevents | Starts at $7,000 per month |
| Auctria | Starts at $375 per year |
TCO Calculation
A 3-Year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculation for FollowMyBid, compared to an industry average auction platform:
FollowMyBid: Year 1: $1,030 (based on $10,000 transaction volume) Year 2: $1,030 (assuming consistent transaction volume) Year 3: $1,030 (assuming consistent transaction volume) Total: $3,090
Industry Average (assuming a platform with a $500 annual subscription and 5% transaction fee): Year 1: $500 + $500 = $1,000 Year 2: $500 + $500 = $1,000 Year 3: $500 + $500 = $1,000 Total: $3,000
This example shows that FollowMyBid’s transaction-based model can be competitive, especially for organizations with lower transaction volumes. However, organizations with higher volumes might find subscription-based models more cost-effective. TCO should include direct costs (transaction fees or subscription), indirect costs (training, support), and risk-based costs (potential downtime or data loss).
FollowMyBid Pricing Verdict
FollowMyBid offers a straightforward, accessible platform for organizations seeking to host fundraising auctions. The absence of upfront fees and the transaction-based model make it an attractive option, especially for smaller organizations or those new to online auctions. However, larger organizations should carefully evaluate their potential transaction volumes to determine if a subscription-based alternative might be more economical.
In 2026, AI automation and AI agents are influencing pricing strategies by enabling dynamic price optimization and personalized pricing. FollowMyBid could leverage AI to offer tiered transaction fees based on auction performance, predict optimal auction durations, or provide AI-powered recommendations for auction items. These AI-driven enhancements could further align pricing with value and improve customer satisfaction.
