Handbid

Handbid helps nonprofits, schools, and event teams run mobile bidding, ticketing, and auction management across in-person, online, and hybrid formats. While the guest check-in and bidding experience requires a brief adjustment period, it remains a reliable solution for organizations managing fundraising events at scale.

What Is Handbid?

Handbid is a cloud-based auction and event management software that takes the complexity out of running fundraising and commercial events. It helps organizations create personalized auction guest experience with concierge-style onboarding and white label branding. This enables a consistent brand experience across various fundraising event formats, including galas, hybrid auctions, and silent bidding. Moreover, its built-in reporting and real-time event monitoring tools give organizers clearer visibility into event performance.

What Is Handbid Best For?

Handbid stands out for its mobile bidding feature, which lets guests browse auction items, place bids, and get outbid alerts directly from their phones without paper sheets. This keeps bidders engaged throughout the event and encourages competitive bidding.

How Much Does Handbid Cost?

Handbid pricing starts at approximately $1,999/year. In addition to its base subscription, organizations should also account for implementation and additional optional costs, such as:

• Implementation Cost: Ranges from around $1,396 to $2,999, depending on the selected package
• Transaction Processing Fee: Approximately 3.5% + $0.30, for both commercial and nonprofit organizations
• On-Site Event Staffing (Optional): Around $1,000–$3,500/event, depending on event scale and hours
• CRM/Integration Setup: Estimated between $0–$2,000, varies based on complexity
• White Label/Custom Branding: Estimated at around $5,000, depending on the depth of customization required
• Handbid+ (A Custom Auction Website): Approximately $27,000 to $33,000

Reviewers generally find Handbid’s pricing reasonable for what it offers, but some note that costs can add up with add-ons and optional services. Small nonprofit organizations sometimes flag affordability concerns, but generally commercial events view the investment as worthwhile.

Disclaimer: Pricing references are based on publicly available third-party information and industry benchmarks. Actual costs may vary.

Handbid Integrations

Handbid supports integration with various platforms, such as:

• Salesforce
• Bloomerang software
• Kindful
• Salsa Engage

How Does Handbid Work?

Follow the steps outlined below to get started with the software:

• Log in to your Handbid administrator account and access the central dashboard to manage your entire event
• Create your auction and select the format that fits your requirements
• Build your item catalog by uploading auction lots in bulk using a CSV or Excel file, then set rules like reserve prices and bid increments for each item
• Set up ticketing and guest registration so attendees check in smoothly and get linked to their bidder profiles automatically
• Launch your event and monitor live bidding activity, adjusting settings like bid increments or item visibility as needed
• Close the auction, process payments, generate winner invoices, and export reports to review revenue and bidder engagement

Who Is Handbid For?

The software is suitable for organizations across a variety of industries and sectors, including:

• Nonprofits
• Education
• Corporate
• Healthcare
• Real estate

Handbid Use Cases

Based on our analysis of Handbid's current tools and offerings, we have identified the following key business scenarios where it is well suited:

Nonprofits And Charities Running Annual Fundraising Galas

Handbid gives nonprofit development teams the tools to run silent and live auctions without the hassle of paper bid sheets. The platform supports ticketing, check-in, and payment collection together in one place. It is well suited for organizations that run multiple fundraising galas each year and need a setup they can reuse without rebuilding the process each time.

Higher Education Institutions And Private Schools Raising Funds Through Events

Educational institutions need to maintain a professional, on-brand experience when running auctions. Universities and private schools often use Handbid to run auction-based fundraisers tied to major donor events. It provides a branded auction and checkout interface that institutions can align with their own identity, keeping the experience cohesive from registration through payment.

Oil, Gas, And Energy Companies Running Asset Auctions

High-value industrial asset sales come with strict requirements around participant vetting and transaction documentation. That’s why companies in the oil, gas, and energy sectors often rely on Handbid for these auctions. It helps them keep access limited to pre-approved buyers. The platform supports invite-only controls that restrict bidder participation and maintains auction records structured for internal or regulatory review.

Corporate Event Planners Coordinating Branded Auction Experiences

Corporate event teams use Handbid when company events, client dinners, or employee engagement activities include an auction or fundraising component. Instead of running the experience through a third-party tool, teams can use Handbid's white-label capability to present the auction under their own branding.

Liquidation And Reverse Logistics Operators Managing High-Volume Sales

Liquidation operators routinely handle large volumes of inventory across rapid sales cycles. Businesses in this space rely on Handbid for online or hybrid auctions. The system helps with bulk item uploads and bidding controls that allow operators to manage high-volume sales without manual handling. This makes it a practical fit for operations that need to move large inventory quickly and repeatedly.

Is Handbid Right For You?

Handbid works well for nonprofits, schools, and commercial operators that need a dependable platform for auctions and fundraising events. The platform is trusted by organizations, such as Oil and Gas Asset Clearinghouse and Liberty University that already rely on it for high-value events. It is hosted on SOC 2 Type II certified infrastructure, handles payments through Stripe's PCI DSS Level 1 processing, and meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.

Still unsure whether Handbid software is the right choice? Contact our support team at (661) 384-7070 for further guidance.