Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
GoFundMe Review
Crowdfunding platform with no platform fee, only transaction fees
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
GoFundMe suits people who need to raise money quickly for a personal or charitable cause, thanks to its large donor base and no platform fee. The trade-offs: each donation carries a transaction fee, Trustpilot rates it 3.3/5 over withdrawals, tips and support, and data collection is broad.
Best for: Individuals raising money for medical costs, funerals, disasters or emergencies
Skip it if: People who need predictable withdrawals and phone support; many Trustpilot reviewers cite withdrawal trouble and chatbot-only help
Pros
- No fee to start or manage a fundraiser, per the pricing page
- Large scale: the About page cites $50 billion raised and 190+ million donors since 2010
- The app rates 4.7/5 on the App Store (49,000+ ratings) and 4.6/5 on Google Play (about 82,700 reviews)
Cons
- Trustpilot gives 3.3/5 from 24,365 reviews, 56% one-star (reviews are not verified; the company has not replied to negative ones)
- 2.9% + $0.30 per donation in the US; some reviewers say tips were set higher than expected
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Giving Guarantee covers donors for a year under stated conditions
Cons
- Broad collection: session replay, IP-based location, imported contacts; sharing with ad partners
Best for
- Certified nonprofits wanting a lower transaction fee
- Donors who want a protection policy (the Giving Guarantee)
Skip it if
- Fundraisers in unsupported countries; the Giving Guarantee excludes residents of countries where GoFundMe cannot send funds
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What GoFundMe is
GoFundMe is an online fundraising platform for individuals, families and charities. Its About page says it has operated since 2010 and helped raise $50 billion from over 190 million people. According to Wikipedia, it launched on 10 May 2010 by founders Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester, and in 2022 it acquired Classy, which now operates as GoFundMe Pro.
Fees and donor protection
The pricing page lists no fee to start or manage a fundraiser, only a transaction fee deducted from each donation, varying by country and nonprofit status. Donors may add an optional tip. Wikipedia says that in November 2017 GoFundMe dropped the 5% fee for individual campaigns in the US, Canada and UK and relied on tips. The Giving Guarantee covers donations for a year, but GoFundMe decides at its discretion and states it is not insurance.
App and satisfaction
GoFundMe's free app rates 4.7/5 on the App Store (49,000+ ratings) and 4.6/5 on Google Play (about 82,700 reviews), and offers donation notifications, profiles and Giving Funds with one combined tax receipt. On Trustpilot the score is 3.3/5 with 56% one-star reviews, mostly about withdrawals, tips and support. Trustpilot does not verify reviews, the company has not replied to negative ones, and people who post there may not represent the wider user base.
More analysis
Risks and comparison
Wikipedia records several removals of controversial campaigns, such as the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser (about $9 million refunded or redistributed). In October 2025, reports said GoFundMe had created donation pages for 1.4 million nonprofits without their knowledge; the company then apologised and changed policy. For a public petition rather than money, Change.org fits better; creative projects seeking funding may look at Kickstarter or Indiegogo, and creators wanting recurring income at Patreon.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Personal & business fundraisers
PersonalFree
The pricing page says there is no fee to start or manage a fundraiser. A transaction fee is deducted from each donation: 2.9% + $0.30 in the US and Canada, 2.2% + A$0.30 in Australia, 2.9% + £0.25 in the UK, 2.9% + €0.25 in many European countries; the Nordics, Mexico and Switzerland use a fixed fee in local currency. Donors may add an optional contribution to GoFundMe.
Certified nonprofit fundraisers
BusinessFree
Lower transaction fee: 2.2% + $0.30 in the US and Canada, 1.9% + A$0.30 in Australia, 1.9% + £0.20 in the UK, 1.9% + €0.35 in Ireland.
- Free plan limits
- No platform fee; only a per-donation transaction fee, and international or conversion fees may apply depending on the donor's payment method. The pricing page says GoFundMe Pro fees differ without listing them.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
GoFundMe Giving Guarantee: donations are covered for one year against misuse or non-delivery; GoFundMe decides at its discretion whether misuse occurred, and refunds are processed in 3-10 business days. It is not insurance.
Privacy
The privacy policy (last updated 17 August 2026) covers account, payment, fundraiser content, device data, IP-inferred location, session replay and cookies; vendors may scan ID and, with consent, use facial recognition. Fundraiser pages and comments are public and may be indexed by search engines; anonymous donors may still be visible to the organizer and beneficiary. Advertising providers such as Google, TikTok and Meta may use cookies, with opt-out via Manage Cookie Preferences.
GoFundMe alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Does GoFundMe charge fees?
There is no fee to start or manage a fundraiser, but each donation has a transaction fee (for example 2.9% + $0.30 in the US). Donor tips are optional.
Are donations protected?
The Giving Guarantee covers donations for one year against misuse or non-delivery; GoFundMe's determination is final and it is not insurance.
Is anonymous donating truly anonymous?
Only in public activity feeds; per the policy your name and information may still be visible to the organizer and beneficiary.
Do nonprofits pay lower fees?
Yes, for certified nonprofits: 2.2% + $0.30 in the US and Canada, versus 2.9% + $0.30 for individuals and businesses.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.5
- Features
- 7.5
- Value for money
- 6.5
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 5.5
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
The app description says you can launch a fundraiser in minutes with notifications; however Trustpilot reviewers mention a confusing interface and payment process.
Why this score
It offers personal and nonprofit fundraisers, profiles, donor-advised Giving Funds, GoFundMe Pro (formerly Classy) for organisations, and the Giving Guarantee.
Why this score
No platform fee but a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee per donation (2.2% for nonprofits); some reviewers report surprise over tips.
Why this score
No independent uptime data. Trustpilot reviewers report delayed or missing funds, so the score stays mid-range.
Why this score
There is a help centre and chat. On Trustpilot some reviewers praise polite staff, but many want phone support instead of a chatbot.
Why this score
The policy lists session replay, IP location, imported contacts, vendor facial recognition and advertising by Google, TikTok and Meta. Offsetting this are clear access, deletion and opt-out rights.
What users say
- App Store (iOS)4.7/5 · 49,143
- Google Play4.6/5 · 82,700
- Trustpilot3.3/5 · 24,365
Sources
- Vendor-providedGoFundMe pricingNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedGoFundMe privacy noticeNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedGoFundMe about usNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedGoFundMe Giving GuaranteeNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store: GoFundMe: Fundraise and GiveNov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play: GoFundMe: Fundraise and GiveNov 10, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot: gofundme.comNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: GoFundMeNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
Change history
- Update.Reports reveal donation pages were created for 1.4 million nonprofits without their knowledge; the company apologised and changed policy in late October.
- Company.Announces the acquisition of Classy, now operating as GoFundMe Pro.
- Update.Removes the Canadian "Freedom Convoy 2022" fundraiser for violating its terms; about $9 million is refunded or redistributed.
Full change history (7)
- Price.Drops the 5% fee for individual campaigns in the US, Canada and UK and relies on tips; card processing fees still apply.
- Company.Acquires CrowdRise.
- Company.Agrees to sell a majority stake to Accel Partners and Technology Crossover Ventures at a valuation of about $600 million.
- Launch.GoFundMe launches; Brad Damphousse and Andrew Ballester had built it as CreateAFund in 2008.
About the author
Reviews & comments
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