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Head-to-head · School Fundraising Software

PledgeStar vs Sponsorly

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score PledgeStar #1 in School Fundraising Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PledgeStar
Sponsorly #9 in School Fundraising Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Sponsorly

PledgeStar leads on 0 checks, Sponsorly on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePledgeStar · 7.9/10
  • Free planboth

PledgeStar scores higher on our rubric for school fundraising software: 7.9 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #9.

On platform access, PledgeStar gives you Both where Sponsorly offers Web.

PledgeStar is the better fit for schools running pledge drives with multilingual families. Sponsorly is the better fit for schools pairing pledge drives with events and donor CRM.

  • PledgeStar fits best

    Schools running pledge drives with multilingual families

  • Sponsorly fits best

    Schools pairing pledge drives with events and donor CRM

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Side by side

Feature PledgeStar 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Sponsorly 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 6.8
Ranking #1 in School Fundraising Software #9 in School Fundraising Software
Best for Schools running pledge drives with multilingual families Schools pairing pledge drives with events and donor CRM
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Phone Email, Live chat
Compliance 2FA PCI DSS
Integrations 9 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features PledgeStar 4/4 · Sponsorly 4/4
Pledge tracking ✓ ✓
Event fundraising ✓ ✓
Family messaging ✓ ✓
Peer-to-peer pages ✓ ✓
Specs
Campaign limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Participant limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Platform access Both Web
Our review
Pros
  • Student pages support flat and per-unit pledges with post-event payment notices.
  • Automates email and text requests and tracks outstanding pledges.
  • Offers translations in more than 50 languages and cash/check entry.
  • Supports pledge-per-mile, lap or rep campaigns with automated invoicing
  • Combines ticketing, auctions, seat assignments and event check-in
  • Free plan includes donor CRM, unlimited fundraisers and admin seats
Cons
  • The Standard plan charges a 7% platform fee, capped at $1,195 per campaign.
  • The FREE plan still applies standard credit-card processing fees.
  • Access is web-based, which may not suit teams seeking a native app.
  • Web access only; no native mobile app is listed
  • Platform fees may be donor-covered or absorbed per campaign
  • Published plan details do not establish participant quotas
Our verdict

PledgeStar is a cloud-based platform for schools, youth sports teams, booster clubs and community organizations running jog-a-thons, walk-a-thons, read-a-thons or event-free pledge drives. It gives each student a personalized fundraising…

Read the review →

Sponsorly is a cloud-based fundraising platform for K–12 schools, athletic teams, clubs, booster organizations and PTOs. It brings donation, pledge, event, merchandise and peer-to-peer campaigns into one web account, alongside rosters,…

Read the review →
  1. PledgeStarSchool Fundraising Software 7.9Free plan
  2. SponsorlySchool Fundraising Software 6.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • PledgeStar — where it wins

    • Student pages support flat and per-unit pledges with post-event payment notices.
    • Automates email and text requests and tracks outstanding pledges.
    • Offers translations in more than 50 languages and cash/check entry.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Standard plan charges a 7% platform fee, capped at $1,195 per campaign.
    • The FREE plan still applies standard credit-card processing fees.
    • Access is web-based, which may not suit teams seeking a native app.

  • Sponsorly — where it wins

    • Supports pledge-per-mile, lap or rep campaigns with automated invoicing
    • Combines ticketing, auctions, seat assignments and event check-in
    • Free plan includes donor CRM, unlimited fundraisers and admin seats

    Where it doesn't

    • Web access only; no native mobile app is listed
    • Platform fees may be donor-covered or absorbed per campaign
    • Published plan details do not establish participant quotas

More comparisons

All school fundraising software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update