Head-to-head · School Fundraising Software
SuccessFund vs HometownLift
SuccessFund leads on 0 checks, HometownLift 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 scoreSuccessFund · 7.7/10
- Free planboth
SuccessFund scores higher on our rubric for school fundraising software: 7.7 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
On platform access, SuccessFund gives you Both where HometownLift offers Web.
SuccessFund is the better fit for districts managing many fundraiser types and payments. HometownLift is the better fit for small schools focused on reading-a-thons.
- SuccessFund fits best
Districts managing many fundraiser types and payments
- HometownLift fits best
Small schools focused on reading-a-thons
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Side by side
| Feature | SuccessFund 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | HometownLift 7.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 7.3 |
| Ranking | #3 in School Fundraising Software | #5 in School Fundraising Software |
| Best for | Districts managing many fundraiser types and payments | Small schools focused on reading-a-thons |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | $190/yr |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Support | ||
| Compliance | GDPR | PCI DSS |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business |
| Features SuccessFund 4/4 · HometownLift 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 |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | SuccessFund is a cloud and mobile fundraising and payment platform for schools, teams, clubs, parent groups, and districts. Organizers can run donation, crowdfunding, product, ticket, registration, concession, auction, and pledge or a-thon… Read the review → |
HometownLift is cloud-based fundraising software for schools, booster clubs, youth sports teams, and other community organizations. Its clearest fit is a small school running a read-a-thon: each student receives a shareable page,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
SuccessFund — where it wins
- Supports donation, sales, ticketing, auctions, and pledge campaigns
- Accepts cards, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, cash, and checks
- District approvals, permissions, reports, and audit trails centralize oversight
Where it doesn't
- Transaction fees apply to processed payments
- Support is provided through email
- The broad workflow set may exceed a single-campaign group's needs
HometownLift — where it wins
- Per-book and per-minute pledges with automatic payment calculations
- Student pages show reading goals and fundraising progress
- Free Core plan includes campaigns, donor CRM, and volunteer tracking
Where it doesn't
- Read-a-thon totals must be entered by a teacher or organizer
- Advanced event and operations tools require paid annual plans
- Web-only access, with Stripe listed as the integration
- SuccessFund7.7/10 · Free plan
A free, broad fundraising and payments platform for schools and districts.
Visit SuccessFundFull verdict → - HometownLift7.3/10 · Free plan
A focused read-a-thon platform with free core tools and paid event operations.
Visit HometownLiftFull verdict →
SuccessFund vs HometownLift: questions
Which is better for school fundraising software, SuccessFund or HometownLift?
SuccessFund scores higher on our rubric for school fundraising software: 7.7 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.
How do SuccessFund and HometownLift compare?
All 5 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.
Do SuccessFund and HometownLift have a free plan?
SuccessFund: Yes. HometownLift: Yes.
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All school fundraising software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update