PledgeStar
PledgeStar: A school-focused pledge-drive platform with multilingual student pages and a free campaign option. Ranked #1 of 29 in School Fundraising Software by our editors (9.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for schools running pledge drives with multilingual families.
At a glance
- Editor score9.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSchools running pledge drives with multilingual families
- Free planYes
- Pledge trackingYes
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
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.
Our verdict on PledgeStar
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 page and supports family outreach, donation tracking and event reporting. Schools seeking a pledge-drive workflow for multilingual families will find a close fit; organizations focused on other fundraising formats may want a broader-purpose tool.
The pledge workflow covers flat and per-unit pledges, automated email and text requests, contact imports, social sharing, and tracking for outstanding pledges. After an event, organizers can send payment notices for per-unit pledges. Real-time dashboards, donation reports, classroom leaderboards and goal meters help teams follow progress. Donations can be entered online or as cash and checks, while Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal are supported. More than 50 language translations address family communication across language needs.
The FREE plan costs $0 per campaign, has no setup cost and carries no platform fee; standard credit-card processing fees still apply, and donors may optionally contribute at checkout. Standard / Donor Fee Coverage charges a 7% platform fee, capped at $1,195 per campaign; donors can optionally cover platform and processing fees. The paid plan is percentage-based, not a fixed subscription. PledgeStar is a sensible choice for schools that want student-level pages and pledge tracking without a platform fee on the free plan. Schools that need non-web access or prefer fixed subscription pricing should compare alternatives before choosing.
PledgeStar pricing
All 2 PledgeStar plans and prices →
PledgeStar fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Pledge tracking | Yes |
| Event fundraising | Yes |
| Family messaging | Yes |
| Peer-to-peer pages | Yes |
| Campaign limit | Not verified |
| Participant limit | Not verified |
| Platform access | Both |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 9 integrations: Stripe, PayPal, Gmail, Yahoo, Microsoft address books, Facebook … |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | pledgestar.com |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
PledgeStar integrations
PledgeStar lists 9 integrations on its own site.
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Gmail
- Yahoo
- Microsoft address books
- X
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Alternatives to PledgeStar
- FutureFundA free, all-purpose fundraising toolkit for PTAs and other K-12 groups.8.8
- SchoolfundrA no-platform-fee option for school a-thons, with payment processing fees on online gifts.8.2
- HometownLiftA focused read-a-thon platform with free core tools and paid event operations.7.9
See all PledgeStar alternatives →
PledgeStar vs the competition
- PledgeStar vs FutureFund
- PledgeStar vs Schoolfundr
- PledgeStar vs HometownLift
- PledgeStar vs SuccessFund
- PledgeStar vs GoPledge
- PledgeStar vs PledgeAthon
Compare PledgeStar with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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