If you’re running a nonprofit, charity, church, or any organization dependent on online fundraising, your WordPress website is your biggest asset. But to collect donations effectively, you need the right tools—specifically, the best donation plugins for WordPress.
In this article, we’ll explore the top donation plugins that can help you streamline fundraising, increase donor conversions, and track performance—all without writing a single line of code.
Why Do You Need a WordPress Donation Plugin?
WordPress doesn’t come with built-in donation functionality. A donation plugin enables you to:
- Collect one-time and recurring donations securely
- Accept multiple payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, credit cards)
- Create donation forms and fundraising campaigns
- Send automatic email receipts
- Track donor performance and analytics
Whether you’re just starting out or managing a large-scale nonprofit, choosing the right plugin is crucial to long-term success.
1. GiveWP – The Most Comprehensive Donation Plugin
GiveWP is widely regarded as the most powerful donation plugin for WordPress. It offers a full suite of tools designed for serious fundraisers.
Key Features:
- Highly customizable donation forms
- Recurring donations and peer-to-peer fundraising
- Detailed donor management and reporting
- Wide payment gateway support (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net)
- Form templates, goal tracking, and donation levels
Best For: Nonprofits seeking an all-in-one donation platform with advanced reporting.
Pricing: Free core plugin; premium plans start at $149/year.
2. WP Charitable – The Best GiveWP Alternative
Charitable is an excellent alternative to GiveWP, known for its lightweight, privacy-focused design and easy setup.
Key Features:
- Unlimited fundraising campaigns
- Donation forms that match your theme
- Recurring donations, fee recovery, and anonymous giving
- GDPR compliance and spam protection
Best For: Organizations looking for a flexible yet powerful donation tool.
Pricing: Free version available; premium plans start at $99/year.
3. PayPal Donations – Simple and Straightforward
If simplicity is your top priority, PayPal Donations is the easiest way to start accepting donations quickly.
Key Features:
- Add PayPal donation buttons anywhere via shortcodes or widgets
- Minimal configuration required
- Customize donation amounts and currency
- Multilingual support
Best For: Individuals, bloggers, or small nonprofits looking for quick PayPal integration.
Pricing: Completely free.
4. WPForms – Best Form Builder with Donation Add-on
WPForms is a drag-and-drop form builder that includes a donation form template. It’s not solely a donation plugin, but its flexibility makes it a top contender.
Key Features:
- Pre-built donation form templates
- Payment integrations with Stripe, PayPal, Square
- Conditional logic and custom notifications
- Spam protection and mobile responsiveness
Best For: Sites that need flexible forms beyond just donations.
Pricing: Starts at $49.50/year (Pro version needed for payment integrations).
5. Donorbox – Powerful and Platform-Independent
Donorbox is a cloud-based donation platform that easily integrates into WordPress using a plugin or embed code.
Key Features:
- Recurring donations, matching gifts, and company donations
- ACH, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- CRM integration, donor segmentation, and email automation
- Tax receipt automation
Best For: Growing organizations that want a cloud solution with WordPress compatibility.
Pricing: Free up to $1,000/month; 1.75% platform fee above that.
6. WooCommerce Donation Plugin – Best for Online Stores
If your WordPress site is powered by WooCommerce, WooCommerce Donation Plugin lets you collect donations during the checkout process.
Key Features:
- Add donation options as WooCommerce products
- Set fixed or custom donation amounts
- Compatible with major payment gateways
- Donation reports via WooCommerce backend
Best For: Ecommerce stores that want to support causes or upsell donations.
Pricing: Starts at $19 for a regular license on CodeCanyon.
7. Seamless Donations – Best for Beginners
Seamless Donations is a beginner-friendly donation plugin that’s free and packed with helpful features.
Key Features:
- Accept PayPal donations immediately after installation
- Recurring donations
- Donor management dashboard
- GDPR and US-based compliance
Best For: Nonprofits just getting started with online fundraising.
Pricing: Free with optional paid add-ons.
8. GiveWP + Peer-to-Peer Add-on – Ideal for Team Fundraising
Back to GiveWP, their Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Add-on deserves special mention. It transforms your donation platform into a social giving engine.
Key Features:
- Allow users to create fundraising pages
- Built-in leaderboards and campaign goals
- Customizable branding for team fundraisers
- Integrated with GiveWP’s core donation engine
Best For: Nonprofits running marathons, school fundraisers, or social giving campaigns.
Pricing: Add-on available in Plus Plan and above.
9. Formidable Forms – Advanced Form Customization
Formidable Forms is another advanced form builder that supports donations, especially when you want dynamic form behaviors.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop donation forms
- Custom payment options and conditional logic
- Integration with Mailchimp, Stripe, and Zapier
- Advanced calculations and donation summaries
Best For: Tech-savvy users who want full control over form logic and layout.
Pricing: Starts at $39.50/year (payment features in Pro plan).
10. YITH Donations for WooCommerce – Flexible Donation Widgets
YITH Donations allows users to add a donation option on WooCommerce product pages, carts, or standalone sections.
Key Features:
- Set minimum and maximum donation amounts
- Schedule donation campaigns
- Add predefined amounts or let users choose
- Mobile-optimized layout
Best For: Store owners who want to offer donation options in multiple parts of the customer journey.
Pricing: Premium plan at €79.99/year.
Choosing the Best Donation Plugin: What to Consider
Before choosing the right plugin, ask yourself:
- Do you need recurring donations? If yes, go with GiveWP, Donorbox, or WP Charitable.
- What payment gateways do you support? Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, or bank transfers?
- Do you want to track donors and issue receipts? Choose a plugin with CRM or automated email receipts.
- Do you run events or team fundraisers? Go for peer-to-peer tools like GiveWP’s add-on.
- Do you sell products too? Consider WooCommerce-compatible donation plugins.
Final Thoughts
The right donation plugin can make or break your fundraising strategy. Whether you’re a small charity just starting out or a seasoned nonprofit scaling up, there’s a WordPress plugin tailored to your needs. Our top pick for all-around functionality is GiveWP, but if you want something lightweight and fast, Charitable or Seamless Donations are great options.
Whichever you choose, ensure it aligns with your fundraising goals, donor experience, and future scalability. And remember—great tools are only half the battle. Consistent engagement, storytelling, and transparency are just as important.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use multiple donation plugins on one WordPress site?
It’s technically possible, but not recommended. Using multiple plugins may lead to conflicts, duplicate scripts, and confusing user experiences.
2. Which donation plugin supports cryptocurrency donations?
Some third-party gateways like Coinbase Commerce can be integrated into WordPress donation forms manually or via APIs, but native crypto support is limited in most mainstream plugins.
3. Is it safe to accept donations via WordPress?
Yes, as long as your site uses secure payment gateways (like Stripe or PayPal), SSL encryption, and reputable plugins, it is perfectly safe to collect donations on WordPress.
