Flat vs percentage: the break-even
Set the percentage a platform takes, and see the monthly donation volume where a flat $20/mo becomes the cheaper choice — and the volume below which the percentage still wins. Honest both ways; no sign-up.
At a 5% platform, CrowdCreate's flat $20/mo becomes the cheaper option once you raise more than $400 a month. Below that, the 5% platform costs less on platform fees — we'd rather say so than have you find out later.
Above the break-even, every extra dollar you raise stays with you instead of scaling into a percentage that never stops growing.
Compares platform fees only. Stripe's standard processing fee (2.9% + 30¢ per donation) applies on both and goes to Stripe; CrowdCreate adds nothing on top. Estimates only.
Flat vs percentage, plainly
A percentage fee scales with your success: the more you raise, the more the platform keeps, with no ceiling. A flat fee doesn't move — $20 is $20 whether you raise $200 or $20,000. Neither is universally cheaper, so the only honest answer is the crossover point for your own volume.
Below the break-even, a percentage (or a free tool) genuinely costs less, and that's the right choice while you're raising a little. Above it, the flat fee stops scaling against you and every extra dollar stays yours. CrowdCreate is the flat-fee option, on your own site and your own Stripe.
Common questions
How is the break-even calculated?
It's the monthly volume where the percentage cut equals the $20 flat fee: $20 ÷ the percentage. At 5%, that's $400/mo ($20 ÷ 0.05); at 8%, $250/mo. Below the break-even the percentage takes less than $20; above it, the percentage takes more, so the flat fee wins.
So a percentage platform can be cheaper than CrowdCreate?
Yes — below the break-even volume, a percentage (or free) platform costs less on platform fees, and we'd rather say so plainly. The flat fee's advantage shows up as you scale: it never grows with what you raise, while a percentage keeps taking more forever.
Does this include Stripe's processing fee?
No — this compares platform fees only. Stripe's standard 2.9% + 30¢ per donation applies on both a flat-fee tool like CrowdCreate and a percentage platform, and it goes to Stripe either way. The comparison here is the platform's own cut: $20 flat vs a percentage of your volume.
Past the break-even? Keep the difference.
Add a donation widget to your own site, on your own Stripe, for a flat $20/mo — no cut of your donations.
Start your fundOr try the donation fee calculator and the effective fee calculator.