Short answerThe only unavoidable cost of collecting a donation online is the payment processor's fee - Stripe or PayPal, typically around 2.9% + 30¢. A platform fee is an extra cut some plugins or fundraising services take on top of that. Donor Merchant charges no platform fee, ever. Some "free" tools do: GiveWP's free version adds a 2% fee to one-time donations processed through Stripe.
The two kinds of fees (only one is unavoidable)
When a donor gives $100, two different companies might take a cut:
| Fee | Who charges it | Typical amount | Avoidable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing fee | Stripe / PayPal | ~2.9% + 30¢ (nonprofits can apply for lower rates) | No - it's the cost of accepting a card |
| Platform fee | The plugin or fundraising service | 0% to 5%+ | Yes - depends entirely on what you use |
The processing fee is real and unavoidable, though U.S. 501(c)(3)s can apply to Stripe and PayPal for discounted nonprofit rates. The platform fee is the one you control - and it's where "free" plugins quietly cost you.
Which WordPress donation plugins charge a platform fee?
| Plugin / tool | Platform fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Donor Merchant | 0% | No platform fee on any plan. You only pay Stripe/PayPal. |
| GiveWP (free) | 2% on Stripe one-time gifts | Removed on paid plans ($349–599/yr) or the Stripe add-on. |
| Charitable (free) | 0% | No platform fee; advanced features are paid add-ons. |
| Donorbox | ~1.5%–1.75% | Platform fee on the free tier, on top of processing. |
| Third-party platforms | 0%–5%+ or "tips" | GoFundMe, Givebutter and similar; some default a donor "tip" on. |
Pricing and fees verified July 2026. Vendors change pricing - confirm current figures on each provider's site before deciding.
What does a 2% platform fee actually cost?
It sounds small until you annualize it. On $50,000 in yearly donations, a 2% platform fee is $1,000 - gone, on top of processing. That's a month of programs, or a volunteer stipend. A plugin that adds no platform fee keeps that money with your mission.
How to keep (almost) 100% of every gift
- Use a plugin with no platform fee and connect your own Stripe/PayPal account, so the only cut is the processor's.
- Apply for nonprofit processing rates. Registered 501(c)(3)s can request discounted pricing from Stripe and PayPal.
- Turn on fee recovery. A single checkbox lets donors add the processing fee to their gift - most say yes - so close to 100% of the intended amount reaches you.
The takeaway"Free" and "no fees" are not the same thing. Check for a platform fee before you commit - across a year it's the difference between keeping 97% and 95% of every gift.