GiveWP Comparison: What the 2% Stripe Fee Means for Your Platform
GiveWP is one of the most popular WordPress donation plugins, with over 100,000 active installations and strong reviews for nonprofit fundraising. But those reviews rarely mention one detail: after 33 days, the free version charges 2% on every Stripe transaction—on top of Stripe’s standard processing fees. For small donation buttons, that isn’t very important. For platform operators processing serious volume, it’s a different story. Here’s what you need to know before committing.
Looking for a WordPress crowdfunding solution? You’ve probably noticed GiveWP topping the search results. It’s a polished donation plugin with 100,000+ active installations and a robust free version. But if you’re building a crowdfunding platform — one with rewards, creator payouts, and marketplace features — GiveWP might not be what you think it is. And buried in their free version is a 2% Stripe platform fee that could cost you tens of thousands of dollars annually.
This comparison explains the architectural differences between a donation management plugin and a crowdfunding platform, and helps you understand when each makes sense for platform operators building multi-creator marketplaces.
2% Stripe Fee
GiveWP’s hidden cost after 33 days
The Real Cost of GiveWP’s “Free” Version
After a 33-day grace period, GiveWP charges 2% on every Stripe transaction. This fee goes to GiveWP/StellarWP — it’s separate from Stripe’s standard 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee.
| Monthly Stripe Volume | GiveWP 2% Fee | Annual Platform Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000/month | $100/mo | $1,200/year |
| $25,000/month | $500/mo | $6,000/year |
| $50,000/month | $1,000/mo | $12,000/year |
| $100,000/month | $2,000/mo | $24,000/year |
Quick Comparison: IgnitionDeck vs GiveWP
| Feature | IgnitionDeck | GiveWP |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 0% (never) | 2% on Stripe (free version) |
| Annual Cost at $100K/mo | $349/year | ~$24,349/year |
| Rewards/Perks | Full system included | Not available |
| Creator Payouts | Stripe Connect routing | No payout system |
| Multi-Creator Marketplace | Yes | No |
| WordPress Multisite | Full network support | Basic support |
| White-Label | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency | CoinPayments | BitPay (add-on only) |
| Recurring Payments | Built-in | Add-on required |
Why Platform Operators Choose IgnitionDeck
Zero Platform Fees
Keep 100% of what you raise (minus processor fees). At $100K/month, that’s $24,000/year saved vs GiveWP’s free version.
True Marketplace Architecture
Stripe Connect routes payments directly to creators. You set the platform commission — GiveWP’s 2% goes to them, not you.
Full Rewards System
Unlimited reward tiers, quantity limits, delivery dates, backer management. GiveWP has no rewards — it’s donation-only.
WordPress Multisite + White-Label
Network-wide crowdfunding administration with per-site isolation. Remove all branding to launch your own platform.
The Fundamental Difference
GiveWP = Donation Management
All funds go to the organization. No per-creator accounts, no payouts, no marketplace features.
IgnitionDeck = Crowdfunding Platform
Stripe Connect routes to creators. You take commission. True Kickstarter/Indiegogo architecture.
If your campaigns offer rewards, IgnitionDeck is the only option.
Annual Savings Calculator
| Monthly Volume | GiveWP Free (2%) | IgnitionDeck Core | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000/mo | $2,400/year | $349/year | $2,051 |
| $25,000/mo | $6,000/year | $349/year | $5,651 |
| $50,000/mo | $12,000/year | $349/year | $11,651 |
| $100,000/mo | $24,000/year | $349/year | $23,651 |
Pricing Comparison
GiveWP
Free: $0 + 2% Stripe fee after 33 days
Basic: $149/year (single site)
Plus: $249/year (3 sites)
Pro: $499/year
All Access: $749/year
Recurring donations, fee recovery, PDF receipts require separate add-ons
IgnitionDeck
Foundation: Free (PayPal only)
Core: $349/year
Deployed: $679/year
Managed: $299/month
Zero platform fees at any tier
All gateways included in Core
30-day money-back guarantee
When GiveWP Might Be Right
Migration Considerations
Moving from GiveWP to IgnitionDeck:
- Data transition — GiveWP donations export to CSV. Campaign content needs manual migration.
- Payment reconnection — Stripe accounts continue working; integrate with IgnitionDeck’s gateway.
- Feature adjustment — GiveWP’s form builder becomes shortcode-based layouts.
- URL structure — Plan redirects if campaign URLs change.
Need Migration Help?
IgnitionDeck’s Deployed plan ($679/year) includes migration assistance and hands-on support for transitioning your platform.
Ready to Build Your Crowdfunding Platform?
IgnitionDeck gives you the marketplace architecture, creator payouts, and zero platform fees that crowdfunding platforms need.
Zero platform fees
Full rewards system
Stripe Connect payouts
30-day guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IgnitionDeck charge any platform fees?
No. IgnitionDeck never charges a percentage of your transactions. You pay a flat annual license fee ($349/year for Core) and that’s it. All payment processor fees (Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30) are between you and the processor.
Can I eliminate GiveWP’s 2% fee?
Yes, by purchasing a GiveWP license (starting at $149/year). This removes the platform fee. However, many features still require separate add-on purchases.
Is GiveWP actually free?
The plugin is free to download and use. But if you use Stripe for payments, you’ll pay a 2% platform fee on all transactions after 33 days. This makes the “free” version potentially very expensive at scale.
Can GiveWP handle rewards-based crowdfunding?
Not natively. GiveWP is a donation plugin without a rewards system. You could use custom fields to create “giving levels,” but there’s no reward management, quantity tracking, or fulfillment features.
Which has better donor/backer management?
GiveWP has more robust donor management features (donor profiles, donor wall, engagement tracking). IgnitionDeck focuses on backer management in the context of campaigns and rewards. If you need advanced CRM-style donor features, GiveWP is stronger here.
Can creators receive funds directly in GiveWP?
No. All GiveWP donations go to the organization’s configured payment accounts. There’s no per-campaign payment routing or creator payout system.
Which is better for a single fundraising campaign?
If it’s a donation campaign (no rewards, funds go to your organization), GiveWP’s free version works well if your volume is low. If it’s a rewards-based campaign where backers expect perks, IgnitionDeck is the right choice.