GoFundMe alternative
Looking for a GoFundMe alternative? Discover Steunactie
A Dutch crowdfunding platform with personal support, transparent fees and no extra tip requests to your donors.
Want to raise money online and looking for an alternative to GoFundMe? Then it is worth looking beyond how well known a platform is. Perhaps you prefer a platform based in the Netherlands, you value personal contact, or you want to know in advance exactly how donations and fees are handled.
Raise money online with Steunactie
With Steunactie you can easily start an online fundraiser for yourself, for someone else, for a club or for a good cause. Creating a fundraiser costs nothing. Fees only apply once you actually receive donations.
And unlike GoFundMe, where donors are asked during checkout whether they also want to give a voluntary contribution to the platform, your donors on Steunactie get no tip request. They only pay their donation to your fundraiser.
But what exactly are the differences between Steunactie and GoFundMe? And which platform suits your fundraiser best? We list the key points below.
Why do people look for a GoFundMe alternative?
GoFundMe is a well-known international crowdfunding platform. You can raise money there for personal situations, unexpected costs and social causes. For many people that works fine.
Still, there can be reasons to choose a different platform. For example because you:
- prefer a platform based in the Netherlands
- want to be able to reach someone personally, for example by phone
- want clarity about the fees per donation
- do not want friends and family to be asked for an extra contribution to the platform while donating
- value familiar payment methods such as iDEAL or Bancontact
- want to know in advance how and when donations are paid out
A GoFundMe alternative does not have to be cheaper or more extensive on every point. What matters is which features are important for your fundraiser and your donors.
Steunactie and GoFundMe compared
The main differences between the two platforms at a glance.
| Feature | Steunactie | GoFundMe |
|---|---|---|
| Origin of the platform | Dutch, an initiative of Sponsor Europe B.V. | International platform of American origin |
| Tip request to your donors while donating | No, donors only pay their donation | Yes, donors are asked for a voluntary contribution to GoFundMe |
| Starting a fundraiser | Free | Free |
| Standard fees on donations | 6% + €0.60 per donation, VAT included | 2.9% + €0.25 per donation, VAT included, for personal fundraisers in the Netherlands and Belgium |
| iDEAL | Yes | Yes, for Dutch fundraisers when donating from the Netherlands |
| Bancontact | Yes | Not listed in its overview of payment options |
| Payouts | Weekly on Wednesdays as standard, after verification | Daily, weekly or monthly, after processing and verification |
| Support | Personal support, including by phone, WhatsApp, chat and email | Online help centre |
The key difference? GoFundMe asks your donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate. Steunactie does not: your donors only pay their donation, and Steunactie works with a fixed fee published in advance. GoFundMe, on the other hand, charges lower standard transaction fees.
Steunactie and GoFundMe on Trustpilot
What do people who have used the platform themselves think? This is how users rate both platforms on Trustpilot.
No extra tip request to your donors
When you start a fundraiser, you often ask people close to you for help: family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. You want them to feel comfortable when they donate.
On GoFundMe, donors are asked during checkout whether, on top of their donation, they also want to give a voluntary contribution to GoFundMe. That contribution is optional and goes to the platform, not to your fundraiser.
What your donor sees at checkout
On GoFundMe: the donation to your fundraiser, plus the question of a voluntary contribution to the platform.
On Steunactie: only the donation to your fundraiser. No tip request and no extra decision to make.
Steunactie deliberately works this way. The platform earns from the fees published in advance, which are deducted from the proceeds. Someone who wants to give €25 to your fundraiser pays €25 and is not also asked how much they would like to give to Steunactie.
Your donors notice that difference straight away. No extra decision about a tip for the platform, just their attention on the cause they came for.
Want to know more about this topic? Read: 0% platform fees sounds free, but who ends up paying the bill?
A Dutch alternative to GoFundMe
Steunactie is an initiative of Sponsor Europe B.V., based in the Netherlands. On the website you can see which company is behind the platform and how to get in touch if you have questions.
Many organisers find that reassuring. You might be raising money for medical treatment, a funeral, a pet, a sports club or a family that unexpectedly needs help. In situations like these, you mostly want starting a fundraiser to be easy, and someone to be reachable if you get stuck.
Steunactie is designed for users in the Netherlands and Belgium, with personal support and familiar payment methods. At the same time, people in other countries can also contribute to a fundraiser.
Choosing a Dutch platform is of course no guarantee that a fundraiser will succeed. But it can be a deliberate choice if you value local service and clear accessibility.
What does a fundraiser cost on Steunactie and GoFundMe?
On both platforms you start for free, and fees are deducted from donations received. GoFundMe charges lower transaction fees, but asks your donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate. On Steunactie you pay a fixed fee published in advance of 6% + €0.60 per donation, VAT included, and your donors get no tip request.
For iDEAL and Bancontact, Steunactie charges no extra costs on top of that. See the full overview of our fees and payment methods.
Start your fundraiser for free
Create a fundraiser page at no cost, share your story and let family, friends and colleagues donate without an extra tip request.
Donate with confidence using iDEAL and other payment methods
How easily someone can donate matters at least as much as the fundraiser page itself. On Steunactie, donors can pay with, among others:
The payment method someone chooses can affect the transaction costs that apply.
GoFundMe now also supports iDEAL for Dutch fundraisers when someone donates from the Netherlands. So iDEAL is not an exclusive advantage of Steunactie. The difference lies more in the overall offer, the local set-up and the donation process.
When are the donations paid out?
If you are raising money for an urgent situation, it helps to know when you can use it.
Steunactie pays out donations every Wednesday as standard, once the required bank details have been added and verified. You do not have to wait until your target is reached or the fundraiser has ended. You can follow payouts and donations in your dashboard. When the money arrives in your account then depends on processing by the bank.
On GoFundMe, after verification, you can choose daily, weekly or monthly transfers. In addition, time is needed to process donations and to receive transfers in your bank account.
Here too: compare how each works and choose what suits your situation best.
Is Steunactie trustworthy?
Trust matters when you raise money online. You share your story with others and ask them to contribute financially. That is why you want to know who is behind the platform and how payments are handled.
Personal support
Questions about your fundraiser? You can call, WhatsApp, chat with or email Steunactie. So there is always someone to help if you get stuck.
Member of Stichting Donateursbelangen
Steunactie is a member of this Dutch donor interests foundation and has signed its Donor Promise. The foundation works to protect the interests of donors and to strengthen trust in giving.
Nominated for Website of the Year
Steunactie has been nominated in the Dutch Website of the Year awards (Website van het Jaar). That is an additional sign of visibility and appreciation, but not a quality mark for the trustworthiness of individual fundraisers.
Secure payment processing
To receive donations, Steunactie works with Mollie and PayPal, among others. Payouts are handled by Payaut. The platform also uses identity and bank account verification, and you can report suspected misuse.
It is important to distinguish between the security of the platform and the content of an individual fundraiser. Even when you donate through a secure platform, it is wise to check who is organising a fundraiser and what the money is being raised for. Read more about safety and reliability at Steunactie or see the reviews on Trustpilot.
What can you use Steunactie for?
One of the advantages of crowdfunding is that you do not first have to set up a foundation to ask people for support. On Steunactie you can raise money for, for example:
- Medical helpTreatments, aids or necessary care costs.
- AnimalsAn operation, shelter or unexpected vet bills.
- Funerals and remembranceA dignified farewell or support for the bereaved.
- Financial setbacksUrgent costs after illness, a fire or another drastic event.
- Clubs and sportEquipment, events, youth activities or a joint project.
- Schools and local initiativesFundraisers organised by a class, neighbourhood or group.
- Charities and foundationsRaising money for a social project.
You can start a fundraiser for yourself or raise money together for someone else. In the latter case, explain clearly who you are raising money for and agree on any personal information with the person involved.
How to start a fundraiser on Steunactie as a GoFundMe alternative
Create your fundraiser page
Sign up for free with Steunactie. You can prepare your fundraiser at your own pace and publish it once you are happy with it.
Explain what you are raising money for
Write a personal and clear story. Explain what happened, what goal you want to reach and what the money will be used for. Add a suitable photo and set a target amount if you like.
Publish and share your fundraiser
Share the link with family, friends, colleagues, clubs and on social media. Ask people not only to donate, but also to share your fundraiser further.
Keep your donors updated
Post updates on your progress and show what the contributions make possible. That keeps people involved.
Follow your donations and payouts
Your dashboard shows your donations and payouts. After the required verification, you receive the proceeds in the weekly payout cycle, minus the applicable fees.
Frequently asked questions about GoFundMe alternatives
What is a good Dutch alternative to GoFundMe?
Steunactie is a Dutch crowdfunding platform where you can start a fundraiser for personal causes, clubs, foundations and other initiatives. It offers personal support, familiar payment methods and a donation process without an extra tip request to your donors. Whether it is the best alternative for you depends on what matters to you.
Is GoFundMe free?
Starting a personal fundraiser on GoFundMe is free. The platform does deduct transaction fees from donations received. Donors can also choose to give a voluntary extra contribution to GoFundMe.
Is starting a fundraiser on Steunactie free?
Yes. Creating and starting a fundraiser on Steunactie costs nothing. From donations received, a standard 6% platform fee and €0.60 per donation are deducted, VAT included. Additional costs may apply for certain payment methods.
What is the biggest difference between Steunactie and GoFundMe?
GoFundMe asks donors for a voluntary extra contribution to the platform while they donate; Steunactie does not, and your donors only pay their donation. In addition, Steunactie is a Dutch platform with personal support. GoFundMe has lower standard transaction fees for personal fundraisers in the Netherlands and Belgium. Payout settings also differ.
Can you donate with iDEAL on Steunactie and GoFundMe?
Yes. Both platforms offer iDEAL. According to the published information, iDEAL on GoFundMe is available to Dutch donors giving to Dutch fundraisers. Steunactie also offers Bancontact, PayPal, credit card and bank transfer, among others.
Can I move my existing GoFundMe fundraiser to Steunactie?
You can start a new fundraiser on Steunactie and post your story, photos and goal there again. Do not assume that previous donations, comments or the progress bar will be transferred automatically. Explain to your donors why you are choosing a new platform and how they can find your new fundraiser.
Will my money be paid out if I do not reach my target?
Yes. On Steunactie you do not have to reach your target to receive payouts. Once the required details have been verified, available donations are paid out in the usual weekly cycle.
Is Steunactie also suitable for a club or foundation?
Yes. Clubs, foundations, schools, teams and other groups can raise money through Steunactie. Business bank accounts and some business payment solutions are subject to additional verification requirements and possibly different costs.
Will I get donors automatically when I start a fundraiser?
No. Steunactie gives you the fundraiser page, payment environment and tools to receive donations. It is up to you and your network to bring the fundraiser to people's attention. A clear story, personal messages, regular sharing and posting updates all help.
Choose the crowdfunding platform that suits your fundraiser
With Steunactie you know in advance how the fee model works. You start for free, share your fundraiser easily and follow donations in your own dashboard. And your donors can focus on what they came for: supporting your fundraiser.