Nonprofit CRM software comparison: Donorfy vs Beacon

Before diving in, it’s worth stepping back to basics. From the many charity CRM comparisons and sector reviews (e.g. Charity Excellence’s UK CRM overview) the recurring priorities are: 

• Solid core fundraising: managing donors, gift processing, Gift Aid, pledges, campaigns
• Ease of use and adoption by non-technical staff
• Good reporting and analytics (so you can see what’s working)
• Integration with the systems you already use – or want to use (websites, accounting, email, event platforms)
• A trustworthy supplier: knowledgeable support, strong financial stability, etc.
• Flexibility to evolve over time as your charity grows or changes 

Beacon and Donorfy – and many other suppliers - both aim to meet those needs.  

A lot! Firstly, both Donorfy and Beacon are designed specifically for charities, and that’s important. If you retrofit software, it’s like running a marathon in flip flops – you might get there in the end, but it’s much harder work! At a minimum, both Beacon and Donorfy help you to: 

• Manage supporters
• Track income and claim Gift Aid
• Run campaigns and report on results
• Save time with platform integrations (GoCardless, Stripe, Enthuse, etc) 

If you’re looking for a step up from spreadsheets, or a system that fundraisers can pick up quickly, you'll find solid options in both. 

What about pricing?

Pricing is always part of the conversation - though remember it’s not just about the headline cost, but also what’s included. 

Beacon: Contact-based pricing with user limits (3 users on Starter, 10 on Standard). Starter from £32.50/month, rising with contact volume and additional functionality modules. 

Donorfy: Constituent-based pricing with unlimited users at every level. Starter from £39/month, scalable up to 1,000,000 constituents with all functionality included.

Do both suit every size and type of charity? 

From small to large, both systems are designed to be scalable and suitable for any traditional charity to use. According to the Charity Excellence’s UK CRM survey: 

So, while both systems are strong choices for medium-sized charities, Donorfy is rated as the best option for the largest organisations - thanks to its scalability. 

When Donorfy joined the Access Group, some in the sector presumed it would lose the essence of what made it great. The reality is quite the opposite: 

• Donorfy has great financial security 

Backed by reassuring, long-term investment for future innovation. 

Tip: Companies House is a great place to check the financial stability of any suppliers you’re considering.

• The personal touch remains

With enhanced support options available if you need them. The majority of the team is still made up of former fundraisers who've been in your shoes. This includes current charity trustees actively serving in the sector. 

• The Access Group has 4,500+ verified reviews (4.6/5 on Trustpilot)

Plus, customers regularly provide success stories across all products, including Donorfy. You can see them here. 

• Spoiler: you CAN manage volunteers in Donorfy. 

In fact, MASH manage an award winning team. For anyone with a larger programme of volunteers, the native integration with specialist software Access Assemble is working well for customers.

• The Access Group has a proven culture of giving back.

Last year alone, staff clocked up 10,000 volunteer hours and £3.65m was donated to great causes - £2.1m in Access Foundation grants, and £1.55m through matching staff fundraisers.

• We've been taking time to get things right

Early benefits are already visible. Customers are already feeling the positive impact of new integrations and innovations since joining Access. 

Helen McCartan, Head of Public Fundraising at Caring in Bristol, puts it best:  

“Donorfy joining Access didn’t worry us, it’s a good thing. We’re already seeing the benefits, and we’re looking forward to what’s next.” 

And then there’s Snow Camp. In a recent blog published on their website, they said: 

“By investing in our digital infrastructure, you haven’t just helped us run better events or send better emails – you’ve helped us reach more young people, more efficiently, and with greater impact.” 

Donorfy was built by fundraisers, for fundraisers. That shows up everywhere: 

• Transparent pricing

Donorfy includes all features from day one. No modular pricing traps, you get everything you need from a CRM from the start - and know exactly what you’re paying for. If you choose, extras like enhanced support packages and extra training are available, but you won't be charged extra for the functionality you rely on day-to-day.

• Scalability with simplicity

From the Starter package for 500 constituents, right up to the Enterprise plan supporting a million, Donorfy grows with you without becoming unwieldy.

• Fundraising-first features

Automated Gift Aid, supporter journeys, integrated donation forms, campaign tracking, and ready-made dashboards all help you raise more, faster.

• Championing small charities

Donorfy gives £100k worth of free licenses to very small charities each year, so they can unlock the power of a CRM, without the price tag.

But, there’s more. While Donorfy focuses on what it’s been brilliant at for over ten years – donors and supporter management – the wider suite of integrated products offered by Access Non-for-Profit completes the all-around charity powerhouse. 

When you’re spending your hard-earned donations on software, you need to think beyond the present day. What will the solution be like in future, will it still serve you in 3 or 5 years' time? 

This is where Donorfy’s story gets even stronger. By becoming part of the Access Group, Donorfy is no longer just a standalone CRM - it’s the heart of an integrated charity suite, underpinned by AI-ready data architecture. 

According to the Blackbaud Institute’s Status of UK Fundraising report, over half of charities (54%) said that integrating technology solutions would deliver the greatest value to their organisation. This is exactly what the Access Charity Suite is designed to do. From first click to lifelong advocacy, it helps you connect every touchpoint.  

Customers feel the difference in momentum too. As Carisa, CRM & Compliance Manager at Acorns Children’s Hospice, explains: 

“You can feel the momentum. There’s resource, direction and opportunity. When Donorfy gets even stronger, so do we.”

Read their story

When making CRM decisions, it’s natural to feel cautious - after all, your CRM is a backbone system. But it’s more useful to assess each supplier on their track record, deliverables, and alignment with your goals, rather than be swayed by fear or uncertainty. 

Donorfy’s evolution, joining Access, expanding integration, deepening support, is a strategic strength you can lean on, if you choose to. When you compare with Beacon, or any other supplier, the real question is which system best serves your donors, your fundraisers, and your vision for the future. 

Because the real story isn’t about competition - it’s about partnership, and finding the right fit for your needs and ambitions.