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Bid Beacon
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
What it is
Bid Beacon is an online platform for running silent auctions to support fundraising. Organizers can use its setup wizard to create and configure an auction, then add custom colors, banner images, logos, and links or access codes to full auctions. Bidding tools include extensions, proxy bidding, and maximum bids. A preformatted template lets organizations import up to 600 auction items at once. Full auctions use Express Banking through Stripe Connect, which can charge winners automatically when items close. An active CommuniBee subscription enables Stripe, Square, PayPal, and offline payment options. Bid Beacon also integrates with CommuniBee and Raffle Rocket, and supports USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and NZD. The company says it does not store card or banking information; Stripe handles payment information. Email support and live Bid Beacon 101 group sessions are available. The service has a free plan and works on Android, iOS, and the web, though auction administration requires a web browser rather than the downloaded app.
For and against
For
- Free plan is available.
- Imports up to 600 items at a time.
- Supports proxy and maximum bidding.
- Full auctions can charge winners automatically.
- Supports six listed currencies.
Against
- Admin functions require a web browser.
- Full Auction has a 4.9% platform fee per transaction.
- Stripe Connect adds 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
The verdict
Bid Beacon combines auction setup, bidding tools, and payment handling for fundraising events. Check the transaction fees and browser-only admin limitation against your event’s needs.
Who it suits
Bid Beacon suits event fundraisers, charities, nonprofits, school societies, sports clubs, and retailers running fundraising auctions. It may fit organizations that need mobile bidding and bulk item import, provided administrators can use a web browser.
Plans and prices
Full Auction
unlimited guests, items, images, and admin roles · optional duration up to 365 days · Stripe Connect 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee
Read 2 Oct 2026 · bidbeacon.com
On the record
- Admin limitation
- Admin functionality is unavailable in the downloaded app and requires a web browser.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The service is aimed at event fundraisers, charities, nonprofits, school societies, sports clubs, and for-profit retailers.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Bidding
- The platform supports bidding extensions, proxy bidding, and max bidding.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Branding
- Full auctions include custom color themes, banner images, custom links or access codes, and logos.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Bulk import
- Organizations can import up to 600 auction items at a time using a preformatted template.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Currencies
- Supported currencies are USD, CAD, GBP, EUR, AUD, and NZD.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Bid Beacon integrates with CommuniBee and Raffle Rocket.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Bid Beacon is owned and managed by Launch57, a Canadian mobile software development company.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Payment options
- An active CommuniBee subscription enables Stripe, Square, PayPal, and offline payment options.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Payments
- Full auctions use Express Banking through Stripe Connect, with automatic winner charging when items close.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- Bid Beacon is an online silent-auction platform for fundraising.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Security
- Bid Beacon says it does not store credit-card or banking information; payment information is handled by PCI-compliant Stripe.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Setup
- The auction setup wizard guides users through creating and configuring an auction.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- Email customer support and live Bid Beacon 101 group sessions are available.bidbeacon.com · read 2 Oct 2026
