How We Compare

Why CharityEngine is the Best Virtuous Alternative for Nonprofits

Engagement alone isn’t enough. CharityEngine provides the unified technology, real-time data, and built-in tools nonprofits need to run sophisticated fundraising programs.

 Schedule a Meeting
Simple vs. Scalable

Built for Engagement and Scale

Virtuous is known for its responsive fundraising approach, helping nonprofits personalize donor engagement. But as fundraising grows more complex, many organizations need unified data, deeper reporting, and tools that work together seamlessly.

That’s where CharityEngine stands apart.

Instead of relying on integrations or limited modules, CharityEngine delivers a fully unified fundraising platform designed to grow with your organization.
G2 Badges - Momentum Leader, Users Love Us, High Performer
Real Talk

Virtuous Pros

Virtuous has built a strong reputation among nonprofits seeking modern technology that supports personalized donor engagement. Here are a few of the advantages many organizations appreciate.

Forward-Thinking Features

Virtuous includes tools like automated A/B email testing, built-in workflows, and personalized ask amounts to help nonprofits tailor outreach and engagement.

Core Fundraising Tools in One System

The platform combines CRM, donor management, email, events, and text-to-give in a single environment.

Responsive Fundraising Philosophy

Virtuous is built around the concept of responsive fundraising, helping organizations communicate with donors in ways that align with their individual journeys.
Real Talk

Virtuous Cons 

While Virtuous offers innovative engagement tools, many organizations encounter limitations as their fundraising programs grow and operational needs expand. Here are a few common concerns nonprofits often share.

Premium Pricing

Virtuous positions itself as a high-end solution, which can make it cost-prohibitive for many nonprofits.

Reporting Challenges

Users often need to export and manipulate data outside the platform to generate actionable reports and insights.

Integration Constraints

Some organizations report API limitations and challenges when connecting third-party tools.
See how CharityEngine stacks up

CharityEngine vs. Virtuous

CharityEngine
Virtuous
Differentiators

A complete fundraising platform that puts all your data in one place

The only platform to offer “Responsive Fundraising”

 Pricing

$$ to $$$

$$$ to $$$$

CRM & DONOR MANAGEMENT
Membership Management
Included
Included
Major Gift Management
Included
Included
Donor Pipelines
Included
Included
Requires Database Administrator

No

No

SustainerIQ: RECURRING GIVING
Monthly Billing Collection Rate

Up to 98.6%

70% – 90%

Sustainer Management
Included
Included
AI-Powered Payment Recovery
Included

Basic retries only

Automated Reactivation Communications
Included
Included
Credit Card Updater
Included
Not Included
Real-Time Sustainer Dashboard
Included
Not Included
FUNDRAISING
Custom Donation Forms
Included
Included
Payment Processing
Included

Third-party integration (Stripe)

MULTICHANNEL MARKETING
Advanced Email Automation
Included
Included
Text-to-Give
Included
Included
Direct Mail
Included
Included
Multichannel Attribution Tracking (including DRTV)
Included

Limited

CMS
Included
Not Included
EVENTS & VOLUNTEERS
Event Management
Included
Included
Volunteer Management
Included

Yes (acquired VOMO)

Auctions
Included
Not Included
Peer-to-Peer
Included
Not Included
REPORTING & ANALYTICS
Out-of-the-Box Reports

Yes (200+)

Yes (20+)

Custom Dashboards
Included

Limited

Query Builder
Included
Included
ADDITIONAL BUILT-IN TOOLS & MODULES
Advocacy
Included
Not Included
Case Management
Included
Not Included
Grant Management
Included
Not Included
Shopping Cart
Included
Not Included
Custom Surveys
Included
Included
DONOR PORTAL
Giving History/Tax Receipts
Included
Included
Membership Account Management
Included
Not Included
Monthly Gift Management
Included
Included
Ability for Donors to Manage Event Tickets and Registrants
Included
Not Included
Volunteer Shift Sign-Up
Included
Not Included
Ability for Volunteers to Report Hours
Included
Not Included
Topic of Interest/List Sign-Up Preferences
Included
Not Included
OTHER
Multi-Organization & Chapter Management
Included
Not Included
Open API
Included
Included
Book a Demo
Real Feedback

Customer Voices

Easy Gift Entry

The most helpful feature of Virtuous is the clarity offered by their gift import process. It allows you to see a snapshot of the donor record you're adding a new gift to in order to cross-check previous gift data without having to navigate to a new window.

Coordinator, Nonprofit Organization 
Review by G2

Limited Dashboards

Their project management tools, moves management tools, grant management tools have much to be desired. They sell you on using these with your CRM data, but they are clumsy and ineffective. Plan on using outside tools for those things in conjunction with Virtuous.

Database Manager, Nonprofit Organization
Review by G2
Next Step

See What’s Possible for Your Organization

Join the growing number of organizations achieving stronger results with a unified fundraising platform. Let’s explore what this could look like for you.
Book a Demo