# SignUpGenius Alternative for Nonprofits | Sarasoris

URL: https://sarasoris.com/signupgenius-alternative

## SignUpGenius vs. a custom volunteer app

SignUpGenius is a good tool, and for many organizations it is all they need. Here is when it is, and when a custom volunteer app is worth it.

**Short answer.** SignUpGenius is enough for most events and one-off sign-ups: the free plan covers unlimited sign-ups and reminders, and paid plans run $8.99 to $44.99 a month billed annually (as of September 2026). A custom volunteer app is worth it when recurring programs need roles, requirements, provable hours, and volunteer data in your donor system and reports.

### How do they compare at a glance?

| Option | How it is priced | Starting price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SignUpGenius | One price per account | Free; paid plans $8.99–$44.99/mo billed annually | Events, one-off sign-ups, schools and churches |
| A custom app from Sarasoris | Fixed price per project; no per-user fees | Discovery $1,500; most projects $8,000–$80,000; hosting usually $50–$200/mo | Recurring work with its own roles, rules, integrations and reports |

Prices checked September 30, 2026, billed annually unless noted.

### What does SignUpGenius do well?

It is quick to set up and the free plan goes a long way: unlimited sign-ups, confirmation and reminder emails, payment collection and QR codes. Paid plans, one price per account, run from Silver at $8.99 a month to Platinum at $44.99 a month when billed annually ($11.99 to $59.99 billed monthly). They remove ads and add text reminders, more admins and more custom questions. For slot-based sign-ups such as events, potlucks, school volunteers and one-off service days, it is hard to beat.

### When does SignUpGenius stop fitting?

- Recurring programs with roles, training, waivers or age requirements, beyond a handful of custom questions (2 on Silver, 5 on Gold, 10 on Platinum)
- Hours served that you need to prove across programs and funders
- Volunteer records that belong in your donor system and board reports, not in a separate login
- One place that also handles your inventory, programs or reporting
- Free sign-up pages carry ads

### When should you stay with SignUpGenius?

- You mostly run events and one-off sign-ups.
- A few custom questions cover what you need to know about volunteers.
- You do not need hours or volunteer data anywhere else.

### How much do SignUpGenius and a custom app cost?

SignUpGenius: free, or $8.99 to $44.99 a month billed annually. Payments collected through it carry a fee of 5% plus $0.50 per transaction.
A custom app costs more up front: Discovery is $1,500, most projects cost $8,000 to $80,000, and hosting is paid directly to the provider, usually $50 to $200 a month. There is no per-user or per-volunteer fee from Sarasoris. It pays back when it replaces several subscriptions, saves staff hours every week, or does something no product on the market will do.

### Fine print

Prices and features were checked on September 30, 2026, on each company’s own website. They change, so check the current pricing page before you decide. SignUpGenius is a trademark of its owner; Sarasoris is not affiliated with it.
Sources: [SignUpGenius pricing](https://www.signupgenius.com/pricing).

### Related

- [Volunteer scheduling app for nonprofits](https://sarasoris.com/volunteer-scheduling-app)
- [VolunteerHub and Bloomerang Volunteer vs. a custom app](https://sarasoris.com/volunteerhub-alternative)
- [How much does a custom app cost?](https://sarasoris.com/custom-app-cost)

### Questions

#### Can we keep SignUpGenius for events?

Yes. Plenty of organizations keep it for one-off events and use a custom app for recurring programs.

#### Can you bring our volunteers over from SignUpGenius?

If you can export your volunteer list to a spreadsheet, we can bring it into the new app during Deploy.

#### Is a custom app worth it for a small nonprofit?

Often not. If SignUpGenius covers your sign-ups, keep it. Custom is worth it when volunteer scheduling is tangled up with hours, requirements, inventory or reporting.

#### What does a custom volunteer app cost?

Discovery is $1,500, and most projects cost $8,000 to $80,000. You get a fixed price in writing before the build starts.

Tell us how the work gets done today.
Use the [contact form](https://sarasoris.com/contact) or write to hello@sarasoris.com. The first conversation is free.

Last updated October 23, 2026