The 5 best apps and software to run your online raffle

Online raffles and giveaways can help nonprofits raise money, creators grow their audience, and businesses generate qualified leads. The right software makes it easier to collect entries, stay organized, and create a smooth experience for participants.

But choosing the best online raffle site isn’t just about features. For example, whether you’re fundraising for a charity, promoting a new product, or growing your email list, it’s important to understand the legal rules that apply to your promotion before you launch, including state laws (which can vary widely) and the official FTC guidance on advertising and promotions.

The 5 best raffle apps and software in 2026

The best online raffle software does much more than simply collect entries. Depending on your goals, it may process payments, generate unique ticket numbers, manage winner documentation, and more. And each tool might be best suited for a specific type of user or type of online giveaway. 

The five platforms below represent some of the strongest options available in 2026, each with its own strengths for different types of organizations and campaigns.

Tool	Best for	Supports paid ticket collection?	Standout feature	Platform fees
Jotform	Flexibility & pricing transparency	Yes	Customizable workflows	Free; paid premium plans available at $34/mo and up
RallyUp	Enterprise nonprofit fundraising campaigns	Yes	Enterprise fundraising	Free
Givebutter	Free charity ticket tracking	Yes	Small nonprofit fundraising and donor management tools	Free
ShortStack	Highly customized branded campaigns	No	Highly customized branded campaigns	$99/month and up (based on annual payment)
Gleam	Gamified marketing campaigns	No	B2C marketing	Free; paid premium plans available starting at $10/mo

1. Jotform: Best for flexibility and zero hidden fees

Whether you’re organizing a charity fundraiser, collecting entries for a sweepstakes, or managing a giveaway for your business, flexibility matters. Jotform gives you the tools to help build a custom entry experience that fits your organization’s needs while keeping everything in one place.

The platform’s drag-and-drop form builder makes it easy to create branded raffle pages without coding. You can use free form templates or customize your forms with your logo, colors, images, and conditional logic, then embed them on your website or share them with a simple link. Built-in payment integrations  with providers like Stripe and PayPal also make it easy for eligible nonprofit organizations to collect ticket payments securely.

Using conditional logic, Jotform makes it easy to create a single entry form that offers both a paid entry option and a free AMOE path. For example, eligible nonprofit organizations can direct participants to purchase raffle tickets through a payment field, while for-profit organizations can provide a separate no-purchase-required entry route using a standard submit button. Both paths can feed into the same workflow, helping ensure every eligible entry has an equal chance of winning.

If your promotion involves a high-value prize, Jotform also helps make it easier to collect documents from the winner prior to award. Use Jotform’s built-in e-signature fields and file upload widgets to securely collect affidavits of eligibility, liability or publicity releases, and tax documents such as a completed W-9, all from a single workflow.

While payment processors still charge their standard transaction fees, Jotform doesn’t add its own platform transaction fee on top of those charges. No additional Jotform transaction fees means that your fundraising revenue or campaign budget stays with your organization. 

2. RallyUp: Best for enterprise nonprofit campaigns

If your organization regularly runs large-scale fundraising campaigns, RallyUp is worth considering. Built specifically for nonprofit fundraising, the platform combines different types of fundraising initiatives from a single dashboard.

One of RallyUp’s biggest strengths is its nonprofit focus. Rather than adapting general marketing software for fundraising, the platform is designed around the needs of charities and community organizations. That makes it especially appealing to larger nonprofits with dedicated fundraising teams or organizations that run multiple campaigns throughout the year.

Smaller nonprofits, school PTAs, or businesses hosting a simple giveaway may find RallyUp is more than they need, carrying a steeper learning curve than some simpler alternatives.

Best for: Established nonprofits, foundations, and organizations running large fundraising campaigns with multiple moving parts.

3. Givebutter: Best for free charity ticket tracking

Givebutter has become a popular fundraising platform among nonprofits because it combines donation management, event ticketing, donor communication, and fundraising campaigns into a single, easy-to-use platform. For charities looking to organize raffles or fundraising events, it offers an approachable experience without requiring extensive technical knowledge.

The platform allows organizations to build campaign pages, collect donations, communicate with supporters, and track fundraising performance through an intuitive dashboard. It also integrates with popular payment processors and includes CRM capabilities that help nonprofits build stronger relationships with donors over time.

And many organizations (especially nonprofits) deeply appreciate Givebutter’s emphasis on affordability, with the free fundraising platform available at no additional costs to organizations that enable optional donor tips. 

Best for: Nonprofits, school organizations, churches, and community groups looking for an accessible fundraising platform with integrated donor management.

4. ShortStack: Best for highly customized branded campaigns

For organizations that want complete creative control over their promotions, ShortStack offers a robust platform for building branded contests, giveaways, and sweepstakes. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all template, users can create custom landing pages, entry forms, and multi-step campaigns designed to help match their brand and marketing goals.

ShortStack supports a wide variety of promotion types with multiple contest and sweepstakes formats. However, it is designed primarily as a marketing platform rather than a fundraising solution. Users who need payment collection and more complex workflow automation may find it less comprehensive than platforms built specifically for those purposes.

Best for: Businesses, agencies, and creators who want highly customizable branded giveaways and sweepstakes.

5. Gleam: Best for gamified marketing campaigns

For businesses focused on maximizing engagement, Gleam offers one of the most feature-rich giveaway platforms on the market. Gleam supports dozens of entry methods and integrates with many popular marketing platforms, offering a higher degree of engagement through gamification, encouraging participation by letting entrants earn additional chances to win.

The platform’s flexibility and detailed analytics make it well suited for product launches, influencer partnerships, and digital marketing campaigns where audience growth is a primary objective. Businesses looking to create viral sharing opportunities often appreciate the platform’s referral-based entry options.

Gleam can be more complex than simpler giveaway tools, and some advanced features require higher-priced subscription plans. Organizations running an occasional raffle or community fundraiser may not need its extensive marketing capabilities.

Best for: Businesses, ecommerce brands, and creators running growth-focused marketing campaigns that emphasize audience engagement and referrals.

How to run an online raffle, step by step

Choosing the right software is only part of running a successful online raffle or sweepstakes. Here’s information to help you structure your promotion online: 

1. Write the official rules

Every online raffle or sweepstakes should begin with a well-drafted set of official rules that clearly explain eligibility requirements and other information including the sponsor’s identity, the type of promotion, entry methods, prizes and their approximate retail value, entry deadlines and applicable time zone, the odds of winning or how the odds will be determined, winner selection, notification procedures, applicable tax obligations, and how participant information will be used. Eligibility rules should also include any required geographic restrictions, “void where prohibited” language, and other jurisdiction-specific disclosures. 

If your sweepstakes offers both purchase-based and free AMOE entry methods, clearly explain how the AMOE works, prominently state that no purchase is necessary and that a purchase will not increase the chances of winning. Additionally, ensure that the free method provides the same opportunity to enter and win as the purchase-based method and state that all eligible entries have an equal chance of winning.

2. Check state bonding and registration requirements

Research the legal requirements that may apply in each jurisdiction where your participants live and each jurisdiction where the promotion will be offered or entries or purchases will be accepted. These rules vary significantly, and it’s important to verify the requirements that apply to your promotion before launch, particularly if you’ll be accepting entries from multiple states. For example, if your prize pool has a high value, some states may require the sponsor to formally register the sweepstakes and secure a surety bond before launch. Also, charitable raffles may be subject to additional requirements, separate licensing reporting, or restrictions depending on the jurisdiction and the organization conducting the fundraiser.

3. Create your entry form or raffle page

Your entry form should make it easy for participants to understand the promotion and submit their information without unnecessary friction. Collect only the information you actually need, such as the entrant’s name, email address or phone number, and location if eligibility depends on where they live. 

With a platform like Jotform, eligible nonprofit organizations can use a ready-made Raffle Ticket Form template to help begin selling tickets quickly, while businesses running sweepstakes can quickly and easily customize the same workflow by adding an AMOE. 

4. Assign entries cleanly

Every eligible entry should receive a unique identification number, regardless of how it was submitted. Keep this information in a well-maintained, access-controlled, centralized database, where you can also  keep records of payment confirmations, entry timestamps, and any eligibility verification in case questions arise later. 

If your promotion includes both purchase-based entries and free AMOE submissions, combine them into the same master spreadsheet or database before selecting a winner. This helps ensure that every eligible participant has an equal chance of winning.

5. Launch and announce the raffle

Once everything is in place, it’s time to promote your campaign.

Share consistent messaging across your website, email newsletters, and social media channels so participants can quickly understand the offer and how to enter. Ensure that all advertising is consistent with the official rules and clearly and conspicuously presents the material terms. You can use the following example format for your messaging:

• Prize: Win a $500 Gift Card!
• Entry Period: July 15–August 15, 2026
• How to Enter: Visit [landing page]. No purchase necessary. You may purchase raffle tickets or submit a free entry through our Alternate Method of Entry (where applicable). See Official Rules for details.
• Eligibility: Open to legal residents of [eligible locations] who meet the age requirements.
• Official Rules & Disclaimers: [Insert Official Rules link]. Prize ARV: $500. Sponsoring Organization: [Name]. [Insert State/Local License #s]. [Disclaimers, e.g., No one under the age of 18 years is permitted to participate. Void where prohibited. 1-800-GAMBLER].

6. Pick the winner transparently

When your promotion closes, export your final entry list and carefully review it before conducting the drawing. Purge your master list of any unauthorized duplicate, incomplete, fraudulent, or otherwise ineligible entries according to your official rules. Then use a reputable random selection tool or online raffle generator to choose the winner.

Transparency helps build trust. Consider recording your screen while conducting the drawing or selecting the winner during a livestream so participants can see the process firsthand. Afterward, document the drawing date, winner selection method, and final results for your records.

7. Manage the winner administration (Affidavits & Taxes)

For larger prizes, sponsors often need to verify the winner’s eligibility before handing over the prize, such as through a signed affidavit of eligibility, a liability and publicity release (where this is permitted), or other documentation.

In the United States, sponsors for giveaways may need to collect a completed Form W-9 and issue a 1099-MISC tax form when the reportable prizes or awards meet IRS thresholds, which is $2,000 or more*  for the tax year 2026. Sponsors should confirm the current tax threshold and any withholding requirements before awarding prizes. Rather than managing these documents through email attachments, consider using a secure workflow that allows winners to complete forms electronically, upload supporting documentation, and sign required agreements online.

Launch your online raffle with confidence

A successful online raffle or giveaway is a great way to drive engagement, collect leads, or raise funds for your cause. However, a successful promotion requires more than choosing an attractive prize. Taking the time to understand the legal requirements, publish clear official rules, manage entries fairly, and document the selection process all help create a positive experience for everyone involved.

That’s where Jotform stands out. Whether you’re a nonprofit selling charity raffle tickets, a school PTA engaged in fundraising event planning, or a business running a sweepstakes with an AMOE, Jotform gives you the flexibility to build a workflow that fits your goals. With customizable ticket order forms, powerful conditional logic, secure payment integrations, e-signatures, file uploads, and automated workflows, you can manage every stage of your promotion from a single tool—without paying additional Jotform transaction fees on your ticket sales.

Ready to get started? Browse Jotform’s Raffle Ticket Form template or use the drag-and-drop form builder to create your own custom raffle or giveaway workflow. In just a few minutes, you can build a professional entry experience that’s tailored to your organization, your participants, and the way you want your campaign to run.

*The $2,000 Form 1099-MISC threshold in this article is specific to payments made during 2026; the IRS states that it may be adjusted for inflation beginning in 2027.