How to Choose the Right Giving App in the UK
A practical guide to the different types of UK giving apps. From personal donation hubs to fundraising platforms and how to pick the right one for the way you want to give.
The way we support causes is evolving. Today, UK giving apps make donating simpler, more organized, and easier to manage. By bringing the same level of clarity to your generosity that you expect from your banking, these tools help you focus on the impact you’re making rather than the admin behind it.
Different Types of Giving Tools in the UK
1. Personal Giving Apps (For Donors)
Apps like Legacy or Toucan are designed for individuals who want a single “hub” for their generosity. Instead of managing multiple separate Direct Debits, you can support a variety of causes through one platform.
- Best for: People who support multiple charities and want a clear, consolidated view of their giving.
2. Fundraising Platforms (For Collection)
Tools like JustGiving, Give A Little, or GiveTap are built for the point of collection. They help charities and volunteers accept payments via QR codes, links, or card terminals.
- Best for: Nonprofits needing to collect donations or individuals running a local fundraising campaign.
3. E-commerce Tools (For Businesses)
These integrations allow customers to donate at a digital checkout, often by “rounding up” a purchase to the nearest pound.
- Best for: Retailers looking to integrate social impact into their customer journey.
What to Look For in a Giving App
If you are looking for an app to manage your personal donations, these five features are essential for a secure and efficient experience:
- Support for Multiple Charities: Look for a “split payment” feature. The best apps allow you to make one monthly payment that is automatically distributed across your chosen causes.
- Automated Gift Aid: Reclaiming the 25% Gift Aid on your donations should be automatic. The app should handle the declarations so you don’t have to fill out paperwork for every new charity you support.
- Tax-Ready Records: For those who file a Self Assessment tax return, having a downloadable report of your annual giving saves hours of manual tracking.
- Transparent Funding Models: Be clear on how the app stays funded. Some take a percentage of the donation, while others, like Legacy, operate as non-profits and rely on optional tips to keep the tech running.
- Instant Control: You should be able to update, pause, or stop your giving instantly from a dashboard without needing to make phone calls or send emails.
How Legacy Fits In
Legacy is designed for people who want to manage their personal giving more simply. Instead of setting up separate donations for each charity, you can support multiple causes in one place, automate Gift Aid, and keep a clear record of your giving over time.
- One Payment, Multiple Charities: Set one monthly budget and distribute it across any UK registered charities you want to support.
- The Impact Dashboard: See a clear summary of your giving history. We provide the data you need to stay engaged with your long-term impact.
- Privacy-First: We don’t share your personal contact details with charities unless you explicitly ask us to. This keeps your inbox clear of unwanted solicitations.
- Non-Profit Integrity: Legacy is a non-profit. Any tip revenue beyond what is needed to sustain the platform is given back to the charities our donors support.
At a Glance: Choosing Your Tool
| If you want to… | Use this type of app |
|---|---|
| Manage all personal giving in one place | Personal Giving App (e.g., Legacy, Toucan) |
| Collect money for a personal challenge | Fundraising Platform (e.g., JustGiving) |
| Accept tap-to-pay donations for a charity | Fundraising Platform (e.g., Give A Little) |
| Donate a percentage of a retail sale | E-commerce Tool |