Both platforms run online elections. But they're built on very different pricing philosophies. Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison so you can make the right choice for your organization.
ElectionChamp is typically 30–60% less for the same election.
Pay per election, not per month. No annual contracts.
No tiered plans. Every feature on every election.
Up to 20 voters completely free. No credit card required.
Both platforms cover the core features. The differences are in pricing structure, plan limitations, and approach.
| Feature | ElectionChamp | ElectionBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous / Secret Ballot | ✓ All plans | ✓ All plans |
| Ranked Choice Voting | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Plurality / Multi-seat Voting | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Yes/No/Abstain Motions | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Email Notifications | ✓ All plans | ✓ All plans |
| SMS Notifications | ✓ Included | Paid add-onExtra cost per SMS |
| Automated Reminders | ✓ Included | Limited on lower tiersFull automation on higher plans |
| Candidate Bios / Profiles | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Write-In Candidates | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Custom Branding | ✓ All plans | Higher tiers onlyStarter plan has ElectionBuddy branding |
| Results Export (PDF/CSV) | ✓ All plans | ✓ All plans |
| Multiple Ballot Items | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Varies by plan |
| Voter Audit Trail | ✓ Full audit | ✓ Full audit |
| Free Tier | ✓ Up to 20 votersAll features included | LimitedRestricted features on free plan |
| Pricing Model | Pay per electionNo subscriptions ever | Subscription tiersMonthly/annual billing |
| Feature Gating | None — every feature includedSame features for 20 or 20,000 voters | TieredSome features locked to higher plans |
ElectionChamp charges per election based on voter count. ElectionBuddy uses subscription tiers. Here's how they compare for real-world elections.
| Election Scenario | ElectionChamp | ElectionBuddy |
|---|---|---|
| 10-member board vote | Free | Free (limited features) |
| 50-member committee election | $5 | ~$79/mo subscription |
| 200-member HOA annual election | $10 | ~$159/mo subscription |
| 500-member nonprofit board vote | $25 | ~$159–$349/mo |
| 1,500-member union ratification | $75 | ~$349+/mo |
| 5,000-member association election | $250 | Custom quote |
ElectionBuddy pricing based on publicly available plan information as of 2025. Pricing may vary. ElectionChamp pricing is always per-election, all features included.
ElectionBuddy uses a subscription model — you pay monthly or annually whether you're running elections or not. This makes sense for organizations that run elections constantly, but most don't. Most organizations run 1–3 elections per year.
ElectionChamp charges per election, based on voter count. Run one election a year? You pay once. No subscription ticking away in the background during the 11 months you're not voting. And when you do run an election, every feature is included — no tiers, no add-ons, no "upgrade to unlock."
We're being fair here. If your organization runs elections continuously — multiple times per month — a subscription model can work. ElectionBuddy is a mature platform with a solid reputation. They've been around longer and have more brand recognition.
ElectionChamp is better when:
ElectionBuddy's tiered pricing means some features are only available on higher plans. SMS notifications are an add-on. Custom branding is restricted on lower tiers. Advanced ballot types may require a plan upgrade.
ElectionChamp takes a different approach: every election gets every feature. A free 20-voter board election has the same capabilities as a 5,000-voter association election. The only variable is the price per voter. No one should have to choose between "affordable" and "full-featured."
With tiered pricing, you inevitably hit this mid-setup: "Oh, I need SMS notifications? That's the next plan up." Or: "Custom branding requires the Business tier."
ElectionChamp eliminates this problem entirely. One price, all features. Pick the option that matches your voter count and you're done.
Both are legitimate platforms. Here's our honest recommendation.
The better fit for most organizations
Could be the right call in specific situations
We've tried to be honest. ElectionBuddy is a legitimate platform with a solid track record. They've been around longer and have strong brand recognition. Where we differ is pricing philosophy — they use subscriptions with tiered features, we use per-election pricing with all features included. We think our approach is better for most organizations, but we've noted the scenarios where ElectionBuddy might make more sense.
Yes. There's no data migration needed — each election is independent. If you have a voter list from a previous ElectionBuddy election, just upload the same CSV to ElectionChamp. Your next election can be on ElectionChamp regardless of where you ran the last one.
ElectionBuddy pricing is based on their publicly available plan pages as of 2025. Their pricing may have changed. ElectionChamp pricing is always per-election based on voter count, and the prices shown on our site are current. We recommend checking both sites for the most up-to-date pricing before making a decision.
Both platforms provide encrypted voting, one-voter-one-ballot enforcement, and audit trails. The core security architecture for online voting is well-established, and both platforms implement it. Neither platform should be considered less secure than the other for standard organizational elections.
Try both. ElectionChamp offers a completely free election for up to 20 voters with all features — no credit card required. Run a test election, see how the platform works, and compare the experience. If you like it, your next election is already set up and ready. If not, you haven't spent anything.
Create a free test election — all features included. No credit card. No subscription. No commitment.
Questions? support@electionchamp.com
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