A fundraising thermometer makes progress visible. It should be driven by accurate data, carry an accessible text label and show a clearly dated target rather than manufactured urgency.
How this guide was produced
Documented features reviewed on 10 September 2026. Gateway fees, plan tiers and extension requirements change, so verify pricing before you launch a campaign.
Seven options at a glance
| Plugin | Best for | First thing to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Charitable | WordPress donation campaigns | Which extensions are paid |
| GiveWP | Full donation management | Plan and gateway fees |
| WPForms | Simple pledge and payment forms | Whether totals update automatically |
| Donation Thermometer | Simple manual totals | Who updates the figure and when |
| Thermometer | Lightweight progress graphics | Data-entry workflow |
| Formidable Forms | Custom donation applications | Calculation and payment add-ons |
| Donorbox | Hosted donation workflows | Platform and processing costs |
How we assessed them
We looked at donation processing, recurring gifts, receipts, donor records, progress accuracy, refunds, offline gifts, accessibility, fees, privacy and whether the displayed total updates by itself or by hand.
Before you publish the goal
- Define the goal, deadline and which funds count toward it
- Decide how matching gifts, refunds, fees and offline donations are treated
- Reconcile the public total against payment records regularly
- Label the currency and repeat the amount in text for screen readers
Read next
- Upsell and cross-sell plugins - compare seven offer tools
- Build a donation goal thermometer - step-by-step campaign setup
- WordPress donation plugins - the payment layer behind the thermometer
- Free SMTP plugins - so donation receipts actually arrive
- Lead magnet plugins - grow the supporter list between campaigns
- Run a live speed test - check the campaign page before you promote it
Where to get these
Direct links to the official plugin, theme and store pages for everything named above. Prices and plans are set by the vendor, and some links may earn us a commission.
Common questions
Does a thermometer increase donations?
It can provide social proof and a sense of momentum, but results vary. Test it honestly and always report accurate progress.
Should processing fees count toward the goal?
State whether the display uses gross gifts or net funds, then apply that method consistently for the whole campaign.
Can I update the total manually?
Yes, if you assign responsibility, record each change and reconcile against the payment records.
Fast WordPress editorial
Independent research edition · Published 10 September 2026. We update field guides when a plugin's documented capabilities change.
