
Auctions | 11 August 2025
Proxy Bid vs Exact Bid: Differences, Similarities, and What You Should Know About Each
How you bid can change everything
8 minute read

You’ve got the date set, items lined up, and your auction page ready to go. However, one question still remains unanswered by the planning committee: how should people submit their bids? It may seem like a minor detail, but the distinction between proxy bidding (also known as automatic bidding or “bid for me,” where bids are placed automatically up to your maximum bid) and exact bidding can significantly impact how your event unfolds, the amount you raise, and the overall experience for your guests.
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or this is your first time organizing a fundraiser, getting this piece right matters. It’s one of those details that seems technical on the surface but really comes down to how people engage with your cause.
Understanding how bidding works isn’t just about bells and whistles. Your goal is to help people participate with less stress and more clarity. That’s where the difference between a proxy bid and an exact bid becomes more critical than most people realize.
Let’s break it down.
What is a proxy bid, and how does it work
If you've ever wished you could walk away from your phone and still stay in the running for something at an auction, you're describing the value of a proxy bid.
A proxy bid is essentially a "set-it-and-sit-back" method of bidding. You tell the system the maximum amount you're willing to pay, and it does the rest. Silent Auction Pro's platform automatically increases your bid only when someone else places one, and only by the minimum needed to stay ahead.
Let’s say you're bidding on a wine tasting experience and set your proxy bid at $200. If the current bid is $120, the system may place a bid of $130 on your behalf. If someone else bids $140, your bid will automatically jump to $150. This continues until your maximum is reached. If nobody outbids you, you will win that experience for your highest bid at the end of bidding, but no more than the $200 proxy bid you set. If someone else bids more, you’ll get a notification. You can then increase your max bid or walk away.
It’s a popular feature for mobile bidding, hybrid events, and multi-day auctions, where participants may not be constantly watching their phones or laptops. It’s also a time-saver for anyone with a short attention span or a packed schedule.
How proxy bidding helps raise more money
This part is simple. When more people stay in the bidding process longer, prices tend to increase. Proxy bidding increases that chance.
Instead of losing out because someone forgot to check their phone, a proxy bid keeps your supporters in the running. If two or more people set their maximums, the system will bid on their behalf until one of them hits their limit. That automatic back-and-forth often pushes final prices higher than what you’d get with only exact bids. In case you’re wondering, if two people set the same max bid, the system awards the WIN to the person who placed the max bid FIRST.
It also prevents awkward gaps. No more stalled items sitting at the starting price because everyone’s waiting to see who blinks first. Proxy bidding keeps things moving.
What is an exact bid, and when does it make sense
Exact bidding is just what it sounds like. You place a bid, and that’s the amount you’re offering. There’s no automatic increase or wiggle room. If someone bids higher, you’ll need to manually go back in and place a new bid if you still want the item.
It’s a good option for people who are price-conscious or want to feel like they’re in total control. Some bidders prefer to make a single offer and then walk away. Others like the thrill of jumping back in each time they’re outbid. Exact bidding supports both styles, as long as people are willing to stay alert.
Event organizers sometimes prefer exact bids when an auction is short, simple, or heavily attended in person. It can also work well if the bidding pool is small and you don’t expect a lot of back-and-forth competition.
Where exact bidding still has value
While proxy bids often bring in more money, exact bidding can still be a solid option for certain guests and situations.
Some people just like control. They want to enter $80 and know that’s all they’ll ever spend. No surprises, no automation. For casual bidders or cautious spenders, this feels safer and more familiar.
Exact bidding also works well in raffles, wine pulls, or single-bid games where there’s no expectation of back-and-forth. It may even be preferred by specific communities or supporter bases that are used to old-school auction styles.
The key is giving your audience enough information to make a choice they’re comfortable with. And making sure the tech supports either one.
The experience of proxy bid vs exact bid for guests
From the outside, both methods allow guests to place a bid and potentially win, but the actual experience is pretty different.
With a proxy bid, guests can set their preferences and walk away. They’ll receive a text if someone exceeds their maximum bid. The original bidder doesn’t need to take any action unless they want to raise their maximum. This reduces friction, especially for guests balancing food, conversation, and other activities.
Exact bidding requires more attention. The moment someone outbids you, your only option is to manually bid again. If you step away or forget to check your phone, you might miss your chance. That can feel frustrating or even unfair to guests who didn’t realize how quickly things could move.
For events that last several days or span multiple time zones, proxy bidding is typically the better choice. It’s more inclusive and easier on people’s schedules. However, if your event is happening live over just a few hours, exact bidding can still work well, especially if you’re looking to encourage energy and participation.
Using both methods in the same event
You don’t have to choose one or the other for all of your events. You can decide whether to enable proxy bidding at the event level, depending on your needs and goals.
For example, you might enable proxy bidding for high-value items such as vacation packages, sports memorabilia, consignment prizes, or VIP experiences. These are often the most competitive and benefit from automation.
Meanwhile, smaller items or one-off gift baskets might be better suited to exact bidding, especially if the goal is to keep things light and easy.
Silent Auction Pro allows you to enable proxy bidding at the event level for all items. The user can then decide whether to use it or not. You can even include a short explanation in the auction guide to help guests understand how their bids will be handled. Keep in mind that some auction types do not allow proxy bidding, so it might seem like you can turn this feature on and off for individual items, which is not the case.
Mistakes to avoid when choosing bidding types
One of the biggest missteps is failing to explain how bidding works. Guests who don’t understand the process are less likely to engage. Some might think their bid is final when, in fact, it’s not. Others may walk away too soon because they didn’t realize they were being outbid.
To prevent that, make sure your communication is clear. Whether it’s on your event landing page, in email reminders, or during your opening announcements, take a moment to explain the difference between proxy bidding and exact bidding.
Another mistake: switching methods halfway through. That can lead to confusion and frustration. Decide on your settings in advance, test them, and stick with them.
Finally, don’t overlook how the tech impacts perception. Glitches or delays during bidding can kill momentum. Use a platform like Silent Auction Pro, which is built specifically for fundraising events and designed to handle both bidding methods with ease.
The role of auction bidding software in guest satisfaction
Auction bidding can be frustrating if the tech doesn’t keep up. When platforms aren’t responsive or intuitive, people stop engaging. That’s why Silent Auction Pro places a strong emphasis on user experience.
Whether someone is bidding on their laptop at home or scrolling from their phone at a gala, the system handles proxy bid vs exact bid inputs with the same level of care. Bid updates are fast. Notifications are immediate. Check-out is seamless.
And because guests are guided through each step, from registration to receipt, they’re more likely to come back next time.
How Silent Auction Pro handles both bidding styles
Silent Auction Pro’s software supports both bidding options and gives organizers the tools to choose what works best for their audience. You can set up your auction items to accept proxy bids or exact bids for your entire event.
If you enable proxy bidding, guests can still place an exact bid if they want. They’ll also have the option to set a max and let the system handle the rest, which is the definition of a proxy bid. This adds flexibility, allowing bidders to engage in a manner that suits them best.
From the backend, Silent Auction Pro’s dashboard makes it easy to monitor which items are getting the most attention and how bidding is trending. You can customize alerts, adjust minimum bid increments, and even determine how much information guests can view about other bids.
It’s designed to keep things smooth and simple for both the team running the event and the people trying to support it.
The last word on proxy bid vs exact bid

If you’ve been wondering how to structure your auction for better results, focusing on the way your guests bid is a smart place to start. Understanding the difference between a proxy bid and an exact bid gives you the chance to shape a better guest experience and a more successful fundraiser.
Both methods have their strengths. Proxy bidding keeps people in the game longer, pushes up final prices, and works great for busy guests. Exact bidding gives participants more control and can work well in shorter, high-energy auctions.
Most importantly, your software should make both options simple to manage. Silent Auction Pro was built to do exactly that.
Ready to try it yourself?
Choosing how guests bid is just one piece of the puzzle. Silent Auction Pro gives you the tools to handle check-in, ticketing, donor tracking, item management, communications, and more with one clean, easy-to-use platform.
Set up a free demo and see how everything works together to support your next big event. You don’t need to be a tech expert to run a professional-grade auction. You just need the right support team. We’ve got you covered.
Becca Wallace | President
Getting a grass roots upbringing in charity events and auctions, Becca's background in volunteering helps her understand the needs of everyday and seasoned professional event planners alike. Her passion for using technology to make things easier drives her UI | UX design aesthetic to continually refine Silent Auction Pro. With 15 years of event planning experience and almost 10 years of software and user expereince design behind her, Becca works tirelessly to advance Silent Auction Pro to be simple, sophisticated and user-friendly. Learn more about Becca here.