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We Share the Best Collection Pot Alternatives for Group Gifting

Photo of Tsvetelina Hinova
Tsvetelina Hinova
28 Feb 2025 7 min read
A Woman Receiving a Gift

If you’re looking for a simple, hassle-free way to collect money for group gifts, you should know that Collection Pot isn’t your only option. In fact, there are better, easier, and more enjoyable alternatives out there—like Thankbox! 

Group gifting should be a fun and stress-free experience, not something that leaves you pulling your hair out. No one likes chasing people for cash, dealing with clunky platforms, or worrying about whether everyone’s contributions have been accounted for. A straightforward solution not only makes the process smoother but also keeps the focus on celebrating the recipient. 

That’s why in this Thankbox guide, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ll break down five of the best, most user-friendly alternatives to Collection Pot, so you can find the perfect platform to make group gifting a breeze.

Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

What is Collection Pot?

Collection Pot is a digital platform (or pot!) for pooling money for group gifts. It makes contributions simple but can feel rigid when withdrawing and using the funds. Some users even feel like it lacks customisation or a true sense of connection.

The platform mainly suits one-off group collections, but it doesn’t always offer the personal touch you’d want when celebrating colleagues or loved ones. Many forget that a meaningful group gift isn’t just about money—it’s about the experience.

Collection Pot cards

And that’s why looking for alternatives that combine easy contributions with personalised messages, multimedia, and flexibility can make the recipient feel truly valued.

Top 5 Collection Pot alternatives

  1. Thankbox

  2. Collctiv

  3. Cheddar Up

  4. Givetastic

  5. Kudoboard

1. Thankbox 

For a unique group collection experience with a personal touch, Thankbox offers group cash collection alongside a customisable e-card where contributors can add messages, GIFs, and images. It’s ideal for those times when a plain money transfer just doesn’t cut it.

Thank you Thankbox sample 2

Thankbox makes gifting so much more exciting and flexible. Whether you're organising a digital gift card (from over 1,000 retailers), sending flowers and wine, or planning a team event, it’s got you covered. It’s an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution that makes cash collection easy and brings the fun of a personalised group card to life.

Key features 

  • Personalised group cards with cash collection: Unlike other platforms, which focus solely on money collection, Thankbox lets you create a beautiful group e-card alongside the contributions. This makes it ideal for occasions like farewells, work anniversaries, congratulations, or even just a thoughtful team appreciation gift. Contributors can leave personal messages, add GIFs, and even upload photos and videos, all while contributing to the fund. It’s a gift and a keepsake wrapped into one.

  • Easy message generation: For those times when you’re stuck on what to say, Thankbox’s card message generator helps you create an amazing message in seconds.

  • No hidden fees: Thankbox keeps it simple with no hidden charges for contributions, ensuring that every penny goes towards your cause or gift.

  • Easy-to-use: With Thankbox, you don’t have to worry about people getting confused by the process. Our platform is designed for users of all tech levels, making it super easy to create a group e-card and collect cash from contributors. Plus, participants don’t need to create an account to contribute.

  • Automated reminders: You can set reminders for birthdays or work anniversaries so that nobody is ever left out, and contributors know exactly when they need to contribute. 

  • Secure and transparent: Thankbox ensures that your contributions are safe and secure. You will also get transparency with a clear overview of the collected amount, making it easy to track progress and see how close you are to reaching your goal.

Pros 

  • Messages, GIFs, and videos make gifts more meaningful

  • Great for teams across different locations

  • Extensive customisation options

  • Fully digital, no paper waste, contributing to environmental sustainability

Cons

  • Sending flowers, wine and hampers is limited to those in the UK

2. Collctiv 

Collctiv is a group payment app that lets you collect money upfront from friends, family, or colleagues. By creating a 'pot' and sharing a custom payment link or QR code, contributors can pay using their digital wallets without needing to download an app or create an account.

Collctiv app

This makes group collections for gifts, events, or activities super smooth.

Collctiv is free to use for collecting and sending money between friends. When withdrawing funds, you can go for a 2% tip to support the platform's development, but this is entirely optional, giving you control over any extra costs.

Pros 

  • Simple setup of collection pots

  • Contributors don’t have to create an account

  • You get real-time tracking of your contributions

  • No mandatory charges

Cons 

  • Focuses on payments without features like messages or media.

  • Funds can take 2-3 working days to transfer.

3. Cheddar Up 

Cheddar Up is a versatile platform that makes group collections as smooth as melted cheese!

You can customise pages to collect payments and information, be it for membership fees, event registrations, fundraisers, or group gifts. You can also add descriptions, unlimited items, or form fields–share a link, and start receiving payments promptly.

Cheddar up platform

The platform also offers automatic tracking and reporting so you can easily manage all transactions. This provides a hassle-free experience to both organisers and contributors.

Pros 

  • Combines payment collection with custom forms and sign-ups

  • Easy setup with no account needed for contributors

  • Set up automatic, recurring payments for ongoing fees or subscriptions

  • Accept in-person payments through the mobile app and Bluetooth card reader

Cons 

  • Focuses more on payment collection than personalised messaging

  • Fees apply to each transaction, which can add up for large groups

Gift icon Upgrade Your Group Gifting with Thankbox!

Why settle for a basic cash collection when you can create something memorable? With Thankbox, add heartfelt messages, GIFs, and videos—all alongside gift contributions. Start your Thankbox today and make group gifting personal, easy, and fun!

4. Givetastic

Givetastic is a user-friendly platform that makes group gifting simple. It lets you create digital group cards and collect contributions for gifts, making it ideal for occasions like birthdays, farewells, or retirements. With a range of downloadable card designs and customisation options, Givetastic ensures a fantastic experience for both organisers and recipients.

Givetastic

Your recipients will be able to choose a gift from over 355 retail partners or just withdraw the funds directly into their bank account. This type of flexibility and convenience makes it a great choice for gifting colleagues.

Pros

  • Intuitive interface suitable for non-tech-savvy users

  • No cap on contributors, so you can have unlimited participants

  • No fees applied to contributions when purchasing gift vouchers

  • Multiple sending options for greater flexibility

Cons

  • Limited to digital cards and gift vouchers; physical gift options are not available

  • Bank withdrawals incur a 4.5% fee

  • Some options, such as bank withdrawals, are limited to the UK 

5. Kudoboard

Kudoboard is an online platform where you can create collaborative group cards for birthdays, work anniversaries, farewells, and many more. You can add messages, photos, GIFs, and videos to a shared board, creating a memorable and interactive experience for the recipient.

Kudoboard sample

It's particularly popular in workplace settings for employee recognition.

Pros

  • Highly customisable with multimedia support

  • Visually creative group cards

  • Great for both personal and professional use

  • Fun and collaborative experience for everyone involved

Cons

  • Cards can look cluttered if there are too many contributors

Why should you consider Collection Pot alternatives?

While Collection Pot gets the job done, it’s not always the best fit. If you want a more personal, flexible, or engaging experience, here’s why you might consider an alternative:

  • Greater personalisation – Many platforms, like Thankbox, let you add heartfelt messages, GIFs, and videos, making group gifts more than just cash.

  • Better flexibility – Some let the recipients withdraw funds however they like, rather than being restricted to certain retailers or vouchers.

  • Easier user experience – A smoother process makes it quicker for teams to contribute without tech headaches.

  • Lower or clearer fees – Alternatives come with transparent, cost-effective options.

Gift icon Upgrade Your Group Gifting with Thankbox!

Why settle for a basic cash collection when you can create something memorable? With Thankbox, add heartfelt messages, GIFs, and videos—all alongside gift contributions. Start your Thankbox today and make group gifting personal, easy, and fun!

Final thoughts

Finding the right Collection Pot alternative depends on what matters most to you. Is it ease, flexibility, or adding a personal touch?

Whatever it is, there’s a tool for every need. And if you’re after a seamless, heartfelt, and engaging group gifting experience, Thankbox is the standout choice. With Thankbox, you get more than just a collection pot—you create a memorable, digital group card that feels truly special. 

It’s quick to set up, works for any occasion, and ensures seamless contributions without tech headaches. Doesn’t matter if it’s a leaving gift, birthday, or work anniversary, you’ll be able to celebrate someone as a group, without the hassle of chasing people for money.

Make group gifting easy and unforgettable—create a Thankbox today!


Images: Cover


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