| Features |
| Core Architecture & Philosophy |
AuctionMethod is an end-to-end, cloud-native SaaS platform developed by auction industry professionals to support live, online, and hybrid events. |
Auction Flex has historically been optimized for live auction management through its on-premise software and HiBid marketplace integration. |
| Primary Goal |
AuctionMethod focuses on giving modern auctioneers greater financial control, brand ownership, and integration flexibility. |
Auction Flex continues to reflect traditional auction methodologies centered around live auction operations. |
| Deployment Model |
AuctionMethod is fully hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) with browser-based access and a dedicated mobile app for cataloging and checkout. The cloud infrastructure eliminates the need for local servers and has maintained 99.99% uptime in 2024 and 2025. A public status page provides real-time service updates. |
Auction Flex is primarily a desktop Windows application designed for back-office and live auction functions. Auction Flex 360, the company’s newer cloud offering, operates on its own servers and integrates with HiBid for browser-based access on desktop and mobile devices. |
| Operational Resilience |
AuctionMethod depends on internet access for synchronization but has maintained near-continuous uptime based on AWS redundancy. |
Auction Flex can function offline on a local network, supporting clerking and cataloging even without external connectivity. |
| Mobile Functionality |
AuctionMethod provides the Auctioneer Toolbox mobile app, enabling cataloging, photo capture, pickups, and signatures. Buyers experience a consistent interface across desktop and mobile. |
Auction Flex Mobile allows cataloging and clerking on phones and tablets and supports RF modem hardware for long-range clerking. |
| Supported Auction Formats |
AuctionMethod supports a broad range of formats including timed online, simulcast, live, fixed-price sales, buy-now, and blind bidding. |
Auction Flex specializes in live auction processes while also supporting absentee, internet-only, and webcast auctions. |
| Branding & Bidding Platform |
AuctionMethod provides full white-label capability on your own domain or subdomain with your logo, colors, and navigation. Auctions are not displayed in a public marketplace, ensuring full control of bidder relationships. The “Powered by AuctionMethod” footer is removable through an optional add-on. |
Auction Flex builds private-label sites that link directly to HiBid pages for active and past auctions. These same events appear within the HiBid marketplace alongside thousands of other sellers, which can expand reach but shares visibility with competitors. |
| Integration Capabilities |
AuctionMethod integrates with your existing tech stack. APIs and webhooks connect the platform to your payment gateways, email marketing platform, CRM, shipping software, and business intelligence solutions. Need an integration that’s not on the list? The AuctionMethod dev team can help. |
Auction Flex specializes in live auction processes while also supporting absentee, internet-only, and webcast auctions. |
| Financial Model |
AuctionMethod operates as a subscription-based, zero-commission platform. Users retain 100% of the hammer price and only pay standard payment processor fees. Plans range from approximately $100 per month for Launch Builder to $1,350 per month for enterprise solutions, with unlimited auctions, lots, photos, and revenue. |
Auction Flex 360 follows a per-user rental model, publicly listed from around $95 per month for one user to $295 per month for unlimited users.A separate usage-based fee applies to online transactions, typically 2% of gross merchandise value (GMV), along with variable bidding fees. HiBid fees are billed separately. |
| Data Ownership & Reliability |
AuctionMethod is a cloud platform where all bidder, consignor, and auction data remains under the customer’s ownership and is fully exportable for backup or analysis. The platform employs data encryption, redundant hosting, and public uptime monitoring. |
Public reviews on G2 and SaaSworthy show limited data for Auction Flex. The single verified G2 review as of 2025 reports a negative experience with data restoration on Auction Flex 360. SaaSworthy assigns a mid-80s score but notes its small sample size, indicating limited user feedback on reliability compared with AuctionMethod’s public uptime transparency. |
| Back-Office Tools |
AuctionMethod includes tools for auction setup, lot entry (web, mobile, CSV), bidder registration, invoicing, payments, consignor splits, and reporting with built-in analytics. |
Auction Flex offers a complete administrative suite with cataloging, clerking, cashiering, accounting, mailing list management, inventory, and consignor management. |
| Trial Offer |
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Auction Flex 360 offers a 30-day free trial limited to one user and not integrated with HiBid. |
| Third-Party Ratings & Trust Signals |
As of 2025, Capterra rates AuctionMethod 4.9 out of 5 across 33 verified reviews, with 97 percent positive sentiment and 10 out of 10 likelihood to recommend. SourceForge lists AuctionMethod at 4.9 out of 5 from 41 reviews, with high scores for features and support. The platform appears on multiple software directory “best of” shortlists. |
For Auction Flex, SaaSworthy shows an overall score in the mid-80s based on a small dataset. G2 lists one verified review (0 out of 5). SoftwareSuggest currently lists the product with no posted reviews. Vendor testimonials on HiBid and Auction Flex’s own site are positive but not independently verified. |
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