You’re selling a ticket for your event at $25 dollars each. You sold 100 tickets. The amount you have to pay to Eventbrite is already $250. That is almost 10% of your revenue going to Eventbrite. That fee does not include the payment transaction fees you must also pay to process payments. Imagine if you have a higher ticket price or you sold more tickets. No wonder, event planners are trying to look for cheaper alternatives to Eventbrite.
Article Outline
Understanding Eventbrite Pricing
Eventbrite is known for its ticket-selling features. Think of it as an online marketplace for all kinds of events. There are reviews on how even ticket buyers are complaining about the high fees of Eventbrite. In fact, a customer shared their experience of Eventbrite collecting up to $7000 in fees from a customer.
This section will discuss all the concerns and questions customers have with Eventbrite.
Does Eventbrite cost money?
Yes, Eventbrite charges fees for paid events. Creating and managing events on Eventbrite is free, but fees apply when selling tickets. You can only create free events if you are planning to sell tickets below 25. If you’re selling more than 25 tickets, you have to choose from one of their pricing options.
How much does Eventbrite charge?
1. Eventbrite Fee structure breakdown
There are two options for event planners using Eventbrite – Flex and Pro option.
The Flex option allows event planners to pre-purchase and pay based on the amount of tickets they will offer. Flex Plan Pricing starts at:
- $9 per event (Up to 100 tickets)
- $24 per event (Up to 100 tickets)
- $49 per event (unlimited tickets).
There is also a payment processing fee, which is usually around 2.9% of the ticket price for U.S. customers. This fee is added on top of the service fee. Also, customer support is only available on the Pro plan, so if you want to have support when you encounter unexpected problems, the Flex plan may not be appropriate.
The Pro option is for recurring or unlimited events. Pricing for this option is through a monthly subscription. Pricing for Eventbrite Pro users starts at:
- $29 per month or $278 per year with unlimited events of up to 100 tickets each
- $79 per month or $758 per year with unlimited events of up to 250 tickets each
- $159 per month or $1,526 per year with unlimited tickets
2. Hidden costs to consider
In addition to the visible fees, there may be hidden costs, such as currency conversion fees, if you’re selling tickets in multiple currencies, or taxes that Eventbrite automatically collects and remits on your behalf.
Event organizers should be aware of these potential extra charges, which can add up and affect the overall budget for the event. It’s important to review the fee structure carefully and factor these costs into your pricing strategy to ensure profitability.
10 Cheaper Alternatives to Eventbrite
Event Smart
If your event is not hosted on WordPress, you can use Event Smart. It is a hosted solution of Event Espresso that does not require you to build your own website from scratch. You can get all the features you need from Event Espresso too. Moreover, with Event Smart, hosting free events comes with no ticket limits, unlike Eventbrite, which restricts free events to 25 tickets. They are one of the most affordable event ticketing system available.
Event Smart Pricing: Free tickets are free. $20-$200/mo, $0 commission fees.
Event Espresso
Event Espresso is a comprehensive event management plugin for WordPress that offers powerful tools for managing events of all sizes. When it comes to creating events, it is still best to host it on your own website so you can have full control.
Unlike many other platforms, Event Espresso allows you to fully control your event registration, ticketing, and payment processing. One of its standout features is its customizability, which gives you the flexibility to tailor the registration process to your specific needs. Additionally, since it’s a self-hosted solution, you don’t have to worry about per-ticket fees, making it a cost-effective alternative to Eventbrite.
Event Espresso Pricing: $79/year, no commission fees on an unlimited number of tickets sold.
Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor is a straightforward and budget-friendly ticketing platform that charges a flat monthly fee instead of per-ticket fees, making it a popular choice for smaller events. While it’s cheaper than Eventbrite, it lacks some of the advanced features and integrations that Event Espresso and Event Smart offer.
Ticket Tailor Pricing: 0.60 per ticket + VAT
Eventzilla
Eventzilla is another ticket registration platform that charges a ticket commission fee per paid ticket. With a per-ticket commission fee, the total cost of using the platform increases as you sell more tickets. This can make it difficult to predict the final cost of hosting an event, especially for events with fluctuating attendance.
Eventzilla Pricing: $1.50 per ticket; 1.45% + $0.75 per ticket (with more advanced features)
TicketSpice
TicketSpice offers competitive pricing with low per-ticket fees and a focus on customization. It’s a great option for event organizers who need more control over their ticketing process.
TicketSpice Pricing: flat 99¢ fee per ticket plus basic credit card processing rates of 2.9% + 30¢.
TicketLeap
The platform promotes itself as a solution for event organizers who want to avoid high fees, offering a simple fee structure with no contracts or commitments. However, using their platform can still be costly especially for high ticket and large events.
TicketLeap Pricing: $1 + 2% of the ticket price, plus 3% on the order for credit card processing.
ThunderTix
ThunderTix promotes itself as a comprehensive, flat-rate event ticketing software tailored for venues and event organizers looking for a powerful yet cost-effective solution. It emphasizes its no-commission fee model, which is attractive to those who prefer not to pay per-ticket fees. Instead, they charge a flat per ticket fee.
ThunderTix Pricing:
- $20/mo BUT limited to 20 tickets only + $1 fee per ticket
- $25/mo BUT limited to 20 tickets only, with reserved seating + $1.25 per ticket
- $175/mo BUT limited to 100 tickets only + $1.75 per ticket
RegFox
RegFox positions itself as a highly customizable and cost-effective event registration platform. Unlike many competitors, RegFox charges a flat fee per registration, which can be particularly advantageous for event organizers looking to maintain control over their event costs.
However, compared to Event Espresso and Event Smart, RegFox is more expensive because of it’s per-ticket fees. Additionally, hosting your own event site via WordPress means you have better control and ownership over your platform.
RegFox Pricing: Flat 99¢ + 1% fee per paid registrant. Fees are capped at $4.99 per registrant.
RSVPify
RSVPify markets itself as a premium event management and RSVP platform focused on providing a sleek, customizable experience for event organizers. The platform is particularly popular for weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
RSVPify Pricing: $39/mo for professional events + $.90 per ticket, item or donation + 1.95% or choose to pass all fees along to the customer
Universe
Universe claims to be a comprehensive platform that combines ticketing with powerful marketing tools. It emphasizes its ease of use, social media integration, and customizable event pages.
Universe Pricing: 2.5% + $0.99 per ticket + 3% Payment Processing Fee per transaction
Table Comparing 10 Cheaper Alternatives to Eventbrite
We created a scenario of when you sell 200 tickets at $50 each. Based on the fees per ticketing solution, these are the estimated fees you have to pay:
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Event
There are different factors that determine your choice of an event ticketing platform. To help you with your choice, go back to your goal and evaluate what type of platform will help you reach your event objectives. If your event’s goal is to hit a revenue goal, you have to check your platform fees and the potential additional fees with the projected number of your ticket sales.
Here are the top things to consider:
- Pricing and Fees
- Ease of Use
- Integration Capabilities
- Support and Customer Service
- Scalability
- Ticketing Features
- Security
- Reviews and Ratings
Why Event Espresso is the ideal choice for many organizers
When you create your events, it is best if you have your own website via WordPress. Event Espresso is a WordPress event registration platform that allows you to accept event registrations, accept secure payment confirmations, customize your registration form and page, and more.
Moreover, it supports various payment gateways, allowing for secure transactions globally. For organizers, this means a seamless integration into your existing WordPress site, avoiding the limitations of third-party platforms and ensuring a branded experience from start to finish.
Free Event Ticketing System Option: Event Smart
If you don’t have a WordPress site or don’t want to build an event website from scratch, Event Smart is the sister platform of Event Espresso that offers all the features. Compared to other event registration platforms, selling free tickets is completely free with Event Smart. You can plan unlimited tickets and even download registration details for free.
Maximize your Ticket Revenue with your Ticketing System
Avoid the unnecessary high Eventbrite service fee. If you’re an event organizer looking for a more affordable option, Event Espresso and Event Smart are the best choices for an event ticketing system. Whether you’re creating free or paid tickets, you can customize your process hassle-free with these platforms.
With just a simple flat, monthly fee, you don’t have to worry about ticketing fees, service fees, or other unnecessary expenses. Check out the free live demo or try the 14-day free trial for your events now.