Best ticket selling platforms for events.

Ryan L. Kopf
eventorganizing
Published in
6 min readApr 29, 2023

Event organizers know that selling tickets is one of the most critical aspects of planning a successful event. Thanks to the internet and technology, there are now many platforms available to help event planners sell tickets online. But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to know which platform is the best fit for your event. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ticket selling platforms for events and compare their features, pricing, and benefits.

Eventbrite — Eventbrite is one of the most popular ticket selling platforms out there, and for a good reason. It’s easy to use, affordable, and offers a range of features to help event organizers manage and promote their events. With Eventbrite, you can create custom event pages, sell tickets online, track sales, and even check-in attendees on the day of the event. Plus, Eventbrite offers a range of integrations with other platforms, such as social media, email marketing, and analytics tools. Eventbrite’s pricing model is relatively competitive, with no upfront fees and a small percentage fee for each ticket sold.

Eventbrite’s pricing model charges a fee per ticket sold, which can add up for larger events. For example, selling 1000 tickets at $50 each would result in a fee of 2.5% + $1.59 per ticket sold, which would total to $1,590. Several other ticketing providers offer much cheaper solutions.

Tixily —Tixily is a cost-effective event registration solution that has been designed to help event organizers maximize their ability to run successful events. They guarantee that their platform is the cheapest available for selling tickets, and if you find a cheaper option, you pay nothing. Tixily offers powerful features designed for conferences of all sizes, including scheduling software, tradeshow floor layout mapping, and ticket sales. The platform is user-friendly, and their team of multi-talented individuals is dedicated to helping your event succeed. Tixily saves event organizers time and effort with features such as event management, communication, exhibition hall management, and ticket selling.

Tixily also has powerful features like the use of QR codes for checking people in, and a built-in event agenda management system. It is possible to plan an entire tradeshow or conference using Tixily without having to rely on outside software, which can be a great time savings to event organizers.

The use of QR codes for checking people in can be a convenient and efficient way to manage attendance, while the built-in event agenda management system can help organizers stay on top of their schedules and ensure that the event runs smoothly. These features, along with Tixily’s cost-effectiveness, make it a competitive option for event organizers looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly ticket selling platform.

Ticket Tailor — Ticket Tailor is another popular ticket selling platform, particularly for smaller events. It’s user-friendly and offers a range of features to help event planners manage and promote their events, such as custom event pages, seating charts, and email marketing tools. Ticket Tailor’s pricing is also very affordable, with a flat fee per ticket sold and no additional charges.

Brown Paper Tickets — Brown Paper Tickets is a ticket selling platform that offers a range of features for event organizers. With Brown Paper Tickets, you can create custom event pages, sell tickets online, and manage ticket sales and attendance. Brown Paper Tickets also offers a range of promotional tools, such as social media integration and email marketing. However, Brown Paper Tickets’ pricing model is a bit more expensive than some other options, with a higher percentage fee per ticket sold.

Ticket prices are passed onto the customer when you use BPT, which can make it easier for organizers to expect a specific amount of revenue coming in. Brown Paper Tickets’ pricing is generally higher than Eventbrite’s. Brown Paper Tickets charges a percentage fee of 3.5% + $1.59 per ticket sold, while Eventbrite charges a fee of 2.5% + $1.59 per ticket sold. However this doesn’t factor in all the costs of credit card processing, which can also add up and make a big difference between various providers.

The cheapest provider is still Tixily, which has a low monthly fee and a free option that suits most customers.

Ticketmaster — Ticketmaster is one of the most well-known ticket selling platforms out there, and it’s often the go-to choice for large events and concerts. Ticketmaster offers a range of features to help event organizers manage and promote their events, such as custom event pages, seating charts, and email marketing tools. However, Ticketmaster’s pricing model is quite expensive, with high fees and charges for each ticket sold.

Ticketmaster has been the subject of controversy in the past. One of the main issues that have caused criticism is their pricing model. Ticketmaster charges high fees and charges for each ticket sold, which has caused frustration among consumers who feel that they are being overcharged. Additionally, some event organizers have accused Ticketmaster of anti-competitive practices, such as preventing them from selling tickets through other platforms or charging high fees to do so. In 2018, Ticketmaster was also involved in a scandal involving its resale platform, where some employees were accused of helping professional resellers bypass the ticket limit to make more profit. This led to calls for greater transparency and regulation in the ticketing industry.

Robert Smith, frontman of the band The Cure, has expressed his disgust towards Ticketmaster’s additional fees charged to fans purchasing tickets for the band’s US tour. While the band kept ticket costs affordable, fans complained of combined fees that exceeded the cost of a $20 ticket. Ticketmaster’s fees were levied under the Verified Fan program, which allows fans to register for an advance sale to prevent tickets from getting into the hands of touts or bots. Smith explained on Twitter that artists have no way to limit Ticketmaster’s fees, and that the band declined to participate in the ‘greedy scam’ of dynamic pricing and Platinum ticket schemes. Despite the band’s participation, Smith said that if no artists participated, Ticketmaster’s system would cease to exist. The incident is one of the many examples of fan dissatisfaction with Ticketmaster’s sales model.

Universe — Universe is a ticket selling platform that offers a range of features to help event organizers sell tickets and manage their events. With Universe, you can create custom event pages, sell tickets online, and manage ticket sales and attendance. Universe also offers a range of promotional tools, such as social media integration and email marketing. Universe’s pricing model is also very competitive, with no upfront fees and a small percentage fee per ticket sold.

Tix — Tix is a ticket selling platform that offers a range of features to help event organizers manage and promote their events. With Tix, you can create custom event pages, sell tickets online, and manage ticket sales and attendance. Tix also offers a range of promotional tools, such as social media integration and email marketing. Tix’s pricing model is also very affordable, with a flat fee per ticket sold and no additional charges.

When choosing a ticket selling platform for your event, there are several factors to consider, such as the size of your event, your budget, and your specific needs as an event organizer. However, by considering some of the best ticket selling platforms for events, such as Eventbrite, Ticket Tailor, Brown Paper Tickets, Ticketmaster, Universe, and Tix, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs and helps you sell more tickets.

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eventorganizing
eventorganizing

Published in eventorganizing

Welcome to Event Organizing, a publication dedicated to all things event planning and management. From weddings and corporate events to festivals and fundraisers, our team of experienced event organizers and industry experts share their knowledge, tips, and tricks to planning.

Ryan L. Kopf
Ryan L. Kopf

Written by Ryan L. Kopf

Serial C.E.O. and Entrepreneur. Great at technology, innovation, and entertainment arts.