With the rise of digital ticketing and online events, organizers have many options when it comes to choosing a ticketing system. While traditional ticketing companies like Ticketmaster often charge high fees and commissions, new startups are emerging that provide no-fee or low-fee ticketing solutions.
What are the fees charged by major ticketing companies?
The major ticketing companies like Ticketmaster, AXS, and Eventbrite charge fees to both event organizers and ticket buyers. These fees can really add up and eat into profits for event hosts. Here’s a quick overview of the common fees charged:
- Service fees – This is a flat rate service fee added to each ticket, usually $5-15 per ticket.
- Order processing fees – On top of service fees, there is often an order processing fee per order, such as $5 per order.
- Delivery fees – If you choose print-at-home or mailing options, delivery fees apply, such as $5 for print-at-home or $15 for delivery by mail.
- Percentage-based fees – These ticketing companies also take a percentage cut of the ticket face value, ranging from 5-30%. The exact percentage varies by company.
There may also be fees for using additional features like customizable branding, promotions, or fundraising tools. Overall, it’s common for 20-30% of the ticket price to go to fees rather than the event organizer.
Breakdown of Fees by Major Ticketing Company
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the different fees charged by some of the major ticketing solutions:
Company | Service Fee | Order Processing Fee | Delivery Fee | Percentage of Face Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ticketmaster | $5-20 per ticket | $5 per order | $5 print-at-home $15 mail |
5-25% |
AXS | $8.50 per ticket | $5 per order | $4 print-at-home $14 mail |
7-20% |
Eventbrite | $3 per ticket | $1.99 per order | $3.49 print-at-home $8 mail |
2.5% + $0.99 per ticket |
No-fee and low-fee ticketing platforms
Luckily, not all ticketing platforms follow the high fee model. A new generation of no-fee and low-fee ticketing startups is emerging. These companies earn their revenue from monthly subscriptions, upgrades, or optional bolt-on services instead of per-ticket fees. Here are some of the popular no-fee and low-fee ticketing options:
No-Fee Ticketing Platforms
Company | Pricing Model |
---|---|
Brown Paper Tickets | Free to post events. Charges monthly subscription fees for upgrades like custom branding and promotions. |
Eventzilla | Free for events under 100 tickets. Larger events pay monthly subscriptions starting at $39/month. |
TicketSpice | Free account to get started. Paid subscriptions start at $9/month for more features. |
TicketTailor | Free account. Paid subscriptions start at $15/month. |
Low-Fee Ticketing Platforms
Company | Fees |
---|---|
Eventbrite | Waives standard fees for free events. 2.5% + $0.99 per paid ticket. |
TicketWeb | $0.99 – $1.99 per ticket. No percentage fees. |
SeatAdvisor | Around $2 per ticket sold online. No percentage fees. |
Key Considerations When Choosing a Ticketing System
The ticketing system you choose can have a big impact on your event budget and the attendee experience. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Your budget
Consider the size and revenue potential of your event. Is a free or low-cost system feasible, or do you need advanced features that come with a higher price tag? Make sure to factor in hidden fees too.
Features needed
Do you just need basic ticketing and attendance tracking? Or do you require add-ons like custom branding, promotions, virtual events, or fundraising integrations? Match features to your needs.
Ease of use
How simple and intuitive is the platform to use? Look for quick set-up, clear event and attendee management, flexible branding, and robust support.
Buyer experience
A seamless buying experience means more tickets sold. Prioritize mobile friendly design, fast checkout, and minimal steps from seating selection to payment.
Analytics and reporting
The ability to gather data and see reports on sales, demographics, marketing and more is invaluable. Make sure your platform provides the insights you need.
Top No-Fee Ticketing Platforms
Based on features, flexibility, support, and buyer experience, here are our top picks for no-fee ticketing platforms:
Brown Paper Tickets
Brown Paper Tickets is a favorite for the zero service fees it provides event organizers. It has an easy-to-use interface, great customer support, and the option for organizers to donate a portion of proceeds to charity. Downsides are the lack of fundraising tools or the ability to sell merchandise.
TicketSpice
TicketSpice combines free ticketing with robust event management tools like custom branding, email marketing and promotions, virtual events, and fundraising campaigns. It has flexible pricing from free to premium monthly plans. The focus on features beyond just ticketing makes TicketSpice a great option.
Eventzilla
For basic no-fee ticketing, Eventzilla delivers simplicity and great support. It covers event creation, promotion, ticketing, and management with reliable service. Upgrade pricing is also very reasonable. As an end-to-end solution, Eventzilla is easy to recommend.
Conclusion
Paying high fees to ticketing giants like Ticketmaster eats into tight event budgets. Savvy organizers should take advantage of no-fee and low-cost ticketing solutions from innovative startups. Services like Brown Paper Tickets, TicketSpice, and Eventzilla provide free or affordable ticketing without skimping on key features and support. Choosing the right ticketing platform allows you to boost profits, reinvest in your events, and deliver more value to attendees.