Eventbrite vs TicketSource

TicketSource (3.5% + $0.99) is cheaper than Eventbrite (3.7% + $1.79) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Eventbrite costs $3.77 and TicketSource costs $2.04.

Fees and features from each platform's public pricing pages, checked September 2026.

Eventbrite and TicketSource at a glance

Eventbrite

Eventbrite is a self-service ticketing platform joined to a large consumer event marketplace and app. Organizers of every size use it for classes, community events, music and conferences. Ticket money is collected by Eventbrite and paid out to the organizer, by default after the event.

Fee per paid ticket
3.7% + $1.79plus card processing
When you're paid
After the event by default, sent three business days after it ends
Best for
Organizers who want exposure on a large event discovery marketplace
Based in
San Francisco, USA, founded 2006

TicketSource

TicketSource is a UK box office platform that started with amateur theatre and now covers community, school, charity, arts and sports events. There is no subscription: a booking fee applies only to online sales of paid tickets, and it includes a seating plan designer.

Fee per paid ticket
3.5% + $0.99includes card processing
When you're paid
After the event, sent the following Monday; as tickets sell with your own Stripe account
Best for
Community theatre, schools, charities and venues that need reserved seating
Based in
Penarth, Wales, founded 2004

Hi.Events

Also worth a look

Hi.Events is an open-source ticketing platform with a hosted cloud version. Organizers sell from their own branded event pages or an embedded widget, and card payments settle straight into their own Stripe account as tickets sell.

Fee per paid ticket
1.25% + $0.60plus card processing
When you're paid
As tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Best for
Organizers who want low published fees, their own branding and their money as tickets sell
Based in
Ireland
Start selling for free
§ 01 · Fees

What Eventbrite and TicketSource cost

The all-in cost of selling 250 tickets at $30 each: platform fee plus card processing. Move the sliders to match your event.

Ticket price$30
Tickets sold250
Eventbrite · 3.7% + $1.79$943

$725 platform fee + about $218 card processing.

TicketSource · 3.5% + $0.99$510

Card processing is included in the fee.

Hi.Events · 1.25% + $0.60$536

$244 platform fee + about $292 card processing.

Illustrative, from each platform's published standard rate. Where a platform charges card processing on top, we add its own stated rate or a standard 2.9% + $0.30 per ticket, so every total is like for like. Your actual card rate depends on your processor and the cards your buyers use.

§ 02 · Features

Eventbrite vs TicketSource, feature by feature

Where the two differ, and where they don't.

FeatureEventbriteTicketSourceHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket3.7% + $1.793.5% + $0.991.25% + $0.60
Card processingCharged on topIncluded in the feeCharged on top
Free eventsFreeFreeFree
When you're paidAfter the event by default, sent three business days after it endsAfter the event, sent the following Monday; as tickets sell with your own Stripe accountAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorEventbrite Payment ProcessingTicketSource, or your own Stripe accountYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyers Yes Yes Yes
Your branding at checkoutCheckout colors and fonts onlyNot stated Yes
Embed checkout on your site Yes Yes Yes
Listed in a consumer marketplace YesWhat's On listingsNo
Tickets work without an app or accountBuyers need an Eventbrite account to open ticketsNot stated Yes
QR check-in app Yes YesYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seating Yes YesNo
Recurring events and time slots YesNot stated Yes
Promo codes YesNot stated Yes
Waitlist Yes Yes Yes
Custom checkout questions YesNot stated Yes
API and webhooks YesAPIWebhooks
Official ticket resaleNoNot statedNo
Open sourceNoNo Yes
Can be self-hostedNoNo Yes
§ 03 · Trade-offs

Strengths and limitations

Eventbrite

Strengths

  • Large consumer marketplace and app that can bring new buyers
  • Free for free events
  • Broad feature set, including reserved seating and timed entry
  • Public API, webhooks and a free organizer check-in app

Limitations

  • Payouts arrive after the event by default
  • Among the higher published fees, with 2.9% processing added in the US
  • Buyers need an Eventbrite account to access their tickets
  • Eventbrite collects the money, not your own payment account

Euro rates vary by country: Ireland is 5.9% + €0.79, Germany 5.5% + €0.99 and France 3.5% + €0.49. Buyers pay the fees by default and organizers can absorb them instead.

TicketSource

Strengths

  • No fees for free events or in-person bookings
  • Seating plan designer shared by online and box office sales
  • Lower fee and earlier payouts if you connect your own Stripe account
  • Discounted fee for registered charities

Limitations

  • Payouts arrive after the event unless you connect Stripe
  • A percentage fee gets expensive on higher-priced tickets
  • The payout bank account must be in the same territory as the account

Registered charities get a discount. Fees apply to online bookings only; in-person bookings recorded in the dashboard are free.

§ 04 · Verdict

Which should you choose?

Choose Hi.Events if

you want a low published fee, your own branding at checkout and card payments in your own Stripe account as tickets sell.

Start selling for free →
§ 05 · FAQ

Eventbrite vs TicketSource: common questions

Is Eventbrite cheaper than TicketSource?
TicketSource (3.5% + $0.99) is cheaper than Eventbrite (3.7% + $1.79) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Eventbrite costs $3.77 and TicketSource costs $2.04. TicketSource's published fee includes card processing and Eventbrite's does not, so the figures above add card processing to Eventbrite to keep the comparison like for like.
Which pays out faster, Eventbrite or TicketSource?
Eventbrite: after the event by default, sent three business days after it ends. TicketSource: after the event, sent the following Monday; as tickets sell with your own Stripe account. In practice the two are similar.
Do Eventbrite and TicketSource promote events in a marketplace?
Yes, both do. Eventbrite and TicketSource each list events in their own consumer marketplace, which can bring you buyers you would not otherwise reach. The trade-off is that your event sits next to other organizers' events.
Are free events free on Eventbrite and TicketSource?
Eventbrite: free. TicketSource: free.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Eventbrite and TicketSource?
Hi.Events charges 1.25% + $0.60 per paid ticket, the same for every organizer, with no monthly fee. On a $30 ticket that is $2.15 including Stripe's card processing. Card payments settle into your own Stripe account as tickets sell, and free events are free. It has no consumer marketplace, so it suits organizers who bring their own audience.See pricing →
§ 06 · More comparisons

Compare with something else

Eventbrite vs

TicketSource vs

See every comparison → · Eventbrite fees explained → · TicketSource fees explained →

Sources and corrections

Every figure on this page comes from the platform's own pricing and help pages, checked September 2026. Platforms change their pricing, so confirm with the vendor before you decide. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will fix it. Product names are trademarks of their owners; Hi.Events is not affiliated with Eventbrite or TicketSource.

Or skip both

Hi.Events gives you a low published fee, your own branding and your money as tickets sell. Create an event and see how it compares with Eventbrite and TicketSource for yourself.

Get started free

Free events cost nothing. Paid tickets are 1.25% + $0.60, with no monthly fee and no contract — see the full pricing.