Eventbrite vs Universe

Universe (2% + $0.79) 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 Universe costs $2.29.

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

Eventbrite and Universe 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

Universe

Universe is a self-service ticketing platform owned by Ticketmaster. Organizers sell through hosted event pages, an embeddable widget and the Universe discovery site, and a custom-priced Pro plan adds Ticketmaster distribution.

Fee per paid ticket
2% + $0.79plus card processing
When you're paid
After the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect
Best for
Organizers who want self-service ticketing with a route into Ticketmaster
Based in
Toronto, Canada, founded 2011

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 Universe 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.

Universe · 2% + $0.79$573

$348 platform fee + about $225 card processing.

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 Universe, feature by feature

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

FeatureEventbriteUniverseHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket3.7% + $1.792% + $0.791.25% + $0.60
Card processingCharged on topCharged on topCharged on top
Free eventsFreeFreeFree
When you're paidAfter the event by default, sent three business days after it endsAfter the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe ConnectAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorEventbrite Payment ProcessingUniverse Payments by default, or your own Stripe accountYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyers YesYes, except in eight European countries Yes
Your branding at checkoutCheckout colors and fonts onlyNot stated Yes
Embed checkout on your site Yes Yes Yes
Listed in a consumer marketplace Yes YesNo
Tickets work without an app or accountBuyers need an Eventbrite account to open tickets Yes Yes
QR check-in app YesYes, BoxOfficeYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seating YesNot statedNo
Recurring events and time slots Yes Yes Yes
Promo codes Yes Yes Yes
Waitlist Yes Yes Yes
Custom checkout questions Yes Yes Yes
API and webhooks YesGraphQL API and webhooksWebhooks
Official ticket resaleNoTicket transfers onlyNo
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.

Universe

Strengths

  • The service fee is capped per ticket in the US and UK
  • Choice of Universe Payments or your own Stripe account
  • Timed entry, waitlists, add-ons and custom questions on the entry plan
  • API, webhooks and an embeddable widget on every plan

Limitations

  • Funds are released 48 hours after the event on Universe Payments, then withdrawn on request
  • Fees vary a lot by country, and processing is charged on top
  • The built-in pass-fees-to-buyer option is missing in eight European countries
  • Pro plan pricing is not published

Starter plan rates. The Standard plan, which adds team permissions and payment plans, is 2.5% + $1.99 in the US and 5.5% + £0.99 in the UK. The service fee is capped at $19.95 or £9.95 a ticket; processing is not capped.

§ 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 Universe: common questions

Is Eventbrite cheaper than Universe?
Universe (2% + $0.79) 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 Universe costs $2.29. Card processing is charged on top by both.
Which pays out faster, Eventbrite or Universe?
Eventbrite: after the event by default, sent three business days after it ends. Universe: after the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect. In practice the two are similar.
Do Eventbrite and Universe promote events in a marketplace?
Yes, both do. Eventbrite and Universe 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 Universe?
Eventbrite: free. Universe: free.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Eventbrite and Universe?
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

Universe vs

See every comparison → · Eventbrite fees explained → · Universe 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 Universe.

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 Universe 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.