Eventbrite vs Zeffy

Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) 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 Zeffy costs $0.00.

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

Eventbrite and Zeffy 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

Zeffy

Zeffy is a fundraising platform for nonprofits that includes event ticketing alongside donations, raffles, auctions and memberships. It charges no platform or card processing fees and is funded by an optional contribution that buyers can add at checkout. Only registered nonprofits can use it.

Fee per paid ticket
0%, nonprofits onlyincludes card processing
When you're paid
Weekly by default, after a fraud review of one to three business days
Best for
Registered nonprofits and charities running fundraising events
Based in
Montréal, Canada

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 Zeffy 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.

Zeffy · 0%, nonprofits only$0

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 Zeffy, feature by feature

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

FeatureEventbriteZeffyHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket3.7% + $1.790%, nonprofits only1.25% + $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 endsWeekly by default, after a fraud review of one to three business daysAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorEventbrite Payment ProcessingZeffy, through StripeYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyers YesNo fees to pass on; buyers see an optional tip Yes
Your branding at checkoutCheckout colors and fonts onlyYour logo and colors on forms Yes
Embed checkout on your site Yes Yes Yes
Listed in a consumer marketplace YesNot statedNo
Tickets work without an app or accountBuyers need an Eventbrite account to open tickets Yes Yes
QR check-in app YesYes, in any phone browserYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seating YesNoNo
Recurring events and time slots Yes Yes Yes
Promo codes Yes Yes Yes
Waitlist YesNo Yes
Custom checkout questions Yes Yes Yes
API and webhooks YesRead-only APIWebhooks
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.

Zeffy

Strengths

  • No platform or card processing fees for the organization
  • Ticketing sits next to donations, raffles, auctions and tax receipts
  • Multi-date events, discount codes and custom questions included
  • Weekly payouts by default

Limitations

  • Nonprofits only, in six countries
  • Buyers are asked for a contribution to Zeffy that you cannot remove
  • No waitlist or reserved seating
  • The API is read-only

Zeffy is funded by an optional contribution shown to each buyer at checkout. The buyer can set it to zero, but the organization cannot remove or change the suggested amounts. Businesses and individuals cannot use Zeffy.

§ 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 Zeffy: common questions

Is Eventbrite cheaper than Zeffy?
Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) 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 Zeffy costs $0.00. Zeffy'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 Zeffy?
Eventbrite: after the event by default, sent three business days after it ends. Zeffy: weekly by default, after a fraud review of one to three business days. Zeffy gets money to you sooner, which matters if you have deposits or suppliers to pay before the event.
Do Eventbrite and Zeffy promote events in a marketplace?
Eventbrite lists events in its own consumer marketplace, which can bring you buyers you would not otherwise reach. Zeffy does not, so you bring your own audience.
Are free events free on Eventbrite and Zeffy?
Eventbrite: free. Zeffy: free.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Eventbrite and Zeffy?
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

Zeffy vs

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

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 Zeffy 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.