It depends on the ticket price. Universe (2% + $0.79) is cheaper on lower-priced tickets and Hi.Events (1.25% + $0.60) is cheaper from around $15. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Hi.Events costs $2.15 and Universe costs $2.29.
Fees and features from each platform's public pricing pages, checked September 2026.
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.
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.
The all-in cost of selling 250 tickets at $30 each: platform fee plus card processing. Move the sliders to match your event.
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.
Where the two differ, and where they don't.
| Feature | Hi.Events | Universe |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee per paid ticket | 1.25% + $0.60 | 2% + $0.79 |
| Card processing | Charged on top | Charged on top |
| Free events | Free | Free |
| When you're paid | As tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule | After the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect |
| Payment processor | Your own Stripe account | Universe Payments by default, or your own Stripe account |
| Pass fees on to buyers | Yes | Yes, except in eight European countries |
| Your branding at checkout | Yes | Not stated |
| Embed checkout on your site | Yes | Yes |
| Listed in a consumer marketplace | No | Yes |
| Tickets work without an app or account | Yes | Yes |
| QR check-in app | Yes, in any phone browser | Yes, BoxOffice |
| Reserved seating | No | Not stated |
| Recurring events and time slots | Yes | Yes |
| Promo codes | Yes | Yes |
| Waitlist | Yes | Yes |
| Custom checkout questions | Yes | Yes |
| API and webhooks | Webhooks | GraphQL API and webhooks |
| Official ticket resale | No | Ticket transfers only |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Can be self-hosted | Yes | No |
The same fee for every organizer, with no monthly fee or contract. Self-hosting has no platform fee.
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.
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 →you want a capped service fee on expensive tickets, timed entry, or a path onto Ticketmaster later.
Switching from Universe to Hi.Events →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 Universe.
Create your next event on Hi.Events and share the link. No credit card, no sales call, nothing to move until you're ready.
Free events cost nothing. Paid tickets are 1.25% + $0.60, with no monthly fee and no contract — see the full pricing.