TicketSource vs Zeffy

Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) is cheaper than TicketSource (3.5% + $0.99) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, TicketSource costs $2.04 and Zeffy costs $0.00.

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

TicketSource and Zeffy at a glance

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

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 TicketSource 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
TicketSource · 3.5% + $0.99$510

Card processing is included in the fee.

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

TicketSource vs Zeffy, feature by feature

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

FeatureTicketSourceZeffyHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket3.5% + $0.990%, nonprofits only1.25% + $0.60
Card processingIncluded in the feeIncluded in the feeCharged on top
Free eventsFreeFreeFree
When you're paidAfter the event, sent the following Monday; as tickets sell with your own Stripe accountWeekly by default, after a fraud review of one to three business daysAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorTicketSource, or your own Stripe accountZeffy, through StripeYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyers YesNo fees to pass on; buyers see an optional tip Yes
Your branding at checkoutNot statedYour logo and colors on forms Yes
Embed checkout on your site Yes Yes Yes
Listed in a consumer marketplaceWhat's On listingsNot statedNo
Tickets work without an app or accountNot stated Yes Yes
QR check-in app YesYes, in any phone browserYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seating YesNoNo
Recurring events and time slotsNot stated Yes Yes
Promo codesNot stated Yes Yes
Waitlist YesNo Yes
Custom checkout questionsNot stated Yes Yes
API and webhooksAPIRead-only APIWebhooks
Official ticket resaleNot statedNot statedNo
Open sourceNoNo Yes
Can be self-hostedNoNo Yes
§ 03 · Trade-offs

Strengths and limitations

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.

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

TicketSource vs Zeffy: common questions

Is TicketSource cheaper than Zeffy?
Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) is cheaper than TicketSource (3.5% + $0.99) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, TicketSource costs $2.04 and Zeffy costs $0.00. Both fees include card processing.
Which pays out faster, TicketSource or Zeffy?
TicketSource: after the event, sent the following Monday; as tickets sell with your own Stripe account. 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 TicketSource and Zeffy promote events in a marketplace?
TicketSource 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 TicketSource and Zeffy?
TicketSource: free. Zeffy: free.
Is there a cheaper alternative to TicketSource 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

TicketSource vs

Zeffy vs

See every comparison → · TicketSource 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 TicketSource 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 TicketSource 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.