Universe vs pretix

It depends on the ticket price. pretix (2.5% (max $16.30)*) is cheaper on lower-priced tickets and Universe (2% + $0.79) is cheaper from around $125. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Universe costs $2.29 and pretix costs $1.92.

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

Universe and pretix at a glance

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

pretix

pretix is an open-source ticketing system from Germany, offered as a hosted service and as a free self-hosted Community edition. Conferences, festivals, exhibitions and museums use it. Attendees pay the organizer directly through the organizer's own payment provider, and pretix invoices its fee separately.

Fee per paid ticket
2.5% (max $16.30)*plus card processing
When you're paid
As tickets sell, directly into your own payment provider or bank account
Best for
European conferences and organizers who want open-source or self-hosted ticketing
Based in
Heidelberg, Germany, founded 2014

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 Universe and pretix 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
Universe · 2% + $0.79$573

$348 platform fee + about $225 card processing.

pretix · 2.5% (max $16.30)*$480

$188 platform fee + about $292 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. * No published rate in this currency. Converted from the platform's published rate at approximate exchange rates (1 USD ≈ €0.92, £0.78 and A$1.55); the vendor may price differently, or not sell, in this currency.

§ 02 · Features

Universe vs pretix, feature by feature

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

FeatureUniversepretixHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket2% + $0.792.5% (max $16.30)*1.25% + $0.60
Card processingCharged on topCharged on topCharged on top
Free eventsFreeThe first 500 free tickets a year are free, then €0.50 eachFree
When you're paidAfter the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe ConnectAs tickets sell, directly into your own payment provider or bank accountAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorUniverse Payments by default, or your own Stripe accountYour own payment provider, such as Stripe, Mollie or PayPalYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyersYes, except in eight European countriesPayment provider fees only Yes
Your branding at checkoutNot statedYour colors, logo and domain Yes
Embed checkout on your site Yes Yes Yes
Listed in a consumer marketplace YesNoNo
Tickets work without an app or account Yes Yes Yes
QR check-in appYes, BoxOfficeYes, pretixSCANYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seatingNot stated YesNo
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 webhooksGraphQL API and webhooks YesWebhooks
Official ticket resaleTicket transfers onlyNot statedNo
Open sourceNo Yes Yes
Can be self-hostedNo Yes Yes
§ 03 · Trade-offs

Strengths and limitations

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.

pretix

Strengths

  • Open source, with a free self-hosted edition
  • Hosted fee of 2.5% capped at €15 a ticket, with no monthly fee
  • Payments go directly to your own provider or bank, with 40+ providers supported
  • Seating plans, event series, vouchers, waiting list, API and point-of-sale apps

Limitations

  • Hosted pricing is published in EUR only
  • Free tickets cost €0.50 each beyond the first 500 a year
  • Seating and point of sale need a paid licence when self-hosting
  • No consumer marketplace

The self-hosted Community edition is free. When self-hosting, seating plans and the point-of-sale app need a paid Enterprise licence.

§ 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

Universe vs pretix: common questions

Is Universe cheaper than pretix?
It depends on the ticket price. pretix (2.5% (max $16.30)*) is cheaper on lower-priced tickets and Universe (2% + $0.79) is cheaper from around $125. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Universe costs $2.29 and pretix costs $1.92. Card processing is charged on top by both.
Which pays out faster, Universe or pretix?
Universe: after the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect. pretix: as tickets sell, directly into your own payment provider or bank account. pretix gets money to you sooner, which matters if you have deposits or suppliers to pay before the event.
Do Universe and pretix promote events in a marketplace?
Universe lists events in its own consumer marketplace, which can bring you buyers you would not otherwise reach. pretix does not, so you bring your own audience.
Are free events free on Universe and pretix?
Universe: free. pretix: the first 500 free tickets a year are free, then €0.50 each.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Universe and pretix?
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

Universe vs

pretix vs

See every comparison → · Universe fees explained → · pretix 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 Universe or pretix.

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 Universe and pretix 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.