Universe vs Zeffy

Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) is cheaper than Universe (2% + $0.79) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Universe costs $2.29 and Zeffy costs $0.00.

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

Universe and Zeffy 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

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 Universe 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
Universe · 2% + $0.79$573

$348 platform fee + about $225 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

Universe vs Zeffy, feature by feature

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

FeatureUniverseZeffyHi.Events
Platform fee per paid ticket2% + $0.790%, nonprofits only1.25% + $0.60
Card processingCharged on topIncluded in the feeCharged on top
Free eventsFreeFreeFree
When you're paidAfter the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe ConnectWeekly by default, after a fraud review of one to three business daysAs tickets sell, on your own Stripe payout schedule
Payment processorUniverse Payments by default, or your own Stripe accountZeffy, through StripeYour own Stripe account
Pass fees on to buyersYes, except in eight European countriesNo 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 marketplace YesNot statedNo
Tickets work without an app or account Yes Yes Yes
QR check-in appYes, BoxOfficeYes, in any phone browserYes, in any phone browser
Reserved seatingNot statedNoNo
Recurring events and time slots Yes Yes Yes
Promo codes Yes Yes Yes
Waitlist YesNo Yes
Custom checkout questions Yes Yes Yes
API and webhooksGraphQL API and webhooksRead-only APIWebhooks
Official ticket resaleTicket transfers onlyNot statedNo
Open sourceNoNo Yes
Can be self-hostedNoNo 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.

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

Universe vs Zeffy: common questions

Is Universe cheaper than Zeffy?
Zeffy (0%, nonprofits only) is cheaper than Universe (2% + $0.79) at every ticket price we checked. On a $30 ticket, with card processing included, Universe costs $2.29 and Zeffy costs $0.00. Zeffy's published fee includes card processing and Universe's does not, so the figures above add card processing to Universe to keep the comparison like for like.
Which pays out faster, Universe or Zeffy?
Universe: after the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect. 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 Universe and Zeffy promote events in a marketplace?
Universe 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 Universe and Zeffy?
Universe: free. Zeffy: free.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Universe 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

Universe vs

Zeffy vs

See every comparison → · Universe 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 Universe 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 Universe 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.