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Universe fees
explained for 2026

Universe charges 2% + $0.79 per paid ticket in the US, with card processing charged on top. Below: the fee in every currency it publishes, what it comes to on a real ticket, and the same ticket on Hi.Events.

See the fee by countryHi.Events vs Universe →

On a $30 ticket, Universe costs $1.39 in platform fee, $2.29 once card processing is added. Hi.Events costs $2.15 all-in on the same ticket, 1.25% + $0.60 plus Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30.

§ 01 · By country

What Universe charges in each currency

The published standard rate per paid ticket, and the all-in cost on a ticket priced at 20, 50 and 100 in that currency, once card processing is counted.

CurrencyPublished feeCard processingTicket at 20Ticket at 50Ticket at 100
USD (the US)2% + $0.79Charged on top$1.79$3.29$5.79
EUR (the EU)Varies by country, from 1% + €0.50 in France to 5% + €0.50 in Ireland————
GBP (the UK)2% + £0.99Charged on top£1.79£2.99£4.99
AUD (Australia)2% + A$0.99Charged on topA$1.79A$2.99A$4.99
Hi.Events, USD1.25% + $0.60Charged on top (2.9% + $0.30)$1.73$2.98$5.05

Standard published rates as of September 2026, before VAT or GST where the platform quotes them that way. Where card processing is charged on top, the all-in figure adds the platform's own stated rate or a standard Stripe rate. The Hi.Events row is shown in the currency selected in the calculator below.

§ 02 · Calculator

Your fees on Universe and on Hi.Events

Move the sliders to your ticket price and volume. Where Universe's fee includes card processing, Stripe's rate is added to the Hi.Events side so the two are like for like.

ADMIT ONE
Ticket price$30
Tickets sold250
Hi.Events · 1.25% + $0.60$244
Universe · 2% + $0.79$348
Extra money you keep$104on 250 tickets at $30 each, vs. UniverseStart selling for free →

Illustrative comparison of platform fees only; payment processing is charged on top by both platforms. Self-hosted Hi.Events has no platform fees. Hi.Events vs Universe, feature by feature →

§ 03 · How the fee is charged

The terms behind Universe's 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.

  • Card processing

    Universe Payments adds 3% in the US and 2% in the UK and Australia; or connect your own Stripe account

  • Free tickets

    Free

  • Fee passed to the buyer

    Yes, except in eight European countries

  • When you are paid

    After the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect

  • Who takes the payment

    Universe Payments by default, or your own Stripe account

  • Markets

    North America, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand

§ 04 · Compared

Universe against the alternatives

Hi.Events vs Universe

Fees, payouts and features side by side, with card processing counted the same way on both.

Compare the two →

Switching from Universe

What changes when you move your events to Hi.Events, and what you give up.

Read the guide →

Every platform's fees

Fifteen ticketing platforms ranked by what they cost on the same ticket, in your currency.

See the fee table →
§ 05 · FAQ

Universe fees: common questions

How much does Universe charge per ticket?
Universe charges 2% + $0.79 per paid ticket in the US, with card processing charged on top. 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.Universe pricing →
Does Universe's fee include card processing?
Universe Payments adds 3% in the US and 2% in the UK and Australia; or connect your own Stripe account. Hi.Events charges 1.25% + $0.60 per paid ticket and card processing is paid separately to Stripe at its standard rate, 2.9% + $0.30 in the US, so the totals on this page add processing to both sides before comparing them.
Does Universe charge for free tickets?
Free. On Hi.Events free tickets carry no platform fee.
Can I pass Universe's fee on to the buyer?
Universe: Yes, except in eight European countries. On Hi.Events you choose per event whether the 1.25% + $0.60 fee is added at checkout or built into your price.
When does Universe pay out ticket money?
After the event with Universe Payments, 48 hours after it ends; on your Stripe schedule with Stripe Connect. Who takes the payment: Universe Payments by default, or your own Stripe account. On Hi.Events card payments settle into your own Stripe account as tickets sell, on your Stripe payout schedule.
What does a $30 ticket cost on Universe compared with Hi.Events?
On a $30 ticket, Universe costs $1.39 in platform fee, $2.29 once card processing is added. Hi.Events costs $2.15 all-in on the same ticket, 1.25% + $0.60 plus Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30.Hi.Events vs Universe →
Where do these Universe fees come from?
From Universe's own pricing page and help centre, checked in September 2026. Standard published rates only: negotiated, nonprofit and subscription pricing are described in the notes rather than used in the totals. Check the source before you decide, because fees change.

Sources

Read from Universe's own pages in September 2026. Fees change; check the source before you decide.

Keep more of every ticket

On a $30 ticket that is $0.15 more per ticket in your account, paid as tickets sell.

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.