Comparison guide
Eventbrite alternatives for festivals, markets and local events
Eventbrite works, but its 3.7% + $1.79 per-ticket service fee and marketplace ads are a poor fit for organizers who want the event — not the platform — in the spotlight. Here is an honest look at six alternatives, what each one charges, and who each is actually good for.
The six best Eventbrite alternatives
Pricing below reflects publicly listed US self-serve plans. Always confirm current rates with each provider before you commit.
TixSimple
Fees: 1.3% + 33¢ per paid ticket (plus card processing)
Monthly: $0
Best for: Festivals, markets and community events that want their own brand front and center
Watch out: Newer platform — no marketplace ad network to buy traffic from
Eventbrite
Fees: 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket, plus 2.9% payment processing
Monthly: $0 on the entry plan; paid plans for marketing tools
Best for: Organizers who want discovery on a large public marketplace
Watch out: Highest per-ticket fees here, and your page promotes other events
Ticket Tailor
Fees: Pay-per-ticket credits or a monthly plan; no % of sales
Monthly: $0–$100+ depending on volume
Best for: High-volume, low-priced tickets where a flat fee wins
Watch out: Credits expire and add-on features are priced separately
SimpleTix
Fees: 2% + 79¢ per ticket, plus 2.99% + 39¢ processing
Monthly: $0 on the base tier
Best for: Attractions and timed-entry venues already using Square or Stripe
Watch out: Advanced features sit behind higher tiers
TicketSpice
Fees: 99¢ per ticket, plus 2.99% processing
Monthly: $0
Best for: Custom-built registration pages and fundraisers
Watch out: The 99¢ applies to free tickets too on some setups
Brown Paper Tickets
Fees: Historically 6% + $1.49 all-in
Monthly: $0
Best for: Legacy users only
Watch out: The platform is winding down — plan a migration
TixSimple vs Eventbrite
| Feature | TixSimple | Eventbrite |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly platform fee | $0 | $0 (paid tiers for marketing) |
| Per-ticket service fee | 1.3% + 33¢ | 3.7% + $1.79 |
| Free tickets are free | ||
| Choose who pays the fee (buyer or you) | ||
| AI event + ticket setup by conversation | ||
| Interactive site maps for booths, camps, stalls | ||
| Your brand only — no competing event ads | ||
| Custom attendee questions with CSV export | ||
| Built-in QR scanning with per-gate analytics | Separate app | |
| Issue or import free / offline tickets in bulk | Limited | |
| Coupon codes and email-based special pricing | Discount codes only | |
| Direct payouts to your own Stripe account | ||
| Public marketplace discovery | Small, growing |
What a switch actually saves you
On a $25 ticket, Eventbrite's service fee comes to roughly $2.72 before card processing. TixSimple's is about $0.66. Sell 2,000 tickets at that price and the difference is over $4,100 — money that stays with the event, or comes off the ticket price for your attendees. You choose per ticket type whether the fee is added at checkout or absorbed by you.
Why festivals and markets pick TixSimple
Simply made setup
Describe your event in plain language and the AI builder drafts the event page and ticket types for you. Edit anything by hand afterwards — no rigid wizard.
Interactive site maps
Upload your ground plan and sell specific booths, vendor stalls or campsites straight off the map, with attendee questions collected at selection.
Your event, no distractions
Your storefront carries your logo and colors only. No marketplace ads pushing attendees toward somebody else's event the weekend of yours.
How to move off Eventbrite without losing sales
- Create your organizer account and connect Stripe so payouts land in your own account.
- Rebuild your event and ticket types — the AI builder handles this in a few minutes.
- Bulk-issue tickets to everyone who already bought, so their new QR codes are ready.
- Point your website, socials and ad links at your TixSimple page and close Eventbrite sales.
- Set up gate scanners for each entrance and test one scan before doors open.
Eventbrite alternatives: common questions
What is the cheapest Eventbrite alternative?
For most paid events, TixSimple is the lowest all-in cost at 1.3% + 33¢ per ticket plus standard card processing, with no monthly fee. On a $25 ticket that is roughly $0.66 in platform fees versus about $2.72 on Eventbrite.
Can I move an existing event off Eventbrite mid-sale?
Yes. You can import already-sold tickets into TixSimple by issuing them in bulk to your attendees' email addresses, then point new sales at your TixSimple page. Existing QR codes you issue stay valid at the gate.
Do attendees have to create an account to buy a ticket?
No. Checkout is email-based, and buyers can look up their tickets later from the Find My Tickets portal or install the ticket wallet to their phone.
Who receives the money from ticket sales?
You do. TixSimple uses Stripe Connect, so funds settle directly into your own Stripe account on Stripe's normal payout schedule.
Is TixSimple a good fit for festivals and markets?
That is the core use case. Interactive site maps let you sell numbered booths, campsites or vendor stalls, and gate scanners report entries per checkpoint.
Next steps
Dig into the details before you switch platforms.