Eventbrite Fees & Pricing Explained: All You Need To Know

Meet Eventcube: An Eventbrite Alternative To Maximise Revenue

Experience the power of profitable ticketing with Eventcube. We empower event organizers across the USA, from vibrant festivals and major sports events to cozy local fairs, intimate galleries, and charity fundraisers. Make the most out of your events—start your ticketing store and keep more of your revenue today.

Start an event, members’ hub or virtual event for your community and discover how Eventcube can transform your business.

Get Started

Demystifying Eventbrite's intricate fee structure is no small task. In this article, we delve deep into Eventbrite's pricing model and break down the numbers to help you understand what you're truly paying for. We look at service fees, fees by region, and payment processing charges, even providing examples for clarity. Moreover, we'll take a look at a couple of more cost-effective alternatives, like Eventcube. Ultimately, this guide to Eventbrite fees and pricing structure will equip you with critical knowledge, ensuring you choose the best event management solution for your unique needs.

Most event planners immediately recognize the Eventbrite logo - and it's easy to see why. The platform has become globally known thanks to its ease of use, integrated ticketing system, and robust feature sets. These all serve to streamline the often complex process of event planning and have made Eventbrite the giant it is today.

However, it's important to remember that Eventbrite is only one of many software options in an expansive event ticketing market. While it has certainly earned its place as an industry leader, it may not be the best fit for your business's needs. This is especially true with respect to Eventbrite's service fees. Not only may they be too expensive for many use cases, but navigating the pricing structure of the Eventbrite platform can be akin to solving a complex puzzle!

Thankfully, we're here to help. In this article, we'll clarify Eventbrite's service fees along with its pricing structure, providing a clear breakdown of potential costs and their origins. Our goal is to give you a balanced, detailed overview, enabling you to make an informed choice when it comes to your event management needs.

It's important to note that, given how expansive the event management industry has become, there are a plethora of options at your disposal - platforms that cater to specific event niches, offer cheaper pricing structures, or have unique feature sets. Being aware of these alternatives equips you with the knowledge to select a platform that aligns best with your needs.

Without further ado, let's delve into the nuances of Eventbrite service fees & pricing, along with some viable alternatives!

What is Eventbrite and what can you do with it?

With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Eventbrite caters to events of all sizes and industries. Here are six key things you can do with Eventbrite:

Create customized event listings from which to sell tickets

Create professional and personalized event listings that showcase your event details, including date, time, location, and ticketing options. You can easily customize the layout, add images or videos, and provide essential event information to attract attendees.

Implement diverse ticketing options

Eventbrite offers flexibility in ticketing options, allowing you to create different ticket types, such as general admission, VIP, early bird, or group tickets. You can set different prices, quantities, and availability for each ticket type, giving attendees various choices to suit their preferences.

Leverage Integrated Marketing Tools

With Eventbrite, you can access integrated email and social media marketing tools to promote your event and reach a broader audience. Effortlessly send targeted emails, create engaging social media campaigns, and track the effectiveness of your marketing efforts through comprehensive analytics.

Manage attendees efficiently

The software provides robust attendee management features, allowing you to track registrations, collect attendee information, and communicate updates or important details. You can easily check in attendees using the Eventbrite Organizer App or printed tickets, ensuring a seamless and organized event experience.

Gain insights with analytics

Eventbrite's analytics capabilities provide valuable insights into your event's performance. Track ticket sales, monitor attendance patterns, and evaluate marketing campaigns to make data-driven decisions. These insights help you optimize your event strategies, identify areas for improvement, and measure the success of your event.

Offer seamless checkout experiences

The platform prioritizes a smooth and hassle-free ticket-purchasing process for attendees. With a secure and user-friendly checkout experience, attendees can easily browse ticket options, select their preferred tickets, and complete the purchase quickly and securely.

Considering alternative event solutions

While Eventbrite could be the right fit for your event, it's always a good idea to explore and assess alternative solutions to ensure you choose the platform that best fits your needs. For example, our extensive ticketing platform Eventcube can do all of the above, and for a much lower price. By cross-referencing pricing and your desired features, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your specific event requirements. Whether you choose Eventbrite or an alternative platform, the key is to evaluate the features, pricing structures, and customization options to find the platform that maximizes your event's success.

How much are Eventbrite fees?

For customers in the UK and the US, Eventbrite offers two package options - Eventbrite Professional and Eventbrite Premium.  As the Premium plan is custom pricing only, Eventbrite Pro is the plan we'll be referring to when assessing pricing.

The fees associated with Eventbrite consist of service fees and payment processing fees. An Eventbrite service fee includes the cost of utilizing Eventbrite's platform and services. At the time of writing, in the US, this amounts to 3.7% of the ticket price plus an additional $1.79 per ticket*. In addition to service fees, Eventbrite charges a payment processing fee of 2.9% to cover the costs of securely processing transactions*. It's important to note that these fees are typically paid by ticket buyers as part of the ticket purchase process. Furthermore, you'll be happy to know that Eventbrite doesn't charge a fee for free events.

Eventbrite does offer the flexibility for event organizers to choose whether they want to absorb these fees or pass them on to attendees (more on that shortly).

Fees by country - how does this differ?

The Eventbrite pricing structure caters to different regions and currencies. By tailoring fees to individual countries, Eventbrite strives to provide fair, region-specific pricing. The aim is to enable organizers to align their ticket pricing with local market dynamics and optimize their event's financial performance. However, this does present issues.

While its region-specific pricing seeks to accommodate event organizers worldwide, those who use Eventbrite for their events have potential challenges to consider. As you can see from their fees by country, there is significant variation from one Eventbrite service fee to another.

For example, in the US, the Eventbrite service fee is 3.7% + $1.79 per sold ticket*. In the UK, the Eventbrite service fee is 6.95% + £0.59 per sold ticket*. Finally, in Germany, the Eventbrite service fee is Eventbrite Service Fee: 5.5% + €0.99 per sold ticket*.

To add to the complexity, Eventbrite's Essentials package isn't currently available in the US or the UK, but it is available in Germany. Confused yet?

If you're planning events in multiple regions, navigating this pricing structure is going to require a lot more admin, and (potentially) money!  It could result in higher fees for events held in certain regions, potentially impacting the profitability of said events. Ultimately, Eventbrite users need to make careful calculations and conduct market research on competitive pricing and financial viability in each specific market.

In comparison, Eventcube offers transparent, no-nonsense pricing that's the same across all regions. There are no hidden fees, and it ends up being thousands cheaper than Eventbrite - but more on that later!

Calculating your ticketing fees on Eventbrite

Like most event platforms, Eventbrite charges a service fee for each paid ticket and add-on sold, while tickets with no cost do not incur Eventbrite ticketing fees. The specific fees vary based on the package, country, and currency.

To calculate your ticketing fees for an event you've already created, Eventbrite provides a straightforward process. By navigating to the "Tickets" section of your event's management page and selecting or creating a paid ticket type, you can access a breakdown of your ticketing fees, including any taxes and ticket revenue.

It's important to review Eventbrite's pricing options for potential additional fees related to publishing events with more than 25 tickets, as these fees grant access to Eventbrite's comprehensive marketing tools.

An Example of Eventbrite’s Fees

To better understand how Eventbrite's fees can impact your event's revenue, let's walk through an example. Imagine you are selling a ticket for $50, and Eventbrite's service fee for this ticket type is 3.7% plus $1.79. Using these figures, we can calculate the total fee associated with a $50 ticket.

First, we determine the service fee by multiplying the ticket price ($50) by the service fee percentage (3.7%): $50 x 3.7% = $1.85

Next, we add the flat fee of $1.79 to the Eventbrite service fee: $1.85 + $1.79 = $3.64

Thus, the total fee for a $50 ticket on Eventbrite would amount to $3.64. So, all fees included, Eventbrite are taking 7.28% of every $50 you sell.*

By factoring in these fees, you gain a clear understanding of the impact they have on your event's revenue. This example highlights the importance of considering these fees when setting your ticket prices and estimating your expected earnings from each ticket sale. Just remember to ensure you refer Eventbrite service fee structure for the country where your event will take place!

Can you choose who pays the Ticketing Fees?

In most cases, attendees cover the ticketing fees on Eventbrite. However, as an event organizer, you have the option to absorb these fees and pay them out of your ticketing revenue. This flexibility allows you to decide how the fees will be managed and whether you want to offer a seamless experience to your attendees or adjust your pricing accordingly.

By default, the fees are paid by ticket buyers, but when creating a paid ticket type, you can opt to absorb the fees or pass them on to attendees. It's important to review Eventbrite's new pricing options for potential additional fees related to publishing events with more than 25 tickets, as these fees grant access to Eventbrite's comprehensive marketing tools.

An alternative solution: Eventcube

In our view, Eventcube is currently the best alternative to Eventbrite, providing event organizers with a refreshing, user-friendly, and (most importantly) cost-effective experience. With its intuitive interface and customizable features, Eventcube empowers organizers to create, promote, and sell tickets for their events seamlessly.

The platform offers a range of powerful tools and features designed to enhance event promotion and attendee management. Integrated email and social media marketing tools enable organizers to effectively reach their target audience, while seamless attendee checkout experiences ensure a smooth ticket purchasing process. No wonder, when Eventcube's powerful self-service ticketing system is one of the best in the industry.

The event management platform also provides detailed analytics and reporting, equipping organizers with valuable insights to measure event performance and make data-driven decisions. These analytical capabilities help optimize marketing strategies, identify trends, and maximize event attendance. With no up-front costs, and 100% ownership of you customer's data, Eventcube respects its users and always puts them first. So, whether you're running an in-person, virtual, or hybrid event, Eventcube serves as a cheaper, hassle-free alternative to Eventbrite.

Eventcube could save you thousands in ticketing fees vs Eventbrite

One of the significant advantages of Eventcube is its competitive pricing structure. Utilizing the Eventbrite fee calculator lets you easily compare its pricing with Eventbrite, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making. This fee calculator allows you to see a breakdown of the ticketing fees of Eventcube vs Eventbrite, helping you assess the potential cost savings and understand how it aligns with your event's budget.

Try the Eventcube Pro vs Eventbrite Pro ticketing fees calculator today

For example, if you sold 2500 tickets at $100 each, you would save a whopping $3475 over Eventbrite!* That's money that can be better served to ensure your events' success.

In addition to its features and pricing, Eventcube distinguishes itself by offering personalized support and tailored solutions for event professionals with unique needs. By partnering with Eventcube's sales team, organizers can access customized fee schedules and receive guidance to elevate their events to the next level.

Another alternative to Eventbrite: RSVPIFY

If you're looking save money on your event, RSVPify could be another viable alternative to Eventbrite. The platform stands out as a cost-effective event management solution with a pricing model designed to provide value to organizers of various scales. RSVPify offers a freemium model, providing basic features at no cost and only charging for advanced options or larger events.

A comparison of RSVPify to Eventbrite reveals notable differences in their fee structures that can lead to substantial cost savings over time. RSVPify's lower fees also mean less impact on ticket prices or your bottom line, providing a more economical option. If you're after an intuitive user experience combined with cost efficiency, RSVPify is an alternative worth considering!

Plan carefully before choosing Eventbrite (or an alternative)

Understanding Eventbrite's service fee structures and pricing is crucial if you're thinking of committing to the platform. It allows for strategic budgeting and helps avoid surprises in the form of unexpected costs. This is especially true if you run a global events business, as one Eventbrite service fee can be vastly different from another.

So, carefully consider your specific needs, the nature of your events, and your budget. Keep in mind that while Eventbrite has been a popular choice, it's essential to explore alternatives like Eventcube. Not only does Eventcube match many of the services offered by Eventbrite, but (as we've shown) also provides a much more economical, user-friendly solution.

Remember, your choice of platform can significantly impact your event's success, and should be just one of many factors in your decision-making process. Weigh your options carefully, understand the ins and outs of the Eventbrite pricing structure, and explore what platforms like Eventcube have to offer. You might find that the best solution for your event planning needs is just a click away!

If you'd like to learn more about Eventcube, and why it's becoming a fast favorite of event planners, request a free demo today.

*All prices and fees mentioned are estimated and based on fees and pricing information displayed on the public pricing pages from the companies mentioned above and were accurate to the best of knowledge at the time of writing (07/15/2023).

Need more event management and ticketing advice? Check out our other related blogs: