Events · head to head
Brown Paper Tickets vs Grip
The short version
- Only Brown Paper Tickets has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Brown Paper Tickets fees are charged to ticket buyers rather than the organiser, at $1.49 plus 6.0% of the ticket price in USD; Grip no published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes
- They diverge on capability: Brown Paper Tickets covers Ticketing, Grip covers AI recommendations.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Brown Paper Tickets and Grip actually diverge.
| Attribute | Brown Paper Tickets | Grip |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | transaction | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2000 | 2014 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Events).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Brown Paper Tickets
- Ticketing
- Will call
- Seating charts
- Reporting
- Customer service
- PayPal
- Google Analytics
- Mailchimp
Only in Grip
- AI recommendations
- Meeting scheduler
- Intent data
- Lead scoring
- Analytics
- Salesforce
- HubSpot
- Cvent
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Brown Paper Tickets
- Selling tickets for events, performances and workshopsnot Grip
- Handling ticket distribution and door lists for independent organisersnot Grip
Grip
- Event planningnot Brown Paper Tickets
- Ticket salesnot Brown Paper Tickets
- Attendee managementnot Brown Paper Tickets
- Virtual eventsnot Brown Paper Tickets
- Event marketingnot Brown Paper Tickets
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Brown Paper Tickets
- Fees are charged to ticket buyers rather than the organiser, at $1.49 plus 6.0% of the ticket price in USD
- The 6.0% applies regardless of payment method, including when the organiser uses their own merchant account or PayPal
- The flat component varies by currency, running from roughly $0.99 to $1.99 equivalent
- Because the buyer pays, the advertised ticket price is not what the buyer is charged
Grip
- No published pricing - requires contacting sales for custom quotes
- Roundtables limited to 25 active audio/video participants out of 100 max attendees
- Only Standard sessions supported for in-person-only events; other formats require virtual or hybrid setup
- Platform setup requires privacy policy and user agreement, plus delivery manager coordination
Pricing, plan by plan
Brown Paper Tickets
Free- StandardFree
- $0.99 + 5% per ticket
- Free events free
- All features
Grip
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Grip review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Brown Paper Tickets if
- You need ticketing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want will call.
Choose Grip if
- You need ai recommendations.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want meeting scheduler.
Questions people ask
- Is Brown Paper Tickets or Grip better?
- Neither clearly leads. Brown Paper Tickets starts at Free and Grip at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Brown Paper Tickets or Grip?
- Brown Paper Tickets has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Brown Paper Tickets and On request for Grip.
- Does Brown Paper Tickets or Grip run on more platforms?
- Brown Paper Tickets runs on Web, Ios, Android. Grip runs on Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Brown Paper Tickets for free?
- Yes. Brown Paper Tickets has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Grip starts at On request.
- What is Brown Paper Tickets best used for?
- Brown Paper Tickets is most often used for selling tickets for events, performances and workshops, handling ticket distribution and door lists for independent organisers. Of those, selling tickets for events, performances and workshops and handling ticket distribution and door lists for independent organisers are not what Grip is typically brought in for.
- What can Brown Paper Tickets do that Grip cannot?
- Brown Paper Tickets covers Ticketing, Will call, Seating charts, Reporting. Grip covers AI recommendations, Meeting scheduler, Intent data, Lead scoring. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Brown Paper Tickets: What are Brown Paper Tickets' transaction fees?
Buyers pay a service charge: a flat fee of $1.49 USD (or equivalent in other currencies such as €0.99 or £0.99) plus 6.0% of the ticket price. These fees are paid by ticket buyers at checkout.
SourceGrip: How does Grip's AI matchmaking work?
Grip uses 16 machine learning algorithms on billions of interaction data to generate over 70 million recommendations annually. It analyzes attendee preferences and behaviors to suggest relevant connections.
SourceBrown Paper Tickets: When do organizers receive payment from Brown Paper Tickets?
If using Brown Paper Tickets' credit card processing, payment is sent within 10 business days post-event. With a custom merchant account, funds are received as tickets sell. PayPal option allows immediate remittance to the organizer.
SourceGrip: What are the main features?
Grip includes AI-powered matchmaking, interactive floor plans, direct messaging and video, meeting scheduling, sponsored sessions, live streams, and round tables for networking events.
SourceBrown Paper Tickets: Are ticket delivery methods free on Brown Paper Tickets?
Most delivery methods are free, including First Class Mail, Will-Call, Print-at-Home, Mobile Tickets, and Online Access. Premium options like Priority Mail and Express Mail carry additional charges. Pre-printed tickets cost $0.10 each plus delivery.
SourceGrip: How is Grip priced?
Grip uses custom pricing based on event needs. Pricing is not publicly listed; organizers must contact sales for quotes.
SourceGrip: Can I integrate Grip with existing event management systems?
Yes. Grip acquired Connectiv EMS and integrates with existing event management systems, allowing you to use Grip's features with your current event tech stack.
SourceRelated pages
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