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Software · head to head

Coursera vs Eventbrite

Coursera logo

Coursera

Software

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Software

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion; Eventbrite service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Eventbrite covers Event Discovery.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Eventbrite actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Eventbrite differ
AttributeCourseraEventbrite
Founded20122006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Coursera

  • Video lectures
  • Quizzes
  • Peer assessments
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees

Only in Eventbrite

  • Event Discovery
  • Ticketing
  • Event Management
  • Marketing Tools
  • Analytics
  • Virtual Events
  • Mailchimp
  • Salesforce

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Coursera

  • Skill developmentnot Eventbrite
  • Career advancementnot Eventbrite
  • Professional certificatesnot Eventbrite
  • Degree programsnot Eventbrite

Eventbrite

  • Selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife eventsnot Coursera
  • Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Coursera
  • Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Coursera
  • Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Coursera
  • Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Coursera

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Coursera

  • Free audit does not include certificate upon completion
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • Paid specializations require monthly subscription rather than one-time purchase

Eventbrite

  • Service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry
  • Holds 20% of net sales in reserve until event completion and delays payout 3 days after event, creating cash flow problems for organizers
  • Limited event page customization with no white-label option and events must be registered on eventbrite.com domain

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

Free
  • Free AuditFree
  • Coursera Plus$59/month
  • Professional Certificates$39/month

Eventbrite

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited free events
    • No platform fees for free events
  • Pro$15/month
    • Email marketing
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Coursera if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes.
Coursera review

Choose Eventbrite if

  • You need event discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want ticketing.
Eventbrite review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Eventbrite better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Eventbrite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Eventbrite?
Coursera starts at Free and Eventbrite at Free.
Does Coursera or Eventbrite run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Coursera for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Coursera best used for?
Coursera is most often used for skill development, career advancement, professional certificates, degree programs. Of those, skill development and career advancement are not what Eventbrite is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Eventbrite cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Both handle Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Coursera: Can I audit courses for free?

Yes. Most Coursera courses can be audited for free, allowing access to videos and assignments without a certificate.

Source
Eventbrite: Is Eventbrite free for hosting free events?

Yes, Eventbrite is completely free for events with free tickets. You can publish unlimited free events with no platform fees, service fees, or payment processing fees. Features like custom branding and advanced analytics are only available on paid plans.

Source
Coursera: What is Coursera Plus?

Coursera Plus is a subscription for $59/month or $399/year providing unlimited access to over 7,000 courses and specializations with certificates.

Source
Eventbrite: What are the fees for paid-ticket events in the US?

Eventbrite charges 3.7% plus $1.79 per ticket sold, plus 2.9% payment processing fee per order. Organizers can pass these fees to attendees or absorb them.

Source
Coursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?

Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.

Source
Eventbrite: When do I receive payments from ticket sales?

Payouts are sent 3 days after your event ends (or on a custom schedule if you set one), and funds appear in your bank account within 5 business days in the US or 7 days internationally. Eventbrite also holds 20% in reserve until after the event to cover refunds and chargebacks.

Source
Coursera: What is the cost of a degree program?

Coursera offers accredited degree programs starting at $50,000 and above, with costs varying by program and institution.

Source
Eventbrite: Can I customize branding on my event page?

Customization is limited to basic colors and images. You cannot white-label the event page or remove Eventbrite branding, and all registration flows pass through Eventbrite's domain, not your own.

Source
Eventbrite: Does Eventbrite offer an API for integrations?

Yes, Eventbrite provides an OAuth API for developers to build custom integrations. Full documentation is available on their platform portal with support for app authentication and API keys.

Source
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