Webinar & Virtual Events · head to head
Eventbrite vs Anchorfree
Anchorfree
Webinar & Virtual Events
Platform for hosting and distributing live events
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Eventbrite service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry; Anchorfree the vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account
- They diverge on capability: Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Anchorfree covers Live streaming.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Eventbrite and Anchorfree actually diverge.
| Attribute | Eventbrite | Anchorfree |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2006 | 2017 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Webinar & Virtual 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 Eventbrite
- Event Discovery
- Ticketing
- Event Management
- Marketing Tools
- Virtual Events
- Mailchimp
- Salesforce
- Zoom
Only in Anchorfree
- Live streaming
- Audience management
- Recording
- Multi-platform delivery
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Zapier
Both cover
- Analytics
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Eventbrite
- Selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife eventsnot Anchorfree
- Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Anchorfree
- Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Anchorfree
- Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Anchorfree
- Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Anchorfree
Anchorfree
- Professional Worknot Eventbrite
- Content Creationnot Eventbrite
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Anchorfree
- The vendor's own domain (anchorfree.com), as captured by the Internet Archive on 11 January 2023, redirects to and displays the Pango Group corporate site, stating Pango Group is owned and operated by Aura and describes itself as a portfolio of consumer security brands; AnchorFree's original product (Hotspot Shield) survives only under the Pango/Aura ownership structure, confirming the acquisition in the vendor's own words rather than a third party account
Pricing, plan by plan
Eventbrite
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited free events
- No platform fees for free events
- Pro$15/month
- Email marketing
- Custom branding
- Advanced analytics
Anchorfree
Free- FreeFree
- Basic streaming
- Limited audience
- Professional$49/month
- Advanced features
- Larger audience
- Enterprise$199/month
- Custom solutions
- Premium support
Which should you pick?
Choose Eventbrite if
- You need event discovery.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want ticketing.
Choose Anchorfree if
- You need live streaming.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want audience management.
Questions people ask
- Is Eventbrite or Anchorfree better?
- Neither clearly leads. Eventbrite starts at Free and Anchorfree at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Eventbrite or Anchorfree?
- Eventbrite starts at Free and Anchorfree at Free.
- Does Eventbrite or Anchorfree run on more platforms?
- Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android. Anchorfree runs on Web.
- Can I use Eventbrite for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Eventbrite best used for?
- Eventbrite is most often used for selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife events, running conferences and corporate events with registration, nonprofit fundraising events, reserved seating and timed entry admission. Of those, selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife events and running conferences and corporate events with registration are not what Anchorfree is typically brought in for.
- What can Eventbrite do that Anchorfree cannot?
- Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Anchorfree covers Live streaming, Audience management, Recording, Multi-platform delivery. Both handle Analytics, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceEventbrite: 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