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Webinars · head to head

Eventbrite vs Handbid

Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Webinars

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Handbid logo

Handbid

Nonprofits

Mobile-first auction and event fundraising platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Eventbrite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Handbid the pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
  • They diverge on capability: Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Handbid covers Mobile bidding.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eventbrite and Handbid actually diverge.

Attributes where Eventbrite and Handbid differ
AttributeEventbriteHandbid
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
CategoryWebinarsNonprofits
Founded20062011

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Event Management
  • Marketing Tools
  • Analytics
  • Virtual Events
  • Zoom
  • Ios support

Only in Handbid

  • Mobile bidding
  • Silent auctions
  • Live auctions
  • Fund-a-need
  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Ticketing
  • Mailchimp
  • Salesforce
  • Android support
  • 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 Handbid
  • Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Handbid
  • Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Handbid
  • Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Handbid
  • Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Handbid

Handbid

  • Mobile bidding for charity and fundraising auctionsnot Eventbrite
  • Event ticketing, registration and check-in with tap to paynot Eventbrite
  • White-labelled online auctions for schools, nonprofits and corporate eventsnot 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

Handbid

  • The pricing page publishes no plan, no rate, no minimum and no per-event fee; it states there are no preset tiers and directs every visitor to a pricing consultation
  • There is no self-serve signup path; the only routes offered are Start Chatting, a consultation or a demo booking
  • Because packages are assembled per event, the cost of white-label auctions, text-to-give and support levels is not published

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

Handbid

On request
  • Starter$199/month
    • Basic auction features
    • Up to 50 items
  • Professional$499/month
    • Unlimited items
    • Live streaming
    • Fund-a-need
  • Enterprise$999/month
    • Multi-event license
    • White labeling
    • Priority 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 event management.
Eventbrite review

Choose Handbid if

  • You need mobile bidding.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want silent auctions.
Handbid review

Questions people ask

Is Eventbrite or Handbid better?
Neither clearly leads. Eventbrite starts at Free and Handbid at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eventbrite or Handbid?
Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eventbrite and On request for Handbid.
Does Eventbrite or Handbid run on more platforms?
Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android. Handbid runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Eventbrite for free?
Yes. Eventbrite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Handbid starts at On request.
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 Handbid is typically brought in for.
What can Eventbrite do that Handbid cannot?
Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Event Management, Marketing Tools, Analytics. Handbid covers Mobile bidding, Silent auctions, Live auctions, Fund-a-need. Both handle Ticketing, Mailchimp, Salesforce, Android 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.

Source
Handbid: How much does Handbid cost?

Handbid does not use standard pricing tiers. Instead, the company provides custom quotes based on your event needs, event volume, and support requirements. Handbid emphasizes no commission on funds raised.

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
Handbid: Does Handbid take a commission on auction proceeds?

No. Handbid does not charge a percentage of funds raised. Platform fees are separate from payment processing.

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
Handbid: What payment processing fees does Handbid charge?

Handbid's payment processing fees are: Visa/Mastercard/Discover 3.5% + $0.30 per transaction, American Express 3.95% + $0.30 per transaction, and ACH 1.5% flat with no per-transaction fee.

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
Handbid: What is included in Handbid licenses?

All Handbid licenses include unlimited items, guests, and bidders; all auction formats (silent, live, paddle raise); ticketing and check-in; money handling and reporting; platform updates; and live phone support during events.

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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