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Software · head to head

Eventbrite vs Swapcard

Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Software

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Swapcard logo

Swapcard

Software

The smart event platform

From
$610/one-time
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; Swapcard pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • They diverge on capability: Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Swapcard covers AI matchmaking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eventbrite and Swapcard actually diverge.

Attributes where Eventbrite and Swapcard differ
AttributeEventbriteSwapcard
Starting priceFree$610/one-time
Free tierYesNo
Founded20062013

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Eventbrite

  • Event Discovery
  • Ticketing
  • Event Management
  • Marketing Tools
  • Virtual Events
  • Mailchimp
  • Zoom

Only in Swapcard

  • AI matchmaking
  • Lead capture
  • Event mobile app
  • Exhibitor management
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Marketo

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Salesforce
  • Ios support
  • 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 Swapcard
  • Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Swapcard
  • Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Swapcard
  • Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Swapcard
  • Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Swapcard

Swapcard

  • Event planningnot Eventbrite
  • Ticket salesnot Eventbrite
  • Attendee managementnot Eventbrite
  • Virtual eventsnot Eventbrite
  • Event marketingnot 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

Swapcard

  • Pricing requires custom quote; starting price of $610 does not include per-attendee charges which can add significant costs
  • Smaller company with 181 employees compared to market leaders like Cvent, limiting support resources
  • Limited reporting and analytics features compared to tier-1 event platforms
  • API documentation is sparse; custom integrations require direct vendor support
  • Primarily focused on B2B events; less suitable for consumer or small events

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

Swapcard

$610/one-time

No published plan breakdown. See the Swapcard review.

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.
Eventbrite review

Choose Swapcard if

  • You need ai matchmaking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want lead capture.
Swapcard review

Questions people ask

Is Eventbrite or Swapcard better?
Neither clearly leads. Eventbrite starts at Free and Swapcard at $610/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eventbrite or Swapcard?
Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eventbrite and $610/one-time for Swapcard.
Does Eventbrite or Swapcard run on more platforms?
Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android. Swapcard runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Eventbrite for free?
Yes. Eventbrite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Swapcard starts at $610/one-time.
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 Swapcard is typically brought in for.
What can Eventbrite do that Swapcard cannot?
Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Swapcard covers AI matchmaking, Lead capture, Event mobile app, Exhibitor management. Both handle Analytics, Salesforce, Ios support, 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
Swapcard: What does Swapcard's pricing model include?

Swapcard pricing includes three components: a base license, usage volume (attendees and exhibitors), and add-ons. The Event Engagement Platform starts at $610 and includes mobile/web apps, AI-powered networking, virtual event capability, and exhibitor lead management.

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
Swapcard: What event types does Swapcard support?

Swapcard supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events including conferences, trade shows, exhibitions, webinars, and networking events.

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
Swapcard: What are Swapcard's core platform features?

Core features include dashboard access, agenda management, streaming and audiovisual capability, abstract/paper management, lead capture tools, networking features, and audience response systems.

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
Swapcard: How many integrations does Swapcard offer?

Swapcard connects natively to over 30 integrations including event platforms like Eventbrite, Cvent, and Bizzabo, plus CRM tools like HubSpot and mapping solutions.

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
Swapcard: Who is Swapcard and when was it founded?

Swapcard was founded in 2013 in Paris by Baptiste Boulard, Godefroy Des Francs, and Damien Courbon. The company has raised $5.27M and serves event organizers globally.

Source
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Related pages

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