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Software · head to head

Eventbrite vs Twilio

Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Software

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Twilio logo

Twilio

Software

Cloud communications platform for SMS, voice, and video

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

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; Twilio pricing becomes unpredictable with carrier fees and additional charges for compliance, recordings, and phone number rentals
  • They diverge on capability: Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Twilio covers SMS messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eventbrite and Twilio actually diverge.

Attributes where Eventbrite and Twilio differ
AttributeEventbriteTwilio
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#
Founded20062008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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
  • Analytics
  • Virtual Events
  • Mailchimp
  • Zoom

Only in Twilio

  • SMS messaging
  • Voice calls
  • Video conferencing
  • Programmable communication
  • Slack
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier
  • Mobile support

Both cover

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

Twilio

  • Customer engagementnot Eventbrite
  • Lead generationnot Eventbrite
  • Customer supportnot Eventbrite
  • Sales automationnot 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

Twilio

  • Pricing becomes unpredictable with carrier fees and additional charges for compliance, recordings, and phone number rentals
  • Phone number rentals are required for every number used, with carrier fees varying by region and billed separately
  • Dashboard is not optimized for mobile use and logs are difficult to access

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

Twilio

Free
  • Pay-as-You-Go$undefined/mo
    • Usage-based pricing
    • No monthly minimum
    • SMS, voice, video, messaging

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 Twilio if

  • You need sms messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#.
  • You also want voice calls.
Twilio review

Questions people ask

Is Eventbrite or Twilio better?
Neither clearly leads. Eventbrite starts at Free and Twilio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eventbrite or Twilio?
Eventbrite starts at Free and Twilio at Free.
Does Eventbrite or Twilio run on more platforms?
Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android. Twilio runs on Web, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#.
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 Twilio is typically brought in for.
What can Eventbrite do that Twilio cannot?
Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Twilio covers SMS messaging, Voice calls, Video conferencing, Programmable communication. Both handle Salesforce, 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.

Source
Twilio: What is Twilio's pricing model?

Twilio uses pay-as-you-go usage-based pricing with no monthly minimums or contracts. SMS costs $0.0083 per US message, voice calls cost $0.014 per minute, phone numbers cost $1.15 per month.

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
Twilio: Does Twilio offer a free tier?

Yes, Twilio offers a free trial indefinitely with no credit card required for limited usage, plus a 7-14 day free trial period on paid plans.

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
Twilio: What communication channels does Twilio support?

Twilio supports SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, MMS for messaging; Voice API and SIP Trunking for voice; Email via Twilio SendGrid; Video API; and Chat via Conversations API.

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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