Softwr

Webinar & Virtual Events · head to head

Eventbrite vs Vonage

Eventbrite logo

Eventbrite

Webinar & Virtual Events

Where event planners thrive

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vonage logo

Vonage

Telecommunications

Communications API platform for messaging and voice

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; Vonage mMS pricing not published publicly, requires sales team quote
  • They diverge on capability: Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Vonage covers SMS messaging.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Eventbrite and Vonage actually diverge.

Attributes where Eventbrite and Vonage differ
AttributeEventbriteVonage
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidAPI
CategoryWebinar & Virtual EventsTelecommunications
Founded20062002

Identical on both: 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
  • Ticketing
  • Event Management
  • Marketing Tools
  • Analytics
  • Virtual Events
  • Mailchimp
  • Zoom

Only in Vonage

  • SMS messaging
  • Voice API
  • Video API
  • Number management
  • Slack
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • 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 Vonage
  • Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Vonage
  • Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Vonage
  • Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Vonage
  • Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Vonage

Vonage

  • 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

Vonage

  • MMS pricing not published publicly, requires sales team quote
  • International SMS rates can exceed $1.00 per message in some markets
  • Smaller developer ecosystem compared to Twilio

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

Vonage

On request
  • Pay-as-you-go$0.05/month
    • SMS and voice
    • No monthly commitment
  • Starter$100/month
    • Volume discounts
    • Premium support
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Custom pricing
    • Dedicated team

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 Vonage if

  • You need sms messaging.
  • You work on API.
  • You also want voice api.
Vonage review

Questions people ask

Is Eventbrite or Vonage better?
Neither clearly leads. Eventbrite starts at Free and Vonage at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Eventbrite or Vonage?
Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Eventbrite and On request for Vonage.
Does Eventbrite or Vonage run on more platforms?
Eventbrite runs on Web, iOS, Android. Vonage runs on API.
Can I use Eventbrite for free?
Yes. Eventbrite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Vonage 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 Vonage is typically brought in for.
What can Eventbrite do that Vonage cannot?
Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Vonage covers SMS messaging, Voice API, Video API, Number management. 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
Vonage: How much does Vonage SMS cost?

Vonage SMS API costs $0.00809 per outbound message and $0.00649 per inbound message in the US. There is no monthly minimum. Virtual phone numbers cost around $4.18 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
Vonage: What is Vonage Voice API pricing?

Voice API charges $0.00798/minute for US domestic calls. You pay per minute for calls made and received via the API.

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
Vonage: How does Vonage compare to Twilio for SMS?

Vonage charges $0.00809 per SMS versus Twilio at $0.0083. Vonage is marginally cheaper for SMS-heavy workloads, while Twilio offers better developer experience and broader channel support.

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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