Softwr

Event Management · head to head

Luma vs Ticketmaster

Luma logo

Luma

Event Management

Delightful events for communities

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ticketmaster logo

Ticketmaster

Event Management

The global leader in live event ticketing

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Luma has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Luma 5% platform fee on paid events in free tier can add up for high-volume organizers; Ticketmaster high fees of 10-30% per ticket with some events reaching 40%, higher than competing platforms
  • They diverge on capability: Luma covers Event pages, Ticketmaster covers Ticket sales.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Luma and Ticketmaster actually diverge.

Attributes where Luma and Ticketmaster differ
AttributeLumaTicketmaster
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknowntransaction
Free tierYesNo
Founded20201978

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

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 Luma

  • Event pages
  • Registration
  • Calendar sync
  • Ticketing
  • Community features
  • Google Calendar
  • Apple Calendar
  • Zoom

Only in Ticketmaster

  • Ticket sales
  • Mobile ticketing
  • Verified tickets
  • Resale marketplace
  • Venue management
  • Spotify
  • Apple Music
  • Facebook

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Luma

  • Event planning
  • Ticket sales
  • Attendee management
  • Virtual events
  • Event marketing

Ticketmaster

  • Event planning
  • Ticket sales
  • Attendee management
  • Virtual events
  • Event marketing

Both are used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events, event marketing, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Luma

  • 5% platform fee on paid events in free tier can add up for high-volume organizers
  • Limited discovery features compared to established platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite
  • Smaller organizer community means fewer network effects than larger competitors

Ticketmaster

  • High fees of 10-30% per ticket with some events reaching 40%, higher than competing platforms
  • Delayed real-time data on seat availability and resale pricing
  • Strict API rate limits and limited customization for partner integrations
  • Found guilty of operating an illegal monopoly in live concert ticketing by federal jury in April 2026
  • Anticompetitive practices that limit competition for event organizers

Pricing, plan by plan

Luma

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited events
    • Unlimited guests
    • Up to 500 invites per week
  • Plus$59/month
    • No platform fee
    • 5,000 invites per week
    • Tax collection

Ticketmaster

On request
  • StandardFree
    • Global distribution
    • Mobile ticketing
    • Fan verification

Which should you pick?

Choose Luma if

  • You need event pages.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want registration.
Luma review

Choose Ticketmaster if

  • You need ticket sales.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want mobile ticketing.
Ticketmaster review

Questions people ask

Is Luma or Ticketmaster better?
Neither clearly leads. Luma starts at Free and Ticketmaster at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Luma or Ticketmaster?
Luma has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Luma and On request for Ticketmaster.
Does Luma or Ticketmaster run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Luma for free?
Yes. Luma has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ticketmaster starts at On request.
What is Luma best used for?
Luma is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events.
What can Luma do that Ticketmaster cannot?
Luma covers Event pages, Registration, Calendar sync, Ticketing. Ticketmaster covers Ticket sales, Mobile ticketing, Verified tickets, Resale marketplace. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Luma: Does Luma have a free plan?

Yes. Luma offers a free plan with unlimited events, unlimited guests, and up to 500 invites per week. Free users pay a 5% platform fee on paid events.

Source
Ticketmaster: How much does Ticketmaster charge in fees?

Ticketmaster typically charges a service fee of 10-30% of the ticket price (sometimes reaching 40% for high-demand events), plus facility fees and order processing fees. Combined fees often result in buyers paying approximately 27% on top of face value.

Source
Luma: How much does Luma Plus cost?

Luma Plus costs $59 per month when billed annually, or $69 per month for month-to-month billing. It removes the platform fee, increases invites to 5,000 per week, and adds tax collection and API access.

Source
Ticketmaster: Who sets ticket prices on Ticketmaster?

Event organizers set the base face value of tickets based on production costs, venue size, and event interest. However, service fees and facility fees are generally negotiated and shared between various parties including Ticketmaster and venues.

Source
Luma: Can I integrate Luma with other tools?

Yes. Luma Plus includes API access and supports enterprise CRM integrations for larger organizations managing events at scale.

Source
Ticketmaster: Does Ticketmaster have an API?

Yes, Ticketmaster provides a Partner API and 3rd Party Integration API for developers. However, the API has strict rate limits, poor resale control, and delays in real-time seat-level and resale data updates.

Source
Ticketmaster: What is Ticketmaster's current legal status?

In April 2026, a federal jury found that Live Nation and subsidiary Ticketmaster operated an illegal monopoly in live concert and ticketing markets. In March 2026, they settled with the DOJ agreeing to cap service fees at 15% at certain venues and divest control of 13 amphitheaters.

Source
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