Software · head to head
Meetup vs Eventbrite
The short version
- Only Eventbrite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Meetup organizer fees tripled following Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024; Eventbrite service fees total 6.59% + $1.79 per ticket (3.7% service + 2.9% payment processing), among the highest in the industry
- They diverge on capability: Meetup covers Groups, Eventbrite covers Event Discovery.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Meetup and Eventbrite actually diverge.
| Attribute | Meetup | Eventbrite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $55/month | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2002 | 2006 |
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 Meetup
- Groups
- Events
- RSVP System
- Messaging
- Event Photos
- Recommendations
- Google Calendar
Only in Eventbrite
- Event Discovery
- Ticketing
- Event Management
- Marketing Tools
- Analytics
- Virtual Events
- Mailchimp
- Salesforce
Both cover
- Zoom
- Ios support
- Android support
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Meetup
- Finding local groups and events around a shared interestnot Eventbrite
- Organising a recurring in-person groupnot Eventbrite
- Running online events alongside physical onesnot Eventbrite
- Growing a community by drawing on Meetup's existing member basenot Eventbrite
Eventbrite
- Selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife eventsnot Meetup
- Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Meetup
- Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Meetup
- Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Meetup
- Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Meetup
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Meetup
- Organizer fees tripled following Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024
- Increased paywalling of core community features
- Platform is buggy with many unfixed issues
- Customer support no longer available with AI responses only
- Issues with billing accuracy and unauthorized recurring charges
- Poor technical support responsiveness to organizer complaints
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Meetup
$55/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Meetup review.
Eventbrite
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited free events
- No platform fees for free events
- Pro$15/month
- Email marketing
- Custom branding
- Advanced analytics
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Meetup or Eventbrite better?
- Neither clearly leads. Meetup starts at $55/month and Eventbrite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Meetup or Eventbrite?
- Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $55/month for Meetup and Free for Eventbrite.
- Does Meetup or Eventbrite run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Eventbrite for free?
- Yes. Eventbrite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Meetup starts at $55/month.
- What is Meetup best used for?
- Meetup is most often used for finding local groups and events around a shared interest, organising a recurring in-person group, running online events alongside physical ones, growing a community by drawing on meetup's existing member base. Of those, finding local groups and events around a shared interest and organising a recurring in-person group are not what Eventbrite is typically brought in for.
- What can Meetup do that Eventbrite cannot?
- Meetup covers Groups, Events, RSVP System, Messaging. Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Both handle Zoom, Ios support, Android support, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Meetup: What is Meetup Pro pricing?
Meetup Pro starts at $55 per group per month, or $47 per group per month for six-month commitments. Enterprise plans are available at custom pricing. A one-week free trial is offered.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceMeetup: What features does Meetup Pro include?
Meetup Pro includes event scheduling, group management, member engagement tools, community-building features, and integrations with platforms like Zoom and Mailchimp.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceMeetup: Does Meetup charge organizers fees?
Yes, Meetup charges organizers fees for hosting groups and events. Organizer fees have increased significantly following the Bending Spoons acquisition in 2024.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceEventbrite: 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.
SourceEventbrite: 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