Software · head to head
Ticketmaster vs Eventbrite
The short version
- Only Eventbrite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Ticketmaster high fees of 10-30% per ticket with some events reaching 40%, higher than competing platforms; 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: Ticketmaster covers Ticket sales, Eventbrite covers Event Discovery.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ticketmaster and Eventbrite actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ticketmaster | Eventbrite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | transaction | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1978 | 2006 |
Identical on both: 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 Ticketmaster
- Ticket sales
- Mobile ticketing
- Verified tickets
- Resale marketplace
- Venue management
- Spotify
- Apple Music
Only in Eventbrite
- Event Discovery
- Ticketing
- Event Management
- Marketing Tools
- Analytics
- Virtual Events
- Mailchimp
- Salesforce
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Ticketmaster
- Event planningnot Eventbrite
- Ticket salesnot Eventbrite
- Attendee managementnot Eventbrite
- Virtual eventsnot Eventbrite
- Event marketingnot Eventbrite
Eventbrite
- Selling tickets for concerts, festivals and nightlife eventsnot Ticketmaster
- Running conferences and corporate events with registrationnot Ticketmaster
- Nonprofit fundraising eventsnot Ticketmaster
- Reserved seating and timed entry admissionnot Ticketmaster
- Promoting events through the Eventbrite marketplace and paid adsnot Ticketmaster
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Ticketmaster
On request- StandardFree
- Global distribution
- Mobile ticketing
- Fan verification
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 Ticketmaster if
- You need ticket sales.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want mobile ticketing.
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 Ticketmaster or Eventbrite better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ticketmaster starts at On request and Eventbrite at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Ticketmaster or Eventbrite?
- Eventbrite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Ticketmaster and Free for Eventbrite.
- Does Ticketmaster 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. Ticketmaster starts at On request.
- What is Ticketmaster best used for?
- Ticketmaster is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Eventbrite is typically brought in for.
- What can Ticketmaster do that Eventbrite cannot?
- Ticketmaster covers Ticket sales, Mobile ticketing, Verified tickets, Resale marketplace. Eventbrite covers Event Discovery, Ticketing, Event Management, Marketing Tools. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
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.
SourceTicketmaster: 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.
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.
SourceTicketmaster: 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.
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.
SourceTicketmaster: 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.
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