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Events · head to head

Universe vs Zeffy

Universe logo

Universe

Events

Ticketing and event management made simple

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zeffy logo

Zeffy

Nonprofits

100% free fundraising platform for nonprofits

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Universe limited design customization for event pages and branding control; Zeffy revenue model relies entirely on donor voluntary tips with no guaranteed income
  • They diverge on capability: Universe covers Ticketing, Zeffy covers Donation forms.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Universe and Zeffy actually diverge.

Attributes where Universe and Zeffy differ
AttributeUniverseZeffy
Pricing modelUnknownfree
CategoryEventsNonprofits
Founded20112019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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 Universe

  • Ticketing
  • Event pages
  • Guest lists
  • Check-in app
  • Analytics
  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • Google Analytics

Only in Zeffy

  • Donation forms
  • Event ticketing
  • Membership management
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising
  • Recurring donations
  • Zapier
  • Instagram
  • IOS support

Both cover

  • Facebook
  • Mailchimp
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Universe

  • Event planningnot Zeffy
  • Ticket salesnot Zeffy
  • Attendee managementnot Zeffy
  • Virtual eventsnot Zeffy
  • Event marketingnot Zeffy

Zeffy

  • Donation collection for nonprofitsnot Universe
  • Event ticketing with check-innot Universe
  • Membership sales with tiersnot Universe
  • Peer-to-peer fundraising campaignsnot Universe
  • In-person payment with Tap to Paynot Universe

Where each one falls short

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

Universe

  • Limited design customization for event pages and branding control
  • User interface becomes unintuitive for advanced features and complex event types
  • No ability to transfer attendees between time slots; requires full refund and repurchase
  • Difficult walk-up/credit card sales processing at physical events
  • Slow customer support for refunds and technical issues

Zeffy

  • Revenue model relies entirely on donor voluntary tips with no guaranteed income
  • All features included equally with no upgrade path for additional capabilities

Pricing, plan by plan

Universe

Free
  • Free EventsFree
    • Free event creation and ticketing
  • Starter$0.79/per ticket
    • 2% + $0.79 per ticket
    • Capped at $19.95 per ticket
    • Basic event management
  • Standard$1.99/per ticket
    • 2.5% + $1.99 per ticket
    • Capped at $19.95 per ticket
    • Advanced features
  • Pro$undefined/custom
    • Dynamic pricing
    • RFID access control
    • Ticketmaster distribution

Zeffy

Free
  • Free ForeverFree
    • Unlimited donations
    • Ticketing
    • Memberships

Which should you pick?

Choose Universe if

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

Choose Zeffy if

  • You need donation forms.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want event ticketing.
Zeffy review

Questions people ask

Is Universe or Zeffy better?
Neither clearly leads. Universe starts at Free and Zeffy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Universe or Zeffy?
Universe starts at Free and Zeffy at Free.
Does Universe or Zeffy run on more platforms?
Universe runs on Web, iOS, Android. Zeffy runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Universe for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Universe best used for?
Universe is most often used for event planning, ticket sales, attendee management, virtual events. Of those, event planning and ticket sales are not what Zeffy is typically brought in for.
What can Universe do that Zeffy cannot?
Universe covers Ticketing, Event pages, Guest lists, Check-in app. Zeffy covers Donation forms, Event ticketing, Membership management, Peer-to-peer fundraising. Both handle Facebook, Mailchimp, Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Universe: What platforms does Universe support?

Universe is available on web, iOS, and Android, with support across 25 countries and 9 languages. Organizers can accept online, mobile, onsite, kiosk, and print-at-home tickets.

Source
Zeffy: How much does Zeffy cost for nonprofits?

Zeffy is completely free for nonprofits. There are no platform fees, transaction fees, credit card processing fees, monthly subscriptions, or setup costs. Nonprofits retain 100% of funds raised.

Source
Universe: Does Universe integrate with other tools?

Yes. Universe integrates with 5,000+ partner applications through Zapier, allowing automation of ticket sales data to CRM, invoicing, and other business tools without code.

Source
Zeffy: How does Zeffy make money if it's free?

Zeffy relies on voluntary donor tips at checkout. On average, 2 out of 3 donors leave a tip. Tips are optional and donors can opt out, but Zeffy operates on this voluntary contribution model.

Source
Zeffy: What nonprofit organizations can use Zeffy?

Schools, churches, sports teams, animal rescues, food banks, volunteer fire departments, arts organizations, and PTAs can all use Zeffy. Over 100,000 nonprofits globally use the platform.

Source
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