Looking for the top event ticketing platforms in 2024? Here's a quick rundown of the 10 best options:
- Eventbrite - Best for small to medium events
- Cvent - Ideal for large corporate events
- vFairs - Great for virtual/hybrid events
- Ticket Tailor - Budget-friendly option
- Webex Events - Strong for tech-focused events
- Bizzabo - Suited for medium/large companies
- ThunderTix - Excellent for recurring events
- Splash - Emphasizes design and branding
- TicketSpice - Simple and affordable
- Yapsody - Handles complex seating arrangements
Quick Comparison:
| Platform | Best For | Key Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | Small-medium events | Event discovery, built-in payments | Free plan + paid from $29/mo |
| Cvent | Large corporate events | Full event management, venue sourcing | Custom pricing |
| vFairs | Virtual/hybrid events | Multiple ticket types, secure payments | Custom quote |
| Ticket Tailor | Budget-conscious organizers | Unlimited ticket types, custom branding | $0.65 per ticket |
| Bizzabo | Medium-large companies | Data analysis, custom websites | From $499/mo (3 user min) |
When choosing a platform, consider: • Your event size and type • Must-have features
• Budget and pricing model • Ease of use for you and attendees • Integration with existing tools
The right ticketing platform can boost your event's success and attendee satisfaction. Compare options carefully to find the best fit for your specific needs.
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How These Platforms Compare
Let's break down how the top event ticketing platforms stack up in 2024. We'll look at features, costs, integrations, and payment options.
Features and Functionality
| Platform | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | Event discovery, custom pages, built-in payments | Small to medium events, high visibility |
| Cvent | Full event management, attendee tracking, venue sourcing | Large events, conferences, trade shows |
| Bizzabo | All-in-one management, mobile registration, custom ticketing | Medium to large companies, multiple yearly events |
| TicketSpice | Event page builder, flexible pricing | Organizers wanting simplicity and affordability |
| Yapsody | Enterprise-focused, various seating options | Large events with complex seating |
Eventbrite shines with top-notch search rankings, making events easy to find. Cvent packs a punch with tools for feedback and surveys, perfect for big, complex events.
Pricing Structures
Prices vary a lot:
- Eventbrite: Free plan available, paid plans from $29/month plus ticket fees
- Cvent: Custom pricing, suits bigger budgets
- Bizzabo: Starts at $499/month (3 user minimum), for larger orgs
- TicketSpice: $0.99 per ticket, great for smaller events
- Yapsody: From 1.75% + $0.59 per ticket for general seating
Here's the deal: Free plans like Eventbrite's often mean higher per-ticket fees. Bizzabo costs more upfront but offers more for big event management.
User Satisfaction and Ease of Use
Recent reviews show:
- Eventbrite: 62.8% satisfaction from small businesses, praised for easy setup
- Bizzabo: 41.3% satisfaction from small businesses, liked for ongoing support and updates
A G2 User Review states: "Reviewers felt that Eventbrite meets the needs of their business better than Bizzabo." But for feature updates, Bizzabo got the thumbs up.
Integration Capabilities
Your existing tools matter:
- Cvent: Handles various event types, includes feedback features
- Bizzabo: Plays nice with marketing tools and CRMs
- Eventbrite: Offers API access for custom integrations
Payment Processing and Revenue Access
How fast can you get your money?
- Eventbrite: Quick payouts, often within 2-5 business days
- Bizzabo and Cvent: Work with various payment processors, giving you more options
When picking a platform, think about your event's size, budget, and specific needs. Each platform has its strengths – choose the one that fits your events best.
10 Leading Event Ticketing Platforms
Let's look at the top event ticketing platforms for 2024. We've based this list on what users say and how well these platforms work for different events.
1. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is easy to use and pretty popular.
What it's good at:
- Helps people find your event
- Handles payments
- Lets you manage events on your phone
Who it's for: Smaller events that want to be seen
Cost: Free option available; paid plans start at $29/month plus fees
Users give Eventbrite 4.6 out of 5 stars (based on 1,905 reviews). It's the big fish in the event marketing pond, with about half the market share and 179,728 customers.
2. Cvent
Cvent is for bigger, more complicated events.
What it's good at:
- Finding venues
- Keeping track of attendees
- Offering a mobile app for events
Who it's for: Big conferences and company events
Cost: You'll need to ask them; no free trial
Users rate Cvent 4.4 out of 5 (from 1,822 reviews). It's great for customizing things, but it might take some time to learn how to use it.
3. vFairs
vFairs is all about online and mixed online/in-person events.
What it's good at:
- Different ticket prices
- Discount codes
- Safe payments
Who it's for: Groups hosting online or mixed events
Cost: Ask for a quote based on what you need
vFairs is certified for keeping payment info safe (ISO 27001).
4. Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor keeps things simple and has a different way of charging.
What it's good at:
- As many ticket types as you want
- Pay for tickets ahead of time
- Your own branding on tickets
Who it's for: Smaller events and those watching their budget
Cost: $0.65 per ticket (+ VAT) if you pay as you go
With Ticket Tailor, you can buy credits for tickets upfront. This might save money if you host a lot of events.
5. Webex Events
Webex Events (used to be called Socio) is all about making online and mixed events fun.
What it's good at:
- Live streaming
- Ways for people to network
- Custom event app
Who it's for: Tech-savvy folks hosting online or mixed events
Cost: Ask for a quote based on what you need
We don't know exact prices, but Webex Events is known for having lots of features for digital events.
6. Bizzabo
Bizzabo is for medium and large companies that host lots of events.
What it's good at:
- Detailed data analysis
- Build your own event website
- Tools to keep attendees interested
Who it's for: Medium to large companies with multiple yearly events
Cost: Starts at $499/month (minimum 3 users)
Users give Bizzabo 4.5 out of 5 stars (based on 458 reviews). People like how easy it is to use and the customer support, but it's on the pricier side.
7. ThunderTix
ThunderTix is great for shows and sports events.
What it's good at:
- Managing season tickets
- Assigned seating
- Tools for ticket offices
Who it's for: Theaters, sports venues, and events that happen every year
Cost: Starts at $1 per ticket with a $20 monthly minimum
ThunderTix is a top choice for people running performance and sports events.
8. Splash
Splash focuses on making event pages look good and making it easy for people to sign up.
What it's good at:
- Easy-to-use event page builder
- Tools for marketing your event
- Managing attendees
Who it's for: Companies that care a lot about how things look
Cost: Ask for a quote based on what features you want and how many events you'll have
Marketers who want their events to look amazing often choose Splash.
9. TicketSpice
TicketSpice is simple and affordable, with flexible pricing.
What it's good at:
- Your own branding
- Different ways to accept payments
- Scanning tickets on mobile devices
Who it's for: Small to medium-sized events looking to save money
Cost: 2% + $0.99 per ticket for paid events
TicketSpice's straightforward pricing and features make it attractive for event organizers on a budget.
10. Yapsody
Yapsody is for big events with lots of seating options.
What it's good at:
- Different seating layouts
- Your own branding on tickets
- Support for multiple languages
Who it's for: Large events with complex seating arrangements
Cost: $0.59 + 1.75% + 3.0% credit card processing fee per general seat
Yapsody is flexible enough to handle different types of events, from concerts to conferences.
Each of these platforms has its strengths. When picking one, think about how big your event is, your budget, what features you need, and how it'll work with your other tools. This will help you find the best fit for your event.
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How to Pick the Right Platform
Choosing an event ticketing platform can make or break your event. Here's how to pick the right one:
Understand Your Event Needs
First, define your event type and size. Different events need different features:
- Conferences need speaker management and scheduling tools
- Festivals need ticket tiers and fast check-ins
- Small workshops might only need basic ticketing
Key Features to Look For
1. User-friendly interface
Your attendees (and you) should be able to use it without a PhD in rocket science.
2. Customizable event pages
You want your event page to look like YOUR event, not a generic template.
3. Secure payment processing
Because nobody likes their credit card info floating around the internet.
4. Real-time analytics
So you can see how ticket sales are going (and panic accordingly).
5. Mobile optimization
Because let's face it, everyone's on their phones these days.
Budget Matters
Pricing models are all over the place. Here are a few examples:
- TicketsCandy: Free for organizers, 0.9% fee for buyers
- Eventbrite: 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket
- TicketSpice: $0.99 per attendee + 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee
Pick one that won't eat all your profits.
Support and Reliability
Look for platforms that:
- Actually answer when you call for help
- Can handle it when your event goes viral
- Keep improving their product
Try Before You Buy
Most platforms offer free trials. Use them to:
- See if it's as easy to use as they claim
- Check out their marketing tools
- Try creating different ticket types
Play Nice with Others
Make sure the platform can work with:
- Your CRM system
- Email marketing tools
- Social media platforms
It'll save you a ton of headaches later.
Room to Grow
Pick a platform that can handle your events as they get bigger and better.
Bryan Brand, VP of Business Development for Ticketsauce, says:
"The ideal platform should have three main attributes: User-Friendly and Easy to Set Up, Capable of Sophisticated Data Collection, and Reliable On-Site App Functionality."
Numbers, Numbers, Numbers
Look for platforms that give you the dirt on:
- Who's coming to your events
- When people are buying tickets
- Which marketing campaigns are actually working
Final Thoughts
Picking the right event ticketing platform can make or break your event. Let's recap the key points to keep in mind:
User Experience Matters
A good user experience isn't just nice to have - it's essential. It can boost your conversion rates by up to 400%. Look for:
- Easy event setup and customization
- Simple ticket buying process
- Mobile-friendly design (over half of internet traffic is mobile)
Match the Platform to Your Event
Different events need different features:
| Event Type | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Small workshops | Basic ticketing, low cost |
| Big conferences | Advanced tracking, multiple ticket types |
| Music festivals | High-volume sales, quick check-in |
Watch Those Fees
Ticketing fees can eat into your profits. Compare different pricing models:
- Flat fee per ticket
- Percentage-based fees
- Monthly subscriptions
Security and Support Count
Nearly 1 in 5 buyers bail on purchases due to security worries. Make sure your platform has solid security. Good customer support is also a must.
Marketing and Data Tools
Look for platforms with:
- Social media tools
- Email marketing
- Sales tracking
- Attendee data analysis
These can help you promote your event and make smart decisions.
Think About the Future
Your events might grow. Pick a platform that can grow with you. Consider:
- Integration with other tools
- Handling more tickets
- Better reporting options
Take your time choosing. Use free trials and demos. Remember, it's an investment in your event's success.
As Bryan Brand from Ticketsauce says:
"The ideal platform should have three main attributes: User-Friendly and Easy to Set Up, Capable of Sophisticated Data Collection, and Reliable On-Site App Functionality."
Choose wisely, and set your event up for success.
FAQs
What is the best event ticketing system?
The "best" event ticketing system depends on your specific needs. Here's a quick rundown of some top players:
| Platform | Sweet Spot | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | Small to medium events | Easy to use, wide reach, lower fees |
| Cvent | Big corporate events | Customization, loads of features |
| vFairs | Online and hybrid events | All-in-one management, marketing tools |
| Eventtia | Various event types | Flexible, fits different industries |
Eventbrite is the big fish here. It's got a whopping 49.63% market share and 179,728 customers in the Event Marketing and Management category. People love it because it's simple and helps get events noticed.
For the heavy hitters with complex events, there's Cvent. It's packed with features and customization options. It's sitting at 3rd place with a 4.60% market share and 16,660 customers.
Is there anything better than Ticketmaster?
You bet! Several alternatives offer better customer service and often lower fees than Ticketmaster. Check these out:
- Eventbrite: It's user-friendly and typically cheaper. For example, selling 100 tickets at $10 each might cost you $124 in fees with Eventbrite's Essentials package. That's often less than Ticketmaster's fees, which can eat up to 30% of your ticket revenue.
- Eventify: Known for top-notch customer service and quality.
- StubHub: A popular choice with a wide variety of events and tickets.
- TicketLeap: Offers solid customer support and competitive pricing.
These platforms usually shine in customer service. They offer instant chat, phone support, contact forms, email, and detailed FAQ sections.
Here's what Bryan Brand, VP of Business Development for Ticketsauce, has to say:
"The ideal platform should have three main attributes: User-Friendly and Easy to Set Up, Capable of Sophisticated Data Collection, and Reliable On-Site App Functionality."
When you're looking for a Ticketmaster alternative, keep an eye on fees, customer service quality, and specific features that fit your event's needs.
