Ticketmaster is one of the most popular and widely used ticketing platforms in the world. However, it is not without its drawbacks and controversies. Many people have complained about its high fees, unfair pricing practices, and involvement in the ticket resale market. If you are looking for cheaper, fairer, and more reliable Ticketmaster alternative, here are 10 options you can consider.
1. AllEvents
AllEvents is a fast-growing ticketing platform that offers a range of features and benefits for both event organizers and attendees. It is free for organizers to use, and only charges $1 per ticket to attendees. You can create optimized event pages that rank well on Google, accept instant payments via PayPal or Stripe, and promote your event to millions of event seekers on AllEvents. You also get a free event website, automated follow-ups, a quick check-in experience, and human support.
Pros:
- Lowest pricing among Ticketmaster alternatives
- Free for organizers
- Optimized for SEO and promotion
- Instant payments and check-in
- Human support
Cons:
- Not as widely known as Ticketmaster
- Limited customization options
Costs:
- Free for organizers
- $1 per ticket for attendees
2. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is one of the most well-known and widely used ticketing platforms, an alternative to Ticketmaster. It allows you to create and manage events of any size and type, from concerts and festivals to workshops and webinars. You can sell tickets online or on-site, accept various payment methods, and track and analyze your sales and attendance data. Eventbrite also has a large network of event seekers and partners that can help you reach more potential customers.
Pros:
- Easy to use and set up
- Supports various types of events
- Accepts various payment methods
- Large network of event seekers and partners
Cons:
- Charges high fees for paid events
- Does not offer instant payouts
- Does not offer human support
Costs:
- Free for free events
- 2% + $0.79 per paid ticket (Essentials plan)
- 5% + $1.59 per paid ticket (Professional plan)
- Custom pricing for the Premium plan
3. See Tickets
See Tickets is a UK-based ticketing platform that has expanded its presence in the US market. It specializes in live music events and independent music festivals, but also covers other types of events such as comedy, theater, sports, and exhibitions. And offers competitive pricing, secure payment processing, mobile ticketing, customer service, and marketing support. It also has exclusive partnerships with some of the UK’s most popular venues and events.
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
- Secure payment processing
- Mobile ticketing
- Customer service and marketing support
Cons:
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not offer instant payouts
- Does not offer free events
Costs:
- Varies by event and venue.
4. Tickets.com
Tickets.com is another comprehensive ticketing platform that covers a wide range of events, especially live entertainment and sports. It is owned by Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and has partnerships with many venues across the US. It also offers mobile ticketing, customer service, and marketing support. Andcharges a service fee of $2.50 per ticket on average, which is lower than Ticketmaster’s fees.
Pros:
- Covers a wide range of events
- Has partnerships with many venues
- Offers mobile ticketing, customer service, and marketing support
Cons:
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not offer free events
- Does not offer instant payouts
Costs:
- Varies by event and venue
- A service fee of $2.50 per ticket on average
5. Twickets
Twickets is a ticketing platform that focuses on ethical and fair ticket resale. It allows fans to buy and sell tickets at face value or less, avoiding scalpers and inflated prices. It covers various types of events, such as music, sports, theater, comedy, and festivals. Also verifies the tickets and the sellers to ensure security and authenticity. It charges a 10% booking fee to buyers and a 3% payment processing fee to sellers.
Pros:
- Allows fair and ethical ticket resale
- Covers various types of events
- Verifies tickets and sellers
Cons:
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not offer original tickets
- Does not offer instant payouts
Costs:
- Face value or less for tickets
- 10% booking fee for buyers
- 3% payment processing fee for sellers
6. Dice
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to Ticketmaster, you might want to check out Dice. Dice is more than just a ticketing platform; it is a music discovery app that helps you find the best gigs and festivals for you. You can get mobile tickets, join waitlists, request refunds, earn loyalty rewards, and even score exclusive tickets to sold-out shows. Plus, Dice does not charge any fees or allow ticket resale or scalping, so you can enjoy the music without the hassle.
Pros:
- Offers curated recommendations of the best gigs and festivals
- Offers mobile ticketing, waitlists, refunds, loyalty rewards, and exclusive access
- Does not charge any fees to buyers or sellers
- Does not allow ticket resale or scalping
Cons:
- Only covers music events
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not offer instant payouts
Costs:
- Face value for tickets
- No fees for buyers or sellers
7. Pretix
Pretix is an open-source ticketing platform that gives you full control and flexibility over your ticket sales. You can host it on your own server or use their hosted service. You can customize your event page, ticket design, payment options, and email templates. and You can also integrate it with various third-party services and plugins. Pretix charges a flat fee per ticket sold, which you can pass on to your customers or absorb yourself.
Pros:
- Open-source and self-hosted
- Customizable and flexible
- Integrates with various services and plugins
Cons:
- Requires technical skills to set up and maintain
- Does not offer instant payouts
- Does not offer customer service
Costs:
- Free for free events
- €0.25 + 2.5% per paid ticket (self-hosted)
- €0.45 + 5% per paid ticket (hosted service)
8. Eventsize
Eventsize is a ticketing platform that lets you sell cheaper tickets than Ticketmaster. With Eventsize, you can create and sell tickets online with ease, accept various payment methods, scan tickets with your phone, and access real-time data and analytics. Eventsize does not charge any fees to organizers or attendees, and it does not require any contracts or subscriptions. It also offers instant payouts and customer support.
Pros:
- Simple and affordable
- No fees for organizers or attendees
- Instant payouts and customer support
Cons:
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not offer free events
- Does not offer marketing or promotion tools
Costs:
- Free for organizers and attendees
- Eventsize makes money from payment processing fees.
9. Attendize
If you are looking for an alternative to Ticketmaster that is open-source and self-hosted, you might want to check out Attendize. Attendize lets you create beautiful event pages, sell tickets online, manage attendees, send email confirmations, and generate reports. Attendize does not charge any fees to organizers or attendees, and it does not require any contracts or subscriptions. It also offers various payment options and integrations.
Pros:
- Open-source and self-hosted
- No fees for organizers or attendees
- Various payment options and integrations
Cons:
- Requires technical skills to set up and maintain.
- Does not offer instant payouts.
- Does not offer customer service.
Costs:
- Free for organizers and attendees
- Attendize makes money from donations and sponsorships.
10. Ticket19
Ticket19 is a ticketing platform that focuses on live-streaming events. It allows you to create and sell tickets for online events, such as concerts, webinars, workshops, and conferences. You can also embed your live stream on your event page, chat with your audience, and collect feedback. Ticket19 charges a flat fee per ticket sold, which you can pass on to your customers or absorb yourself.
Pros:
- Focuses on live streaming events
- Embeds live stream on event page
- Chat and feedback features
Cons:
- Not as widely available as Ticketmaster
- Does not cover offline events
- Does not offer instant payouts
Costs:
- Free for free events
- $1 per paid ticket
If you are looking for a Ticketmaster alternative, you have plenty of options to choose from. There are many ticketing platforms that offer cheaper, fairer, and more reliable services for both event organizers and attendees. You can find a ticketing platform that matches your needs and preferences, whether you need a comprehensive, specialized, open-source, or simple solution.
