If you’ve organized or bought tickets to an event, chances are you’ve heard of Eventbrite. While being one of the most popular event management platforms out there, Eventbrite has become synonymous with high and complicated fees.
Eventbrite’s pricing structure has been a hot topic recently, sparking frustration among event creators. From sudden fee hikes to removing fee caps, Eventbrite’s pricing journey has been somewhat of a bumper car ride.
If you are branching out into events or looking to grow your event ticket sales, we’ll look at the history of Eventbrite’s fee changes, explore their current pricing, and weigh the pros and cons of the platform beyond its costs.
By the end, you’ll understand whether Eventbrite’s fees are worth it—and how our platform Checkout Page offers a more cost-effective alternative packed with event features to help boost your sales—minus the ticket fees.
Eventbrite fees: What’s all the fuss about?
If you are new to ticket sales, it’s worth knowing that Eventbrite fees have long been a hot topic among ticket sellers, and things really ramped up in late 2023 when Eventbrite introduced a new “organizer fee” for hosts of events with more than 25 tickets, including free tickets.
This move effectively eliminated the platform’s free tier for most users. Understandably, many event organizers were left feeling frustrated, and criticism was sparked in forums like Reddit.
Eventbrite fees: Changes and free tier adjustments in 2023–2024
Let’s look at a sample of the changes to fees and tiers in the last two years to get a picture of the shifting landscape in the world of Eventbrite fees. I
It's important to note that Eventbrite's default is that buyers pay the fees on ticket purchases, although as a seller, you can opt to absorb these yourself instead.
March 2023:
- Service fee increase: Raised from 3.5% to 3.7% per ticket
- Per-ticket fee increase: Increased from $1.59 to $1.79
- Credit card processing fee increase: Upped from 2.5% to 2.9%
- North American restrictions: Removed the Essentials plan for North American customers, forcing them onto the more expensive Professional plan.
August 2023:
- Introduction of monthly fees:
- Flex plan: Per-event fees range from $9.99 (up to 100 tickets) to $49.99 (unlimited tickets).
- Pro plan: Monthly subscriptions start at $29 (up to 100 tickets) and go up to $159 (unlimited tickets).
- Elimination of fee refunds: Eventbrite stopped refunding their fees on canceled or refunded tickets.
- On-site fees: Maintained $1 per ticket for credit card and cash sales at the door.
September/October 2023: Revamp of pricing plans
- 25 ticket limit for free events: Eventbrite introduced an organizer fee for free events with more than 25 attendees, effectively ending its truly free tier for larger events. This move sparked a significant backlash from event creators, as expressed by the Reddit user above.
2024: Some backtracking (but fees remain high)
- Unlimited free listings: Starting September 4th, Eventbrite announced it will be free to list unlimited events of any size again, removing the 25 ticket restriction. This change makes Eventbrite more accessible to all organizers, promoting growth and sharing of live experiences.
- Flex plan removed and Pro plans added: Eventbrite creates new Pro plans with enhanced email marketing capabilities for event organizers.
The tiers for this plan are as follows:- Pro 2k: Send up to 2,000 daily emails for $15/month
- Pro 6k: Send up to 6,000 daily emails for $50/month)
- Pro 10k: Send up to 10,000 daily emails for $100/month (USD)
- Increase to onsite ticket fees: On top of the $1 per ticket, Eventbrite introduced a 2.9% on-site fee for credit cards and cash
Key takeaways from Eventbrite’s fee and pricing volatility
- Frequent changes: Eventbrite has adjusted its pricing 11 times since 2007, with significant hikes in 2023 and 2024.
- Increasing complexity: The introduction of monthly fees, tiered plans, and on-site charges has made the fee structure more convoluted.
- Broken customer trust: Eventbrite has repeatedly walked back on fee caps and free event tiers, eroding user trust.
- High costs for paid events: Despite adjustments to the free tier, Eventbrite’s fees remain among the highest in the industry and may remain unstable.
- Free tier improvements: Reintroducing unlimited free events and no fees on free tickets is a positive step, but users are legitimately concerned about what changes may be on the horizon.
On top of the headache that the calculation of fees brings, these frequent changes have left many wondering:
Is Eventbrite worth it? And how long it will be before yet another change is announced?
Current Eventbrite fees and pricing
Eventbrite’s most up-to-date pricing model has shifted from attendee-based fees to a focus on marketing capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of the current plans, which are correct as of February 9th, 2025:
Unlimited events: Publish unlimited free or paid events with no fees on free tickets
Ticketing fees: Standard service and payment processing fees apply
- Paid tickets incur 3.7% + $1.79 service fee per ticket in the USA
- Paid tickets incur 6.95% + £0.59 service fee per ticket in the UK
- A 2.9% payment processing fee is taken per order
Eventbrite Pro plans
Eventbrite offers Pro plans that cater to professional event organizers' needs, offering enhanced email marketing capabilities.
These plans provide access to features, such as customizable email templates, automated reminders, and targeted campaigns, which are designed to help organizers increase ticket sales.
How suitable these plans are for you depends on your events' scale, specific needs, and your budget for subscription-based services.
The Pro plan tiers are as follows:
- Pro 2k: Send up to 2,000 daily emails for $15/month
- Pro 6k: Send up to 6,000 daily emails for $50/month)
- Pro 10k: Send up to 10,000 daily emails for $100/month (USD)
While the Pro plan offers valuable features, its focus on email marketing may not suit all organizers. If you don’t rely heavily on email campaigns, you might pay for tools you don’t need.
Discounts
Nonprofits receive a 50% discount, and annual subscribers save 20%.
Calculating Eventbrite ticketing fees
By default, Eventbrite fees are handed to your customers to pay; however, you can choose to absorb these yourself. Let’s look at an example and break down the fees on a $40 event ticket sold in the USA.
- Service fee calculation:
- Service fee: 3.7% of $40 = $1.48
- Fixed fee: $1.79
- Total service fee = $1.48 + $1.79 = $3.27
- Payment processing fee calculation:
- Payment processing fee: 2.9% of the total order (which is $40 + $3.27)
- Total order = $40 + $3.27 = $43.27
- Payment processing fee: 2.9% of $43.27 = $1.25 (approximately)
- Total fees:
- Total fees = Service Fee + Payment Processing Fee
- Total fees = $3.27 + $1.25 = $4.52
- Final total cost:
- Total cost (ticket price + total fees) = $40 + $4.52 = $44.52
That’s a hefty addition to the ticket's original price, making your customers likely feel frustrated from the moment they purchase from you.
On-site and 'at the door' fees
Another cost factor for event organizers wanting to sell tickets to people at the door is that Eventbrite charges additional fees for both cash and credit card transactions.
The fees for tickets at the door vary by region:
- U.S & Canada: There is a service fee of $1 plus a 2.9% payment processing fee.
- U.K: The fee includes a service fee of £0.50, but there is no payment processing fee.
Eventbrite fees by country
Eventbrite’s fees vary significantly by region, adding another layer of confusion for anyone wanting to sell globally, as many online event creators do.
Here’s a taster of some of the fee differences per country for sellers considering ticket sales in multiple regions for events such as webinars and workshops:
| Country | Service fee | Card processing fee | Donation tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3.7% + $1.79 per sold ticket | 2.9% of the total order | Payment processing fee: 2.9% of the total order |
| UK | 6.95% + £0.59 per sold ticket | Not applicable | Service fee: 2% |
| Canada | 3.5% + C$1.29 per sold ticket | 2.9% of the total order | Payment processing fee: 2.9% of the total order |
| Ireland | 5.9% + €0.79 per sold ticket | Not applicable | Service fee: 2% |
| Australia | 5.35% + A$1.19 per sold ticket | Not applicable | Service fee: 2% |
| Germany | Service fee: 5.5% per sold ticket | Service fee: 5.5% + €0.99 per sold ticket | Donation tickets: 2% service fee |
| Switzerland | Service fee: 1% + Fr 0.59 per sold ticket | Service fee: 2.5% + Fr 0.99 per sold ticket | |
| Mexico | Payment processing fee: 2% of the total order | Payment processing fee: 2% of the total order |
Beyond fees: Reviewing Eventbrite's features
While fees are an essential consideration when choosing an event ticketing platform, they are far from the only factor in determining whether a particular solution fits your needs.
The cost must be weighed against the platform's value, so let’s take a closer look at Eventbrite’s pros and cons in terms of features:
Pros of using Eventbrite
✅ User-friendly interface: Eventbrite is known for its intuitive design, making it easy for beginners and experienced event organizers to set up, manage, and promote events.
✅ Integrated marketing tools: The platform offers built-in tools for email campaigns, social media promotion, and paid advertising through Eventbrite Boost. These features can save you time and effort when reaching your target audience.
✅ Comprehensive analytics: Eventbrite offers detailed analytics that helps you track ticket sales, monitor attendee demographics, and measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
✅ Global reach: Eventbrite is a popular choice for organizers hosting events in different countries due to its support for multiple currencies and languages. Its global presence can help you reach a diverse audience.
✅ Mobile app for attendees: The Eventbrite app helps attendees to find, register for, and access events.
✅ Community and networking opportunities: Listing your event on Eventbrite exposes you to its user base, which can help you attract new attendees and grow your audience.
Cons of using Eventbrite
❌ High fees: We’ve already discussed fees in detail, but it’s worth reiterating that Eventbrite’s ticketing and payment processing fees can be added up. This is often a significant drawback for budget-conscious organizers.
❌ Complex pricing structure: The platform’s fee structure varies by country and event type, making it difficult to predict and compare costs with other platforms.
❌ Limited customization: One of Eventbrite's most significant drawbacks is its lack of white-label options. The platform heavily features its own branding, which can overshadow your event’s identity.
❌ Template limitations: While Eventbrite’s event pages are easy to set up, they offer little design flexibility. This makes it challenging to create a unique, stand-out event page.
❌ Dependence on Eventbrite’s ecosystem: If you decide to switch to another service in the future, migrating your data and attendee information can be a cumbersome process.
❌ Limited control over attendee data: While Eventbrite provides analytics, it acts as a Merchant of Record. This means organizers will find that they don’t have complete control over attendee data, which can be a concern for those who prioritize data ownership, privacy, and the ability to communicate directly with their buyers outside the Eventbrite ecosystem.
❌ Competition for attention: While being seen in a marketplace of events can improve reach, Eventbrite is a popular platform, so your event may compete with others in the same category, diluting your visibility.
When evaluating Eventbrite, consider both the fees and how well the platform meets your event’s needs, brand identity, and customer data requirements.
Are the high fees worth it?
If you don't think so, there are alternatives.
Why Checkout Page is an excellent alternative to Eventbrite
As we’ve seen, Eventbrite’s complex fee structure, limited customization, and lack of control over attendee data have left many frustrated users searching for alternatives.
Enter Checkout Page, a platform designed to address these pain points while offering a streamlined, cost-effective solution for selling event tickets. Here are seven great reasons to consider Checkout Page as an alternative to Eventbrite:
1. Transparent, flat-rate pricing with no ticketing fees
Unlike Eventbrite’s percentage-based fees, Checkout Page offers a straightforward subscription model starting at just $24/month. With 0% transaction fees, you keep more of your ticket sales revenue. Checkout Page’s pricing is refreshingly predictable and budget-friendly without any hidden costs.
2. Fully branded event pages
One of Eventbrite’s most significant drawbacks is its branding overshadows your brand identity. Checkout Page allows you to create white-labeled, fully branded event pages that match your website design seamlessly.
No Checkout Page branding means that your event gets the spotlight—not us.
3. Complete control over attendee data
Eventbrite acts as a Merchant of Record, limiting your access to attendee data and communication outside its platform. With Checkout Page, we don’t act as a middleman, so you retain full control over your attendee data, ensuring you can manage customer relationships without restrictions.
4. Flexible ticket types and revenue-boosting features
Checkout Page offers flexible ticket types, including name-your-own-price tickets, VIP upgrades, and the ability to sell merchandise or additional products with order bumps and one-click upsells. These features enhance the attendee experience and help you maximize revenue—something Eventbrite’s rigid structure often limits.
5. No-code setup and seamless integration
Setting up events on Checkout Page is quick and easy, with no coding required. You can embed checkout pages directly on your website or share fully branded event pages. Plus, integrations with tools like Zapier and Google Sheets make it simple to streamline your workflows.
6. Fast payouts and no long-term commitments
With Checkout Page, you’ll never have to wait to access the funds from your sales. Checkout Page is built on Stripe, which is where your money stays. Additionally, no contracts or long-term commitments mean you can pause or cancel your subscription as needed. If you decide to move, it will be hassle-free because your data stays with Stripe, not with us.
7. Exceptional customer support
Checkout Page prides itself on offering live support from founders, not AI bots. Whether you need help setting up your event or optimizing your sales funnel process, their team is there to provide fast, expert, human assistance.
Final thoughts
Thanks for joining us for this review of Eventbrite's fees, past and present. There is no denying it's been a rocky ride for long-term users, and their desire to look elsewhere for something with a predictable, stable pricing model is entirely understandable.
While Eventbrite certainly has some good features, it also comes with many limitations. For event organizers who are budget-conscious and want total control over their branding and customer relationship, Eventbrite is just not the best choice.
Checkout Page offers a refreshing alternative with transparent pricing, fully branded event pages, and powerful features designed to put you in control.
Whether hosting a small community event or a large-scale conference, Checkout Page provides the tools and flexibility you need for your event to succeed—without the headaches.
If you think we might be a good fit for your events, why not try our 7-day free trial—no credit card needed! Simply connect your Stripe account, and you are ready to start selling tickets in minutes with our no-code event pages.
