Platform Fee Comparison
Before we talk alternatives, let's understand what you're actually paying. Most platforms charge a combination of percentage fees and fixed fees per ticket.
| Platform | Fee Structure | $50 Ticket Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Eventbrite | 3.7% + $1.79 + payment | ~$5.50 |
| Ticketek | 5-10% + booking fee | ~$7-10 |
| Humanitix | 4-6% (to charity) | ~$2-3 |
| TryBooking | 2.5% + $0.50 | ~$1.75 |
| Luma | Free (most events) | $0 |
The hidden cost
Payment processing (Stripe, Square) typically adds 1.75-2.9% on top of platform fees. Some platforms bundle this, others don't. Always calculate your total cost per ticket.
Low-Cost Ticketing Alternatives
If you need proper ticketing (QR codes, capacity management, refunds), these options offer lower fees than the big platforms.
TryBooking
Australian-based, significantly lower fees than Eventbrite. Good for community events, classes, and recurring events.
Best for: Community events, workshops
Humanitix
Fees go to charity instead of shareholders. Free for free events. Good if you want to feel better about the fees you do pay.
Best for: Charity events, socially-conscious organisers
Luma
Free for most events, clean interface, good for recurring events. Popular with tech and startup communities.
Best for: Tech events, professional meetups
Dice
Music-focused, handles discovery well. Fees absorbed by ticket buyer. Strong in electronic music scene.
Best for: Club nights, live music
Going Platform-Free
For smaller events or tight margins, you might not need a ticketing platform at all. Here are DIY approaches that work.
Bank Transfer + Spreadsheet
- ✓Share BSB/Account or PayID for payment
- ✓Track payments in a spreadsheet
- ✓Send confirmation via email or message
- ✗Manual work, no automatic check-in
Payment Link (Stripe/Square)
- ✓Create a payment link for the ticket amount
- ✓Professional payment experience
- ✓Only pay payment processing (~1.75%)
- ✗No built-in capacity limits
Cash at Door
- ✓Zero fees
- ✓Works well for free or cheap events
- ✗No advance revenue, capacity uncertainty
When to skip platforms
DIY ticketing works best for: events under 100 people, free events, recurring events with a known audience, or when margins are extremely tight. For larger or higher-risk events, a proper platform provides insurance.
Getting Discovered (Free)
Ticketing and discovery are separate problems. You can sell tickets anywhere while using free platforms for discovery.
Free Discovery Channels
Eventi
Map-based event discovery with community features. Apply to become an organiser in the app, then submit events once approved. Social features let attendees connect pre-event.
Facebook Events
Still the largest event discovery platform. Free to create, easy to share. Best for events targeting 25+ age group.
Stories and Reels for building hype. Best for visual events, music, and lifestyle. Requires consistent content effort.
Local Community Groups
Facebook groups, Reddit communities, neighbourhood apps. High engagement if you're genuinely part of the community.
The multi-channel approach
Smart organisers separate ticketing from discovery. Sell tickets on a low-fee platform, but list the event everywhere for maximum reach. Your event link can go to any ticketing page.
Building Your Own Audience
The ultimate solution to platform fees is owning your audience. When you have a direct line to your people, you don't need to pay for reach.
Your Community Stack
Email List
Still the highest-converting channel. Collect emails at every event. Mailchimp, Buttondown, or Substack are free for small lists.
WhatsApp/Telegram Group
Direct, immediate, high open rates. Best for under 200 members. Creates community between events.
Instagram Community
For building brand and FOMO. Requires consistent posting. Good for visual, lifestyle-oriented events.
Growing Without Paid Ads
- ✓Word of mouth: Ask happy attendees to bring friends. Personal invites convert best.
- ✓Shareable content: Photos and videos from events that people want to share and tag.
- ✓Partnerships: Cross-promote with complementary organisers. Share audiences.
- ✓Consistency: Regular events build habit. "First Friday" is easier to remember.
The Smart Organiser Strategy
Here's how to put it all together. A practical approach that minimizes fees while maximizing reach.
Choose low-fee ticketing
TryBooking for community events, Luma for professional events, or DIY for small events. Avoid the 5%+ platforms.
List everywhere for free
Eventi, Facebook Events, Instagram, local groups. Discovery should cost nothing - cast a wide net.
Build your direct audience
Collect emails and create a community group. Every event should grow your owned audience.
Reinvest savings
Fees saved = better sound, better venue, better experience. Quality creates word-of-mouth, which beats paid marketing.
The long game
The goal isn't to avoid all fees forever - it's to reduce dependence on platforms. As your owned audience grows, you need platforms less. Eventually, your community becomes your distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ticketing platforms charge?
Fees vary significantly. Eventbrite charges 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket (plus payment processing). Humanitix charges 4-6%. Ticketek charges 5-10% plus booking fees. For a $50 ticket, you might lose $5-10 per sale. On 200 tickets, that's $1,000-2,000 in fees.
Can I sell tickets without using a platform?
Yes. Options include: bank transfers with manual guest lists, payment links (Square, Stripe) with your own spreadsheet, or cash at door. These work well for smaller events. For larger events, you may want a platform for logistics, but you can still use free alternatives.
What are the best free alternatives to Eventbrite?
For ticketing: Humanitix (free for free events), TryBooking (lower fees), or Luma (free for most use cases). For promotion without ticketing: Eventi (free discovery), Facebook Events (free), local community boards. The best approach often combines multiple free channels.
How do I build an audience without paid advertising?
Focus on community over marketing: build a mailing list, create a WhatsApp/Telegram group, encourage word-of-mouth through shareable content, partner with complementary organisers, and leverage existing communities (Facebook groups, Reddit, local forums). Consistency matters more than any single campaign.