How to Avoid Eventbrite Fees for Your Event

For event organizers, managing costs is a constant consideration, and ticketing fees can significantly impact an event’s profitability. Eventbrite stands as a widely used platform for event creation and ticket sales, offering extensive tools for promotion and management. However, the fees associated with its services are a frequent point of concern for those looking to maximize their revenue. This guide explores various strategies to help minimize or even avoid these fees, providing actionable insights for organizers navigating the ticketing landscape.

Eventbrite Fee Structure

Eventbrite’s fee model primarily involves two types of charges for paid tickets: service fees and payment processing fees. Service fees are Eventbrite’s charge for utilizing their platform, technology, and various features, typically calculated as a percentage of the ticket price plus a flat fee per ticket. For instance, in the U.S., this might be around 3.7% plus $1.79 per sold ticket, though these rates can vary based on the Eventbrite plan and country.

Payment processing fees cover the cost of handling financial transactions. This fee is generally a percentage of the total order, often around 2.9% in the U.S.. It applies when Eventbrite Payment Processing is used. Organizers typically have the option to absorb these fees, reducing their net revenue, or pass them on to the attendees, increasing the total ticket cost.

Eventbrite also offers different plans, such as Flex (pay-as-you-go) and Pro (monthly subscription), which can influence the specific service fee rates, but the fundamental structure of service and payment processing fees remains consistent. For free events, Eventbrite generally does not charge any service or payment processing fees.

On-Platform Fee Mitigation Strategies

Event organizers can implement several strategies directly within the Eventbrite platform to reduce or reallocate the burden of ticketing fees. A primary method involves configuring settings to pass all fees directly to the attendees. By unchecking the “Absorb fees” option during ticket creation, the service and payment processing fees are added on top of the ticket price, and the organizer receives the full stated ticket price. This approach allows organizers to maintain their desired net revenue per ticket, although it does result in a higher total price for the attendee.

Another effective strategy involves using free tickets, as Eventbrite does not impose fees on these. Organizers can designate certain ticket tiers as free, for early registrations, VIP access, or as a promotional tool, avoiding fees for those specific entries. This can be particularly useful for events that aim to attract a large audience or for non-profit organizations where the primary goal is attendance rather than revenue generation from every ticket.

The choice of payment processor within Eventbrite can also impact the fee structure. While Eventbrite Payment Processing is the default, organizers may sometimes have the option to use third-party processors like PayPal or Stripe. Exploring these options can provide different fee calculations and fund control, though the core service fee from Eventbrite for using their platform remains.

Alternative Ticketing Solutions

Bypassing Eventbrite can be a strategy for fee avoidance, as many alternative ticketing platforms exist, each with its own fee structure. These platforms may offer more favorable or transparent fee models depending on the event type and volume. For example, some alternatives might offer lower per-ticket fees, flat monthly subscriptions, or even zero commission models with a focus on a fixed fee per attendee.

Platforms like Ticketleap advertise lower fees compared to Eventbrite, sometimes charging around $1 plus 2% per ticket. TicketSpice offers a flat 99¢ fee per ticket plus processing rates, which can be more cost-effective for higher-priced tickets. Other platforms, such as Humanitix, may have a mission-driven approach, potentially offering lower rates, though their market presence might vary by region.

When considering an alternative, organizers should evaluate the platform’s features, ease of use, customer support, and how its fee model aligns with their event’s financial goals. Some platforms might be free for free events, similar to Eventbrite, but their paid event fees could differ significantly, ranging from flat per-ticket charges to subscription-based pricing. Comparing these fee models and features is essential to finding a solution that best fits specific event needs and budget constraints.

Direct Ticketing and Offline Sales

The method for avoiding online platform fees involves selling tickets directly or through offline channels, eliminating intermediaries. This approach means organizers retain nearly all revenue, save for standard payment processing charges if credit cards are accepted. Methods include selling tickets at the event venue, using a personal website with integrated direct payment processing, or conducting physical ticket sales at local businesses.

Selling tickets at the door, with cash or a mobile card reader, removes platform service fees entirely. Integrating a simple payment gateway like Stripe or PayPal directly into a personal website allows organizers to manage sales without a dedicated ticketing platform, incurring only the payment processor’s transaction fees. This offers control over the ticketing process and funds.

While offering zero platform fees, these direct and offline methods come with their own set of considerations. Organizers become solely responsible for marketing, ticket distribution, attendee tracking, and gate management, which can be labor-intensive. They also forgo the built-in promotional tools, audience reach, and analytics that larger platforms like Eventbrite provide. This approach is most suitable for smaller events, those with an established audience, or situations where maximum revenue retention outweighs the convenience and features of a comprehensive online ticketing service.