Event Ticketing Software: What to Look for

Did you know – over 680 billion people bought event tickets online in 2023? And this number is only expected to increase in the years to come!

So let’s dive into the world of event ticketing software together and help you find the best solution. We’ll look at what different platforms offer, how much they cost, and what benefits they bring to the table. Whether you’re planning a cozy local gathering or a massive conference, we’ve got you covered. 

Ready to find your perfect match?

Key features to look for in event ticketing software

So, what are these magic ingredients that can make or break your event management experience? Let’s look at the must-have features of event ticketing software.

• Integration and compatibility: You want software that plays nice with what you’re already using. If you’re running a WordPress site, for example, look for ticketing software that fits right in. No one wants to spend ages figuring out how to make things work together.
• User-friendly interface: Both you and your attendees should be able to navigate the platform without pulling your hair out. The easier it is to buy tickets, the more likely people are to follow through.
• Adaptability: Whether you’re planning a cozy book club meetup or a massive music festival, your ticketing software should be able to handle it. Flexibility is key here.
• Flexible ticket types: VIP tickets, early bird specials, general admission – you name it. Good ticketing software makes it easy to create and manage different ticket types.
• Custom registration fields: Want to know your attendees’ T-shirt sizes or meal preferences? Make sure you can add custom fields to your registration forms.
• Multiple payment options: The more ways people can pay, the better. Look for software that supports various payment methods like PayPal, Stripe, and even Apple Pay or Google Pay.
• Instant confirmation: No one likes to be left hanging. Your software should send out immediate confirmations and e-tickets to put your attendees’ minds at ease.
• Premium support: You will likely need help at some point. Look for platforms that offer solid support options to help you out of sticky situations quickly.
• Comprehensive resources: A good knowledge base can be a lifesaver. Check if the platform offers tutorials, FAQs, and even a community forum where you can learn from other users.
• Balancing cost vs. features: You want all the cool features, but you must also watch your budget. Look for hidden costs like per-ticket fees or transaction fees. And remember, some platforms might skimp on essential features in their free or basic plans.

Top 10 event ticketing software platforms

We’ve got a lineup of the top ten platforms that are making waves in the industry. Each one has its special features, so pay attention to what might work best for your events.

P.S. You’ll notice that there’s one obvious winner, but we won’t say who yet! 

1. Event Tickets

Event Tickets is a powerful WordPress plugin designed to make selling tickets and managing event registrations simple and efficient. As an integrated solution within WordPress, it allows users to handle event details, ticket sales, and attendee management directly from their website.

Key features and benefits

• Unified platform for event ticketing: By integrating event management directly within WordPress, everything from selling tickets to checking in attendees is managed in one place.
• Own your ticket sales: Users can create and sell tickets without any third-party involvement, ensuring they retain full control over their ticket sales and avoid additional processing fees.
• Custom registration fields: Event organizers can collect specific attendee information through custom registration fields, which allows for a tailored event experience. Additionally, with the use of shortcodes, users can display event-related blocks anywhere on their site.
• Easy check-ins: According to research, 67.5% of event attendees believe mobile event apps are crucial. Event Tickets Plus streamlines the entry process with QR code scanning, making check-ins quick and efficient through its mobile ticketing app. This is particularly useful for managing large events and reducing wait times.
• Personalized event pages: Your event is unique, and your ticketing pages should reflect that. Pair Event Tickets with The Events Calendar (free version available) to customize your pages to match your brand.
• Ticket insights for data-driven decisions: Track ticket sales and attendance with built-in reporting tools. This helps organizers understand their event performance and make data-driven decisions for future events.

Pricing: Event Tickets offers two plans

• Free version: Includes the basics like customizable emails, PayPal and Stripe payments, and simple ticket sales and RSVPs.
• Plus version: For just $99 a year per site, you get premium support, WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads integrations, digital wallet payments, customizable registration fields for capturing extra attendee information, QR code check in capabilities, and more. 

Event Tickets is flexible enough to handle different types of events and gives you the tools to make ticket sales a breeze. Plus, with everything happening on your own site, you’re building your brand with every ticket sold.

2. HoldMyTicket

HoldMyTicket provides a robust and flexible solution for event organizers, making it easier to manage ticket sales, promote events, and engage with attendees. Whether you need digital tickets, customized printed tickets, or advanced marketing tools, HoldMyTicket has you covered.

Key features and benefits

• Multiple ticket types: HoldMyTicket offers various ticket options, including digital tickets, thermal printed tickets, paper tickets, badges, and reusable tickets. This flexibility ensures that event organizers can choose the best ticketing solution for their specific needs, from eco-friendly digital tickets to custom-designed paper tickets for branding purposes.
• Comprehensive marketing tools: It integrates powerful marketing tools, including custom event pages, social media sharing, and newsletter messaging. Event organizers can create SEO-ready websites, send targeted emails, and share events on social media platforms, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement.
• Interactive seating charts: For events with seating arrangements, HoldMyTicket offers interactive seating charts that allow patrons to select their seats. The system supports seat holds, exchanges, and color-coded sections, making it easy to manage and sell tickets for seated events.
• Customizable event management tools: Users can create repeating events, manage multiple venues, and add event add-ons during ticket checkout. The platform also allows for internal communication and collaboration with staff members, ensuring efficient event planning and execution.

HoldMyTicket offers a range of different products depending on your event or ticket management needs. For example, they offer the free Spark platform for event management and the Swarm app for front-end box-office-style ticket sales. While HoldMyTicket itself offers free solutions, it charges a service fee of 10–15% on top of all tickets sold through the platform. Merchants can choose to absorb some or all of this fee.

3. TicketTailor

TicketTailor is an all-in-one event ticketing platform designed to simplify the ticketing process for both new and experienced event organizers. Packed with a wide array of features, TicketTailor aims to make event management easier and more successful.

Key features and benefits

• Customizable event pages: Create beautiful event pages using customizable templates. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large conference, Ticket Tailor’s templates ensure your event page looks professional and inviting.
• Mobile responsive pages: All event pages and widgets are optimized for mobile use, allowing ticket buyers to easily purchase tickets on the go. This ensures a great experience for users accessing your event details from any device.
• Public or private event listings: Manage the visibility of your events with ease. Private events can be hidden behind a password, ensuring they don’t appear in internet searches, while public events are easily accessible to everyone.
• Sell add-ons and merchandise: Upsell merchandise and products before your event starts by offering add-ons during the ticket purchase process. This feature helps drive additional revenue and enhances the overall event experience for attendees.

TicketTailor has three pricing plans. If you are hosting a free event, you can use the platform for free. For paid events, you can either purchase tickets upfront, or pay as you sell. In the first case, the more credits you purchase, the lesser the commission fees. For instance, if you buy 500 credits, the per ticket commission you have to pay is $0.52. If you purchase 1000 credits, the per ticket commission you have to pay is $0.46. And so on.

In the second case, where you pay as you sell, there is a flat fee of $0.75 per ticket. The platform also offers a 50% discount for charity events and low-priced tickets.

4. Eventcube

Eventcube is a ticketing platform designed to enhance both in-person and virtual event experiences. With features like white-label solutions, tiered ticket pricing, and integration with virtual event tools, Eventcube provides event organizers with the flexibility and tools needed to manage successful events.

Key features and benefits

• White-label solutions: Eventcube allows you to fully brand your ticketing experience. With white-label options, you can customize the look and feel of your event pages to align with your brand’s identity. This feature is perfect for creating a professional and cohesive event presence.
• Tiered ticket pricing: Eventcube supports tiered ticket pricing, so you can set different price levels for various ticket categories. This flexibility is ideal for offering early bird discounts, VIP experiences, or group rates, helping you maximize revenue and attendance.
• Promote your event: Amplify your event’s visibility and expand your reach with Eventcube’s promotional tools. Create professional and eye-catching event pages to attract potential attendees. Use built-in social media tools to spread the word and create a buzz around your event. Reach out to your audience with targeted email campaigns to increase engagement and ticket sales.

Eventcube’s pricing plans are as follows:

• Starter plan: Zero monthly fees. Charges include 5% of the ticket transaction total.
• Pro plan: $99 monthly fees. Charges include 3% of the ticket transaction total.
• Enterprise plan: Custom monthly fees. Bespoke rates for large-scale events. 

5. Eventbrite

Eventbrite has a flexible pricing structure, meaning you can choose a plan that fits your budget and event requirements. The combination of powerful features, ease of use, and extensive support makes Eventbrite a top choice for event organizers looking to create, promote, and manage successful events.

• Integrated marketing tools: Promote your events with Eventbrite’s integrated marketing tools. Share your event on social media platforms, send email invitations, and use SEO to increase visibility. Eventbrite also offers promotional tools like discount codes and special offers to boost ticket sales.
• Community support and resources: Eventbrite offers extensive support through its community forums, help center, and customer service team. You can access tutorials, guides, and best practices to enhance your event planning and execution. Additionally, Eventbrite’s blog provides insights and tips from industry experts.
• Flexible ticketing options: Eventbrite supports various ticket types, including general admission, VIP, and group tickets. You can also offer early bird pricing, promo codes, and donation options. This flexibility helps you cater to different audience segments and maximize revenue.
• Create and customize event pages: The platform allows you to quickly create and customize event pages. With user-friendly templates and design tools, you can build professional-looking event listings that attract attendees. Add images, videos, and detailed descriptions to make your event stand out.

Eventbrite charges based on the number of tickets you sell per event:

• Up to 25 tickets: The Flex plan lets you create one event and sell up to 25 tickets for free.
• Up to 100 tickets: The Flex plan is at $9 per event, and lets you host one event with a maximum of 100 attendees. The Pro plan is at $29 per month, where you can host unlimited events for up to 100 people.
• Up to 250 tickets: Here, the Flex plan costs $24 per event and the Pro plan costs $79 per month for up to 250 attendees.
• Unlimited: The Flex plan in this case is priced at $49 per event and the Pro plan is at $159 per month.

6. Ticketbud

Ticketbud is an all-in-one event management platform that provides flexible ticketing options, robust promotional tools, and detailed reporting features. It is suitable for a variety of events, from fundraisers to festivals.

Key features and benefits

• Landing pages for multiple events: TicketBud allows you to create landing pages to cross-promote multiple events or feature multi-day events. You can toggle between event tile lists and interactive calendar views, providing a user-friendly experience for potential attendees. This feature is ideal for organizations that host multiple events throughout the year.
• Create hybrid and virtual events: With TicketBud’s Zoom integration, you can easily create virtual passes for live events, allowing more people to participate online. This feature supports the growing trend of hybrid events, combining in-person and virtual attendance.
• Add sponsor logos: Promote your sponsors by adding their logos to your event page. This feature enhances your event’s professionalism and helps you secure sponsorship deals by providing visible recognition for your sponsors.
• Organization structure: Manage multiple organizations under your account. This feature allows you to promote events exclusively under different organizations, venues, or locations, providing flexibility and organization for event managers handling diverse portfolios.
• Timed entry ticketing: Maximize attendance and maintain limited capacity with timed entry ticketing. This feature allows you to create tickets that provide access at specific times, helping to manage crowd flow and enhance attendee experience at large events.

Ticketbud has a free plan for free events. It’s premium plans are as follows:

• Paid events: Attendees pay 2% +99c per ticket sold.
• Non-profits and schools: Attendees pay 1.75% +99c per ticket sold.

In both cases, there’s a payment processor fee of 2.9% +30c for each ticket. However, the platform has the option to let organizers pass the commission costs to the attendees or absorb them. So the scenario would be:

Case A: Attendees pay the commission costs.

The base price of a ticket is $20. The list price of the ticket becomes $22.35 where the customer pays the additional $2.35 and the organizer earns $20 per ticket.

Case B: Organizers pay the commission costs.

The list price of the ticket is $20. The organizer pays $2.35 and earns $17.65 per ticket.

7. Eventzilla

Eventzilla is a versatile event ticketing platform that allows organizers to create, promote, and manage events of all sizes with customizable registration forms, marketing integrations, and real-time analytics.

Key features and benefits

• Custom event registration pages: Create a stunning event registration page in minutes with Eventzilla’s easy-to-use templates. Customize your event details with images, videos, ticket options, maps, and social links, ensuring your event page looks professional and inviting.
• Multiple event registrations: Eventzilla supports multiple registration flows based on attendee types, including self-service options for registration, modification, cancellation, and refunds. This feature ensures a smooth and flexible registration experience for all participants.
• Account-free registration: Provide a hassle-free registration experience for your attendees. Eventzilla’s mobile-friendly registration pages do not require attendees to create an account, making the registration process quick and simple. 
• Embed registration widgets: Easily embed registration widgets on your blog, website, or even Facebook page. This feature allows attendees to register without leaving your site, providing a seamless experience and increasing your event’s visibility.
• Advanced event management: Eventzilla provides a multi-track event schedule builder, allowing you to create flexible schedules with multiple parallel tracks and sessions. Publish rich speaker profiles and customize each session with advanced enrollment options. The platform also offers comprehensive dashboards and custom reports, integrating with Google Analytics for detailed tracking of sales, visits, and referrals.

Eventzilla’s Basic plan starts at $1.75 per ticket and its Plus plan costs 1.45% + $0.75 per ticket. The platform also has custom pricing plans for larger events.

8. TicketSource

TicketSource offers a comprehensive online ticketing service designed for events of all sizes, featuring secure payment processing, customizable event pages, and detailed sales reporting.

Key features and benefits

• General admission and allocated seating: Whether you prefer general admission or allocated seating, TicketSource has you covered. Sell unallocated tickets from a quota or let customers choose their preferred seats from an onscreen layout of your venue. This flexibility helps cater to different event types and attendee preferences.
• Telephone box office service: For customers who prefer not to book online, TicketSource offers a Telephone Box Office service. This service handles booking phone calls on your behalf and answers basic queries, reducing the pressure on your own customer service team.
• Sell merchandise and extras: Enhance the attendee experience by offering sundry items such as programs, merchandise, and pre-show meals during the booking process. TicketSource allows you to monitor stock levels and bundle extras with tickets, encouraging additional purchases and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Waiting list feature: Manage interest for sold-out events with TicketSource’s waiting list feature. This tool allows you to record ticket interest from customers, ensuring you can take advantage of opportunities to accommodate more attendees, such as returned tickets or additional dates.

TicketSource charges 3.5% + 0.99c per ticket, including all processing costs.

Why Event Tickets stands out

Event Tickets isn’t just another ticketing platform. It’s a powerful tool that gives you full control over your events. Let’s look at what makes it special.

Advanced features

Event Tickets can handle ticketing for events of all sizes and works for both in-person and online events.

You can add custom fields to your registration forms, create personalized emails, and set up different ticket types, so the ticketing process can perfectly fit your event.

Plus, its mobile app is very strong. Both you and your attendees can use it on phones and tablets. The QR code feature makes check-ins quick and easy.

And if you want to know how your event is doing, Event Tickets has great reporting tools. You can track ticket sales, see who’s attending, and more. This helps you make smart decisions for your events.

User experience and usability

Event Tickets is easy to set up and use. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to get started. The interface is clear and simple.

One of the best things about Event Tickets is that you can host it on your own website. This means you don’t need to use other platforms. You keep control of your data and your brand.

Need help? Event Tickets has great customer support. You can get help through live chat, email, or phone. There’s also a lot of helpful information through guides and in the knowledgebase.

Cost-effectiveness

Event Tickets Plus doesn’t charge you for each ticket you sell. Instead, you pay a flat yearly fee. This makes it easier to plan your budget and could save you a lot of money, especially for bigger events.

Real-world use cases: WordCamp US Pride Party

Picture this: It’s 2023, and the WordCamp US Pride Party is in full swing. But here’s the catch — 2,000 eager WordCamp attendees are vying for just 400 coveted party spots. Talk about a hot ticket!

The organizers knew they needed a rock-solid plan. Enter Event Tickets. 

They whipped up a sleek WordPress site using the Kadence theme, featuring an irresistible RSVP form front and center. With Event Tickets at the helm, they effortlessly collected data, managed RSVPs, and fired off personalized email confirmations packed with all the party particulars.

But the real showstopper was the Event Tickets Plus mobile app. 

With this nifty tool, organizers breezed through check-ins using QR codes. No more endless queues, just happy partygoers ready to mingle!

The 2023 bash was such a hit they did it all over again in June 2024. This time, 793 people signed up for the WCEU 2024 Pride Party. The organizers cranked up the excitement by showcasing attendees on the website, sparking a buzz that had everyone talking before the first beat dropped.

This real-life party proves that with Event Tickets, you can kiss ticketing troubles goodbye and focus on throwing an unforgettable shindig. Now, that’s something to celebrate!

Take the next step with Event Tickets

Having the right event ticketing platform can make a world of difference for event organizers, making the entire event management process smoother and more efficient.

That’s why Event Tickets is so great. It’s flexible, cost-effective, and packed with features that work perfectly with WordPress. This makes it a powerful tool for managing ticket sales, whether you’re planning a small meetup or a big conference.

So, if you are ready to make your next event a breeze, why not give Event Tickets a try today? It could be the solution you’ve been looking for in your event planning toolkit.

The post Event Ticketing Software: What to Look for appeared first on The Events Calendar.