Eventbrite is the go to ticketing platform for everyone and anyone looking to sell tickets to their events online. But, the number of organizations that reach out to Zeffy looking for an alternative to Eventbrite got us wondering if Eventbrite really is the best option out there.
Sure, Eventbrite is a no brainer: it’s big, people know what it is, and it’s an obvious first choice if you don’t know that alternatives to Eventbrite exist. But, once you know that there are less expensive, easier to use, friendlier options out there, well, you might find that an Eventbrite competitor better suits your needs (and saves you money).
Since we started Zeffy, we’ve gotten to know a few alternatives to Eventbrite. The organizations that use our platform share their favourites with us and we’ve done our own research (competitor analysis) to come up with a list of Eventbrite alternatives. In this article, we’re going to explore 8 of them and do a deeper dive into the pricing and features of each one.
The best Eventbrite alternatives: a TL;DR:
- Zeffy: the only 100% free event ticketing and event management solution for nonprofits.
- Ticketspice: known for their transparent pricing, which can be helpful for nonprofits.
- Whova: a technology-forward event management software designed for larger organzations.
- Splash: great for event planners that need simple, design forward templates with customizable reporting.
- Wild Apricot: a solid option for nonprofits that need to manage memberships alongside event registration.
- GoTo Webinar: a simple solution for organizations that exclusively host webinars.
- RegFox: an affordable, streamlined solution for small to medium sized events.
- Jotform: a simple solution with a suite of forms to help you automate your event management process.
Why do you need an eventbrite alternative?
Honestly, you might not need an alternative to Eventbrite. But, if you’re looking for more flexibiilty, to save money, host a webinar, explore various forms, or up your brand presence, you might just benefit from giving an Eventbrite competitor a try.
What makes the best Eventbrite alternative?
The best Eventbrite alternative really depends on the needs of your organization. Before choosing Eventbrite as your default ticketing platform, consider your budget, the size of your event, and the type of event you are hosting.
Eventbrite is a great no-brainer. But, there are less expensive, easier to use, and more brand-friendly options out there.
Top Eventbrite competitors you should consider:
1. Zeffy: A free Eventbrite alternative for nonprofits does exist
We know what you’re thinking: A free Eventbrite alternative? Like, actually free? With no limitations? No hidden fees? No way. There’s gotta be a catch.
We understand your skepticism. Most alternatives to Eventbrite claim to be free, but end up charging hidden fees (like credit card transaction fees) to access all of their products and tools. Zeffy is actually free. How? Zeffy is funded through voluntary contributions. When donors give using the Zeffy platform they can choose to give an additional contribution. Not every donor gives every time and that's okay. Collectively, we make it work.
We’re not saying there aren’t other great Eventbrite alternatives for nonprofits out there, but Zeffy is the only ticketing and event management platform that is 100% free for nonprofits.
Heard enough? Sign up for one of our weekly demos and get to know us a little better.
What Zeffy does well:
- There are no limits to the number of campaigns and events you can host, the number of transactions you can process, or the number of members you can sign up.
- Zeffy’s tickets and forms are entirely customizable. You can even add questions to help specialize your event.
- Zeffy’s Customer Success team is ready and willing to answer any questions and help you learn the ins and outs of everything Zeffy’s 100% free platform can do for you.
- Zeffy’s free Tap-to-pay app lets nonprofits accept payments in person.
What Zeffy is working to improve:
- Zeffy doesn’t allow you to upload interactive seating plans—yet. But, their Customer Success team has come up with a few clever work arounds for seating charts.
- If you’ve got more questions, why not sign up for one of our demos! (We know… This isn’t actually something we need to improve on. But, if you’ve got questions, it’s a great place to ask them.)
2. Ticketspice: A transparent alternative to Eventbrite
When it comes to Eventbrite alternatives for nonprofits there aren’t a ton that can claim to be built on transparency. Ticketspice is different.
What Ticketspice does well:
- Their transparent pricing makes it easy for nonprofits to stay on budget.
- Their ticketing and event management platform is one of the simplest platforms to use.
What Ticketspice doesn’t do super well:
- Ticketspice is not free and it doesn’t have reduced pricing for nonprofits.
- Ticketspice is an event management platform, not a complete fundraising platform.
3. Whova: An Eventbrite alternative that specialises in attendee participation.
Whova has an impressive roster of organizations that trust it to help them deliver an unforgettable event experience.
What Whova does well:
- Whova specializes in larger, interactive events.
- Their all-in-one event management software is great for experienced event planners looking for a more robust option.
What Whova doesn’t do super well:
- Their pricing model is not visible to everyone (you need to request a demo to see their prices).
- Whova’s platform isn’t designed for beginners.
4. Splash: An Eventbrite competitor that makes you look good.
Splash is an event registration and marketing platform that can help manage your events—offline or online.
What Splash does well:
- Their virtual and hybrid event solutions are designed to help make your events look as good as they are with powerful customization tools and a library of modern templates.
- Splash can help you promote your event and track it’s results with design-forward emails.
What Splash doesn’t do super well:
- Their pricing model is not visible to everyone (you need to request a demo to see their prices).
- Their free option is super limited—making it a less than ideal choice for smaller organizations.
5. Wild Apricot: An event platform like Eventbrite, but with a focus on membership.
Wild Apricot is first and foremost a donor membership software. So, even though they have event management features, they aren’t quite as complete or user friendly as some of the other Eventbrite alternatives we’ve mentioned.
What Wild Apricot does well:
- Wild Apricot’s member database tools help make inviting and managing your donors easy.
- They have a completely transparent pricing model.
What Wild Apricot doesn’t do super well:
- Wild Apricot isn’t as simple to use as other ticketing and event management platforms.
- The pricing of their plans are based on the number of members your nonprofit has.
6. GoTo Webinar: An Eventbrite competitor that specializes in virtual events.
GoTo Webinar is a huge online event and communication company that specializes in webinar planning and hosting software.
What GoTo Webinar does well:
- GoTo Webinar helps organizations make the most of their virtual events with interactive features and customizable modes.
- They’re a safe a secure option boasting enterprise-grade security.
What GoTo Webinar doesn’t do super well:
- GoTo Webinar’s pricing model depends on the number of attendees your virtual event will attract.
- Some users claim the platform looks and feels outdated.
7. RegFox: The alternative to Eventbrite with upfront, transparent pricing.
RegFox has become known for its affordable, powerful event registration software. Like Zeffy, it is consistently rated highly by the organizations that use it.
What RegFox does well:
- RegFox’s pricing is affordable and transparent.
- Its platform is loved by the organzations that use it for its simplicity and effectiveness.
- Its tech support is ready and willing to help.
What RegFox doesn’t do super well:
- Some user find RegFox’s tools are a bit buggy.
- Their platform doesn’t allow for a ton of flexibility.
8. Jotform: The Eventbrite alternative that uses their profits for good.
Jotform is a great “out-of-the-box solution” and prides itself on being incredibly easy to use and integrate into your existing business platforms and apps.
What Jotform does well:
- Jotform has over 10,000 form templates to ensure you find one that fits your organziation and event.
- Their pricing is transparent and easy to understand.
What Jotform doesn’t do super well:
- Jotform may have a ton of templates, but their customization features aren’t quite as robust as some users would like.
- They only allow for a single login or user per account (unless you sign up for their Enterprise package).
A few other Eventbrite alternatives.
If the above list doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are always the other Eventbrite competitors:
Which Eventbrite alternative should you use?
Eventbrite is a huge event management company with relatively high platform and transaction fees and that means it’s easy to find alternatives that will save your nonprofit a lot of money.
But, there are other things to consider as well: the current and future needs of your nonprofit, the kind of events you host, and even your nonprofit’s mission.
We think Zeffy checks all the boxes, but we understand we’re not for everyone. So, we encourage you to compare as many sites as you can before you make your decision. But, if you’re decision is made (and you’re a nonprofit), you can sign up for Zeffy for free right now.
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